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INDIAN WARS 



¥0 I 
AND 



Pioneers of Texas. 



BY 

JOHN HENRY BROWN. 



L. E PA VI ELL, Publisher, 
-in, Texas. ^^.^ 



M. 



3fc ^2.U 



[0 3 



Press of -UECKTOLD — 

liixon-Jor,es Printing Company. Phinting and Buok Mfg. Co. 

St. I.OUiS, Mo. ST. LODIS, MO. 



v^ 



^'V 



DEDICATORY PREFACE. 



The reader of this volume is introduced to a series of advancing scenes in a 
drama that had its beginning in the fii'st feeble attempts that were made at the 
settlement of the country, and to a succession of actors from the solitary explorer 
of seventy years ago to the men of to-day. 

To one of the most nsefnl, honored and capable of the latter, our esteemed 
friend — 

Mr. George Sealy, 

of Gnlveston, 

this work is respectfully dedicated. 

The book leads the reader through the pnst to the present and here leaves him 
amid active and progressive men who are advancing, along with him. toward the 
future. 

Including, as it does, lives of men now living, it constitutes a connecting link 
between what has gone before and what is to come after. It is therefore fitting 
that it should be dedicated to a prominent man of our day in jireference to one of 
former times. The matter presented, in the nature of things, is largely biographical. 

There can be no foundation for history without biography. History is a 
generalization of particulars. It presents wide extended views. To use a para- 
dox, history gives ns but a part of history. That other part which it does not 
give us, the part Avhich introduces us to the thoughts, aspirations and daily life 
of a people, is supplied by biography. 

When a good action is performed we feel that it should be remembered 
forever. When a good man dies, there is nothing saddei- than the retlec-tion thnt 
he will be forgotten. No record has been preserved of the greater number of 

(3) 



DEDICATORY PREFACE. 



iioI)k' actions. Tho names of some of the men who have done most to make 
history have fonnd no place upon its pages. 

As Thoinas-a-Kempis hath truly said : " To-day the man is here ; to-moi'row he 
hath disappeared. And when he is out of si^-ht, ([iiiekly also is he out of mind. 

•' Tell me now, where are all those doctors and masters, with whom thou wast 
well acquainted, while they lived and flourished in learning?'? ISTow others possess 
their livings and jjerhaps do scarce ever think of them. In their lifetime they 
seemed something, but now they are not spoken of." 

The men whose deeds are recorded in this book were or are deeply identi- 
fied with Texas, and the preservation in this volume in enduring form of some 
remembrance of them — their names, who and what they were — has been a 
pleasant task to one who feels a deep interest and pride in Texas — its past 
iiistory, its heroes and future destiny. The book is presented to the reader 
with the hope that he will find both pleasure and profit in its perusal. 



INTRODUCTORY 



TO thp: 



Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas. 



The first contest on the soil of Texas between 
Americans and Indians antedates the visit of Moses 
Austin to the country in 1820 ; but the combatants 
were not colonists ; they were a part of the second 
expedition of Capt. James Long in aid of the 
patriots in the Mexican revolution. His first ex- 
pedition, entering East Texas by land, had been 
defeated in detail and driven from the country by 
the troops of Spain, sent from San Autouio. This 
second expedition came by water to Bolivar Point, 
opposite the east end of Galveston Island, and forti- 
fied that place. Some of the expedition, under 
Don Felix Trespalacios, and among whom was the 
subsequently distinguished martj'r of Bexar in 1835, 
Col. Benjamin R. Milam, sailed down the coast 
and landed nearTampico. Fifty-two men remained 
with Long, among whom were John Austin (com- 
mander at Velasco in 1832), .John McHenry, 
deceased in Jackson County in 1885, and a number 
of educated and daring Americans from different 
States of the Union. In December, 1853, in De 
Bow's New Orleans Review, the author of this work, 
after repeated interviews with Capt. McHenry, 
long his neighbor, gave this account of that first 
strictly American-Indian fight in Texas, late in the 
autumn of 1819. Its verity has never been ques- 
tioned : — 

While Long was at Bolivar, a French sloop 
freighted with wines and Mexican supplies, bound 
to Cassano, stranded on Galveston Island near the 
present city. The Carancahua Indians, to the 
number of 200 warriors, were then encamped in 
the immediate vicinity, and at once attacked and 
butchered all on board the sloop, plundered the 
craft, and entered upon a general jollification and 
war-dance. Long (discovering these facts) deter- 



mined to chastise them for their baseness. Accord- 
ingly after nightfall, at the head of thirty men 
(including McHenry), he passed over in small 
boats to the island, and made an unexpected assault 
upon the guilty wretches, who were then greatly 
heated by the wines. 

The Carancahuas, however, though surprised, 
instantly seized their weapons, and yelling furiously, 
met their assailants with determined courage. 
With such superior numbers, they were a full match 
for Long. The combatants soon came to a hand- 
to-hand fight of doubtful issue ; but Long directed 
his men in a masterly manner and effected a retreat 
to his boats, leaving thirty-two Indians killed, three 
of his own men dead, and two badly besides several 
slightly wounded. George Early was severely 
wounded. Long's party took two Indian boys 
prisoners, and retained them, one of whom was 
accidentally killed some time afterwards. This is 
doubtless the first engagement known between the 
war-like Carancahuas and the Americans. 

THE FIRST CONTEST WITH THE COLONISTS. 

The first two schooner loads of immigrants to 
Texas, under the auspices of Stephen F. Austin, 
landed on the west bank, three miles above the 
mouth of the Colorado, late in March, 1822, having 
left New Orleans on the 7th of February. The first 
of the two vessels to arrive was the schooner Only 
Son, owned by Kincheloe and Anderson, two of the 
immigrants, and commanded by Capt. Benjamin 
Ellison, who made many subsequent trips to our 
coast and died at his home in Groton, Connecticut, 
July 17, 1880. [The writer met him at his own 
home in 1869 and 1870, and found him to be a 
refined and elegant old Christian gentleman, with 

(5) 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



kind i-ecollections of the early pioneers on our 
coast, and 3'et retaining a warm interest in the wel- 
fare of Texas.] Among those arriving on the 
Onlj' Son were Abram M. Clare, from Kentucky, 
who, till his death about forty years later, was a 
worthy citizen; Maj. George Helm, of Kentucky, 
who died on the eve of leaving to bring out his 
family, one of whose sons, John L. Helm, was 
afterwards Governor of Kentucky, while another is 
the venerable Rev. Dr. Samuel Larue Helm, of the 
Baptist Church, still of that State ; Charles Whitson 
and family, James Morgan and familj' ; Greenup 
Hayes, a grandson of Daniel Boone, who did not 
remain in the country ; Mr. Bray, who settled at the 
mouth of Bray's bayou, now Harrisburg, and his 
son-in-law. While in Galveston Bay a number of 
the colonists died of yellow fever, before reaching 
Matagorda Bay. Among those who arrived by the 
other vessel were Samuel M. Williams, afterwards 
so long Secretary of Austin's Colony, and Jonathan 
C. Peyton and wife, Angelina B.. a sister of Bailie 
Pe\ton of Tennessee, afterwards the wife of Jacob 
Eberly, by which name she was widely known and 
esteemed throughout Texas, till her death about 
1860. These personal facts are mentioned in justice 
to those who were the first of our countrymen to 
cross the gulf and seek homes in the wilderness of 
Texas — the first, in that mode, to vindicate the 
grand conception of the already deceased Moses 
Austin, at the very moment that his son and suc- 
cessor, Stephen F. Austin, was encountering in San 
Antonio de Bexar the first of a long series of 
obstacles to the prosecution of the enterprise — an 
enterprise in the fruition of wbich, as time has 
alread}^ shown, was directly involved the welfare of 
two and a half millions of people now on the soil of 
Texas, besides indirectly affecting other vast mul- 
titudes now resident in California, Nevada, Utah, 
Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The politico- 
economical aspect of this question would fill a 
volume in following the march of our race 
from Jamestown, Plymouth and Beaufort to the 
present time, both interesting and edifying to the 
highest order of political philosophers ; but its 
discussion does not fall within the scope of this 
work. 

These immigrants, leaving a small guard with 
their effects, somewhat aided by a few persons who 
had settled on and near the Colorado, within the 
present bounds of the counties of Colorado and 
Fayette, moved up iti that portion of the wilderness. 
James Cummins, Jesse Burnham, and a few others 
constituted the infant settlements referred to at 
that time. 

Before leaving their supplies under guard those 



savages of the coast, the Carancahuas,* had visited 
the immigrants, professed friendship, and entered 
into a verbal treaty of good will. But, -in keeping 
with their instincts, as soon as the families and 
main strength of the party had been gone sufficiently 
long, they clandestinel}' assailed the camp — the 
guard escaping more or less wounded — and seized 
its contents. On learning this a party marched 
down and chastised a small encampment of the 
Indians, giving them a foretaste of what they real- 
ized, when too late, that they must either in good 
faith be at peace with the Americans or suffer an- 
nihilation. Thirty j'ears later their once powerful 
tribe — long the scourge of wrecked vessels and 
their crews — was practically, if not absolutelj', 
extinct. This was the first blood shed between the 
settlers and the Indians. 

The Carancahuas were both treacherous and 
troublesome, often stealing from the settlers and 
often firing upon tliem from ambush. The earlier 
colonists living in proximity to the coast were 
greatly annoyed by them. But there is no reliable 
account of many of their earlier depredations. 
About 1851 a small volume was published, purport- 
ing to consist of letters by an early settler in the 
section mentioned to a friend in Kentucky, giving 
current accounts of events from 1822 to about 1845, 
when in fact thej' were written by another, and a 
stranger in the countiy, from the verbal recitals 
from memoiy of the assumed author. The gross 
inaccuracies in regard to events occurring much 
later, especially in 1832 and 1840, necessarily 
weaken confidence in his statements in regard to 
earlier occurrences. We must, therefore, be con- 
tent with more or less imperfect summaries of the 
conflicts with the Carancahuas for the first few years 
of the colonj'. 

Among the first of which any account has been 
preserved was an attack from ambush by these 
savages upon three young men in a canoe in the 
Colorado river, in the spring of 1823. The locality 
is now in Colorado County. Loy and Alley (the lat- 
ter one of several brothers) were killed. Clark, their 
companion, escaped to tiie opposite bank, severely 
but not mortally wounded. On the same day another 
young man named Robert Brothertou was fired upon 
and wounded by them, but escaped on horseback to 
convey the news to the settlers above, these two 
attacks being near the mouth of Skull creek. 

* I follow the correct Spanish spelling of the names 
of the Texas Indian tribes, giving also the correct pro- 
nunciation. Thus, Caran-ca-hua, pronounced Kar-au- 
ka-wah. There hasbeen no uuiforraitv in the orthography 
of these names among American writers. All, however, 
will agree that there should be. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



This was Robert Brotherton from St. Louis 
County, Missouri, of which his two brothers, James 
and Marshall, were successively sheriff, from 18o4 
to 1842. Robert died unmarried at Columbus, 
Texas, about 1857, leaving his estate to his nephew, 
Joseph W. McClnrg, who, after a short residence 
in Texas, returned to Missouri, to become later a 
congressman and Governor of the State. 

A part}' of the settlers, numbering fourteen or 
fifteen, by a cautious night march arrived at the 
Indian camp in time to attack it at dawn on the 
following morning. Completely surprised, the 
Indians fled into the brush, leaving several dead. 
This was on Skull creek, a few miles from 
Columbus. 

The depredations of the Carancahuas continued 
with such frequency that Austin determined to 
chastise and if possible force them into pacific 
behavior. [Having left San Antonio very unex- 
pectedly for the city of Mexico in March, 1822, to 
secure a ratification of his colonization scheme by 
the newly formed government of Iturbide, the 
original concession of 1821 to Moses Austin having 
been made by the expiring authorities under 
Spain, Austin was now, in the summer of 1824, at 
his new home on the Brazos, clothed temporarily 
with authority to administer the civil and judicial 
affairs of the colony, and to command the militia 
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.] Capt. 
Randall Jones, in command of twenty-three men, 
in the month of September, moved down the 
Brazos in canoes. On the lower river he was 
visited by some of the Indians who, on seeing his 
strength, manifested friendship. But learning that 
about thirty warriors of the tribe were encamped 
on a tributary of the Bernard, about seven miles 
distant, and also that about a dozen others had 
gone to Bailej^'s, further up the river, to bu}' 
ammunition, Capt. Jones sent two messengers 
up the river for help. These two found a small 
number already collected to watch the party at 
Bailey's. Becoming assured of their hostile intent, 
the settlers attacked them, killed several and the 
others fled. 

Without waiting for reinforcements, Capt. 
Jones determined to attack the party on the creek. 
Crossing to its west side he moved down in the 
night abreast the Indian camp, which was on the 
margin of a marshy expansion of the creek, covered 
with high grass, reeds, etc. At daylight the wiiites 
fired, charging into the camp. In a moment the 
Indians were secreted in the rank vegetation, hurl- 
ing arrows with dangerous precision into their 
exposed assailants. In another moment one or two 
of the whites fell dead, and several were wounded. 



To maintain their position was suicidal ; to charge 
upon the hidden foe was madness ; to retire as 
best they could was the dictate of common sense. 
This they did, pursued up the creek to where they 
recrossed it. They had three men killed, bearing 
the names of Spencer, Singer, and Bailey, and 
several wounded. It was claimed that fifteen 
Indians were killed, but of this there was no 
assurance when we remember the arms then in use. 
Be that as it may, it was a clear repulse of the 
whites, whose leader, Capt. Jones, was an expe- 
rienced soldier of approved courage. Such a result 
was lamentable at that period in the colon j''s 
infancy. It was this affair which caused the name 
of "Jones" to be bestowed on that creek. 

Soon after this the Carancahuas, a little above 
the mouth of the Colorado, captured an American 
named White and two Mexicans, in a canoe, who 
had gone from the San Antonio to buy corn. They 
let White go under a promise that he would bring 
down corn from the settlement and divide it with 
them — the canoe and Mexicans remaining as hos- 
tages. When White reported the affair to the 
people above, Capt. Jesse Burnham, with about 
thirty men, hastened to the spot agreed upon, and 
very soon ambushed a canoe containing seven or 
eight Indians, nearly all of whom were slain at the 
first fire, and it was not certain that a single one 
escaped. 

Col. Austin, near this time, raised about a 
hundred volunteers and marched from the Brazos 
southwesterly in search of the Carancahuas. Some 
accounts say that he went to meet them, at their 
request, to make a treaty. Others assert that he 
started forth to chastise them, and that after 
crossing the Guadalupe at Victoria he met messen- 
gers from the Indians, sent through the priests of 
Goliad, proposing to meet and enter into a treatj' 
with him. This is undoubtedly the true version. 
Austin started pi'cpared and determined to punish 
the Indians for their repeated outrages, or force 
them to leave the limits of his colony. Had he 
only gone in response to their invitation, he would 
not have taken with him over a dozen men. He 
met them on the Menahuilla creek, a few miles 
east of La Bahia, and, being much persuaded 
thereto by the clergy and Alcalde of that town, 
made a treaty with them, in which they pledged 
themselves never again to come east of the San 
Antonio river. More than one writer has been led 
to assert that the Carancahuas kept that pledge, 
which is notoriously untrue, as they conunitted 
occasional depredations east of that river at inter- 
vals for twenty-one years, and at other intervals 
lived at peace with settlements, hunting and some- 



8 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



times picking cotton for tlie people. In 1842 they 
were living on the margins of Matagorda Bay, 
often seen by the author of this work, while during 
the succeeding December, with the Somervell 
expedition, he saw perhaps a dozen of the tribe 
on the banks of the Rio Grande. The last Ameri- 
can blood slied by them was that of Capt. John 
F. Kempeu, in Victoria County, whom they mur- 
dered in November, 184.5. [Vide Victor M. Rose's 
History of Victoria Couutj', page 21.] 

Austin's movement was a wise one. It con- 
vinced those unfaithful creatures that the Ameri- 
cans had become strong enough to hold the couutrj' 
and punish their overt acts. They had formerly 
been partially under the influence of the mission- 
aries, and still had their children baptized by the 
priests who stood somewhat as sponsors for them 
in the treaty, probably a stroke of policy mutually 
understood by them and Col. Austin, as sure to 
have no evil effect, and with the hope that it might 
exert a salutary influence, as it doubtless did. We 
must not forget that those were the days of infancy 
and small things in Texas. 

As to the number of Indians in Texas in its first 
American settlement, we have no reliable statistics. 
The following semi-official statement, published in 
the Nashville (Tenn.) Banner of August 1, 1836, 
is deemed authentic as far as it goes ; but it does 
not include those tribes or portions of tribes — as 
for instance the Comanches — pertaining to Texas, 
or south of the Arkansas river and west of the 
100th degree of longitude west of Greenwich : — 

Mr. Editou — As the public mind has been and 
still is somewhat excited with regard to the situa- 
tion of our western frontier, and the State being 
now under a requisition of Gen. Gaines for a 
regiment of mounted gun men to maintain its 
defense, I have thought it would not be uninter- 
esting to the public to know the names and numbers 
of Indian tribes on that frontier. The statement 
is taken from an estimate accompanying a map of 
survey showing the geographical and relative posi- 
tions of the different tribes, which was prepared at 
the topographical bureau during the present year, 
which I have not yet seen published. 

The names and numbers of the Indians who 
have emigrated to the west of the Mississippi : — 

Choctaws 15,003 

Apalachicoles 265 

Cherokees 5,000 

Creeks 2,459 

Seuecas and Shawnees 211 

Senecas (from Sandusky) 231 

Potowatomies 141 



Peorias and Kaskaskias 132 

Pienkeshaws 1G2 

Wees 222 

Ottoways 200 

Kickapoos 470 

Shawnees 1,250 

Delawares 826 

The names and numbers of the Indian tribes 
resident west of the Mississippi : — 

lowas 1,200 

Sacs, of the Missouri 500 

Omahas 1,400 

Ottoes and Missourians 1,600 

Pawnees 10,000 

Comanches 7,000 

Mandons 15,000 

Mineterees 15,000 

Assinaboins 800 

Crees 3,000 

Crosventres 3,000 

Crows 45,000 

Sioux 27,500 

Quapaws 460 

Caddos 800 

Poncas 800 

Osages 5,120 

Konsas 1,471 

Sacs 4,800 

Arickaras 8,000 

Chazenes 2,000 

Blackfeet .30,000 

Foxes 1,600 

Areehpas and Keawas 1,400 

There is yet remaining east of the river in the 
Southern States a considerable number: the five 
principal tribes are the Seminoles, Creeks, Chero- 
kees, Choctaws and Chickasaws. 

Seminoles, yet remaining east 2,420 

Choctaws, yet remaining east 3,500 

Chickasaws, yet remaining east 5,420 

Cherokees, yet remaining east 10,000 

Creeks, yet remaining east 22,668 

Those stated as western tribes extend along the 
whole western frontier. And taking as true the 
opinions of the department, that the average 
number of an Indian family is four, it may be seen 
what number of warriors, by possibilitj^ might be 
brought into the field, and what number on the 
other hand might be required to keep them in 
check. 

By publishing the foregoing statement, you will 
oblige your humble servant, 

Thomas J. Porter. 




CHIEF AT HOME. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



At that time there were in East Texas the Chero- 
kees and their twelve associate bands of United 
States Indians, embracing portions of the Dela- 
wares, Shawnees, Kickapoos, Alabamas, Coosh- 
attes, Caddos, Pawnees, and others. 

There were also remnants of ancient Texas 
Indians - — some almost extinct — such as the 
Achaes, Jaranenies, Anaquas, Bedwias — still 
formidable bodies of Carancahuas, Tasahuas, 
Lipaus, Tahnacarnoes, Wacos, Wichitas, Keechies, 
lonies, Towdashes, and others, besides the still 
principal tribes of the Comanches, Kiowas and 



to their west the Apaches, Navajoes, and others 
more strictly pertaining to New Mexico, but often 
depredating in Texas, as did the Mescalaros and 
other tribes from beyond the Eio Grande hailing 
from Coahuila and Chihuahua. 

Our work is hereafter confined to events after the 
American settlements began. It covers the period 
from 1822 to 1874, fifty-two years, and much is 
untold, but the early struggles in every part of this 
State are given as illustrations of what the pioneers 
of Texas suffered. 



Mrs. Jane Long at Bolivar Point — 1820. 



Bolivar Point lies, green and inviting, a high 
point of land in sight of Galveston. It seems to 
say to pleasure-seekers, " Come and visit me. I 
have shad3' groves, fresh breezes, and in the season 
fine melons and fruits to offer, but there are events 
of historic and romantic interest connected with 
me, which add tenfold to my attractiveness." Yes, 
truly, seventy-six years ago Bolivar was the scene of 
events now known to comparatively few, except per- 
haps members of old Texas families, who have 
heard them related by the remarkable woman who 
there displayed a heroic devotion and courage rarely 
equaled in modern times. 

First we see her, in the V'ear 1815, at Natchez, 
Miss., with sun-bonnet hiding her clustering curls, 
and school satchel on arm, as she wends her way to 
the academy. The same day she meets, for the 
first time, Dr. Long, who has just distinguished 
himself in the battle of New Orleans, where he won 
from Gen. Jackson the sobriquet of "The 
Young Lion." The stream which separates simple 
acquaintance from passionate love was soon crossed, 
and the boy surgeon of twenty and Jane Wilkinson, 
the school girl of fifteen, became husband and wife. 
A' few years of quiet domestic life, and the adven - 
turous spirit and manly ambition of the soldier 
assumed full swaj' over a mind which could not be 
content with the peaceful pursuits of the farmer, nor 
yet with the humdrum traffic of the merchant, which 
Long successively engaged in after his marriage. 

Mexico was struggling to be free from Spain, and 
in 1819 Gen. Long became the leader of a gal- 
lant band of men raised in Natchez for the purpose 
of wresting that portion of Mexico called Texas 



from the Spanish yoke. Through the many excit- 
ing scenes incident to a soldier's life in this almost 
unknown country, Mrs. Long followed her husband, 
content if she could but be near him. In 1820 she 
found a resting place in a rude fort at Bolivar 
Point, fortified and provisioned by Gen. Long 
before his departure for La Bahia, or Goliad. Here 
the adoring wife long awaited a return, of whose 
impossibility her boundless faith would not allow 
her to conceive. As time wore on, and no news of 
the General's fate arrived, Bolivar was deserted by 
the two men who constituted the guard. Although 
several vessels touched at the point for the purpose 
of conveying Mrs. Long to New Orleans, she, with 
her little daughter and negro servant girl, Kian, 
determined, at all hazards, to await her husband's 
return. 

When we look upon the Galveston Island of to- 
daj', with its citj' rising from the sea, its market 
gardens and dairy farms, its beach gay with costly 
equipages, and surf noisy with the shouts of bathers, 
it is difficult to recognize in it the Galveston Island 
of seventy-six years ago. At that time, deserted 
even by the pirate Lafitte, the red house and the 
three trees the only objects that rose above the 
water's edge, the cry of seagulls and pelicans, 
mingled with the doleful sighing of breaking waves, 
the only sounds to reach the ear of the brave woman 
who kept her lonely watch at Bolivar, as we view 
the incoming ships, laden with freight from every 
quarter of the globe, and the sailing yachts bearing 
pleasure parties perhaps to the very spot whence 
Mrs. Long often strained her eyes to descry a dis- 
tant sail which might bring good tidings, it is 



10 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



almost impossible to form a true conception of tlie 
extreme desolateness of her situation. 

In tlie midst of a region little known by whites, 
the only human beings she could expect to see were 
the savage Carancahua Indians, who might be 
tempted to retnrn to their old haunts on the island, 
now that Lafitte had deserted the place, or other 
Indians who might approach from the Trinity. 
Wlieuever they came near enough to cause her to 
dread an attack, she had presence of mind to fire 
off the cannon, and give other iudications that the 
fort was occupied by a formidable force. There 
were times when, not daring to go out by da}% Kian 
would visit the beach at night, in order to get 
oysters, which were often their only article of 
food. Great was the rejoicing when, during that 
severe winter of 1820-21, which converted the bay 
into a sheet of ice, Kian found numbers of be- 
numbed or frozen fish beneath the icy surface, and, 
with Mrs. Long's assistance, a hole was cut, and a 
good supply obtained and packed in the brine of 
mackerel barrels. The cold was at this time so in- 
tense that the ice was strong enough to bear the 
weight of a bear which calmly pursued its way 
across the bay, unmolested save by the barking of 
Mrs. Long's dog, "Galveston." 



At length the period of lonely waiting drew to 
a close. One daj' there came a Mexican from 
San Antonio, sent by Gen. Palaeios, bearing 
a message ; but how different were the tidings 
from those for which the devoted wife had fondly 
hoped ! 

The tragic manner of Gen. Long's death in 
the city of Mexico is well known to readers of 
Texas history, but none can ever know the shock 
which his young wife experienced at this rude 
awakening from her long dream of a happy reunion. 
Some weeks later a second messenger came, pro- 
vided with mules to convey' her and her little family, 
consisting of two girls (an infant having been born 
during her sojourn at Bolivar) and the faithful ser- 
vant, to San Antonio. Here she was treated with 
marked distinction by the Mexican government, as 
the widow of a patriot and a hero. 

Her long life of widowhood, intimately bound up 
with the history of Texas, came to a close, at the 
age of eighty-two, on the 30th of December, 1880, 
at Richmond, Texas, where her son-in-law, Judge 
Sullivan, and granddaughter still reside. Her 
Spartan qualities became the legacy of Texians, for 
historians have concurred in bestowing upon her 
the worthy title, " The Mother of Texas." 



The Cherokee Indians and Their Twelve Associate Bands 
Fights with the Wacos and Tehuacanos — 
1820 to 1829. 



A little before 1820, dissatisfied portions of the 
great Cherokee tribe of Indians, who had, from the 
earliest knowledge we have of them, occupied 
a large, romantic and fertile district of country, 
now embraced in East Tennessee, Western North 
Carolina and the upper portions of South Carolina, 
Georgia and Alaljama, began emigrating west of 
the Mississippi. Before tlie close of that year a 
portion of them reached and halted temporarily on 
Eed river, in the northeast corner of Texas. The 
larger portion located in the valley of the Arkansas, 
between Little Rock and Fort Smith, and there 
with annuall}' increasing numbers, remained a 
number of years, until the main body yet remain- 
ing in the loved land of their fathers, under treaty 
stipulations with the United States, began their 
fmul removal to the magnificent territory now be- 



longing to them; a migration occuiiying a number 
of j'ears, and not completed until 1837. In that 
time those along the Arkansas joined them. Those 
coming down to Red river also received acces- 
sions, for a number of years, from the different 
migrating bodies, including small colonies from 
twelve other partiallj' civilized tribes. 

Very soon, perhaps before the close of 1820, and 
certainly in 1821, they explored the country south 
of them and began locating in East Texas, in what, 
from that time till their expulsion in 1839, was 
known as "the Cherokee country," now embrac- 
ing the county of Cherokee and adjoining territory, 
where they and their twelve associate bands, grad- 
ually established homes, building cabins, opening 
farms and raising domestic animals. Some joined 
them as late as 1830 and '31. In 1822 when 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



11 



Stephen F. Austin and Green De Wilt of Missouri, 
Haden Edwards of Mississippi, and Robert Leftwich 
of Nashville, Tennessee (the original grantee in 
what subsequently became Robertson's Colon}'), 
were in the cit}' of Mexico, seeking colonial privi- 
leges in Texas, three Cherokee chiefs, Bowles, 
Fields and Nicollet, were also there, seeking a 
grant, or some sort of concession, to the district in 
which they were locating, not a contract for colon- 
ization, as desired by the gentleman named, but a 
specific grant to their people in tribal capacity. 
But thej' did not succeed, receiving only polite 
promises of simething wiien Mexican affairs should 
be more settled. 

In 182G Fields and John Dunn Hunter (both of 
mixed blood, Hunter possibly altogether white, but 
of this there is no positive knowledge, and both of 
good education) visited the Mexican capital on a 
similar mission for the Cherokees, but they also 
failed and returned to their people in an ill humor, 
just in time to sympathize with Haden Edwards 
and his colonists in their outrageous treatment by 
the Mexican Governor of the State of Coahuila and 
Texas, in declaring, without trial or investigation, 
the annulment of his contract and ordering the 
expulsion of himself and brother from the countrJ^ 
Fields and Hunter, smarting under what they con- 
sidered the bad faith of Mexico, induced their 
people to treat with and sustain the Edwards party 
in what received the name of the Fredonian war. 
But this had a brief existence. Bean, as agent of 
Mexico, seduced the Indians from their agreement 
and secured their support of the Mexican troops 
then advancing, which caused the Fredonians to 
yield the hopeless contest and leave the country. 
Not only this, but the Cherokees turned upon their 
two most enlightened and zealous champions. 
They basely assassinated both Fields and Hunter 
This ended that embroglio. The Cherokees claimed 
a promise from Bean that Mexico, in reward for 
their course, would graut them the lands desired. 
Whether so promised or not, the grant was never 
made. 

A band of Cherokees, en route to their people in 
Texas, halted on Red river, in order to raise a 
crop of corn, in the winter of 1828-9. An account 
of what followed was written and published in 1855, 
and is here repi'oduced. » » * They had not 
been at this place very long before their villages 
were discovered by a party of Wacos, on a robbing 
expedition from the Brazos ; and these freebooters, 
true to their instincts from time immemorial, lay 
concealed till the silent midnight hour, and then, 
stealthily entering the herds of the sleeping Chero- 
kees, stampeded their horses, driving off a large 



number. To follow them was labor in vain — but 
to quietly forget the deed was not the maxim among 
the red sons of Tennessee. 

A council was held and the matter discussed. 
After the opinions of the warriors had been given, 
the principal war-chief rose, and in substance said: 
" My brothers! the wild men of the far-off Brazos 
have come into our camp while the Cherokee slept ! 
They have stolen our most useful property. With- 
out horses we are poor, and cannot make corn. 
The Cherokees will hasten to plant their corn for 
this spring, and while that is springing from the 
ground and growing under the smiles of the Great 
Spirit, and shall be waving around our women and 
children, we will leave some old men and women to 
watch it, and the Cherokee braves will spring upon 
the cunning Wacos of the Brazos, as the}' have 
sprung upon us." 

The corn was planted, and in the month of May, 
1829, a war party of fifty-five, well armed, left the 
Red river villages on foot in search of the Wacos. 
At this time the [nincipal village of the Wacos was 
on the bluff where the beautiful town of Waco now 
greets the eye on the west bank of the Brazos. 
One band of theTehuacano (Ta-wak-a-no) Indians, 
who have always been more or less connected with 
the Wacos, were living on the east bank of the 
river, three miles below. Both bands had erected 
rude fortifications, by scooping up the earth in 
various places and throwing up a circular embank- 
ment three or four feet high, the remains of which 
still are to be seen. The principal work of this 
kind at the Waco village occupied a natural sink in 
the surface. 

The Cherokees struck the Brazos above the vil- 
lage some forty miles, and traveled downward 
until they discovered signs of its proximity, and 
then secreted themselvfs in the cedar brake till 
night. The greater portion of the night was spent 
in examining the position, through experienced 
scouts. Having made the necessary observations, 
the scouts reported near daylight, when the war- 
chief admonished them of what they had come 
for — revenge ! Waco scalps ! ! horses I ! ! — and 
led them forth from their hiding place, under the 
bank of the river, to a point about four hundred 
yards from the wigwams of the slumbering Wacos. 
Here they halted till raj's of light, on that lovely 
May morning, began to gild the eastern horizon. 
The time for action had come. Moving with the 
noiseless, elastic step peculiar to the sons of the 
forest, the Cherokees approached the camp. But 
a soUtary Waco had aroused and was collecting the 
remains of his fire of the previous night, prepara- 
tory to his morning repast. His Indian ear caught 



12 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the sound of footsteps on the brush — a glance of 
his lynx-eye revealed the approaching foe. A 
single shrill yell from him, which echoed far and 
near through the Brazos forest, brought every 
Waco to his feet. The terrible Cherokee war- 
whoop was their morning greeting, accompanied 
by a shower of leaden rain. But, though surprised, 
the Wacos outnumbered their assailants mauy 
times — ^ their women and children must be pro- 
tected or sacrificed — their ancient home, where 
the bones of their fathers had been buried for ages, 
was assailed by unknown intruders. Their chief 
rallied the warriors and made a stand — the fight 
became general, and as the sun rose majestically 
over the towering trees of the east, he beheld the 
red men of Tenuessee and the red men of Texas in 
deadly strife. But the bows and arrows of the 
Waco could not compete with the merciless rifle of 
the Cherokee. The Wacos were falling rapidly, 
while the Cherokees were unharmed. 

After half an hour's strife, amid yells aud mutual 
imprecations, the AVacos signaled a retreat, and 
they fell back in confusion, taking refuge in the 
fortified sink-hole. Here, though hemmed in, the}' 
were quite secure, having a great advantage. In- 
deed, they could kill every Cherokee who might 
peradventure risk his person too near the brink. 

The Cherokees had already killed many, and now 
held a council, to consider what they should do. 
It was proposed by one brave that they should 
strip to a state of nature, march into the sink-hole 
in a body, fire their pieces, then drop them, and 
with tomahawks alone endeavor to kill every man, 
woman and child among the Wacos. A half-breed 
named Smith, who was in favor of this desperate 
measure, as an incentive to his comrades, stripped 
himself, fastened half a dozen horse-bells (which 
he had picked up in the camp) round his waist, 
and commeuced galloping and yelling around the 
sink-hole, now and then jumping on the embank- 
ment and then back, cursing the Wacos most lustily. 
Arrows were hurled at him by scores, ).)ut he fell 
uot. 

Just as the Cherokee council was coming to a 
close, at about an hour after sunrise, they heard a 
noise like distant thunder on the opposite side of 
the river and delayed a few moments to discover its 
cause. Very soon they discovered a large bodj' of 
mounted Indians rising the river bank a little 
below them. What could it mean? they murmured 
one to another. The story is soon told. A mes- 
senger had rushed from the Wacos in the outset, 
for the Tehuacauo village, begging help, and now 
two hundred Tehuacano warriors, mounted and 
ready for the fray, were at hand. The whole aspect 



of the day was changed in a moment. To conquer 
this combined force was impossible — to escape 
themselves would require prudence. The Tehua- 
cauos, in coming up, cut off a Cherokee boy, 
twelve years old, killed and scalped iiim, and plac- 
ing his scalp on a lance, held it up defiantly to the 
view of the Cherokees. The boy was an only 
child, and his father beheld this scene. The brave 
man's eye glared with fury. Without a word he 
threw from his body every piece of his apparel, 
seized a knife in one hand, a tomahawk in the 
other. "What vi^ill you?" demanded the chief. 
" Die with my brave boy. Die slaying the wild 
men who have plucked the last rose from my 
bosom!" The chief interceded, and told him it 
was madness; but the Cherokee listened not ; with 
rapid strides he rushed among the Tehuacanos, 
upon certain death ; but ere death had seized its 
victim, he had killed several and died shouting 
defiance in their midst. 

The Tehuacanos occupied the post oaks just 
below the Cherokees, and kept up a lusty shouting, 
but ventured uot within rifle-shot. The latter, see- 
ing that on an open field they could not resist such 
numbers — having taken fifty-five Waco scalps 
(equal to their owu number) ^ — -having lost two 
men and the boy — now fell back into the cedar 
brake aud remained there till night. They were 
convinced that their safety depended upon a cau- 
tious retreat, as, if surrounded on the prairies, they 
would be annihilated. When uight came on, they 
crossed the river, traveled down the sand bank a 
mile or two, as if they were going down the coun- 
try, thence, turning into the stream, waded up the 
edge of the water some six or seven miles (the river 
being low aud remarkably even), and thus eluded 
pursuit. In due time, they reached their Eed 
river villages, without the thousand horses they 
anticipated, but with fifty-five Waco scalps — glory 
enough in their estimation. The tribe was speedily 
called together for a grand war-dance. For miles 
around the American settlers were surprised to see 
such a commotion and gathering among the Indians. 
A gentleman, my informant, was there visiting a 
widowed sister. He rode up to the Cherokee 
encampment, inquired into the cause of the move- 
ment, was invited to alight and spend the day. 
He did so, and witnessed one of the grandest war- 
dances he ever saw, and he was an old Indian 
fighter. A very intelligent man, a half-breed, 
named Chisholm, one of the fifty-five, gave 
him a full history of the whole transaction. He 
noted it carefully, aud from him I received it in 
1855. 
That gentleman was Capt. Thomas H. Barron, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



13 



formerly of Washington County, then residing near 
Waco. When he first visited Waco in 1834, he at 
ouce recognized the battle-gronnd and sink-hole as 



described by Chisholm. The Cherokees did not 
forget the Tehuacauos, but held them to a strict 
account. 



Cherokee and Tehuacano Fight in 1830. 



After the Cherokees returned to their temporary 
home ou Red river, from the attack on the Wacos, 
in 1829, they determined to take vengeance on the 
Tehuacanos for their interference in that engage- 
ment ou behalf of the Wacos. It seems that early 
in the summer of 1830, they fitted out a war party 
for this purpose, numbering about one hundred and 
twenty fighting men. 

The Tehuacanos, like the Wacos, had several 
principal villages, favorite places of resort, from 
some peculiarity, as flue springs of water, abun- 
dance of buffalo, etc. One of them, and perhaps 
their most esteemed locality, was at the southern 
point of the hills of the same name, now in the 
upper edge of Limestone County, and the pres- 
ent site of Tehuacano University. Around these 
springs there is a large amount of loose limestone 
on the surface, as well as in the hills, and the 
whole surrounding country is one of rare beauty and 
loveliness. 

The Tehuacanos had erected several small in- 
closures of these loose stones, about three feet high, 
leaving occasional spaces some two feet square re- 
sembling the mouths of furnaces. Over the tops 
they threw poles and spread buffalo- hides, and 
when attacked, their women, old men, and children 
would retreat into these cells while the warriors 
would oppose the attacking party from without, 
until too closely pressed, when they, too, would 
seek refuge in the same, and lying flat on the 
ground, would send their arrows and bullets 
through these apertures whenever an enemy came 
within range. From the attacks of small arms 
such a protection, however primitive, was gen- 
erally quite effective. 

This party of Cherokees, having been informed 
of the localitj' of this place, and the value set upon 
it by the Tehuacanos, and knowing that it was a 
considerable distance from the Wacos, determined 
to seek it out and there wreak vengeance upon 
those who had by their own act called forth feel- 
ings of hostility. Guided by an Indian who had 
explored the country as a trapper, they reached 



the place in due season. When discovered, the 
Tehuacanos were engaged at a play of balls around 
the little forts. The Cherokees stripped for action 
at ouce. while the ball-players, promptly ceasing 
that amusement, rushed their women and children 
into their retreats, and prepared for defense. 
They had quite a large village, and outnumbered 
the Cherokees in fighting-men. 

A random fight commenced, the Cherokees using 
the surrounding trees as protection and taking the 
matter as a business transaction, made their ad- 
vances from tree to tree with prudence. Their 
aim, with the " rest" against the trees, told with 
effect, and one by one, notwithstanding their hid- 
eous yells and capering, to and fro, the Tehuacanos 
were biting the dust. 

The moment one was wounded, unless a ver}- 
brave fellow, he would crawl into the hiding-place 
among their women and children, unless, per- 
chance, on his way, a Cherokee ball brought him 
to the ground. 

The fight continued this way an hour or more, 
when, upon a signal, the whole body retired within 
their breastworks. At this time, the Cherokees, 
elated by what they supposed to be a victor}', 
charged upon the openholes, ringing their victori- 
ous war-whoop most furiously. But they were soon 
convinced that though concealed, the besieged were 
not powerless, for here they received a shower of 
arrows and balls from the hidden enemy which 
tumbled several of their braves alongside of those 
they killed on the other side. Yet, excited as the}' 
had become, they were not easily convinced that 
prudence in that case was the better part of valor. 
On the contrary, they maintained the unequal con- 
test for some time, until one of their old men 
advised a talk. 

They withdrew a short distance, and held a con- 
sultation. Their leaders said they had come there 
for revenge and they would not relinquish their 
design so long as a Cherokee brave was left to 
fight — that to go back to their people and report 
a defeat would disgrace them — they would die oa 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the field rather than beai- such tidings! " Where 
there's a will there's a way," is a trite old adage, 
and at this juncture of affairs it was verified by the 
Cherokees. The old man who had advised the 
"talk" now made a suggestion, which was sec- 
onded by all. He proposed that a party should be 
sent off a short distance to cut dry grass and bring 
a lot; that men, loaded with this combustible 
material, should cautiously approach each hole in 
the breast- woi-ks, from the sides, using the grass 
as a shield on the way ; that the door-holes should 
be stopped up with it (with new supplies constantly 
arriving), and set on fire, by which very simple 
process the inmates would be suffocated or com- 
pelled to throw off the hides and leap out, breath- 
less and more or less blinded through the smoke, 
while the Cherokees, stationed round in circles, 
would have an easy time in butchering their 
astounded red brethren. This was a rich idea, 
and, delighted with the anticipated fun on their 
part, and misery among their enemies, the Chero- 
kees speedily made all their arrangements and dis- 
posed of their fighting-men to the best advantage. 
The grass was placed in the requited position, and 
at the same moment, set on fire. For a moment 
or two no response was heard from within ; but 
very soon the smoke was seen escaping through the 
rocks and from under the skins, proving that each 
little refuge was full of the strangulating exhala- 
tion. To endure such a torture long was bej'ond 
human power ; and in a little while a doleful howl 
issued forth, followed by a significant upheaving of 
the buffalo-skin roofs, and a rush of the gasping 
victims, blinded by smoke, leaping over the walls, 
they knew not where. To render the picture more 
appalling, the exulting Cherokees set up a terrible 



yelling, and dealt death to the doomed creatures 
with their guns, tomahawks, and scalping knives 
until all were slain or had made their escape from 
the dreadful sacrifice bj' headlong flight. Quite a 
number of squaws and children, and perhaps a few 
men, had been unable to rise, and died from suffo- 
cation inside the works. 

And thus ended this tragic scene in the course 
of our Indian warfare. Comparatively few of the 
Tehuacauos escaped. The surviving women and 
children were preserved prisoners, and a consider- 
able number of horses, blankets, skins, and indeed 
the entire camp equipage, fell into the hands of the 
victors, who returned to their people on Red river 
in triumph, displaying not only their available 
booty but a large number of the greatest of all 
Indian symbols of glory, scalps. 

These facts I obtained in 1842 from an old 
Spaniard, who composed one of the party, and I 
have little doul)t but thej^ were furnished by him 
with fidelit}\ 

This old Spaniard, whose name was Vasquez, 
was a native of New Madrid, Missouri, and had 
passed much of his life with different Indian tribes. 
About 1840 he appeared at Gonzales, Texas, where 
I formed his acquaintance. He fought with the 
Texians at .Salado, in September, and at Mier in 
December, 1842. Escaping from the latter place 
he returned to Gonzales, his home being with Capt. 
Henry E. McCulloeh, to suffer a cruel death soon 
after. In 1843 he was captured by Mexican 
banditti, west .of the San Antonio, who, knowing 
his fidelity to Texas, suspended him to a tree by 
the heels, in which position he died and was a few 
days subsequently found. 



First Settlement of Gonzales in 1825 — Attack by the Indians in 

1826— Murder of French Traders in 1835 at Castleman's 

Cabin — Battle of San Marcos — 1825 to 1835. 



The settlement of Gonzales and De Witt's colony, 
of which it was the capital, is replete with matters 
of unusual interest in the pioneer history of Texas 
and its Indian wars. At its birth it was baptized 
in blood, and for twenty years a succession of 
l)loody episodes attended its march towards peace- 
ful civilization. 

As soon as Green De Witt, tlien of Ralls County. 



Missouri, entered into contract with the Jlexiean 
authorities for colonizing that beautiful district of 
country, now embracing all of Gonzales, Caldwell, 
Guadalupe and De Witt counties and portions of 
Lavaca, Wilson and Karnes, he left for Missouri to 
bring out his family. At the same time, Maj. 
James Kerr was appointed surveyor of the colony, 
with authority to lav out the capital town and sub- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



15 



divide tbe dedicated four leagues of land upon 
which it was to be located into small farm lots to be 
allotted to the settlers of the towa. In fulGUment 
of his duties, Maj. Kerr, with bis negro servants 
and six single men, arrived on the present site of 
Gonzales in Jul}', 1825, he thereby becoming tbe 
first American settler, as the head of a family, west 
of the Colorado river in Texas. 

The six single men who accompanied him to 
Gonzales, and for a time remained in his service as 
chainmen, rodmen or hunters, were the afterwards 
famous Deaf Smith, Bazil Durbin, John Wight- 
man, Strickland, James Musick and Gerrou 

Hinds. 

His chief servants were Shade and Anise, the 
parents and grandparents of numerous offspring, 
who became widely known to the future settlers of 
the couutr}' and greatly esteemed for their fidelity 
to every trust aud their patriotism in everj' conflict. 

Soon after Maj. Kerr's settlement, Francis 
Berry, with a family of children and two step- 
children, John and Betsy Oliver, arrived and settled 
half a mile below him. Cabins were erected and 
their new life auspiciously begun. 

The little settlement remained in peace for a year, 
receiving occasional calls from passing parties of 
Indians, professing friendship, aud occasional visits 
from Americans exploring the country. Among 
these were Elijah Stapp, from Palmyra, and Edwin 
Moorehouse, from Clarksville, Missouri, both of 
whom settled in Texas five or six }'ears later. 

Capt. Henry S. Brown, brother-in-law of Maj. 
Kerr, having arrived on the lower Brazos as a Mex- 
ican trader in December, 1824, made his first trip 
into Mexico in 1825, and halted his caravan for rest 
at the new settlement on both his outward and 
return trip. 

In the meantime, Maj. Kerr prosecuted his 
labors in the survey of lands, his people subsisting 
on wild meat and coffee. Each household opened 
a field and planted crops in the spring of 1826. In 
June, Maj. Kerr was absent on the Brazos. 
There was to be a primitive barbecue on the Colo- 
rado at Beson's, seven miles below the present 
Columbus. It was agreed among the pilgrims that 
they must be represented, notwithstanding the dis- 
tance was about seventy miles. Bazil Durbin, 
John and Betsy Oliver and Jack, son of Shade aud 
Anise, were selected as the delegates. On the 
afternoon of Sunday, July 2d, this party left on 
horseback for Beson's. At that time Deaf Smith 
and Hinds were out buffalo hunting; Musick, 
Strickland and the colored people were spending 
the afternoon at Berry's, and John Wightman was 
left alone in charge of the premises, consisting of a 



double log house, with passage between aud two or 
three cabins in the yard. No danger was appre- 
hended as no indications of hostility by the Indians 
had been observed. 

Durbin and party traveled fourteen miles, en- 
camped on Thorn's branch and all slept soundly, 
but about midnight they were aroused by the war- 
whoop and firing of guns. Springing to their feet 
they discovered that their assailants were very near 
and in ambush. Durbin fell, but was assisted into 
an adjoining thicket where all found safety. The 
Indians seized and bore away their horses and all 
their effects. Durbin had a musket ball driven 
into his shoulder so deep that it remained there till 
his death in Jackson County in 1858, thirty-two years 
later. He suffered excruciating pain, from which, 
with the loss of blood, he several times fainted. 
Daylight came and they retraced their steps to 
headquarters ; but on arriving were appalled to 
find the house deserted and robbed of its contents, 
including Maj. Kerr's papers and three surveying 
compasses, aud Wightman dead, scalped and his 
mutilated body lying in the open hallwaj'. Hast- 
ening down to Berry's house they found it closed, 
and written on the door with charcoal (for Smith 
and Hinds) the words: "Gone to Burnam's, on 
the Colorado." It was developed later that when 
Musick, Strickland and the colored people returned 
home late in the evening they found this condition 
of affairs, returned to Berry's and all of both 
houses left for the Colorado. As written by the 
writer more than forty years ago, in the presence 
of the sufferer: " Durbin's wound had already 
rendered him very weak, but he had now no alter- 
native but to seek the same place on foot, or perish 
on the waj'. Three days were occupied in the trip, 
the weather was very warm and there was great 
danger of mortification, to prevent which mud 
poultices, renewed at every watering place, proved 
to be effectual." 

And thus was the first American settlement west 
of the Colorado baptized in blood. 

Maj. Kerr then settled on the Lavaca and made 
a crop there in 1827. His place temporarily served 
as a rallying point for De Wilt and others, till the 
spring of 1828, when the settlement at Gonzales 
was renewed. Maj. Kerr remained permanently 
on the Lavaca, but continued for some years as 
surveyor of De Witt's colony. The temporary set- 
tlement on the west of the Lavaca was subsequently 
known as the "Old Station," while Maj. Kerr's 
headright league and home were on the east side. 

In the autumn of 1833, John Castleman, a bold 
and sagacious backwoodsman, from the borders of 
Missouri, with his wife and four children and his 



16 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



wife's mother, settled fifteen miles west of Gonzales, 
ou the San Antonio road and on Sandy creek. He 
was a bold hnnter, much in the forest, and had four 
ferocious dogs, which served as sentinels at night, 
and on one occasion had a terrible fight with a 
number of Indians in the yard endeavoring to steal 
the horses tied around the house. They evidently 
inflicted severe punishment on the savages, who 
left abundant blood marks on the ground and were 
glad to escape without the horses, though in doing 
so, in sheer self-defense, they killed each dog. 
Caslleman, in his meanderings, was ever watchful 
for indications of Indians, and thus served as a 
vidette to the people of Gonzales and persons 
traveling on that exposed road. Many were the 
persons who slumbered under his roof ratlier than 
camp out at that noted watering place. 

In the spring of 1835, a part^' of thirteen French 
and Mexican traders, with pack mules and dry 
goods from Natchitoches, Louisiana, en route to 
Mexico, stopped under some trees a hundred yards 
in front of the cabin. It was in the forenoon, and 
before thej' had unpacked Castleman advised them 
that he had that morning discovered ''Indian 
signs" near by and urged them to camp in his 
yard and use his house as a fort if necessary. 
They laughed at him. He shrugged his shoulders 
and assured them they were in danger, but they 
still laughed. He walked back to his cabin, but 
before he entered about a hundred mounted 
savages dashed among them, yelling and cutting 
out every animal of the party. These were guarded 
by a few in full view of the camp, while the main 
body continued the fight. The traders improvised 
breastworks of their saddles, packs and bales of 
goods and fought with desperation. The engage- 
ment lasted four hours, the Indians charging in a 
circle, firing and falling back. Finally, as none of 
their number fell, the besieged being armed only 
with Mexican escopetas (smooth-bored cavalry 
guns) they maneuvered till all the traders tired at 
the same time, then rushed upon and killed all who 
had not previously fallen. Castleman could, many 
times, have killed an Indian with his trusty rifle 
from his cabin window, but was restrained by his 
wife, who regarded the destruction of the strangers 
as certain and contended that if her husband took 
part, vengeance would be wreaked upon the 
family — a hundred savages against one man. 
He desisted, but, as his wife said, " frothed at 
the mouth" to be thus compelled to non-ac- 
tion on such an occasion. Had he possessed a 
modern Winchester, he could have repelled the 
whole array, saving both the traders and their 
goods. 



The exultant barbarians, after scalping their 
victims, packed all their booty on the captured 
mules and moved off up the counti'y. When night 
came, Castleman hastened to Gonzales with the 
tidings, and was home again before dawn. 

In a few hours a band of volunteers, under Dr. 
James H. C. Miller, were on the trail and followed 
it across the Guadalupe and up the San Marcos, 
and finally into a cedar brake in a valley surrounded 
by high hills, presumably on the Rio Blanco. 
This was on the second or third day after the 
massacre. Finding they were very near the 
enemy. Miller halted, placing his men in ambush 
on the edge of a small opening or glade. He sent 
forward Matthew Caldwell, Daniel McCoy and 
Ezekiel Williams to reconnoitre. Following the 
newly made path of the Indians through the brake, 
in about three hundred yards, they suddenly came 
upon them dismounted and eating. They speedily 
retired, but were discovered and, being only three 
in number, the whole crowd of Indians furiously 
pursued them with such j-ells as, resounding from 
bluff to bluff, caused some of the men in ambush 
to flee from the apparent wrath to come ; but of the 
whole number of twenty-nine or thrity, sixteen 
maintained their position and their senses. Daniel 
McCoy, the hindmost of the three scouts in single 
file, wore a long tail coat. This was seized and 
tightly held by an Indian, but " Old Dan," as he 
was called, threw his arms backward and slipped 
from the garment without stopping, exclaiming, 
"Take it, d — n you! " Caldwell sprang first Into 
the glade, wheeled, fired and killed the first Indian 
to enter. Others, unable to see through the brush 
till exposed to view, rushed into the trap till nine 
warriors lay in a heap. Realizing this fact, after 
such unexpected fatality, the pursuers raised that 
dismal howl which means death and defeat, and 
fell back to their camp. The panic among some of 
our men prevented pursuit. It is a fact that 
among those thus seized with the " buck ague," 
were men then wholly inexperienced, who subse- 
quently became distinguished for coolness and 
gallantry-. 

Among others, besides those already named, who 
were in this engagement were Wm. S. Fisher, 
commander at Mier seven years later ; Bartlett D. 
McClure, died in 1841 ; David Hauna, Landon 
Webster and Jonathan Scott. 

Dr. James H. C. Miller, who commanded, soon 
after left Texas and settled in Michigan. His 
name has sometimes been confounded with that of 
Dr. James B. Miller, of Fort Bend, long distin- 
guished in public life under the province and 
republic of Texas. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



17 



An Adventure in 1826. 



In the year 1826 a party of fourteen men of the 
Red river settlements, of which Eli Hoplilns was 
quasi-leader, made a trip to the west, hunting and 
trading with Indians. Besides Hoplxius I have 
been able to gather the names of Henry Stout, 
Jamas Clark, Charles Birkham, Charles Hum- 

phrej's, Ford, Tyler, and Wallace — 

eight of the fourteen — though the only published 
allusion to the matter I have ever seen (in the 
Clarksville Times about 1874), only names Messrs. 
Hopkins and Clark and states the whole number 
at twenty men — nor does it give the j'ear of the 
occurrence. I obtained the date, the number of 
men and the additional six names from Henry Stout, 
some j'ears later. 

It seems that on their return trip homewards, these 
fourteen men were surrounded and beset by a large 
party of Indians, some of whom had been trading 
in their camp before. Instead of opening fire, the 
Indians demanded the surrender of Humphreys to 
them, describing him by the absence of a front 
tooth (a loss they had discovered in their previous 
visit and now pretended to have known before), 
alleging that on some former occasion Humphreys 



had depredated upon them. This was known to 
be false and a ruse to gain some advantage. So, 
when the chief and a few others (who had retired 
to let the party consult), returned for an answer, 
they were told that Humphreys was a good man, 
had done them no wrong and they would die rather 
than surrender him. Wallace was the interpreter 
and had been up to that time suspected of coward- 
ice by some of the party. But in this crisis they 
quickly discovered their error, for Wallace, with 
cool and quiet determination, became the hero, 
telling them that he would die right there rather 
than give up an innocent man to such murderous 
wretches. His spirit was infectious. Every man 
leveled his gun at some one of the Indians, Hop- 
kins holding a deadly aim on the chief, till they all 
agreed to leave the ground and not again molest 
them. 

They at once retired, evidently unwilling to 
hazard an attack on such men. Intrepid coolness 
saved them while timidity would have brought their 
destruction. As it was thej' reached home in 
safet3\ 



The Early Days of Harris County — 1824 to 1838. 



The first political subdivision of the large dis- 
trict of which the present large county of Harris, 
containing a little over eighteen hundred square 
miles, formed but a part, was erected into the 
municipality of Harrisburg not long before the revo- 
lution began, in 1835. It is, at this day, interest- 
ing to note the first settlement of that now old, 
historic and wealthy district, embracing the noble 
citj' of Houston, in which the whole State feels 
justifiable pride. For a short while also the island 
of Galveston formed a part of Harrisburg 
'•county" — so called under the Republic, after 
independence in March, 1836. 

The first Americans to cultivate the earth in that 
region were Mr. Knight and Walter C. White, who, 
at the time of Long's expedition in 1820, burnt off 
a canebrake and raised a crop of corn on the San 
Jacinto, near its mouth ; but they did not remain 



there, becoming subsequentlj' well-known citizens of 
Brazoria. For an account of the first actual set- 
tlers of the district during the first ten or twelve 
j-ears, I am indebted to the fine memory and facile 
pen of Mrs. Mary J. Briscoe, of Houston, whose 
evidence dates from childhood days, her father, 
John R. Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, having 
settled there in 1824, and laid out the town in 182G. 
He built the first steam saw mill in Texas, for which 
he received as a bounty two leagues of land. He 
became also a merchant, established a tannery and 
owned the schooner " Rights of Man," which plied 
between Harrisburg and New Orleans. In 1828 his 
brother David came ; in 1830 William P. Harris 
came, accompanied by " Honest " Bob Wilson, and 
in 1832 came Samuel M. Harris, a fourth brother, 
all of whom came from Cayuga County, New York, 
and were valuable men. Mary J., daughter of the 



IXDIAX WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



first immigrant, John R. Harris, subsequently mar- 
ried Capt. Andrew Briscoe, wlio, as the colleague of 
the grand Mexican patriot, Don Lorenzo de Zavala, 
from that municipalit}', signed the declaration of 
independence, and fifty days later commanded one 
of the largest companies at San .Jacinto. He was 
also the first Chief .Justice of Hanisburg County 
and so remained for many years. The well known 
De Witt C. Harris, who died in 1860, was a brother 
of Mrs. Briscoe, as is also Lewis B. Harris, of San 
Francisco, who was my fellow-soldier on the Rio 
Grande in 1842. 

According to the notes of Mrs. Briscoe the first 
actual settlers arrived in April, 1822, of whom 
Moses L. Choate and William Pettus were the first 
settlers- on the San Jacinto, and a surveyor 
named Ryder, unmarried, settled on Morgan's 
Point, on the bay. In June John Ijanis, with his 
wife and two youthful sons arrived, of whom John, 
the elder, then fifteen years old, still lives in Hous- 
ton, aged 82, a tribute certainly to the climate in 
which he has lived sixty-seven years. They settled 
at Cedar Point, afterwards a favorite home of Gen. 
Sam Houston. Johnson Hunter settled near Mor- 
gan's Point, but ultimately on the Brazos. In the 
same year Nathaniel Lynch settled at the confluence 
of the San Jacinto and Buffalo bayou, where 
Lynchburg stands ; John D. Taylor on the San 
Jacinto at tlie place now called Midway; John 
Jones, Humphrey Jackson and John and Frederick 
Rankin, on the same river, where the Texas and 
N. O. railroad crosses it. Mr. Callahan and Ezekiel 
Thomas, brothers-in-law, located as the first set- 
tlers on Buffalo bayou. Mrs. Samuel W. Allen, 
youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas, still resides in 
Houston — another tribute to the climate. In the 
.same year four brothers, William, Allen, Robert 
and John Vince, all young men, settled just below 
the mouth of Vince's bayou, rendered famous in 
connection with Vince's bridge immediately before 
the battle of San Jacinto, the destruction of the 
bridge by order of Gen. Houston, leading to the 
capture of Santa Anna. William Vince had a horse 
power sugar mill on his place. During the same 
j'ear, Mrs. Wilkins, with her two daughters and her 
son-in-law. Dr. Phelps, settled what is now known 
as Frost-town in the city of Houston, being the 
first settlers there. In 1824 came Enoch Bronson, 
who settled near Morgan's Point; also Wm. Blood- 
good and Page Ballew, with families, and several 
young men who settled in the district ; also Arthur 
McCormick, wife and two sons, who settled the 
league on which, twelve years later, the battle of 
San Jacinto was fought. He was drowned soon 
afterwards in crossing Buffalo bayou, as was his 



surviving son, Michael, a long time pilot on a 
steamboat, in 1875. It was suspected that the 
widow, eccentric, well-to-do and living alone, was 
murdered by robbers and burnt in her dwelling. 
George, Jesse, Reuben and William White, in 1824, 
settled on the San Jacinto, a few miles above its 
mouth ; William Scott at Midway, together with 
Charles E. Givens, Fresh' Gill and Dr. Knuckles, 
who married Scott's daughter, while Samuel M. 
Williams married another. [Mr. Williams was 
the distinguished secretar3' of Austin's Colony and 
afterwards, long a banker in Galveston.] 

In 1824, Austin, with Secretary Williams and the 
Commissioner, Baron de Bastrop, visited the settle- 
ment and issued the first titles to those entitled to 
them. 

In 182.5 the Edwards family settled on the bay 
at what has since been known as Edwards' Point. 
Ritoon Morris, a son-in-law of Edwards, and a man 
of wealth, came at the same time. He was greatly 
esteemed and was known as " Jaw-bone Morris," 
from a song he and his negroes sang while he picked 
the banjo. He settled at the mouth of Clear Creek. 
About 1829 Mr. Clopper, for whom the bar in Gal- 
veston bay is called, bought Johnson Hunter's 
land and afterwards sold it to Col. James Morgan, 
who laid out a town destined never to leave its 
swaddling clothes, calling it New Washington. Its 
chief claim to remembrance is in the visit of Santa 
Anna a day or two before his overthrow under the 
war cry of '-Remember the Alamo." Sam Mc- 
Curley and others were early settlers on Spring 
Creek. David G. Burnet, afterwards President, 
came in 182G. In 1831 he brought out the machin- 
ery for a steam mill which was burned in 1845. 
With him came Norman Hurd and Gilbert Brooks, 
the latter still Uving. President Burnet built his 
home two or three miles from Lynchburg. Lynch- 
burg, and San Jacinto, opposite to it, were de- 
stroj'ed by the great storm and flood, on the 1 7th 
of September, 1875. 

Passing over the intervening years, we find that 
in 1835 the municipality of Harrisburg abounded 
in a splendid population of patriotic citizens, the 
noble Zavala having become one of them. In the 
Consultation of November 3-14, 1835, her delegates 
were Lorenzo de Zavala, William P. Harris, Clem- 
ent C. Dyer, John W. Moore, M. W. Smith and 
David B. McComb. In the convention which de- 
clared independence, March 1-18, 1836, her dele- 
gates were Lorenzo de Zavala and Andrew Briscoe, 
as previously stated. When the provisional gov- 
ernment of the Republic was created David G. 
Burnet was elected President and Lorenzo de 
Zavala Vice-president, both of this municipal- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



19 



ity. Harrisburg, grown to be quite a village, 
was the seat of justice, and from March 22d 
to April 13lh, 1836, it was the seat of govern- 
ment, but abandoned on the approach of the Mexi- 
can army, by which it was burned. The first Lone 
Star flag had been improvised there in March by 
Mrs. Dobson and other ladies — that is, the first 
in Texas, for that by Miss Troutman, of Georgia, 
had been made and presented to the gallant Capt. 
(afterwards Colonel) William Ward two or three 
months earlier. The ladies also, says Mrs. Briscoe, 
cut up all their flannel apparel to make cartridges, 
following the example of Mother Bailey, in Groton, 
Connecticut, in the war of 1812. 

In August, 1836, the brothers A. C. and John K. 
Allen laid out the town of Houston. The First Con- 
gress of the Republic, at Columbia, on the 15th of 
December, 1836, selected the new town as the seat 
of government, to continue until the session of 1840. 
The government was removed there prior to May 
1st, 1837. Soon afterwards the county seat was 
moved from Harrisburg to Houston, and the latter, 
under such impulsion, grew rapidly. This was 
one of those enterprising movements at variance 
with natural advantages, for all know that Harris- 
burg, in facilities for navigation, was greatly supe- 
rior to Houston, and, as a town site otherwise, fully 
as desirable. But notwithstanding all these, pluck 
and enterprise have made Houston a splendid city. 

The first sail vessel to rpach Houston was the 
schooner Rolla, on the 21st of April, 1837, four 
days in making the trip of 10 or 12 miles by water 
from Harrisburg. That night the first anniversary 
of San Jacinto was celebrated by a ball, which was 
opened by President Houston and Mrs. Mosely 
Baker, Francis R. Lubbock and Miss Mary J. Har- 
ris (now Mrs. Briscoe), Jacob W. Crugerand Mrs. 
Lubbock and Mr. and Mrs. Welchmeyer. 

The first marriage license signed under the laws 
of the Republic, July 22, 1837, by DeWitt C. Har- 



ris, county clerk, was to Hugh McCrory and Mary 
Smith, and the service was performed next day by 
the Rev. H. Matthews, of the Methodist church. 
Mr. McCrory died in a few months, and in 1840 the 
widow married Dr. Anson Jones, afterwards the 
last President of Texas. She still lives in Houston 
and recently followed to the grave her popular and 
talented son. Judge C. Anson Jones. 

At the first District Court held in Houston, Hon. 
Benjamin C. Franklin presiding, a man was found 
guilty of theft, required to restore the stolen money 
and notes and to receive thirty-nine lashes on his 
bare back, all of which being accomplished, it is 
supposed the victim migrated to other parts. 
Thieves, in those days, were not tolerated bj' foolish 
quibbles or qualms of conscience. There were no 
prisons and the lash was regarded as the onlj^ avail- 
able antidote. 

In 1834 the Harris brothers brought out a small 
steamboat called the Cayuga, but the first steamer 
to reach Houston was the Laura, Capt. Thomas 
Grayson. On the first Monday in January, 1838, 
Dr. Francis Moore, Jr., long editor of the Tele- 
graph and afterwards State geologist, was elected 
the first mayor of Houston. He and his partner, 
Jacob W. Cruger, early in 1837, established the 
first newspaper, by removing the Telegraph from 
Columbia. On the 21st of May, 1838, agrandball 
was given by the Jockey Club, in Houston. " The 
ladies' tickets," says Mrs. Briscoe, "were printed 
on white satin, and I had the pleasure of dancing 
successively, with Generals Sam Houston, Albert 
Sidney Johnston and Sidney Sherman." 

I have condensed from the interesting narrative 
a portion of its contents, omitting much of interest, 
the object being to portray the outlines of how the 
early coast settlements passed from infancy to self- 
sustaining maturity. Locally, the labors of this 
earh' Texas girl — now ranking among the mothers 
of the land — are of great value. 



Fight of the Bowies with the Indians on the San Saba in 1831. 



In 1832 Rezin P. Bowie furnished a Philadelphia 
paper with the following narrative. It has been 
published in several books since. Col. James 
Bowie made a report to the Mexican Governor at 
San Antonio, not so full but in accord with this 
report. It gives an account of one of the most 
extraordinary events in the pioneer history of 
America. 



"On the 2d of November, 1831, we left the 
town of San Antonio de Bexar for the silver mines 
on the San Saba river ; the party consisting of the 
following named persons : Rezin P. Bowie, James 
Bowie, David Buchanan, Robert Armstrong, Jesse 
Wallace, Matthew Doyle, Cephas D. Hamm, James 
Coryell, Thomas McCaslin, Gonzales and Charles, 
servant boys. Nothing particular occurred until 



20 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the 19th, on which day, about 10 a. m. we were 
overhauled by two Comanche Indians and a Mexican 
captive, who had struclv our trail aud followed it. 
The\' stated that they belonged to Isaonie's part}', 
a chief of the Comanche tribe, sixteen in number, 
and were on their way to San Antonio with a drove 
of horses, which they had taken from the Wacos 
aud Tawackauies, and were about returning to 
their owners, citizens of San Antonio. After smok- 
ing aud talking with them about an hour, and 
making them a few presents of tobacco, powder, 
shot, etc., they returned to their party, who were 
waiting at the Llano river. 

" We continued our journej' until night closed 
upon us, when we encamped. The next morning, 
the above named Mexican captive returned to our 
camp, his horse was much fatigued, and who, 
after eating and smoking, stated that he had been 
sent by his chief, Isaonie, to inform us we were 
followed by one hundred and twenty-four Tawac- 
kauie and Waco Indians, and forty Caddos had 
joined them, who were determined to have our 
scalps at all risks. Isaonie had held a talk with 
them all the previous afternoon, and endeavored to 
dissuade them from their purpose ; but they still 
pers'sted, and left him enraged and pursued our 
trail. As a voucher for the truth of the above, the 
Mexican produced his chief's silver medal, which 
is common among the natives in such cases. He 
further stated that his chief requested him to say, 
that he had but sixteen men, badly armed and 
without ammunition ; but if we would return and 
joiu him, such succor as he could give us he would. 
But knowing that the enemy lay between us and 
him, we deemed it more prudent to pursue our 
journey and endeavor to reach the old fort on the 
San Saba river before night, distance thirty niilea- 
The Mexican then returned to his party, aud we 
proceedeil on. 

" Throughout the day we euconutered bad roads, 
being covered with rocks, and the horses' feet be- 
ing worn out, we were disappointed in not reaching 
the fort. In the evening we had some little difficult}' 
in picking out an advantageous spot where to en- 
camp for the night. We however made choice of 
the best that offered, which was a cluster of live- 
oak trees, some thirty or forty in number, about 
the size of a man's body. To the north of them a 
thicket of live-oak bushes, about ten feet high, forty 
yards in length and twenty in Ijreadth, to the west, 
at the distance of thirty-five or forty yards, ran a 
stream of water. 

"The surrounding country was an open prairie, 
interspersed with a few trees, rocks, and broken 
land. The trail which we came on lay to 



the east of our encampment. After taking the 
precaution to prepare our spot for defense, hy cut- 
ting a road inside the thicket of bushes, ten feet 
from the outer edge all around, and clearing the 
prickly-pears from amongst the bushes, we 
hobbled our horses and placed sentinels for the 
night. We were now distant six miles from the 
old fort above mentioned, which was built by the 
Spaniards in 1752, for the purpose of protecting 
them while working the silver mines, which are a 
mile distant. A few years after, it was attacked 
by the Comanche Indians and every soul pnt to 
death. Since that time it has never been occupied. 
Within the fort is a church, which, bad we reached 
before night, it was our intention to have occupied 
to defend ourselves against the Indians. The fort 
surrounds about one acre of land under a twelve- 
feet stone wall. 

"Nothing occurred during the night, and we 
lost no time in the morning in making preparations 
for continuing our journey to the fort ; and when 
in the act of starting, we discovered the Indians on 
our trail to the east, about two hundred yards dis- 
tant, and a footman about fifty yards ahead of the 
main bodj', with his face to the ground, tracking. 
The cry of ' Indians ' was given, and ' All hands to 
arms.' We dismounted, and both saddle and jjack- 
horses were made fast to the trees. As soon as 
they found we had discovered them, they gave the 
war whoop, halted and commenced stripping, pre- 
paratory to action. A uumlier of mounted Indians 
were reconnoitering the ground ; among them we 
discovered a few Caddo Indians, by the cut of 
their hair, who had always previously beeit friendly 
to Americans. 

" Tlieir number being so far greater than ours 
(one hundred and sixty-four to eleven), it was 
agreed that Eezin P. Bowie should be sent out to 
talk with them, and endeavor to compromise with 
them rather than attempt a tight. He accordinglj' 
started, with David Buchanan in company, and 
walked up to within about forty 3'ards of where 
they had halted, and requested them in their own 
tongue to send forward their chief, as he wanted to 
talk with him. Their answer was, "how-de-do? 
how-de-do?" in English, and a discharge of twelve 
shots at us, one of which broke Buchanan's leg. 
Bowie returned their salutation with the contents of 
a double barreled gun and a pistol. He then took 
Buchanan on his shoulder, and started back to the 
encampment. They then opened a heavy fire upon 
us, which wounded Buchanan in two more places 
slightly, and pierced Bowie's hunting shirt in sev- 
eral places without doing him any injury. When 
they fou)id their shot failed to briug Bowie down. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



21 



eight ludians ou foot took after him with their 
tomahawiis, and when close upou him were dis- 
covered by his party, who rushed out with their 
rifles and brought down four of them — the other 
four retreating back to the main body. We then 
returned to our position, and all was still for about 
five minutes. 

" We then discovered a hill to the northeast at 
the distance of sixty yards, red with Indians who 
opened a heavy fire upou us with loud yells, their 
chief, on horseback, urging them in a loud and 
audible voice to the charge, walking his horse per- 
fectly composed. When we first discovered him, 
our guns were all empty, with the exception of Mr. 
Hamm's. James Bowie cried out, ' Who is 
loaded?' Mr. Hamm observed, 'I am.' He 
was then told to shoot that Indian on horseback. 
He did so, and broke his leg and killed his horse. 
We now discovered him hopping around his horse 
on one leg, with his shield on his arm to keep off 
the balls. By this time four of our party being re- 
loaded, fired at the same instant, and all the balls 
took effect through the shield. He fell and was 
immediately surrounded by six or eight of his tribe, 
who picked him up and bore him off. Several of 
these were shot by our party. The whole party 
then retreated back of the hill, out of sight, with 
the exception of a few ludians who were running 
about from tree to tree, out of gun-shot. 

"They now covered the hill a second time, 
bringing up their bowmen, who had not been in 
action before, and commenced a heavy fire with 
balls and arrows, which we returned by a well 
directed aim with our rifles. At this instant, 
another chief appeared on horseback, near the spot 
where the last one fell. The same question of who 
was loaded, was asked ; the answer was nobody ; 
when little Charles, the mulatto servant, came run- 
ning up with Buchanan's rifle, which had not been 
discharged since he was wounded, and handed it to 
James Bowie, who instantly fired and brought him 
down from his horse. He was surrounded by six 
or eight of his tribe, as was the last, and borne off 
ujider our fire. During the time we were engaged 
in defending ourselves from the Indians on the 
hill, some fifteen or twenty of the Caddo tribe had 
succeeded in getting under, the bank of the creek in 
our rear at about forty yards distance, and opened 
a heav}^ fire upon us, which wounded Matthew 
Doyle, the ball entering the left breast and passing 
out of the back. As soon as he cried out he was 
wounded, Thomas M'Caslin hastened to the spot 
where he fell, and observed, ' Where is the Indian 
that shot Doyle?' He was told by a more 
experienced hand not to venture there, as, from 



the report of their guns, they must be riflemen. At 
that instant they discovered an Indian, and while 
in the act of raising his piece, M'Caslin was shot 
through the center of the body and expired. 
Robert Armstrong exclaimed, ' D — n the Indian 
that shot M'Caslin! Where is he? ' He was told 
not to venture there, as they must be riflemen ; but, 
on discovering an Indian, and while bringing his 
gun up, he was fired at, and part of the stock of 
his gun cut off, and the ball lodged against the 
barrel. During this time our enemies had formed a 
complete circle around us, occupying the points of 
rocks, scattering trees and bushes. The firing then 
became general from all quarters. 

" Finding our situation too much exposed among 
the trees, we were obliged to leave it, and take to the 
thickets. The first thing necessary was to dislodge 
the riflemen from under the bank of the creek, who 
were within point-blank shot. This we soon suc- 
ceeded in, by shooting the most of them through 
the head, as we had the advantage of seeing them 
when they could not see us. 

' ' The road we had cut around the thicket the 
night previous, gave us now an advantageous situ- 
ation over that of our enemies, and we had a fair 
view of them in the prairie, while we were com- 
pletely hid. We baffled their shots by moving six 
or eight feet the moment we had fired, as their onlj' 
mark was the smoke of our guns. They would put 
twenty balls within the size of a pocket handkerchief, 
where they had seen the smoke. In this manner 
we fought them two hours, and had one man 
wounded, James Coryell, who was shot through 
the arm, and tbe ball lodged in the side, first cut- 
ting away a bush which prevented it from penetrat- 
ing deeper than the size of it. 

"They now discovered that we were not to lie 
dislodged from the thicket, and the uncertainty of 
killing us at a random shot ; they suffering very 
much from the fire of our rifles, which brought a 
half a dozen down at every round. They now 
determined to resort to stratagem, by putting fire 
to the dry grass in the prairie, for the double pur- 
pose of routing us from our position, and under 
cover of the smoke, to carry away their dead and 
wounded, which lay near us. The wind was now 
blowing from the west, they placed the fire in that 
quarter, where it burnt down all the grass to the 
creek, and bore off to the right, and leaving around 
our position a space of about five acres that was 
untouched by fire. Under cover of this smoke they 
succeeded in carrying off a portion of their dead 
and wounded. In the meantime, our part3' were 
engaged in scraping away the dry grass and leaves 
from our wounded men and baggage to prevent the 



22 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fire from passing over it ; and likewise, in pulling 
up rocks and bushes to answer the purpose of a 
breastwork. 

" They now discovered they had failed in routing 
us by the fire, as they had anticipated. They then 
re-occupied the points of rocks and trees in the 
praiiie, and commenced another attack. The filing 
continued for some time when the wind suddenly 
shifted to the north, and blew very hard. We now 
discovered our dangerous situation, should the 
Indians succeed in putting fire to the small spot 
which we occupied, and kept a strict watch all 
around. The two servant boys were emplojed in 
scraping awa\' dry grass and leaves from around 
the baggage, and pulling up rocks and placing them 
around the wounded men. The remainder of the 
party were warmly engaged with the enemy. The 
point from which the wind now blew being favora- 
ble to fire our position, one of the Indians succeeded 
in crawling down the creek and putting fire to the 
grass that had not yet been burnt ; but before he 
could retreat back to his party, was killed by 
Robert Armstrong. 

" At this time we saw no hopes of escape, as the 
fire was coming down rapidly before the wind, 
flaming ten feet high, and directly for the spot we 
occupied. What was to be done? We must either 
be burned up alive, or driven into the prairie 
among the savages. This encouraged the Indians ; 
and to make it more awful, their shouts and yells 
rent the air, they at the same time firing upon us 
about twenty shots a minute. As soon as the 
smoke hid us from their view, we collected together 
and held a consultation as to what was best to be 
done. Our first impression was, that they might 
charge us under cover of the smoke, as we could 
make but one effectual fire, the sparks were flying 
about so thickly that no man could open his powder 
horn without running the risk of being blown up. 
However, we finally came to a determination had 
they charged us to give them one fire, place our 
backs together, and draw our knives and fight 
them as long as any one of us was left alive. 
The next question was, should they not charge us, 
and we retain our position, we must be burned up. 
It was then decided that each man should take 
care of himself as best he could, until the fire 
arrived at the ring around our baggage and 
wounded men, and there it sliould be smothered 
with buffalo robes, bear skins, deer skins, and 
blankets, which, after a great deal of exertion, we 
succeeded in doing. 

" Our thicket l)eing so much burned and scorched, 
that it afforded us little or no shelter, we all got 
into the ring th:it was around our wounded men 



and baggage, and commenced building our breast- 
work higher, with the loose rocks from the inside, 
and dirt dug up with our knives and sticks. 
During this last fire, the Indians had succeeded 
in removing all their killed and wounded which 
lay near us. It was now sundown, and we 
had been warmly engaged with the Indians 
since sunrise, a period of thirteen hours ; and 
they seeing us still alive and ready for fight, 
drew off at a distance of three hundred 3'ards. 
and encamped for the night with their dead and 
wounded. Our party now commenced to work in 
raising our fortification higher, and succeeded in 
getting it breast high by 10 p. m. We now filled 
all our vessels and skins with water, expecting 
another attack the next morning. We could dis- 
tinctly hear the Indians, nearly all night, crying 
over their dead, which is their custom ; and at 
daylight, they shot a wounded chief — it being 
also a custom to shoot any of their tribe that are 
mortally wounded. They, after that, set out with 
their dead and wounded to a mountain about a 
mile distant, where they deposited their dead in a 
cave on the side of it. At eight in the morning, 
two of the party went out from the fortification to 
the encampment, where the Indians had lain the 
night previous, and counted forty-eight bloody 
spots on the grass where the Indians had been lying. 
As near as we could judge, their loss must have 
been forty killed and thirty wounded. [We after- 
wards learned from the Comanche Indians that 
their loss was eighty-two killed and wounded.] 

" Finding ourselves much cut up, having one man 
killed, and three wounded — five horses killed, 
and three wounded — we recommenced strength- 
ening our little fort, and continued our labors 
until 1 p. m., when the arrival of thirteen Indians 
drew us into the fort again. As soon as thej' 
discovered we were still there and ready for action 
and well fortified they put off. We, after that, 
remained in our fort eight daj-s, recruiting our 
wounded men and horses, at the expiration of 
which time, being all in pretty good order, we set out 
on our return to San Antonio de Bexar. We left 
our fort at dark, and traveled all night and until 
afternoon of the next day, when we picked out an 
advantageous spot and. fortified ourselves, ex- 
pecting the Indians would, when recruited, follow 
our trail ; but, however, we saw no more of them. 

" David Buchanan's wounded leg here mortified, 
and having no surgical instruments, or medicine of 
any kind, not even a dose of salts, we boiled some 
live oak bark very strong, and thickened it with 
pounded charcoal and Indian meal, made a i)oul- 
tice of it, and tied it around his leg, over which we 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



23 



sewed a buffalo skiu, and traveled along five da3-s 
without looking at it ; when it was opened, it was 
in a fair way for healing, which it finally did, 
and the mortified parts all dropped off, and his 
leg now is as well as it ever was. There was none 



of the party but had bis skin cut in several places, 
and numerous shot holes through his clothes. 

" On the twelfth day we arrived in good order, 
with our wounded men and horses, at San Antonio 
de Bexar." 



The Scalping of Wilbarger and Death of Christian and 
Strother, in 1833. 



In the year 1828, Josiah Wilbarger, recently 
married to a daughter of Lemau Barker, of Lin- 
coln County, Mo., arrived at Matagorda, Texas. 
Tlie writer of this, then in bis eighth year, knew 
him intimately. The Wilbarger family adjoining 
the farm of my parents, lived on a thousand arpents 
of the richest land, one mile east of the present 
village of Ashlej', Pike County, Missouri, sixteen 
miles from the Mississippi river and seventj'-five 
miles above St. Louis. In the autumn of 1826, 
Capt. Henry S. Brown, father of the writer, tem- 
porarily returned home from Texas, after having 
spent two years in that then terra incognita and 
Northern Mexico. His descriptions of the country 
deeply impressed young Wilbarger, as well as a 
large number of persons in the adjoining county of 
Lincoln, wbose names subsequently shed luster on 
the pioneer life of Texas. The remainder of the 
Wilbarger family, or rather two brothers and three 
sisters of their number, came to Texas in 1837. 
Josiah spent a year in Matagorda, another in Col- 
orado County, and in 1831 settled on his headright 
league, ten miles above Bastrop on the Colorado, with 
his wife, child and two transient young men. He 
was temporarily the outside settler, but soon others 
located along the river below and two or three 
above, the elder Reuben Hornsby becoming the 
outer sentinel, and so remaining for a number of 
years. Mr. Wilbarger located various lauds for 
other pai'ties in that section, it being in Austin's 
second grant above the old San Antonio and Nacog- 
doches road, which crossed at Bastrop. 

In August, 1833, accompanied by four others, 
viz., Christian a surveyor, Strother, Standifer and 
Haynie, Mr. Wilbarger left on a laud-locating 
expedition, above where Austin now is. Arriving 
ou the ground and on the eve of beginning work, 
an Indian was discovered on a neighboring ridge, 
watching their movements. Wilbarger, after vainly 



beckoning to him to approach, rode toward him, 
manifesting friendship, but the Indian, pointing 
toward a smoke rising from a cedar brake at the 
base of a hill, in plain view, indicated a desire for 
his visitor to go to camp and galloped away. The 
party, after a short pursuit, became satisfied there 
was a considerable body of Indians, hostile in feel- 
ing, and determined at once to return to the settle- 
ment. They started in, intending to go directly to 
Hornsby's place, but they stopped at a spring on 
the way to take lunch, to which Wilbarger objected, 
being quite sure the Indians would pursue them, 
while the others thought otherwise. Very soon, 
however, about sixty savages suddenly charged, 
fired and fell back under the protection of brush. 
Strother fell dead and Christian apparently so. 
Wilbarger's horse broke away and fled. He fol- 
lowed a short distance, but failed to recover him. 
Hastening back, he found the other two men 
mounted and ready to flee, and discovered that Chris- 
tian, though helpless, was not dead. He implored 
the two mounted men to stay with him in the I'a- 
vine, and endeavor to save Christian. Just then 
the Indians renewed the fire at long range and 
struck Wilbarger in the hip. He then asked to be 
taken behind one of the men, but seeing the 
enemy approaching, they fled at full speed, leaving 
him to his fate. The Indians, one having mounted 
Christian's horse, encircled him on all sides. He had 
seized the guns of the fallen men and thus with 
these partly protected by a tree just as he was 
taking deliberate aim at the mounted warrior, a 
ball entered his neck, paralj'zing him, so that he fell 
to the ground and was at once at the mere}- of the 
wretches. Though perfectly helpless and appar- 
ently dead, he was conscious of all that transpired. 
A knife was passed entirely around his head and 
the scalp torn off. While suffering no pain, he 
ever asserted that neither a storm in the forest nor 



24 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the roar of artillery could have sounded more 
terrible to a sound man than did this scalping pro- 
cess to him. The shrieks and exultant j'ells of the 
brutes were indescribable. 

Christian's life ebbed away, all three were 
stripped and scalped ; the savages retired and Wil- 
barger lay in a dreamy state of semi-consciousness, 
visions flitting through his mind bordering on the 
marvelous and the supernatural. 

The loss of blood finally aroused him and he 
realized several wounds unknown to him before. 
He crawled to a limpid stream close bj' and sub- 
merged his body in it both to quench a burning thirst 
and stop the flow of blood, and succeeded in both ; 
but in an hour or two became greatly chilled and 
crawled out, but vpas so weak he fell into a sound 
sleep — for how long he knew not — on awakening 
from which he found his wounds covered with 
those disgusting insects, •' blowflies." Occasionally 
refreshing himself in the pool, the hours sped and 
night came. He had realized that the escaped men 
would spread the uews and as soou as the few 
settlers below could collect, relief might come. 
After dark and many efforts he was able to rise and 
stand — then to stagger along — aud resolved to 
make an effort to reach the Hornsb}' place. He 
traveled about a quarter of a mile, utterly failed 
in strength aud sank under a large tree, intensely 
suffering with cold. When morning came he was 
unable to move and his suffeiing, till the sun rose 
aud warmed him, was intense. He became able to 
rise again, but not to walk. He atBrmed that while 
reclining against the tree his sister, Margaret,* 
vividly appeared before him, saying, " Brother 
Josiah ! you are too weak to go in by yourself ! 
Eemain here and before the sun sets friends will 
take you in." She disappeared, going directly 
towards the settlement. He piteously called to her : 
"Margaret, my sister, Margaret! stay with me 
till they come! " But she disappeared, and when 
relief did come he told them of the vision and 
believed till that time that it was a realit}'. 

During the day — that long and agonizing day — 
between periods of drowsy slumber, he would sit 
or stand, intensely gazing in the direction Margaret 
had taken. 

The two men who fled gave the alarm at 
Hornsby's, and runners were sent below for aid, 
which could not be expected before the next day ; 
and here occurs one of those incidents which, 
however remarkable, unless a whole family and 
several other persons of unquestionable integrity 

* This sister was Mrs. Margaret Cliftou, who had died 
the day Ijefore at Florissant, St. Louis County, Missouri. 



were themselves falsifiers, is true, and so held by 
all the early settlers of the Colorado. During the 
night in which Wilbarger lay under the tree, not- 
withstanding the two men asserted positively that 
they saw Wilbarger, Christian and Strother killed, 
Mrs. Hornsby, one of the best of women and 
regarded as the mother of the new colony, about 
midnight, sprang from bed, aroused all the house 
and said: "Wilbarger is not dead! He sits 
against a large tree and is scalped ! I saw him 
and know it is so! " Those present reassured and 
remonstrated, even ridiculed her dream, and all 
again retired. But about three o'clock, she again 
sprang from the bed, under intense excitement, 
repeated her former statement and added : "I saw 
him again ! As sure as God lives Josiah Wilbarger 
is alive, scalped and under a large tree by himself ! 
I saw him as plainly as I now see you who are 
present ! If you are not cowards go at once or he 
will die! " " But," said one of the escaped men, 
" Mrs. Hornsby, I saw fifty Indians around his 
body and it is impossible for him to be alive." 

" I care not what you saw," replied the seem- 
ingly inspired old mother, "I saw as plainly as 
you could have seen, and I know he is alive! Go 
to him at once." Her husband suggested that if 
the men all left before help came from below she 
would be in danger. "Never mind me! I can 
take to the dogwood thicket and save myself! 
Go, I tell you, to poor Wijbarger! " 

The few men present determined to await till 
morning the arrival of succor from below, but 
Mrs. Hornsby refused to retire again, and busied 
herself cooking till sunrise, so as to avoid any 
delay when aid should come. When the men came 
in the morning, she repeated to them in the most 
earnest manner her dual vision, urged them to eat 
quickly and hasten forward and, as they were 
leaving, took from her bed a strong sheet, handed 
it to them and said: " Take this, you will have to 
bring him on a litter; he cannot sit on ahorse." 
The men left aud after long search found and 
l>uried the bodies of Christian and Strother. 

Wilbarger spent the day in alternate watching 
and dozing till, late in the evening, completely ex- 
hausted, having crawled to a stump from which a 
more extended view was obtained, he was sinking 
into a despairing slumber, when the rumbling of 
horses' feet fell upon his ear. He arose and now 
beheld his deliverers. When, after quite a search, 
they discovered the ghastly object — a mass of 
blood — they involuntarily halted, seeing which he 
beckoned and flually called : " Come on, friends ; it 
is Wilbarger." They came up, even then hesi- 
tating, for he was disfigured beyond recognition. 




GEN. PJDWARD BURLESON. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



25 



He begged for water! water! which was promptly 
famished. He was wrapped in the sheet, placed 
on Mr. Hornsby's horse and that gentleman, 
mounting behind, held him in his arms, and thus, 
slowly, he was borne to the house, to be embraced 
with a mother's warmth by her who had seen him 
in the vision. 

The great loss of blood prevented febrile ten- 
dencies, and, under good nursing, Mr. Wilbarger 
recovered his usual health ; but the scalp having 
taken with it the inner membrane, followed by two 
days' exposure to the sun, never healed. The dome 
of the skull remained bare, onlj' protected by arti- 
ficial covering. For eleven years he enjoyed 
health, prospered and accumulated a handsome 
estate. At the end of that time the skull rapidly 



decayed, exposed the brain, brought on delirium, 
and in a few weeks, just before the assurance of 
annexation and in the twelfth year from his 
calamity, his soul went to join that of his waiting 
sister Margaret in that abode " where the wicked 
cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." 
Recalling the days of childhood, when the writer 
often sat upon his lap and received many evidences 
of his kindly nature, it is a pleasure to state that 
in 1858 he enjoyed and embraced the opportunity 
of honoring his memory by naming the county of 
Wilbarger jointly for him and his brother Matthias, 
a surveyor. 

John Wilbarger, one of the sons of Josiah, while 
a ranger, was killed by Indians in the Nueces 
countrj', in 1847. 



Events in 1833 and 1835 — Campaigns of Oldham, Coleman, 

John H. Moore, Williamson, Burleson, Coheen — Fate 

of Canoma — Choctaw Tom— The Toncahuas. 



In the year 1833, a stranger from the United 
States, named Reed, spent several days at Tenox- 
titlau, Falls of the Brazos, now in the lower part of 
Falls Count}'. There were at that time seven 
friendly Toncahua Indians at the place, with whom 
Reed made an exchange of horses. The Indians 
concluded they had been cheated and pretended to 
leave; but secreted themselves and, on the second 
day afterwards, lying in ambush, they killed Reed 
as he was leaving the vicinity on his return to the 
United States, and made prize of his horse and 
baggage. 

Canoma, a faithful and friendly Indian, was the 
chief of a small band of Caddos, and passed much 
of his time with or near the Americans at the Falls. 
He was then in the vicinity. He took seven of his 
tribe and pursued the Toncahuas. On 'the eighth 
daj' he returned, bearing as trophies seven scalps. 
Reed's horse and baggage, receiving substantial 
commendation from the settlers. 

In the spring of 1835 the faithful Canoma was 
still about Tenoxtitlan. There were various indi- 
cations of intended hostilit}' by the wild tribes, but 
it was mainly towards the people on the Colorado. 
The wild Indians, as is well known to those conver- 
sant with that period, considered the people of the 
two rivers as separate tribes. The people at the 



Falls, to avert an outbreak, employed Canoma to 
go among the savages and endeavor to bring them 
in for the purpose of making a treaty and of recov- 
ering two children of Mr. Moss, then prisoners in 
their hands. 

Canoma, leaving two of bis children as hostages, 
undertook the mission and visited several tribes. 
On returning he reported that those he had seen 
were willing to treat with the Brazos people ; but 
that about half were bitterly opposed to forming 
friendly relations with the Coloradians, and that at 
that moment a descent was being made on Bastrop 
on that river by a party of the irreconcilables. 

The people at the Falls immediatel}' dispatched 
Samuel McFall to advise the people of that infant 
settlement of their danger. Before he reached his 
destination the Indians had entered the settlement, 
murdered a wagoner, stolen several horses and left, 
and Col. Edward Burleson, in command of a small 
party, was in pursuit. 

In the meantime, some travelers lost their horses 
at the Falls and employed Canoma to follow and 
recover them. Canoma, with his wife and son, 
armed with a written certification of his fidelity to 
the whites, trailed the horses in the direction of and 
nearly to the three forks of Little river, and re- 
covered them. On his return with these American 



2(5 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



horses, Burleson and party fell in with him, but 
were not aware of his faithful character. He ex- 
hibited his credentials, with which Burleson was dis- 
posed to be satisfied ; but his men, alread}' incensed, 
and finding Canoma in possession of the horses 
under such suspicious circumstances, gave rein to 
unreasoning exasperation. They killed him and his 
son, leaving his wife to get in alone, which she lost 
no time in doing. She reported these unfortunate 
facts precisely as they had transpired, and as the}' 
were ever lamented by the chivalrous and kind- 
hearted Burleson. 

This intensely incensed the remainder of Cano- 
ma's party, who were still at the Falls. Choctaw 
Tom, the principal man left among them, stated 
that thej' did not blame the people at the Falls, but 
that all the Indians would now make war on the 
Coloradians, and, with all the baud, left for the 
Indian country. 

Soon after this, in consequence of some depreda- 
tions; Maj. Oldham raised a company of twenty- 
five men in Washington, and made a successful 
attack an the Keechi village, on the Trinify, now in 
Leon County. He routed them, killed a number 
and captured a considerable number of horses and 
all their camp equipage. 

Immediately after this, Capt. Robert M. Cole- 
man, of Bastrop, with twenty-five men, three of 
whom were Brazos men well known to many of the 
Indians, made a campaign against the Tehuacanos, 
at the famous springs of that name now in Lime- 
stone County. He crossed the Brazos at Washing- 
ton on the 4th of July, 1835. He was not 
discovered till near the village. The Indians 
manifested stubborn courage. A severe engage- 
ment ensued, but in the end, though killing a 
considerable number of Indians, Coleman was com- 
pelled to retreat — having one man killed and four 
wounded. The enemy were too numerous for so 
small a party ; and it was believed that their recog- 
nilion of the three Brazos men among their assail- 
ants, stimulated their courage and exasperated 
them against the settlers on that river, as they were 
already towards those on the Colorado. 

Coleman fell back upon Parker's fort, two and a 
half miles above the present town of Groesbeck, 
and sent in an express, calling for an augmentation 
of force to chastise the enemy. Three companies 
were immediately raised — one commanded by 
Capt. Robert M. Williamson (the gifted, dauntless 
and eloquent three-legged Willie of the popular 
legends), one by Capt. Coheen and a third by Dr. 
George W. Barnett. Col. .John H. Moore was 
given chief command and Josepli C. Neill (a 



soldier at the Horseshoe) was made adjutant. 
They joined Coleman at the fort and rapidly- 
advanced upon the Tehuacanos at the springs ; 
but the wily red man had discovered them and 
fled. 

The}' then scoured the country up the Trinity as 
far as the forks, near the subsequent site of Dallas, 
then passed over to and down the Brazos, crossing 
it where old Fort Graham stands, without encoun- 
tering more than five or six Indians on several 
occasions. They, however, killed one warrior and 
made prisoners of several women and children. 
One of the women, after her capture, killed her 
own child, for which she was immediately shot. 
Without any other event of moment the command 
leisurely returned to the settlements. 

[Note. Maj. Oldham was afterwards one of 
the Mier prisoners. Dr. Barnett, from Tennessee, 
at 37 years of age, on the second day of the next 
March (1836), signed the Declaration of Texian 
Independence. He served as a senator for a num- 
ber of years and then moved to the western part of 
Gonzales County, where, in the latest Indian raid 
ever made into that section, he was killed while 
alone, by the savages. The names of Robert M. 
Williamson and John H. Moore are too intimatelj' 
identified with our history to justify farther notice 
here. As a Lieutenant-Colonel at San Jacinto, 
Joseph C. Neill was severely wounded. Robert 
M. Coleman was Ijorn and reared in that portion of 
Christian County, Kentucky, which afterwards be- 
came Trigg County. He came to Texas in 1830. 
He, too, at the age of 37, signed the Declaration 
of Independence and, fifty- one days later, com- 
manded a company at San Jacinto. He was 
drowned at the mouth of the Brazos in 1837. In 
1839 his wife and 13 year-old-son were killed at 
their frontier home in Webber's prairie, on the 
Colorado, and another son carried into captivity by 
the Indians, never to be restored to civilization. 
Two little girls, concealed under the floor by their 
heroic child brother before his fall, were saved. 
Henry Bridger, a j'oung man, then just from Cole 
County, Missouri, afterwards my neighbor and close 
friend in several campaigns and battles — modest 
as a maiden, fearless as a tiger — also a Mier pris- 
oner, saw his first service in this campaign of Col. 
Moore. Sam McFall, the bearer of the warning 
from the Falls to Bastrop, from choice went on 
foot. He was six feet and three inches high, lean, 
lithe and audacious. He was the greatest footman 
ever known in Texas, and made the distance in 
shorter time than a saddle horse could have done. 
He became famous among the Mier prisoners at 
Perote, 1843-4, by feigning lunacy and stampeding 
whenever harnessed to one of the little Mexican 
carts for hauling stone, a task forced upon his 
comrades, but from which he escaped as a 
"lunatico." He died in McLennan County some 
years ago, lamented as an exemplar of true, inborn 
nobility of soul and dauntless courage.] 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



27 



The Attempted Settlement of Beales' Rio Grande Colony in 
1834— Its Failure and the Sad Fate of Some of the Col- 
onists — Twelve Murdered — Mrs. Horn and Two 
Sons and Mrs. Harris Carried into 
Captivity — 1834 to 1836. 



Before narrating the painful scenes attending 
the attempt to form a colony of Europeans and 
Americans on the Rio Grande, about thirty miles 
above the present town of Eagle Pass, begun in 
New York in November, 1833, and terminating in 
bitter failure and the slaughter of a portion of the 
colonists on the 2d of April, 1836, a few precedent 
facts are condensed, for the more intelligent and 
comprehensive understanding of the subject. 

Dr. John Charles Beales, born in Aldborough, 
Suffolk County, England, March 20, 1804, went to 
Mexico, and, in 1830, married the widow of Richard 
Exter, an English merchant in that country. She 
was a Mexican lady, her maiden name having been 
Maria Dolores Soto. Prior to his death Mr. Exter 
had become associated in certain empresario con- 
tracts for introducing colonists into northern or 
rather New Mexico with Stephen Julian Wilson, an 
English naturalized citizen of Mexico. 

In 1832 Dr. Beales and Jose Manuel Roquella 
obtained from the State of Coahuila and Texas the 
right to settle colonists in the following described 
limits: — 

Beginning at the intersection of latitude 32° 
north with longitude 102° west from London, the 
same being the southwest corner of a tract peti- 
tioned for by Col. Reuben Ross ; thence west on 
the parallel of latitude 32° to the eastern limit of 
New Mexico ; thence north on the line dividing 
New Mexico and the provinces (the State) of Coa- 
huila and Texas, to a point twent}' leagues (52f 
miles) south of the Arkansas river; thence east to 
longitude 102°, on the west boundary (reallj' the 
northwest corner) of the tract petitioned for by 
Col. Reuben Ross ;^ thence south to the place of 
beginning. Beales and Roquella employed Mr. A. 
Le Grand, an American, to survey and mark the 
boundaries of this territory- and divide it into twelve 
or more blocks. Le Grand, with an escort and 
proper outfit, arrived on the ground from Santa Fe, 
and established the initial point, after a series of 
observations, on the 27th of June, 1833. From 
that date till the 30th of October, he was activelj' 
engaged in the work, running lines north, south. 



east and west over most of the large territory. In 
the night, eight inches of snow fell, and on the 
30th, after several days' examination of its topog- 
rapliy, he was at the base of the mountain called 
b3" the Mexicans " La Sierra Oscura." Here, for 
the time being, he abandoned the work and pro- 
ceeded to Santa Fe to report to his employers. 
Extracts from that report form the base for these 
statements. Neither Beales and Roquella nor Col. 
Reuben Ross ever proceeded farther in these enter- 
prises ; but it is worthy of note that Le Grand pre- 
ceded Capt. R. B. Marcy, U. S. A., twenty-six 
years in the exploration and survey of the upper 
waters of the Colorado, Brazos, Red, Canadian and 
Washita rivers, a field in which Capt. Marcy has 
worn the honors of first explorer from the dates of 
his two expeditions, respectively, in 1849 and 1853. 
Le Grand's notes are quite full, noting the cross- 
ing of every stream in all his 1800 to 2000 miles 
in his subdivision of that large territory into dis- 
tricts or blocks numbered 1 to 12. 

Le Grand, in his diary, states that on the 14th 
of August: " We fell in with a partj' of Riana In- 
dians, who informed us they were on their way to 
Santa Fe, for the purpose of treating with the 
government. We sent by them a cop}- of our jour- 
nal to this date." 

On the 20th of August they visited a large en- 
campment of Comanche Indians, who were friendly 
and traded with them. 

On the night of September 10th, in the country 
between the Arkansas and Canadian, Ave of the 
party — Kimble, Bois, Caseboth, Boring and 
Ryon— deserted, taking with them all but four 
of Le Grand's horses. 

On the 21st of September, near the northeast 
corner of the tract they saw, to the west, a large 
body of Indians. This was probably in " No Man's 
Land," now near the northeast corner of Sherman 
County, Texas. 

On the night of September 27th, twenty miles 
west of the northeast corner, and therefore near 
the northwest corner of Sherman County, they 
were attacked by a body of Snake Indians. The 



28 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



action wa? short but furious. Tlie Indians, evi- 
dently expecting to surprise and slaughter the 
party while asleep, left nine warriors dead on the 
ground. But the victors paid dearly for the 
triumph ; they lost three killed, McCrummins, 
Weathers and Jones, and Thompson was slightly 
wounded. They buried the dead on the 28th and 
remained on the ground till the 29th. The country 
over which this party cari-ied the compass and 
chain, between June 27th and October 30th, 183.3, 
measuring on the ground about eighteen hundred 
miles, covers about the western half of the present 
misnamed Texas Panhandle, the eastern portion 
(or a strip thereof) of the present New Mexico, 
the western portion of "No Man's Land," and 
south of the Panhandle to latitude 32. The 
initial or southeast corner (the intersection of 
longitude 102 with latitude 32), judging by our 
present maps, was in the vicinity of the present 
town of Midland, on the Texas and Pacific Eailwaj', 
but Le Grand's observations must necessarily have 
been imperfect and fixed the point erroneously. It 
was, however, sixteen miles south of what he called 
throughout the '"Red river of Texas," meaning 
the Colorado or Pasigono, while he designates as 
"Red river" the stream still so called. This 
large territory is now settled and being settled bj' 
stock raisers, with a. decided tendency towards 
farming pursuits. The writer of this, through the 
press of Texas, ever since 1872, has contended that 
in due time Northwest Texas, from the Pacific 
road to latitude 3()° 30', notwithstanding consid- 
erable districts of worthless land, would become 
the seat of an independent and robust agricultural 
population. It is now being verified. 

BEALES COLONY ON THE KID OKANDE. 

Dr. Beales secured in his own name a right to 
settle a colony extending from the Nueces to the 
Rio Grande and lying above the road from San 
Antonio to Laredo. Next above, extending north 
to latitude 32°, was a similar privilege granted to 
John L. Woodbury, which expired, as did similar 
concessions to Dr. James Grant, a Scotchman 
naturalized and married in Mexico (the same who 
was killed by the Mexican army on ils march to 
Texas, in Februar}^ 1836, in what is known as the 
Johnson and Grant expedition, beyond the Nueces 
river), and various others. Dr. Beales entered 
into some sort of partnership with Grant for 
settling colonists on the Rio Grande and Nueces' 
tract, and then, with Grant's approval, while re- 
taining his official position as empresario, or con- 
tractor with the State, formed in New York an 



association styled the " Rio Grande and Texas 
Land Company," for the purpose of raising 
meaus to encourage immigration to the colony 
from France, Ireland, England and Germany, in- 
cluding also Americans. Mr. Egerton, an English 
surveyor, was sent out first to examine the lands 
and select a site for locating a town, and the first 
immigrants. He performed that service and 
returned to New York in the summer of 1833. 

The Rio Grande and Texas Land Company organ- 
ized on a basis of capital " divided into 800 shares, 
each containing ten thousand acres, besides sur- 
plus lands." Certificate No. 407, issued in New 
York, July 11, 1834, signed, Isaac A. Johnson, 
trustee ; Samuel Sawyer, secretary, and J. C. Beales, 
empresario, with a miniature map of the lands, was 
transmitted to me as a present or memento, as the 
case might be, in the j-ear 1874, by my relative, 
Hon. Wm. Jessop Ward, of Baltimore, and now 
lies before me. As a matter of fact, Beales, 
like all other empresarios under the Mexican 
colonization laws, contracted or got permission 
to introduce a specified number of immigrants (800 
in this case) and was to receive a given amount of 
premium land in fee simple to himself for each 
hundred families so introduced. Otherwise he had 
no right to or interest in the lands, and all lands 
not taken up by immigrants as headrights, or 
awarded him as premiums within a certain term of 
years from the date of the contract, remained, as 
before, public domain of the State. Hence the 
habit generally adopted by writers and map-makers 
of styling these districts of country ^^ grants" to 
A., B. or C. was and ever has been a misnomer. 
They were in reality only permits. 

The first, and so far as known or believed, the 
only body of immigrants introduced by Dr. Beales, 
sailed with him from New York, in the schooner 
Amos Wright, Capt. Monroe, November 11th, 1833. 
The party consisted of fifty-nine souls, men, women 
and children, but how many of each class cannot be 
stated. 

On the Gth of December. 1833, the Amos Wright 
entered Aransas bay, finding nine feet of water 
on the bar; on the 12th they disembarked and 
pitched their tents on the beach at Copano and 
there remaineil till .January 3, 1834, finding there 
only a Mexican coast-guard consisting of a corporal 
and two men. On the loth of December Don Jose 
Maria Cosio, collector of customs, came down from 
Goliad (the ancient La Bahia), and passed their 
papers and goods as correct and was both courteous 
and kind. Throughout the remainder of December, 
January and February there were rapidly succeed- 
ing wet and cold northers, indicating one of the 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



29 



most inclement winters known to tlie inhabitants — 
flooding tlie coast prairies and causing great dis- 
comfort to tlie strangers, who, liowever, feasted 
abundantly on wild game, fish and water fowl. 

On the 20th Dr. Beales, his servant, Marcelino, 
and Mr. Power started to Goliad to see the Alcalde, 
Don Miguel Aldrete, and procure teams for trans- 
portation, the roads being so flooded that, although 
the distance was only about fortj' miles, they did 
not arrive till the 22d. Returning with animals to 
draw their vehicles, they arrived at Copano late on 
the 31st of December, having halted, both in going 
and returning, at the Irish settlement of Power's 
and Hewetson's infant colony, at the old mission 
of Refugio. (This colonj' had for empresarios Mr. 
James Power and Dr. James Hewetson, both 
well known in the subsequent history of that sorely 
desolated section. ) 

The party left Copano on the 3d of January, 
1834, and after numerous vexatious and minor 
accidents, arrived at Goliad, crossed and encamped 
on the east bank of the San Antonio river on the 
16th, having thus left behind them the level and 
flooded coast lauds. Dr. Beales notes that, while 
at Goliad, " some of the foreigners in the town, 
the lowest class of the Americans, behaved ex- 
ceedingly ill, endeavoring, by all means in their 
power, to seduce my families away." But onl}- 
one man left, and he secured his old Majordomo 
(overseer or manager), John Quinn, and a 
Mexican with his wife and four children, to 
accompany the party. He also notes that on 
Sunday' (19th) a Carancahua Indian child was 
baptized by the priest in Goliad, for which the 
collector's wife, Senora Cosio, stood godmother. 

On the 20th of January, with freshly purchased 
oxen, they left for San Antonio and, after much 
trouble and cold weather, arrived there on the 6th 
of Februar3\ A few miles below that place (a 
fact stated by Mrs. Horn, but not found in Beales' 
diarj') they found Mr. Smith, a stranger from the 
United States, lying b3' the roadside, terribly 
wounded, and with him a dead Mexican, while two 
others of his Mexican escort had escaped severely 
wounded. They had had a desperate fight with a 
small party of Indians who had left Mr. Smith as 
dead. Dr. Beales, both as physician and good 
Samaritan, gave him every possible attention 
and convej^ed him to San Antonio, where he 
lingered for a time and died after the colonists 
left that place. While there a j'oung German 
couple in the parly were married, but their names 
are not given. 

On the 18th of February, with fifteen carts and 
wagons, the colonists left San Antonio for the 



Rio Grande. On the 28th they crossed the Nueces 
and for the first time entered the lauds designated 
as Beales' Colony. Mr. Little carved upon a 
large tree on the west bank — " Los Primeros 
colonos de la Villa de Dolores pasaron el 28 de 
Febrero, 1834," which being rendered into Eng- 
lish is: "The first colonists of the village of 
Dolores passed here on the 28th of Februaiy, 
1834," many of them, alas, never to pass again. 

On the 2d of March Mr. Egerton went forward 
to Presidio de Rio Grande to examine the route, 
and returned at midnight with the information that 
the best route was to cross the river at that point, 
travel up on the west side and recross to the pro- 
posed locality of Dolores, on the Las Moras creek, 
which is below the present town of Del Rio and ten 
or twelve miles from the northeast side of the Rio 
Grande. They crossed the river on the 5th and on 
the 6tli entered the Presidio, about five miles from 
it. Slowly moving up on the west side, hy a some- 
what circuitous route and crossing a little river 
called bj' Dr. Beales " Rio Escondido," the 
same sometimes called Rio Chico, or Little river, 
which enters the Rio Grande a few miles below 
Eagle Pass, they recrossed to the east side of the 
Rio Grande on the 12th and were again on the 
colony lands. Here they fell in with five Shawnee 
Indian trappers, two of whom spoke English and 
were not only ver^' friendly, but became of service 
for some time in killing game. Other Shawnee 
trappers frequently visited them. Here Beales left 
a portion of the freight, guarded by Addicks and 
two Mexicans, and on the 14th traveled up the 
couutiy about fifteen miles to a creek called " El 
Sancillo," or " El Sauz." On the 16th of March, 
a few miles above the latter stream, they arrived at 
the site of the proposed village of Dolores, on the 
Las Moras creek, as before stated said to be ten or 
twelve miles from the Rio Grande. The name 
"Dolores" was doubtless bestowed bj' Doctor 
Beales in honor of his absent wife. 

Preparations were at once undertaken to form 
tents, huts and cabins, by cleaning out a thicket 
and building a brush wall around it as a fortifica- 
tion against the wild Indians who then, as for gen- 
erations before and for Mly years afterwards, were 
a terror to the Mexican population on that frontier. 
On the 30th, Dr. Beales was unexpectedly com- 
pelled to go to Matamoras, three or four hundred 
miles, to cash his drafts, having failed to do so in 
Monelova. It was a grave disappointment, as 
money was essential to meet the wants of the peo- 
ple. Beyond this date his notes are inaccessible 
and subsequent events are gleaned dimly from other 
sources. It must suffice to sav that without irri- 



30 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



gation the colonists, in the remainder of 1834 and 
all of 1835, failed to raise crops and, though 
guarded part of the time by a company of Mexi- 
cans employed for that purpose, were ever uneasy 
lest they should be attacked by the savages. As 
time passed dissatisfaction arose and the colonists 
in small parties left the settlement, at one time four 
families leaving, all probably to the Mexican towns 
of Monclova, Santa Rosa and San Fernando, but of 
their ultimate fate no information is at hand. 
From Mrs. Horn's narrative it is learned that after 
many had left and sometime in the winter of 1835-6, 
a new settlement of seven men and a boy (their 
nationality not being given), some thirty or forty 
miles distant, while two of the men were absent for 
a few hours, "was attacked. Four of the men and 
the boy were killed — the fiflh man left for dead 
and all of them scalped. The wounded man, much 
mutilated, was conveyed to San Fernando, about 
twenty miles distant, one arm amputated, and, 
scalpless, he recovered, only to exist as an object 
of pity and charity. 

This last calamity determined all the remainder, 
excepting Mr. Power and seven others, to abandon 
the country and return to the gulf and their native 
lands. Power and party went to San Fernando, 
in vain to await the arrival of other immigrants. 
What became of them is not known. 

This brings us to the sad story of the murder of 
the twelve colonists and the captivity of Mrs. 
Harris, Mrs. Horn and two children. Mrs. Horn 
has been several times mentioned in this narrative 
and before proceeding with it, her history previous 
to leaving New York, on the Amos Wright, 
November 11th, 1833, maybe briefly stated from 
her own notes. The youngest of ten children of a 
Mr. Newton, she was born in 1809 in Huntingdon, 
sixtjr miles north of London, her parents being 
respectable and sincerely pious people. When 
three years old she was left fatherless. Her 
mother successfully fulfilled her doubled mission 
and trained all her children in the strictest prin- 
ciples of virtue and religion. At the age of 
eighteen this baby daughter, on the 14th of 
October, 1827, in St. James church, Clerkenwell, 
Loudon, married Mr. John Horn, who proved to 
be all, as husband and father, that her heart 
desired. They settled in Arlington, No. 2 Moon 
street, Giles Square, London. Her mother resided 
with her till her death late in 1830. Mr. Horn 
was well established in mercantile Inisiness in a 
small establishment. Soon after this many English 
people of small means were migrating to America 
to improve their condition. Mr. Horn was seized 
with the same desire and, after due deliberation. 



they sailed from Loudon, July 20, 1833, in the 
ship, Samuel Robinson, Capt. Griswold (or 
Chriswold), and arrived in New York on the 27th 
of August. They took lodgings at 237 Madison 
street, and Mr. Horn procured a satisfactory 
clerkship with Mr. John McKibben. About this 
time Dr. Beales, from Mexico, was in New York 
preparing for the colonization trip to the Rio 
Grande, already described. Omitting many 
strange incidents and forebodings of evil — pre- 
sentiments, as generally expressed — on the part of 
Mrs. Horn, they sailed on the voyage as has been 
narrated, November 11th, 1833. 

On the 10th of March 1836, the disconsolate 
party which we are now to follow, left Dolores with 
the intention of reaching the coast by way of San 
Patricio, on the lower Nueces. It consisted of 
eleven men, including Mr. Horn, his wife and two 
little sons, John and Joseph, and Mr. Harris, his 
wife and girl baby, about three months old, prob- 
ably the only child born at Dolores — in all fifteen 
souls. To the Nueces, by slow marches, they 
traveled without a road. Santa Anna's invading 
hosts had but recently passed from the Rio Grande 
on the Laredo and Matamoras routes, to San 
Antonio and Goliad. The Alamo had fallen four 
days before this journey began and Fannin sur- 
rendered near Goliad nine days after their depart- 
ure, but these ill-fated colonists knew of neither 
event. They only knew that the Mexicans were 
invading Texas under the banner of extermination 
to the Americans, and they dreaded falling into 
their hands almost as much as they dreaded the 
wild savages. They remained on the Nueces, near 
a road supposed to lead to San Patricio, several 
days, protected by thickets, and while there saw 
the trains and heard the guns of detachments of 
Mexican soldiers, doubtless guarding supply trains 
following Santa Anna to San Antonio. 

They resumed their march from the Nueces, on 
the San Patricio trail, on the 2d of April. Early 
in the afternoon of the 4th, they encamped at a 
large lake, containing fine fish. Not loqg after- 
wards, while the men were occupied in various wa3-s 
and none on guard, they were suddenly attacked b}^ 
fifty or sixty mounted Indians, who, meeting 
no resistance, instantly murdered nine of the men, 
seized the two ladies and three children, plundered 
the wagons and then proceeded to their main camp, 
the entire party being about 400, in an extensive 
chaparral, two or three miles distant. Here they 
remained till next morning, tying the ladies' hands, 
feet and arms, so tight as to be extremely painful. 
Next morning, before starting, a savage brute 
amused his fellows by tossing the infant of Mrs. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



31 



Hai-ris in the air and letting it fall to the ground 
till it was killed. Next they brought into the pres- 
ence of the ladies, Mr. Harris and a young Ger- 
man, whom the}' had supposed to be dead, but 
who were only wounded. Compelling the heart- 
broken wife, and the already widowed Mrs. Horn 
to look on, they shot arrows and plunged lances 
into the two men until they were dead, all the while 
yelling horrid shouts of exultation. The mind 
directing the pen recording this atrocious exercise 
of savage demonisin, as it has recorded and yet has 
to record innumerable others, involuntarilj- reverts 
with inexpressible disgust to the sickening twaddle 
of that school of self-righteous American humani- 
tarians, who utter eloquent nonsense about the 
noble savage and moral suasion, and dainty food at 
public expense, as the onl}' things needful to render 
him a lamb-like Christian. In New York in 1870, 
I wrote for Putnam's Magazine an article exposing 
the misapplied philanthropy on that subject — 
then upheld for gain by many villainous Indian 
agents, contractors and licensed traders, and many 
misinformed good people — contending that the 
only road to civilization to these inhuman monsters, 
was to whip them into fear of American power ; 
then concentrate them into communities ; and after 
this to treat them with humanity, honesty and fair- 
ness. The magazine in question, while admitting 
the correctness of the positions assumed, had not 
the courage to publish an article so in antagonism 
to the mistaken and oftentimes mock philanthropy, 
just then holding high carnival in the eastern 
section of the Union. 

For some time before her capture Mrs. Harris 
had been suffering greatly from a rising in her 
breast, from which her infant was denied nourish- 
ment, and had been tenderly cared for b}' Mrs. 
Horn. Though the little innocent was now dead, 
the mother, in addition to brutal treatment other- 
wise, suffered excruciatingly in her breast, the 
heartless wretches for days not allowing Mrs. Horn 
to dress it. But finally she was permitted to do so 
and had the sagacity to dress and cover it with a 
pouliice of cactus leaves, than which few things are 
better. Its effect was excellent. Both ladies 
almost, and the little boys entirel}', denuded of 
clothing, their bodies blistered and the skin peeled 
off, causing intense suffering. 

From the scene of slaughter the savages traversed 
the country between the lower Nueces and the 
lower Rio Grande, killing all who came within their 
power. 

They came upon the body of a man apparently 
dead for about a month, which, from Mrs. Horn's 
statement, 1 have no doubt was that of Dr. James 



Grant, the Scotchman, previously mentioned as 
associated with Dr. Beales, who was killed by 
Mexican cavalry, near the Agua Dnlce creek, 20 
or 30 miles beyond the Nueces, March 2, 1836, 
some distance from the spot where his men were 
slain, he and Col. Reuben R. Brown, having been 
chased four or five miles, from their party. Grant 
killed and Brown captured, to be imprisoned in 
Matamoras till the following December, when he 
and Samuel W. McKneel}', who was captured in 
San Patricio by the same party, escaped and made 
their waj' into the settlements of Texas — Brown 
ever since living at the mouth of the Brazos and 
commanding a Confederate regiment in the civil 
war, and McKneelj' deceased in 1889 atTexarkana, 
Texas. The}' also passed the bodies of those killed 
at the original point of attack, the Indians saying 
they were "Tivos," or Americans. This event, 
together with the night surprise at San Patricio, the 
killing of some, the capture of others and the 
escape of Col. Frank W. Johnson, Daniel J. Toler, 
John H. Love and James M. Miller, was the dis- 
astrous termination of what is known in Texian 
history as the Johnson and Grant expedition, part 
of a wild and disorganizing series of measures set 
on foot or countenanced and encouraged by the 
faction-ridden council of the provisional govern- 
ment of Texas, against the wise and inflexible 
opposition of Governor Henry Smith and Gen Sam 
Houston, and culminating in the surrender and 
subsequent slaughter of Fannin and nearly 400 
noble and chivalrous men. 

During this raid in that section the Indians 
caught and killed a very genteel, well-dressed Mex- 
ican, then surrounded and entered his house, kill- 
ing his young wife and two little children, and then 
rushed upon a neighboring house, killing two men 
near it and one inside. At another time along a 
road, they waylaid and murdered a handsomely 
dressed Mexican and his servant. At another a 
portion of them rushed across a creek when, 
through the timber, Mrs. Horn saw them advanc- 
ing upon a man, who exclaimed " Stand back ! stand 
back!" but seemed to have no arms. Numerous 
guns fired, all apparently by the Indians, when all 
the party, four or five in number, lay dead upon 
the ground. So far as Mrs. Horn could determine 
they were all Americans. This occurrence and the 
surrounding facts, considering the locality and the 
fact that no party of Americans could have been 
there from choice, can only be explained on the 
hypothesis that these men had escaped from prison 
in Matamoras, and, without arms, were endeavor- 
ing to return to Texas. If so, their fate was never 
known in Texas, for only through these two cap- 



32 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



live ladies could it have been made known and this 
tbey had no opportunity of doing excepting after 
their recovery and through the narrative from 
which these facts are collected. Neither was ever 
afterwards in the settled parts of Texas, and indeed 
never were before, excepting on the trip from 
Copano, via Goliad and San Antonio, to the Rio 
Grande. 

On another occasion, after traveling for a short 
distance on a large road, evidently leading to 
Matamoras, they arrived near a rancho, near a 
lake of water. The main body halted and a part 
advanced upon the house which, though near, could 
not be seen by the captive ladies, but they heard 
the fight going on, firing and defiant shouts, for a 
considerable time, when the Indians I'eturned, 
bearing two of their comrades severely 
wounded, and showing that they had been 
defeated and feared pursuit. They left the road 
and traveled rapidly till night, and then made 
no fire. On the following day they moved in 
haste, as if apprehensive of attack. They made 
no halt till night, and then for the first time 
in two days, allowed the prisoners water and a 
small quantity of meat. After two hours' travel 
nest morning, to the amazement of the captives, 
they arrived at the spot where their husbands and 
friends had been murdered and where their naked 
l)odies still la\', untouched since they left them, and 
only blackened in appearance. The little boys, 
John and Joseph, at once i-ecognized their father, 
and poured forth such wails as to soften anj' but a 
Iirutal, savage heart. They soon passed on to the 
spot where lay the bodies of Mr. Harris and tlie 
young German, who, Mrs. Horn says, fell 
upon his face and knees and was still in that 
position, Ijeing the only one not stripped of his 
clothing. 

Startnig next morning b}' a different route from 
that first pursued, thej' traveled rapidly for three 
days and reached the spot near where they had 
killed the little Mexican and his family and had 
secreted the plunder taken from his house and 
the other victims of their barbarity. This, Mrs. 
Horn thought, was on the 18th day of April, 1836, 
being the fifteenth day of their captivity. This 
being but three dajs before the battle of San 
Jacinto, when the entire American population of 
Texas "was on, or east of the Trinity, abundantly 
accounts for the fact that these bloody tragedies 
never become known in Texas; though, as will be 
shown farther on, they accidentally came to my 
knowledge in the year 1839, while in Missouri. 

Gathering and packing their secreted spoils, the 
savages separated into three parties of about equal 



numbers and traveled with all possible speed till 
about the middle of June, about two months. Much 
of the way was over rough, stony ground, pro- 
visions scarce, long intervals without water, the 
sun on the bare heads and naked bodies of the 
captives, very hot, and their sufferings were great. 
The ladies were in two different parties. 

The narrative of Mrs. Horn, during her entire 
captivity, abounds in recitals of cruelties towards 
herself, her children and Mrs. Harris, involving 
hunger, thirst, menial labor, stripes, etc., though 
gradually' lessened as time passed. To follow them 
in detail would become monotonous repetition. As 
a rather extreme illustration the following facts 
transpired ou this long march of about two months 
from extreme Southwest Texas to (it is supposed) 
the head waters of the Arkansas. 

Much of the route, as before stated, was over 
rough and stony ground, "cut up by steep and 
nearly impassable ravines, with deep and dangerous 
fords." (This is Mrs. Harris' language and aptly 
applies to the head waters of the Nueces, Guadalupe, 
the Conchos and the sources of the Colorado, 
Brazos and Red rivers, through which they neces- 
sarily passed. ) At one of these deep fords, little 
Joseph Horn slipped from his mule while ascending 
the bank and fell back into the water. When he 
had nearly extricated himself, a burly savage, en- 
raged at the accident, pierced him in the face with 
a lance with such force as to throw him into deep 
and rapid water and inflict a severe wound just be- 
low the eye. Not one of the demons offered remon- 
strance or assistance, but all seemed to exult iu the 
brutal scene. The little sufferer, however, caught 
a projecting bush and succeeded in reaching the 
bank, bleeding like a slaughtered animal. The 
distracted mother upbraided the wretch for his con- 
duct, in return for which he made the child travel 
on foot and drive a mule the remainder of the day. 
When they halted for the night he called Mrs. 
Horn to him. With a knife in one hand and a whip 
in the other, he gave her an unmerciful thrashing, 
butin this as in all her afflictions, she says : "I have 
cast myself at His feet whom I have ever been 
taught to trust and adore, and it is to Him I owe it 
that I was sustained in the fiery trials. When the 
savage monster had done whipping me, he took his 
knife and literally sawed the hair from my head. 
It was quite long and when he completed the oper- 
ation, he tied it to his own as an ornament, and, I 
suppose, wears it yet. At this time we had tasted 
no food for two days, and in hearing of the moans 
of my starving children, bound, as on ever}- night, 
with cords, I laid down, and mothers may judge, if 
they can, the measure of my repose. The next day 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



33 



a wild horse was killed and we were allowed to par- 
take of the flesh." 

The next day, sa3's the captive lady, they came 
to a deep, rapid stream. The mules had to swim 
and the banks were so steep that the riders had to 
dismount in the edge of the water to enable them 
to ascend. They then soon came to the base of a 
mountain which it was difHcult to ascend. Arriv- 
ing at the summit, they halted, when a few of the 
Indians returned to the stream with the two little 
bo3's and enjoj'ed the barbaric sport of throwing 
the little creatures in till life would be almost 
extinct. Reviving them, the}' would repeat the 
torture and this was done time and again. Finally 
they rejoined the party on the mountain, the chil- 
dren being unable to stand, partially unconscious 
and presenting a pitiable spectacle. Their bodies 
were distended from engorgement with water and 
Joseph's wounded face was terribly swollen. 
Water came from their stomachs in gurgles. Let 
Eastern humanitarians bear in mind that this was 
in the spring of 1836, before the Comanches had 
any just pretense for hostility towards the people 
of Texas (however much they may have had in 
regai'd to the Mexicans), and that this narrative 
comes not from a Texian, but from a refined En- 
glish lady, deeply imbued with that spirit of reli- 
gion whose great pillars are " Faith, Hope and 
Charity." My soul sickens in retrospective con- 
templation of that (to the uninformed) somewhat 
plausible gush of philanthropy, which indulges in 
the Pharisaical " I am holier than thou " hypocrisy 
at home, but soars abroad to lift up the most 
inferior and barbaric races of men ! — a fanaticism 
which is ever blind to natural truth and common 
sense on such subjects — ever the fomentor of 
strife rather than fraternity among its own people — 
and which is never enjojing the maximum of self- 
righteousness unless intermeddling with the affairs 
and convictions of other people. 

Referring to the stream and mountain just de- 
scribed and the probable time, in the absence of 
dates, together with a knowledge of the topography 
of the country, and an evidently dry period, as no 
mention is made in this part of the narrative of 
rain or mud, it is quite certain that the stream was 
the Big Wichita (the Ouichita of the French. ) The 
description, in view of ,all the facts, admirably 
applies to it and to none other. 

On the night of this day, after traveling through 
the afternoon, for the first time Mrs. Horn was 
allowed the use of her arms, though still bound 
around the ankles. After this little unusual hap- 
pened on the journey, till the three parties again 
united. Mrs. Harris, when they met, seemed barely 



to exist. The meeting of the captive ladies was 
a mournful renewal of their sorrows. Mrs. H.'s 
breasts, though improved, were not well and her 
general health was bad, from which, with the want 
of food and water, she had suffered much. The 
whole band of four hundred then traveled together 
several days, till one day Mrs. Horn, being in front 
and her children in the rear, she discovered that 
those behind her were diverging in separate parties. 
She never again saw her little sons together, though, 
as will be seen, she saw them separately. They 
soon afterwards reached the lodges of the baud she 
was with, and, three days later, she was taken to 
the lodge of the Indian who claimed her. There 
were three branches of the family, in separate tents. 
In one was an old woman and her two daughters, 
one being a widow; in another was the son of the 
old woman and his wife and five sons, to whom 
Mrs. Horn belonged ; and in the third was a son- 
in-law of the old woman. The mistress of Mrs. H. 
was the personification of savagery, and abused her 
captive often with blows and stones, till, in des- 
peration Mrs. Horn asserted her rights by counter- 
blows and stones and this rendered the cowardly' 
brute less tyrannical. She was employed con- 
stantly by daj' in dressing buffalo robes and deer 
skins and converting them into garments and moc- 
casins. She was thrown much with an old woman 
who constituted a remarkable exception to the 
general brutality of the tribe. In the language of 
the captive lady: "She contributed general!}- by 
her acts of kindness and soothing manners, to 
reconcile me to my fate. But she had a daughter 
who was the very reverse of all that was amiable 
and seemed never at ease unless engaged in some 
way in indulging her ill-humor towards me. But, 
as if bj' heaven's interposition, it was not long till 
I so won the old woman's confidence that in all 
matters of controversy between her daughter and 
myself, she adopted my statement and decided in 
my favor." 

Omitting Mrs. Horn's mental tortures on ac- 
count of her children, she avers that the sufferings 
of Mrs. Harris were much greater than her own. 
That lady could not brook the idea of menial 
service to such demons and fared badly. They 
were often near together and were allowed occa- 
sionally to meet and mingle their tears of anguish. 
Mrs. Harris, generally, was starved to such a degree 
that she availed herself of every opportunity to get 
a mite of meat, however small, through Mrs. Horn. 

In about two months two little Mexican boy 
prisoners told her a little white boy had arrived 
near by with his captors and told them his mother 
was a prisoner somewhere in the country. By per- 



34 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



missiou she went to see him and foimd her little 
Joseph, who, painted and his head shaven except- 
ing a tuft on the crown, recognized her at a distance 
and ran to her overflowing with cries and tears of 
joy. She was allowed to remain with him only half 
an hour. 1 draw the veil over the heartrending 
scene of their separation. 

It was four months before she heard of John, 
her elder son, and then she saw him passing with a 
party, but was not allowed to go to him. But 
some time later, when the different bands congre- 
gated for buffalo hunting, she was allowed to see 
him. Time passed and dates cannot be given, but 
Mrs. Horn records that "some of Capt. Coffee's 
men came to trade with the Indians and found me." 
They were Americans and made every effort to 
buy her, but in vain. On leaving, they said they 
would report to Capt. Coffee and if any one could 
assist these captives he could and laould. Soon 
afterwards he came in person and offered the 
Indians any amount in goods or money ; but with- 
out avail. Mrs. Horn says: "He expressed the 
deepest concern at his disappohitment and wept 
over me as he gave me clothing and divided his 
scanty supply of flour with me and my children, 
which he took the pains to carry to them himself. 
It is, if possible, with a deeper interest that I 
record this tribute of gratitude to Capt. Coffee be- 
cause, since my strange deliverance, I have been 
pained to learn that he has been charged with 
supineness and indifference on the subject ; but I 
can assure the reader that nothing can be more un- 
just. Mrs. Harris was equally the object of his 
solicitude. The meeting with this friend in the 
deep recesses of savage wilds was indeed like water 
to a thirsty soul ; and the parting under such 
cloomy forebodings opened anew the fountain of 
grief in my heart. It was to me as the icy seal of 
death fixed upon the only glimmering ray of hope, 
and my heart seemed to die within me, as the form 
of him whom I had fondly anticipated as my deliv- 
ering angel, disappeared in the distance." 

(The noble-hearted gentleman thus embalmed in 
the pure heart of that daughter of sorrow, was 
Holland Coffee, the founder of Coffee's Trading 
House, on Red river, a few miles above Denison. 
He was a member of the Texian Congress in 1838, 
a valuable and courageous man on the frontier and, 
to the regret of the country, was killed a few years 
later in a difficulty, the particulars of which are not 
at this time remembered. Col. Coffee, formerly 
of Southwest IMissouri, but for many years of 
Geort^etown, Texas, is a brother of the deceased.) 
Soon after this there was so great a scarcity of 
meat that some of the Indians nearly starved. 



Little John managed to send his mother smaU 
portions of his allowance and when, not a great 
while later, she saw him for the last time, he was 
rejoiced to learn she had received them. He had 
been sick and had sore throat, but she was only 
allowed a short interview with him. Soon after this 
little Joseph's party camped near her and she was 
permitted to spend nearly a day with him. He had 
a new owner and said he was then treated kindly. 
His mistress, who was a young Mexican, had been 
captured witii her brother, and remained with them, 
while her brother, by some means, had been restored 
to his people. He was one of the hired guard at 
the unfortunate settlement of Dolores, where Jose|jh 
knew him and learned the story of his captivity and 
that his sister was still with the savages. By acci- 
dent this woman learned these facts from Joseph, 
who, to convince her, showed how her brother 
walked, he being lame. This coincidence estab- 
lished a bond of union between the two, greatly to 
Joseph's advantage. As the shades of evening 
approached the little fellow piteously clung to his 
mother, who, for the last time, folded him in her 
arms and commended his soul to that beneficent 
God in whose goodness and mercy she implicity 
trusted. 

Some time in June, 1837, a little over fourteen 
months after their capture, a party of Mexican 
traders visited the camp and bought Mrs. Harris. 
In this work of mercy they were the employes of 
that large-hearted Santa Fe trader, who had pre- 
viously ransomed and restored Mrs. Rachel 
Plummcr to her people, Mr. William Donoho, of 
whom more will hereafter be said. They tried in 
vain to buy Mrs. Horn. Although near each other 
she was not allowed to see Mrs. Harris before her 
departure, but rejoiced at her liberation. They 
had often mingled their tears together and had been 
mutual comforters. 

Of this separation Mrs. Horn wrote: "Now 
left a lonely exile in the bonds of savage slavery, 
haunted by night and by day with the image pf my 
murdered husband, and tortured continually' by an 
undying solicitude for my dear little ones, my life 
was little else than unmitigated misery, and the 
God of Heaven only knows why and how it is that 
I am still alive." 

After the departure of Mrs. Harris the Indians 
traveled to and fro almost continually for about 
three months, without any remarkable occurrence. 
At the end of this time they were within two days' 
travel of San Miguel, a village on the Pecos, in 
eastern New Mexico. Here an Indian girl told 
Mrs. Horn that she was to be sold to people who 
lived in houses. She did not believe it and cared 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



35 



but little, indeed dreaded lest thereby she might 
never see her children, but hope suggested that as 
a prisoner she might never again see them, while 
her redemption might be followed by theirs. A 
great many Indians had here congregated. Her 
old woman friend, in reply to her questions, told 
her she was to be sold, wept bitterly and applied 
to her neck and arms a peculiar red paint, symbolic 
of undying friendship. They started early next 
morning and traveled till dark, encamping near 
a pond. They started before day next morning 
and soon reached a river, necessarily the Pecos or 
ancient Puerco, which they forded, and soon 
arrived at a small town on its margin, where they 
encamped for the I'emainder of the day. The 
inhabitants visited the camp from curiosity, among 
them a man who spoke broken English, who asked 
if Mrs. Horn was for sale and was answered 
affirmatively by her owner. He then gave her to 
understand that if he bought her he expected her 
to remain with him, to which, with the feelings of 
a pure woman, she promptly replied that she did 
not wish to exchange her miserable condition for 
a worse one. He offered two horses for her, how- 
ever, but they were declined. Finding he could 
not buy her, he told her that in San Miguel there 
was a rich American merchant, named Benjamin 
Hill, who would probably buy her. Her mistress 
seemed anxious that she should fall into American 
hands, and she was herself of course intenselj^ 
anxious to do so. 

They reached San Miguel on the next daj' and 
encamped there. She soon conveyed, through an 
old woman of the place, a message to Mr. Hill. 
He promptly appeared and asked her if she knew 
Mrs. Harris, and if she had two children among the 
Indians. Being answered in the affirmative, he 
said: "You are the woman I have heard of," and 
added, " I suppose you would be happy to get away 
from these people." "I answered in the affirmative, 
when he bid the wretched captive ' Good morning,' 
and deliberately walked off without uttering another 
word, and m}' throbbing bosom swelled with unut- 
terable anguish as he disappeared." 

For two days longer she remained in excruciating 
suspense as to her fate. Mr. Hill neither visited 
nor sent her anything, while the Mexicans were very 
kind (it shouldbe understood that, while at Dolores, 
she and her two little boys had learned to speak 
Spanish and this was to her advantage now, as it 
had been among her captors, more or less of whom 
spoke that language.) 

On the morning of the third day the Indians be- 
gan preparations for leaving, and when three-fourths 
of the animals were packed and some had left, a 



good-hearted Mexican appeared and offered to buy 
Mrs. Horn, but was told it was too late. The ap- 
plicant insisted, exhibited four beautiful bridles and 
invited the Indian owning her to go with her to his 
house, near by. He consented. In passing Hill's 
store on the way, her mistress, knowing she pre- 
ferred passing into American hands, persuaded her 
to enter it. Mr. Hill offered a wortliless old horse 
for her, and then refused to give some red and blue 
cloth, which the Indians fancied, for her. They 
then went to the Mexican's house and he gave for 
her two fine horses, the four fine bridles, two fine 
blankets, two looking glasses, two knives, some 
tobacco, powder and balls, articles then of very 
great cost. She sa3's : "I subsequently learned 
that for my ransom I was indebted to the benevo- 
lent heart of an American gentleman, a trader, then 
absent, who had authorized this Mexican to pur- 
chase us at any cost, and had made himself respon- 
sible for the same. Had I the name of m^' bene- 
factor I would gratefully record it in letters of gold 
and preserve it as a precious memento of his truly 
Christian philanthropy." 

It will be shown in the sequel that the noble 
heart, to which the ransomed captive paid homage, 
pulsated in the manly breast of Mr. William 
Douoho, then of Santa Fe, but a Missourian, and 
afterwards of Clarksville, Texas, where his only 
surviving child, Mr. James B. Donoho, yet resides. 
His widow died there in 1880, preceded by him in 
1845. 

The redemption of this daughter of multiplied 
sorrows occurred, as stated, at San Miguel, New 
Mexico, on the 19th of September, 1837 — one 
year, five months and fifteen da3^s after her capture 
on the 4th of April, 1836, on the Nueces river. 

On the 21st, much to her surprise, Mr. Hill sent 
a servant requesting her to remove to his house. 
This she refused. The servant came a second 
time, saying, in the name of his master, that if she 
did not go he would compel her to do so. A trial 
was had and she was awarded to Hill. She re- 
mained in his service as a servant, fed on mush 
and milk and denied a seat at the luxurious table 
of himself and mistress till the 2d of November. 
A generous-hearted gentlemen named Smith, 
residing sixty miles distant iu the mines, hearing 
of her situation, sent the necessary means and 
escort to have her taken to his place for temporary 
protection. She left on the 2d and arrived at Mr. 
Smith's on the 4th. The grateful heart thus notes 
the change: "The contrast between this and the 
house I had left exhibited the difference between 
a servant and a guest, between the cold heart that 
would coin the tears of helpless misery into gold 



30 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



to swell a miser's store, and the generous bestowal 
of heavenly friendship which, in its zeal to relieve 
the woes of suffering humanity, gives sacred 
attestation that it springs from the bosom of ' Him 
who, though He was rich, j^et for our sakes became 
poor that we, through His poverty, might become 
rich.' " 

Her stay at the home of Mr. Smith was a daily 
repetition of kindnesses, and she enjoyed all that 
was possible in view of the ever present grief over 
her slaughtered husband and captive children. 

In February 1838, she received a sympathetic 
letter from Texas, accompanied with presents in 
clothing, from Messrs. Workman and Rowland, 
Missourians, so long honorably known as Santa Fe 
traders and merchants, whose families were then 
residing in Taos. They advised her to defer leav- 
ing for Independence till they could make another 
effort to recover her children and invited her to re- 
pair, as their guest, to Taos, to await events, pro- 
vided the means for her doing so, placing her under 
the protection of Mr. Kinkiudall (probabl3' Kuy- 
kendall, but I follow her spelling of the name). 

" But," she records, " friends were multiplying 
around me, who seemed to vie with each other in 
their endeavors to meet my wants. Other means 
presented themselves, and I was favored with the 
compauj^ of a lad^- and Dr. Waldo." 

She left Mr. Smith and the mines on the 4lh of 
March, 1838, and after traveling in snow and over 
rocks and mountains part of the way, arrived at 
Taos on the 10th. From that time till the 22d of 
August, her time was about equally divided between 
the families of Messrs. Workman and Rowland, who 
bestowed upon her everj' kindness. 

She now learned that these gentlemen had for- 
merly sent out a company to recover herself and 
Mrs. Harris, who had fallen in with a different tribe 
of Indians and lost several of their number in a 
fight. Her friend, Mr. Smith, had performed a 
similar service and when far out his guide faltered, 
causing such suffering as to cause several deaths 
from hunger, while some survived by drinking the 
blood of their mules. While Mrs. Horn remained 
with them these gentlemen endeavored through two 
trading parties, to recover her children, but failed. 
A report came in that little John had frozen to 
death, holding horses at night; but it was not 
believed by many. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Plummer 
reached Missouri under the protection of Mrs. 
Donoho. On the 2d of August, all efforts to recover 
her children having failed, leaving only the hope 
that others might succeed, Mrs. Horn left in the 
train and under the protection of Messrs. Workman 
and Rowland. She was the only lady in the paity. 



Nothing unusual transpired on the journey of 700 
or 800 miles, and on the last day of September, 
1838, they arrived at Independence, Missouri. Oa 
the 6th of October, she reached the hospitable home 
of Mr. David Workman at " New " Franklin. 

This closes the narrative as written by Mrs. Horn 
soon after she reached Missouri and before she 
met Mr. Donoho. Her facts have been faithfully 
followed, omitting the repetition of her sufferings 
and correcting her dates in two cases where her 
memory was at fault. She sailed from New York 
on the 11th of November, 1833, a year earlier than 
stated by her, hence arrived at Dolores a year 
earlier, and consequently remained there two years 
instead of one, for it is absolutely certain that she 
arrived there in March, 1834, and left there in 
March, 1836. I have been able also, from her 
notes, to approximate localities and routes men- 
tioned by her, from long acquaintance with much 
of the country over which she traveled. 

Mr. Donoho, in company with his wife — a lady 
of precious memory' in Clarksville, Texas, from 
the close of 1839 till her death in 1880 — conveyed 
Mrs. Plummer (one of the captives taken at Parker's 
Fort, May 19, 1836), and Mrs. Harris, from Santa 
Fe to Missouri in the autumn of 1837. He escorted 
Mrs. Plummer to her people in Texas, left his wife 
and Mrs. Harris with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Lucy 
Dodson in Pulaski Count}', Missouri, and then 
hastened back to Santa Fe to look after his property 
and business, for he had hurried away because of a 
sudden outbreak of hostilities between the New 
Mexicans and Indians formerly- friendly, and this 
is the reason he was not present to take personal 
charge of Mrs. Horn on her recovery at San Miguel. 
When he reached Santa Fe Mrs. Horn had left 
Taos for Independence. Closing his business in 
Santa Fe, he left the place permanenth* and 
rejoined his family at Mrs. Dodsou's. Mrs. Horn 
then, for the first time, met him and remained several 
months with his famil}*. Prior to this her narrative 
had been written, and she still saw little of him, he 
being much absent on business. Mrs. Harris had 
relatives in Texas but shrunk from the idea of going 
there ; and hearing of other kindred near Boonville, 
Missouri, joined them and soon died from the expos- 
ures and abuse undergone while a prisoner. Mrs. 
Horn soon died from the same causes, while on a 
visit, though her home was with Mrs. Dodson. 
Both ladies were covered with barbaric scars — their 
vital organs were impaired — and they fell the 
victims of the accursed cruelty known only to 
savage brutes. 

Mr. William Donoho was a son of Kentucky, 
born in 1798. His wife, a Teuuesseean, and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



37 



daughter of Dr. James Dodsou, married him in 
Missouri, in 1831, where their first child was born. 
From 1833 till the close of 1838, they lived in Santa 
Fe, where the second daughter, born in 1835, and 
their first son, born in 1837 (now Mr. J. B. Don- 
oho, of Clarksville, the only survivor of six chil- 
dren), were the two first American children born 
in Santa Fe. Mr. Donoho permanentlj' settled at 
Clarksville, Texas, late in 1839 and died there in 
1845. 

In verification of the facts not stated by Mrs. 
Horn, because, when writing, they were unknown 
to her, I have the statements of Dr. William Dod- 
son and Mrs. Luc}- Estes, of Camden County, Mis- 
souri, brother and sister of Mrs. Donoho, who were 
with all the parties for nearly a year after they 
reached Missouri. 

A copy of Mrs. Horn's memoir came into my 
possession in 1839, when it had just been issued 
and so remained till accidentally lost many years 
later, believed to have been the only copy ever in 
Texas. The events described by her were never 
otherwise known in Texas and have never been be- 
fore published in the State. This is not strange. 
Beales' Colony was neither in Texas at that date, 
nor in anywise connected with the American col- 
onies or settlements in Texas. It was in Coahuila, 
though now in the limits of Texas. When its short 
life terminated in dispersion and the butchery of 
the retreating party on the Nueces, the Mexican 
army covered every roadway leading to the in- 
habited part of Texas, before whom the entire 
population had fled east. None were left to re- 
count the closing tragedy excepting the two 
unfortunate and (as attested by all who subse- 
quently knew them), refined Christian ladies whose 
travails and sorrows have been chronicled, both of 
whom, as shown, died soon after liberation, and 
neither of whom ever after saw Texas. 

Fortunately, through the efforts of Mr. James 
B. Donoho, of Clarksville, and his uncle. Dr. Dod- 
son, and aunt, Mrs. Estes, of Missouri, I have 
been placed in possession of a manixscript copy of 



Mrs. Horn's narrative, made by a little school girl 
in Missouri in 1839 — afterwards Mrs. D. B. Dod- 
son, and now long deceased. Accompanying its 
transmission, on the 5lh of February, 1887, Mr. 
James B. Donoho says : — 

"As it had always been a desire with me to 
some time visit the place of my birth, in the summer 
of 1885, with my wife and children, I visited Santa 
Fe, finding no little pleasure in identifying land- 
marks of which I had heard my mother so often 
speak, being m3^self an infant when we left there. 
I had no trouble in identifying the house in which 
my second sister and self were born, as it cornered 
on the plaza and is now known as the Exchange 
Hotel. While there it was settled that my sister, 
born in 1835, and myself, born in 1837, were the 
first Americans born in Santa Fe, a distinction (if 
such it can be called) previously claimed for one 
born there in 1838." 

The novelty of this historj^, unknown to the peo- 
ple of Texas at the time of its occurrence, has 
moved me to extra diligence in search of the truth 
and the whole truth in its elucidation. As a deli- 
cate and patriotic duty it has been faithfullj^ per- 
formed in justice to the memory of the strangely 
united daughters of England and America, and 
of those lion-hearted yet noble-breasted American 
gentlemen, Messrs. Donoho, Workman, Rowland 
and Smith, by no means omitting Mrs. Donoho, 
Mrs. Dodson and children, nor yet the poor old 
Comanche woman — a pearl among swine — who 
looked in pity upon the stricken widow, mother and 
captive. 

Lamenting my inabihty to state the fate of Uttle 
John and Joseph, and trusting that those to 
come after us may realize the cost in blood through 
which Texas was won to civilization, to enlightened 
freedom and to a knowledge of that religion by 
which it is taught that — " Charity suffereth long 
and is kind — « * » beareth all things, believeth 
all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all 
things," I do not regret the labor it has cost me to 
collect the materials for this sketch. 



38 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The Heroic Taylor Family of the Three Forks of 
Little River — 1835. 



lu the autumn of 1835 the outermost habitation 
on the waters of Little river was that of the Taylor 
famil}'. It stood about three miles southeast of 
where Belton is, a mile or so east of the Leon river 
and three miles or more above the mouth of that 
stream. The junction of the Leon, Lampasas and 
Salado constitutes the localit}' known as the " Three 
Forks of Little River," the latter stream being 
the San Andres of the Mexicans as well as of 
the early settlers of Texas. This change of name 
is not the only one wrought in that locality, for 
the names " Lampasas " (water lily) and "Sal- 
ado " (saltish) were also most inappropriately 
exchanged, the originals being characteristic of 
the two streams, while the swap makes descriptive 
nonsense. At an earlier period the same incon- 
gruous change occurred in the names of the 
" Brazos " and " Colorado " rivers. 

The home of the Taylors consisted of two long 
cabins with a covered passage between. The 
family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, two 
youthful sons and two daughters. One of the 
latter, Miss Frazier, was a daughter of Mrs. Tay- 
lor by a former husband, and afterwards the wife 
of George W. Chapman, of Bell County. 

In the night of November 12th, 1835, eleven 
Indians attacked the house. The parents and girls 
were in one room — the boj's in the other. The 
door to the family room, made of riven boards, 
was a foot too short, leaving an open space at the 
top. The first indication of the presence of the 
enemj' was the warning of a faithful dog, which was 
speedily killed in Ihe yard. This was followed by 
a burly warrior trying to force the door, at the 
same time in English demanding to know how 
many men were in the house, a supply of tobacco 
and the surrender of the family. By the bright 
moonlight they could be distinctly seeu. Mrs. 
Taylor defiantly answered, " No tobacco, no sur- 
render," and Mr. Taylor answered there were ten 
men in the house. The assailant pronounced the 
latter statement false, when Taylor, through a 
crack, gave him a severe thrust in the stomach with 
a board, which caused his hasty retreat, whereupon 
Mrs. Taylor threw open the door, commanding the 
boj'S to hasten in across the hall, which they did, 
escaping a flight of balls and arrows. The door 
was then fastened, a table set against it, and on it 
the smallest boy, a child of onlj' twelve years, was 



mounted with a gun and instructed to shoot 
through the space over the door whenever an 
Indian appeared. There were not many bullets on 
hand, and the girls supplied that want by moulding 
more. Taylor, his wife and larger son, watched 
through cracks in the walls to shoot as opportunity 
might occur. Very soon a warrior entered the 
passageway to assault the door, when the twelve 
years' "kid," to use a cant phrase in use to-day, 
shot him unto death. A second warrior rushed in 
to drag his dead comrade away, but Mr. Taylor shot 
him, so that he fell, not dead but helpless, across 
his red brother. These two admonitions rendered 
the assailants more cautious. They resolved to- 
effect by fire that which seemed too hazardous by 
direct attack. The}' set the now vacated room on 
fire at the further end and amid their demoniac 
yells the flames ascended to the roof and made 
rapid progress along the boards, soon igniting those 
covering the hallway. Suspended to beams was a 
large amount of fat bear meat. The burning roof 
soon began to cook the meat, and blazing sheets of 
the oil fell upon the wounded savage, who writhed 
aud hideously yelled, but was powerless to extri- 
cate himself from the tortune. Mrs. Taylor had 
no sympathj' for the wretch, but, peeping through 
a crack, expressed her feelings by exclaiming: 
" Howl! you yellow brute! Your meat is not fit 
for hogs, but we'll roast you for the wolves! " 

As the fire was reaching the roof of the besieged 
room, Mr. Taylor was great!}' dispirited, seeming 
to regard their fate as sealed ; but his heroic wife, 
thinking not of herself, but of her children, rose 
equal to the occasion, declaring that they would 
whip the enemy aud all be saved. From a table 
she was enabled to reach the boards forming the 
roof. Throwing down the weight poles, there 
being no uails in the boards, she threw down 
enough boards in advance of the fire to create an 
empty space. There was a large quantity of milk 
in the house and a small barrel of home-made 
vinegar. These fluids were passed up to her by 
her daughters, and with them she extinguished 
the fire. In doing so her head aud chest formed 
a target for the enemy ; but while several arrows 
and balls rent her clothing, she was iu nowise 
wounded. 

While these matters were transpiring, Mr. Taylor 
and the elder son each wounded a savage in the 




QUANAH PAUKKR. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



39 



yard. Having accomplished iier hazardous mission, 
Mrs. Taylor resumed the floor, and soon discovered 
an Indian in the outer chimney corner, endeavoring 
to start a fire and peering through a considerable 
hole burnt through the "dirt and wooden" jam. 
Seizing a wooden shovel, she threw into his face 
and bosom a shovelful of live coals and embers, 
causing him to retreat, uttering the most agonizing 
screams, to which she responded " Take that, you 
yellow scoundrel!" It was said afterwards that 
her warm and hasty application destroyed his eye- 
sight. 

After these disasters the enemy held a brief con- 
sultation and realized the fact that of their group 
of eleven, two were dead and partially barbecued, 
two were severely wounded, and one was at least 
temporarily blind under the "heroic" oculistical 
treatment of Mrs Taylor. What was said by them, 
one to another, is not known ; but the}- retired 



without further obtrusion upon the peace and 
dignity of that outpost in the missionary field of 
civilization. 

An hour later the family deemed it prudent to 
retire to the river bottom, and next morning fol- 
lowed it down to the fort. A small party of men 
then repaired to the scene of conflict and found the 
preceding narrative verified in every essential. 
The dead Indians were there, and everything 
remained as left by the family. Excepting Mrs. 
Chapman, all of that familj' long since passed away. 
Before the Civil War I personally knew Brown 
Taylor, one of the sons, then a quiet, modest joung 
man, carrying in his breast the disease destined to 
cut short his days — consumption. 

This all happened more than fifty years ago. 
To-daj' two large towns, Belton and Temple, and 
half a dozen small ones, and two trunk line rail- 
roads are almost in sight of the spot. 



Fall of Parker's Fort in 1836 — The Killed, Wounded and Cap- 
tured — Van Dorn's Victory in 1858 — Recovery of 
Cynthia Ann Parker — Quanah Parker, 
the Comanche Chief. 



In the fall of 1833 the Parker family came 
from Cole County, Illinois, to East Texas — one or 
two came a little earlier and some a little later. 
The elder Parker was a native of Virginia, resided 
for a time in Georgia, but chiefly reared his familj' 
in Bedford County, Tennessee, whence, in 1818, he 
removed to Illinois. The family, with perhaps one 
exception, belonged to one branch of the primitive 
Baptist Church, commonly designated as Two Seed 
Baptists. 

Parker's Fort, or block-bouse, a mile west of the 
Navasota creek and two and a half northwesterly 
from the present town of Groesbeck, in Limestone 
County, was established in 1834, with accessions 
afterwards up to the revolution in the fall of 1835. 
At the time of the attack upon it. May 19, 183G, it 
was occupied by Elder John Parker, patriarch of 
the family, and his wife, his son, James W. Parker, 
wife, four single children and his daughter, Mrs. 
Rachel Plummer, her husband, L. T. M. Plummer, 
and infant son, 15 months old ; Mrs. Sarah Nixon, 
another daughter, and her husband, L. D. Nixon; 



Silas M. Parker (another son of Elder John), his 
wife and four children ; Benjamin F. Parker, an 
unmarried son of the Elder; Mrs. Nixon, Sr., 
mother of Mrs. James W. Parker ; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Kellogg, daughter of Mrs. Nixon ; Mrs. Duty ; 
Samuel M. Frost, wife and children ; G. E. Dwight, 
wife and children;' David Faulkenberrj', his son 
Evan, Silas H. Bates and Abram Anglin, a j'outh of 
nineteen years. The latter four sometimes slept in 
the fort and sometimes in their cabins on their farms, 
perhaps two miles distant. They, however, were in 
the fort on the night of May 18th. 

On the morning of May 19th, James W. Parker 
and Nixon repaired to their field, a mile dis- 
tant, on the Navasota. The two Faulkenberrys, 
Bates and Anglin went to their fields, a mile 
further and a little below. About 9 a. m. several 
hundred Indians appeared in the prairie, about 
three hundred yards, halted, and hoisted a white 
flag. Benjamin F. Parker went over to them, had 
a talk and returned, expressing the opinion that the 
Indians intended to fight ; but added that he would 



40 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



go back and try to avert it. His brother Silas 
remonstrated, but he persisted in going, and was 
immediately surrounded and killed ; whereupon 
the whole force sent forth terrific yells, and charged 
upon the works, the occupants numbering but three 
men, wholly unprepared for defense. Cries and 
confusion reigned. They killed Silas M. Parker on 
the outside of the fort, while he was bravely fight- 
ing to save Mrs. Plummer. They knocked Mrs. 
Pluramer down with a hoe and made her captive. 
Elder John Parker, wife and Mrs. Kellogg attempted 
to escape, and got about three-fourths of a mile, 
when they were overtaken, and driven back near to 
the fort, where the old gentleman was stripped, 
murdered and scalped. They stripped and speared 
Mrs. Parker, leaving her as dead — but she revived, 
as will be seen further on. Mrs. Kellogg remained 
captive. 

When the Indians first appeared, Mrs. Sarah 
Nixon hastened to the field to advise her father, 
husband and Plummer. Plummer hastened down 
to inform the Faulkenberr3's, Bates and Anglin. 
David Faulkenberry was first met and started im- 
mediately to the fort. The others followed as 
soon as found by Plummer. J. W. Parker and 
Nixon started to the fort, but the former met his 
family on the way, and took them to the Navasota 
bottom. Nixon, though unarmed, continued on to- 
ward the fort, and met Mrs. Lucy, wife of the dead 
Silas Parker, with her four children, just as she 
was overtaken by the Indians. They compelled 
her to lift behind two mounted warriors her nine- 
3'ear-old daughter, Cynthia Ann, and her little boy, 
John. The foot Indians took her and her two 
younger children back to the fort, Nixon following. 
On arriving, she passed around and Nixon through 
the fort. Just as the Indians were about to kill 
Nixon, David Faulkenberry appeared with his rifle, 
and caused them to fall back. Nixon then hurried 
away to find his wife, and soon overtook Dwight, 
with his own and Frost's family. Dwight met J. 
W. Parker and went with him to his hiding-place 
in the bottom. 

Faulkenberry, thus left with Mrs. Silas Parker 
and her two children, bade her follow him. With 
the infant in her arms and the other child held by 
the hand, she obeyed. The Indians made several 
feints, but were held in check by the brave man's 
rifle. One warrior dashed up so near that Mrs. 
Parker's faithful dog siezed his pony by the nose, 
whereupon both horse and rider somersaulted, 
alighting on their backs in a ditch. 

At this time Silas Bates, Abram Anglin and 
Evan Faulkenberry, armed, and Plummer, un- 
armed, came up. They passed through Silas 



Parker's field, when Plummer, as if aroused from 
a dream, demanded to know what had become of 
his wife and child. Armed only with the butcher 
knife of Abram Anglin, he left the party in search 
of his wife, and was seen no more for six days. 
The Indians made no further assault. 

During the assault on the fort, Samuel M. Frost 
and his son Eobert fell while heroically defending 
the women and children inside the stockade. 

The result so far was: — 

Killed — Elder John Parker, Benjamin F. Parker, 
Silas M. Parker, Samuel M. Frost and his son 
Robert. 

AVounded dangerously — Mrs. John Parker and 
Mrs. Duty. 

Captured — Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg, Cynthia 
Ann and John, children of Silas M. Parker, Mrs. 
Rachel Plummer and infant James Pratt Plummer. 

The Faulkenberrys, Bates and Anglin, with Mrs. 
Parker and children, secreted themselves in a 
small creek bottom. On the way they were met 
and joined by Seth Bates, father of Silas, and Mr. 
Lunn, also an old man. Whether they had slept 
in the fort or in the cabins during the previous 
night all accounts fail to say. Elisha Anglin 
was the father of Abram, but his whereabouts do 
not appear in any of the accounts. At twilight 
Abram Anglin and Evan Faulkenberry started 
back to the fort. On reaching Elisha Anglin's 
cabin, they found old mother Parker covered with 
blood and nearly naked. They secreted her and 
went on to the fort, where they found no one alive, 
but found $106.50 where the old lady had secreted 
the money under a book. They returned and 
conducted her to those in the bottom, where they 
also found Nixon, who had failed to find his wife, 
for, as he ought to have known, she was with her 
father. On the next morning. Bates, Anglin and 
E. Faulkenberry went back to the fort, secured 
five horses and provisions and the party in the 
bottom were thus enabled to reach Fort Houston 
without material suffering. Fort Houston, an 
asjdum on this as on many other occasions, stood 
on what has been for many years the field of a wise 
statesman, a chivalrous soldier and an incorruptible 
patriot — John H. Reagan — two miles west of 
Palestine. 

After six days of starvation, with their clothing 
torn into shreds, their bodies lacerated with briars 
and thorns, the women and children with unshod 
and bleeding feet, the party of James W. Parker — 
2 men, 19 women and children — reached Tinnin's, 
at the old San Antonio and Nacogdoches crossing 
of the Navasota. Being informed of their approach, 
Messrs. Carter aud Courtney, with five horses, met 



INDIAX WARS A^D PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



41 



them some miles away, and thus enabled the 
women and children to ride. The few people 
around, though but returned to their deserted 
homes after the victory of San Jacinto, shared all 
they had of food and clothing with them. Plum- 
mer, after six days of wanderings, joined the 
party the same day. In due time the members of 
the party located temporarily as best suited the 
respective families. A party from Fort Houston 
went up and buried the dead. 

The experienced frontiersman of later days will 
be struck with the apparent lack of leadership or 
organization among the settlers. Had they existed, 
combined with proper signals, there can be little 
doubt but that the Indians would have been held 
at bay. 

THE CAPTIVES. 

Mrs. Kellogg fell into the hands of the Keechis, 
from whom, six months after her capture, she was 
purchased by some Delawares, who carried her 
into Nacogdoches and delivered her to Gen. Hous- 
ton, who paid them $150.00, the amount they had 
paid and all they asked. On the way thence to 
Fort Houston, escorted by J. W. Parker and 
others, a hostile Indian was slightly wounded and 
temporarily disabled by a Mr. Smith. Mrs. Kel- 
logg instantly recognized him as the savage who 
had scalped the patriarch, Elder John Parker, 
whereupon, without judge, jury or court-martial, 
or even dallying with Judge Lynch, he was invol- 
untarily hastened on to the happy hunting-ground 
of his fathers. 

Mrs. Rachel Plummer, after a brutal captivity 
through the agency of some Mexican Santa Fe 
traders, was ransomed by a noble-hearted Amer- 
ican merchant of that place, Mr. William Donoho. 
She was purchased in the Rocky Mountains so far 
north of Santa Fe that seventeen days were con- 
sumed in reaching that place. She was at once 
made a member of her benefactor's family, after 
a captivity of one and a half years. She, ere long, 
accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Donoho to Independ- 
ence, Missouri, and in due time embraced her 
brother-in-law, Nixon, and by him was escorted 
back to her people. On the 19th of February, 
1838, she reached her father's house, exactly 
twenty-one months from her capture. She had 
never seen her infant son, James P., since soon 
after their capture, and knew nothing of his fate. 
She wrote, or dictated au account of her sufferings 
and observations among the savages, and died on 
the 19th of February, 18.39. About six months 
after her capture she gave birth to a child, but it 
was cruelly murdered in her presence. As remark- 



able coincidences it may be stated that she was born 
on the 19th, married on the 19th, captured on the 
19th, released on the 19th, reached Independence 
on the 19th, arrived at home on the 19th, 
and died on the 19th of the month. Her 
child, James Pratt Plummer, was ransomed and 
taken to Fort Gibson late in 1842, and reached 
home in February, in 1843, in charge of his grand- 
father. He became a respected citizen of Ander- 
son County. This still left in captivity Cynthia 
Ann and John Parker, who, as subsequently 
learned, were held by separate bands. John grew 
to manhood and became a warrior. In a raid into 
Mexico he captured a Mexican girl and made her 
his wife. Afterwards he was seized with small-pox. 
His tribe fled in dismay, taking his wife and leaving 
him alone to die ; but she escaped from them and 
returned to nurse him. He recovered and in dis- 
gust quit the Indians to go and live with his wife's 
people, which he did, and when the civil war broke 
out, he joined a Mexican company in tiie Confed- 
erate service. He, however, refused to leave the 
soil of Texas and would, under no circumstance, 
cross the Sabine into Louisiana. He was still liv- 
ing across the Rio Grande a few years ago, but up 
to that time had never visited any of his Texas 
cousins. 

RECOVERY OF CYNTHIA ANN PARKER. 

From May 19th, 1836, to December 18th, 1800, 
was twenty-four years and seven months. Add to 
this nine years, her age when captured, and, at the 
latter date Cynthia Ann Parker was in her thirty- 
fourth year. During that quarter of a century no 
reliable tidings had ever been received of her. 
She had long been given up as dead or irretriev- 
ably lost to civilization. As a prelude to her 
reclamation, a few other important events may be 
narrated. 

When, in 1858, Major Earl Van Dorn, United 
States dragoons, was about leaving Fort Belknap 
on his famous campaign against the hostile tribes, 
Lawrence Sullivan Ross (the Gen. " Sul " Ross, 
a household favorite throughout Texas to-day), 
then a frontier Texas youth of eighteen, had just 
returned for vacation from college. He raised and 
took command of 135 friendly Waco, Tehuacano, 
Toncahua and Caddo Indians and tendered their 
services to Van Dorn, which were gladly accepted. 
He was sent in advance to " spy out the land," the 
troops and supply trains following. Reaching the 
Wichita mountains, Ross sent a confidential Waco 
and Tehuacano to the Wichita village, 75 miles east 
of the Washita river, hoping to learn where the 



42 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



hostile Comanches were. On approaching he 
village these two scouts, to their surprise, found 
that Buffalo Hump and his band of Comanches, 
against whom Van Dorn's expedition was intended, 
were there, trading and gambling with the Wichitas. 
The scouts lay concealed till night, then stole two 
Comanche horses and hastily rei'oined Ross with the 
tidings. With some difficulty Ross convinced Van 
Dorn of the reliability of the scouts and persuaded 
him to deflect his course and make a forced march 
for the village. At sunrise, on the first day of 
October, they struck the village as a whirlwind, 
almost annihilating Buffalo Hump and his power- 
ful band, capturing horses, tents, equipage and 
numerous prisoners, among whom was the white 
girl, " Lizzie," never recognized or claimed by 
kindred, but adopted, educated and tenderly reared 
bj' Gen. Ross and subsequently married and died 
ill California. Van Dorn was dangerously wounded ; 
as was also Ross, by a rifle ball, whose youthful 
gallantry was such that every United States otfleer, 
while yet on the Ijattle field, signed a petition to 
the President to commission him as an officer in the 
regular army, and he soon received from Gen. 
Winfield Scott a most complimentary official recog- 
nition of his wise and dauntless bearing. 

Graduating at college a year later (in 1859), in 
1860 and till secession occurred in the beginning 
of 18f)l, young Ross was kept, more or less, in the 
frontier service. In the fall of 1860, under the 
commission of G6vernor Sam Houston, he was 
stationed near Fort Belknap, in command of a com- 
pany of rangers. Late in November a band of 
Comanches raided Parker County, committed serious 
depredations and retreated witli many horses, creat- 
ing great excitement among the sparsely settled 
inhabitants. Ross, in command of a party of his 
own men, a sergeant and twenty United States 
cavalry, placed at his service by Capt. N. G. 
Evans, commanding at Camp Cooper, and seventy 
citizens from Palo Pinto County, under Capt. Jack 
Curington, followed the marauders a few days 
later. Early on the 18th of December near some 
cedar mountains, on the head waters of Pease 
river, they suddenl3' came upon an Indian village, 
which the occupants, with their horses already 
packed, were about leaving. Curington's compan}' 
was several miles behind, and twenty of the rangers 
were on foot, leading their broken-down horses, 
the only food for them for several days having been 
the bark and sprigs of young eottonwoods. With 
the dragoons and only twenty of his own men, 
seeing that he was undiscovered, Ross charged the 
camp, completely surprising the Indians. In less 
than half an hour he had complete possession of the 



camp, their supplies and 350 horses, besides killing 
many. Two Indians, mounted, attempted to escape 
to the mountains, about six miles distant. Lieut. 
Thomas Killiher pursued one ; Ross and Lieut. 
Somerville followed the other. Somerville's heavy 
weight soon caused his horse to fail, and Ross pur- 
sued alone till, in about two miles, he came up with 
Mohee, chief of the band. After a short combat, 
Ross triumphed in the death of his adversary, 
securing his lance, shield, quiver and head-dress, 
all of which remain to the present time among 
similar trophies in the State collection at Austin. 
Very soon Lieut. Killiher joined him in charge of 
the Indian he had followed, who proved to be a 
woman, with her girl child, about two and a half 
years old. On the way back a Comanche boy was 
picked up by Lieut. Sublett. Ross took charge of 
him, and he grew up at Waco, bearing the name of 
Pease, suggested doubtless by the locality of his 
capture. 

It soon became evident that the captured woman 
was an American, and through a Mexican interpre- 
ter it became equally certain that she had been cap- 
tured in childhood — that her husband had been 
killed in the fight, and that she had two little boys 
elsewhere among the band to which she belonged. 
Ross, from all the facts, suspected that she might 
be one of the long missing Parker children, and on 
reaching the settlements, sent for the venerable 
Isaac Parker, of Tarrant County, son and brother 
respectively of those killed at the Fort in 1836. 
On his arrival it was soon made manifest that the 
captured woman was Cynthia Ann Parker, as per- 
fectly an Indian in habit as if she had been so born. 
She recognized her name when distinctly pro- 
nounced by her uncle ; otherwise she knew not an 
I^nglish word. She sought every opportunity to 
escape, and had to be closely watched for some 
time. Her uncle brought herself and child into 
his home— then took them to Austin, where the 
secession convention was in session. Mrs. John 
Henry Brown and Mrs. N. C. Raymond interested 
themselves in her, dressed her neatly, and on one 
occasion took her into the gallery of the hall while 
the convention was in session. They soon realized 
that she was greatly alarmed by the belief that the 
assemblage was a council of chiefs, sitting in judg- 
ment on her life. Mrs. Brown beckoned to her 
husband, who was a member of the convention, who 
appeared and succeeded in reassuring her that she 
was among friends. 

Gradually her mother tongue came back, and 
with it occasional incidents of her childhood, includ- 
ing a recognition of the venerable Mr. Anglin and 
perhaps one or two others. She proved to be a 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



4S 



sensible and comely woman, and died at her 
brother's in Anderson County, in 1870, preceded a 
short time by her sprightly little daughter, " Prairie 
Flower." 

One of the little sons of Cynthia Ann died some 
years later. The other, now known as Capt. 
Quanah Parker, born, as he informed me, at Wich- 
ita Falls, in 1854, is a popular and trustworthy 
chief of the Comanches, on their reservation in the 
Indian Territory'. He speaks English, is consider- 
ably advanced in civilization, and owns a ranch 
with considerable live stock and a small farm — 
withal a fine looking and dignified son of the 
plains. 

Thus ended the sad story begun May 19th, 1836. 
Various detached accounts have been given of it. 



Some years ago I wrote it up from the best data at 
command. Since then I have used every effort to 
get more complete details from those best informed, 
and am persuaded that this narrative states cor- 
rectly every material fact connected with it. 

Note.' Elder Daniel Parker, a man of strong 
mental powers, a son of Elder John, does not figure 
in these events. He signed the Declaration of In- 
dependence in 1836, and preached to his people till 
his death in Anderson County, in 1845. Ex-Rep- 
resentative Ben. F. Parker is his son and successor 
in preaching at the same place. Isaac Parker, 
before named, another son, long represented Hous- 
ton and Anderson Counties in the Senate and 
House, and in 1855 represented Tarrant County. 
He died in 1884, not far from eighty-eight years of 
age. Isaac D. Parker of Tarrant is his son. 



The Break-up in Bell County in 1836 — Death of Davidson and 

Crouch — The Childers Family — Orville T.Tyler — 

Walker, Monroe, Smith, Etc.— 1836. 



When the invasion of Santa Anna occurred, from 
January to April, 1836, there were a few newly 
located settlers on Little river, now in Bell County. 
The}' retreated ea%t, as did the entire population west 
of the Trinity. Some of these settlers went into the 
army till after the victory at San Jacinto on the 
21st of April. Some of them, immediately after 
that triumph, with the family of Gouldsby Childers, 
returned to their deserted homes. During the pre- 
vious winter each head of a familj' and one or two 
single men had cleared about four acres of ground 
on his own land and had planted corn before the 
retreat. To cultivate this corn and thus have bread 
was the immediate incentive to an early return. 
Gouldsby Childers had his cabin and little field on 
his own league on Little river. Robert Davidson's 
cabin and league were a little above on the river, 
both being on the north side. Orville T. Tyler's 
league, cabin and cornSeld were on the west side 
of the Leon in the three forks of Little river, its 
limits extending to within a mile of the present 
town of Belton. Wm. Taylor's league was oppo- 
site that of Tyler, but his cornfield was on the 
other land. At this time Henry Walker, Mr. Mon- 
roe, and James (Camel Back) Smith had also 
returned to their abandoned homes, in the edge of 
the prairie, about eight miles east of the present 



town of Cameron, in Milam County, their cabins 
being only about a hundred yards apart. This 
was the same James Smith who, in October, 1838, 
escaped, so severely wounded, from the Surveyor's 
Fight, in sight of the present town of Dawson, in 
Navarro County, as narrated in the chapter on that 
subject. 

Nashville, on the Brazos, near the mouth of 
Little river, was then the nearest settlement and 
refuge to these people, and the families of those 
who returned to cultivate their corn in the new 
settlement, remained in that now extinct village. 
• The massacre at Parker's Fort on the Navasota, 
occurred on the 19th of May. In the month of 
June, but on what day of the month cannot be 
stated, two young men named John Beal and Jack 
Hopson, arrived as messengers from Nashville to 
advise these people of their great peril, as large 
bodies of hostile Indians were known to be maraud- 
ing in the country. On receipt of this intelli- 
gence immediate preparations were made to retreat 
in a body to Nashville. Their only vehicle was a 
wagon to be drawn by a single pair of oxen. They 
had a few horses but not enough to mount the 
whole party. The entire part}' consisted of Capt. 
Gouldsby Childers, his wife, sons, Robert (now 
living at Temple), Frank (17 years of age, and 



44 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



killed in Erath's fight with the Indians, on Big Elm, 
in the same section, in January, 1837), William 
and Prior Childers, small boys ; his two grown 
daughters, Katherine (afterwards Mrs. E. Lawrence 
Stickney); Amanda (afterwards Mrs. John E. 
Craddock, and still living in Bell County) ; and 
Caroline, eight years old (now the widow of Orville 
T. Tyler and the mother of George W. Tyler, liv- 
ing in Belton), the whole family consisting of nine 
souls — also an old man named Rhoads, living with 

the Childers family, Shackleford, Orville T. 

Tyler, Parson Crouch and Robert Davidson (whose 
families were in Nashville), Ezekiel Roberson and 
the two messengers, John Beal and Jack Hopson — 
total souls, seventeen, of whom eleven were able 
to bear arms, though Mr. Rhoads was old and 
infirm. 

On the evening of the first day they arrived and 
encamped at the house of Henry Walker, where 
the families of Monroe and Smith had already 
taken refuge. It was expected that these three 
families would join them in the march next morn- 
ing ; but they were not ready, and the original 
party, when morning came, moved on. When two 
or three miles southeast of Walker's house, on the 
road to Nashville, via Smith's crossing of Little 
river, Davidson and Crouch being about three hun- 
dred, and Capt. Childers about one hundred yards 
ahead and two or three men perhaps two hundred 
yards behind, driving a few cattle, the latter discov- 
ered about two hundred mounted warriors advanc- 
ing from the rear at full speed. They gave the 
alarm and rushed forward to the wagon. Capt. 
Childers, yelling to Crouch and Davidson, hastened 
back. They reached the wagon barely in time to 
present a bold front to the advancing savages and 
cause them to change their charge into an encircle- 
ment of the apparently doomed party ; but in 
accomplishing this purpose the enemy discovered 
Blessrs. Crouch and Davidson seeking to rejoin 
their companions. This diverted their attention 
from the main party to the two unfortunate gentle- 
men, who, seeing the impossibility of their attempt, 
endeavored to escape by flight, but being poorly 
mounted, were speedily surrounded, killed and 
scalped. Then followed great excitement among 
the Indian?, apparently quarreling over the dispo- 
sition of the scalps and effects of the two gentle- 
men. This enabled the main party to reach a 
grove of timber about four hundred yards distant, 
where they turned the oxen loose, and only sought 
to save their lives. At this critical crisis and just 
as the savages were returning to renew the attack, 
Beal and Hopson, who had won the friendship of 



all by coming as messengers, and by their conduct 
up to that moment, made their escape from what 
seemed certain death. 

For a little while the Indians galloped around 
them, yelling, firing and by every artifice seeking 
to draw a fire from the little band ; but thej' pre- 
sented a bold front and fired not a gun. Shackle- 
ford could speak the Indian tongue and challenged 
them to charge and come to close quarters, but the 
Indians evidently believed they had pistols and 
extra arms in the wagons and failed to approach 
nearer than a hundred yards and soon withdrew. 
In close order, the besieged retreated changing 
their route to the raft, four or five miles distant, 
on Little river, on which they crossed, swimming 
their horses. Carolina Childers, the child of eight, 
rode behind her future husband, Orville T. Tyler, 
who had a lame foot and was compelled to ride, 
while others, for want of horses, were compelled to 
travel on foot. They doubted not the attack would 
be renewed at some more favorable spot, but it 
was not. Thus they traveled till night and 
encamped. They reached Nashville late next day. 

During the next day Smith, Monroe and Walker, 
with their families, arrived. Immediately on leav- 
ing the former party the Indians had attacked the 
three families in Walker's house and kept up a fire 
all day without wounding either of the defenders, 
who fired deliberately through port-holes whenever 
opportunity appeared. While not assured of kill- 
ing a single Indian, they were perfectly certain of 
having wounded a considerable number. As night 
came on, the Indians retired, and as soon as satis- 
fied of their departure, the three families left for 
Nashville, and arrived without further molestation. 

Note. Robert Davidson was a man of intelli- 
gence and merit, and was the father of Wilson T. 
Davidson and Mrs. Harvey Smith of Belton, Mrs. 
Francis T. Duffau of Austin, and Justus Davidson 
of Galveston, all of whom have so lived in the 
intervening fifty-one j'ears as to reflect honor on 
their slaughtered father. Of the family of Mr. 
Crouch I have no knowledge. Mrs. Stickney died 
in Coryell County, December 24, 1880. Prior 
Childers died in Falls County in 18G7 or 1868. 
William Childers died in the Confederate army in 
1864, having served from the beginning of the 
war. 

O. T. Tyler was born in Massachusetts, August 
28, 1810; landed in Texas in February, 1835; 
married Caroline Childers in 18.50 ; was the first 
chief-justice of Coryell County, and filled various 
other public stations; and full of years and the 
honors of a well-spent life, died at his elegant home 
in Belton, April 17th, 1886. His son. Senator 
George W. Tyler, of Belton, was the first white 
child born in Coryell County. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



45 



The Murder of the Douglas and Dougherty Families — 1836. 



The month of March, 1836, ranks overwhelmingly 
as the bloodiest and yet, in one respect, the brightest 
in the annals of Texas. On the second day of that 
month, at Washington on the Brazos, the chosen 
delegates of the people, fifty-two being present, 
unanimously declared Texas to be a free, sovereign 
and independent Republic, according to Gen. Sam 
Houston, their most distinguished colleague, the 
opportunity of subscribing his name to the solemn 
declaration, the second of its kind iu the. history of 
the human family, on his birthday, an event not 
dreamed of by his noble mother when in Rockbridge 
County, Virginia, on the second day of March, 1793, 
she first clasped him to her bosom. On the 4th of 
March, Gen. Houston was elected commander-in- 
chief of the armies of the Republic, as he had been 
in the previous November of the armies of the Pro- 
visional, or inchoate, government. On the 11th, 
Henry Smith, the Provisional Governor, one of the 
grandest characters adorning the history of Texas 
and to whom more than to any one man, the cause 
of Independence was indebted for its triumph, sur- 
rendered his functions to the representatives of the 
people. On the 2d, Dr. Grant and his partj^ 
beyond the Nueces, were slaughtered by Urrea's dra- 
goons, one man only escaping massacre, to be held 
long in Mexican dungeons and then escape, to 
survive at least fifty-five years, with the fervent hope 
by hosts of friends that he may yet be spared many 
years to see a commercial city arise where he has 
resided for over half a centurj'. The veteran 
gentleman referred to is Col. Reuben R. Brown, of 
Velasco, at the mouth of the Brazos. On the 6lh 
the Alamo and its 182 defenders went down to 
immortality under the oft-repulsed but surging 
columns of Santa Anna. On the 19th Fannin 
capitulated to Urrea on the plains of Coleto. On 
the 27th be and his followers, to the number of 
about 480, were massacred in cold blood, under the 
specific orders of that arch traitor and apostate to 
liberty, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, whose life, 
twenty-four days later, when a prisoner in their 
hands, was spared through a magnanimity unsur- 
passed in the world's history, by the lion-hearted 
defenders of a people then and ever since, by prej- 
udiced fanatics and superficial scribblers, charac- 
terized as largely composed of outlaws and quasi- 
barbarians, instead of being representatives, as they 
were, of the highest type of American chivalry, 
American civilization and American libertv. 



While these grand events were transpiring, the 
American settlers on the Guadalupe, the Lavaca 
and farther east were removing their families east- 
wardly, flying from the legions of Santa Anna as 
from wild beasts. Many had no vehicles and used 
horses, oxen, sleds or whatever could be improvised 
to transport the women, children, bedding and food. 
Among those thus situated were two isolated 
families, living on Douglas' or Clark's creek, about 
twelve miles southwest of Hallettsville, in Lavaca 
County. These were John Douglas, wife and 

children, and Dougherty, a widower, with 

three children. The parents were natives of 
Ireland, but had lived and probably married in 
Cambria County, Pennsylvania, where their children 
were born and from which they came to Texas in 
1832. They were worthy and useful citizens, and 
lived together. Thej' prepared sleds on which to 
transport their effects, but when these were com- 
pleted the few people in that section had already 
left for the east. On the morning of the 4th of 
March Augustine Douglas, aged fifteen, and Thad- 
eus Douglas, aged thirteen, were sent out by their 
father to find and bring in the oxen designed to 
draw the sleds. Returning in the afternoon, at a 
short distance from home, they saw that the cabins 
were on fire, and heard such screams and war 
whoops as to admonish them that their parents and 
kindred were being butchered ; but they were 
unarmed and powerless and realized that to save 
their own lives they must seek a hiding-place. 
This they found in a thicket near by, and there 
remained concealed till night. When dark came 
they cautiously approached the smoldering ruins 
and found that the savages had left. A brief 
examination revealed to them the dead and scalped 
bodies of their father, mother, sister and little 
brother and of Mr. Dougherty, one son and two 
daughters, lying naked in the yard — eight souls 
thus brutally snatched from earth. Imagination, 
especially when assured that those two boys were 
noted for gentle and affectionate natures, as per- 
sonally known to the writer for a number of years, 
may depict the forlorn anguish piercing their young 
hearts. It was a scene over which angels weep. 

There were scarcely an3'thing more than paths, 
and few of them, through that section. Augustine 
had some idea as to courses, and speedily deter- 
mined on a policy. With his little brother he pro- 
ceeded to the little settlement in the vicinity of 



46 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



where Hallettsville is, but found that every one liad 
retreated. The^' then followed the Lavaca down 
about thirty-five miles to where their older sister, 
tiie wife of Capt. John McHenry, and a few others 
lived — but found that all had been gone some 
time. They then took the old Atascosita road 
from Goliad which crossed the Colorado a few 
miles below where Columbia is. Near the Colo- 
rado, almost starved to death, they fell in with 
some Mexican scouts and were conducted to the 
camp of the Mexican general, Adrian Woll, a 
Frenchman, who could speak English and to whom 
they narrated iheir sad story. Woll received them 
kindlj' and had all needful care taken of them. In 
a few days the boys were taken by a Frenchman 
named Auguste, a traitor to Texas, to his place on 
Cummins' creek, where he had collected a lot of 
negroes and a great many cattle belonging to the 
retreating citizens, from which he was supplying 
Gen. "WoU with beef at enormous prices. The 21st 
of April passed and San Jacinto was won. Very 
soon the Mexicans began preparations for retreat. 
Auguste, mounting Augustine Douglas on a fine 
horse, sent him down to learn when Woll could 
start. In the meantime a party of Texians, headed 
by Alison York, who had heard of Auguste' s 
thieving den, hurried forward to chastise him before 
lie could leave the country with his boot}'. He 
punished them severely, all who could fleeing into 
the bottom and thence to Woll's camp. When 
York's party opened fire, little Thadeus Douglas, 



not understanding the cause, fled down the road 
and in about a mile met his brother returning from 
Woll's camp on Auguste's fine horse. With equal 
prudence and financial skill they determined to save 
both themselves and the horse. Thadeus mount- 
ing behind, they started at double quick for the 
Brazos. They had not traveled many miles, how- 
ever, when they met the gallant Capt. Henry W. 
Karnes, at the head of some cavalry, from whom they 
learned for the first time, of the victory of San 
Jacinto, and that they yet would see their only sur- 
viving sister and brother-in-law, Capt. and Mrs. 
McHenr}'. In writing of tliis incident in De Bow's 
Review of December, 1853, eighteen years after 
its occurrence, I used this language : — 

"These boys, thus rendered objects of sym- 
pathjT, formed a link in the legends of the old 
Texians, and still reside on the Lavaca, much re- 
spected for their courage and moral deportment." 

It is a still greater pleasure to say now that they 
ever after bore honorable characters. One of the 
brothers died some years ago, and the other in 
1889. The noble old patriot in three revolu- 
tions — Mexico in 1820, South America in 1822, 
and Texas in 1835 — preceded by gallant conduct 
at New Orleans in 1815, when only sixteen years 
old — the honest, brave and ever true son of Erin's . 
isle, Capt. John McHenry, died in 1885, leaving 
a memory sweetly embalmed in many thousand 
hearts. 



Erath's Fight, January 7, 1837. 



Among the brave and useful men on the Brazos 
frontier from 1835 till that frontier receded far up 
the river, conspicuously appears the name of the 
venerable Capt. George B. Erath. He was born in 
Austria. His first services were in Col. John H. 
Moore's expedition for the relief of Capt. Robert 
M. Coleman, to the Tehuacano Hill country, in 
July, 1835. Though green from the land of the 
Hnpsburgs, he won a character for daring courage 
in his first engagement, leading in the charge and 
gaining the soubriquet of " The Flying Dutchman." 
His second experience was on the field of San Ja- 
cinto, April 21, 1836. In the summer of that year 
he located at Nasiiville, at the falls of the Brazos, 
and ever after resided in that vicinity and McLen- 



nan county. As surveyor and ranger for ten years 
or more he had many adventures and was in many 
skirmishes and engagements with the Indians. He 
served. in the Congress of the Republic, and after- 
wards in the one or the other house of the Legisla- 
ture, at intervals, till 1865. 

His third engagement as a soldier occurred on 
the 7th of January, 1837, on Elm creek, in 
Milam County. At that time Lieut. Curtis com- 
manded a small company of illy equipped rangers 
at a little fort at the three forks of Little river, in 
Bell County, subsisting chiefly on wild meat and 
honey. Erath, as a lieutenant, was first there and 
erected several cabins, but on the arrival of Curtis 
he became the ranking oflicer. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



47 



A man arriving at the fort reported a fresh 
" foot " Indian trail twelve miles east and bearing 
towards the settlements below. It was agreed that 
Erath should pursue them. He started on the 
morning of the 6th with thirteen men and boys, 
nearly half being on foot. Three of the number 
were volunteers for the trip, and eleven were sol- 
diers, viz. : Lishley (a stranger), Robert CLilders 
(now living at Temple) and Frank Childers, his 
boy-brother, volunteers ; the soldiers were Lieut. 
Erath, Sergt. McLochlan, Lee R. Davis, David 
Clark, Empson Thompson, Jack Gross, Jack 
Houston, and four boys, viz. : Lewis Moore, 
Morris Moore, John Folks and Green McCoy, 
a boy from Gonzales. They traveled twenty- 
three miles east, striking the trail and finding that it 
was made by about a hundred Indians on foot. At 
night they heard the Indians, who were encamped 
in the bottom, on the bank of Elm creek, eight 
miles west of the present town of Cameron, in 
Milam County. They remained quiet till nearly day- 
light, then, after securing their horses, cautiously 
approached along ravines and the bed of the creek 
till they secured a position under the bank within 
twenty-five yards of the yet unsuspecting savages, 
who very soon began to move about and kindle 
their fires. When it was sufficiently light each man 
and boy took deliberate aim and about ten Indians 
tumbled over. With revolvers (then unknown), 
they could easily have routed the whole band. But 
each one had to reload by the old process. During 
the interval the Indians seized their guns, there not 
being a bow among them, and, realizing the small 
number of their assailants, jumped behind trees 
and fought furiously. Some of them entered the 
creek below to enfilade Erath's position, and this 
compelled a retreat to the opposite bank, in accom- 
plishing which David Clark was killed and Frank 
Childers wounded. Erath continued to retreat by 



alternation, one half of the men covering the retreat 
of the other half for thirty or forty yards at a time, 
so that half of the guns were alternately loaded and 
fired. The bottom favored this plan till they 
reached their horses at the edge of the prairie. On 
the way, Frank Childers, finding his life ebbing, 
reached a secluded spot on one side, sat down 
by a tree against which his gun rested, and there 
expired, but was not discovered by the enemy, 
who, instead of continuing the fight, returned to 
their camp and began a dismal howl over their 
own dead. 

There were numerous narrow escapes, balls out- 
ting the clothes of nearly every man. One broke 
McLochlan's ramrod, another the lock of his gun, 
a third bursted his powder horn, a fourth passed 
through his coat and a fifth through the handker- 
chief worn as a turban on his head. At that time 
the families of Neil McLennan and his sons-in-law 
were living eight miles distant. The men were ab- 
sent, and, but for this attack of the bold " Flying 
Dutchman," the women and children would have 
fallen easy victims to the savages. A month later 
one of McLennan's young negroes was carried into 
captivity by them. David Clark was past middle 
age and was a son of Capt. Christopher Clark, of 
near Troy, Lincoln County, Missouri, known to the 
writer of these sketches from his infancy. Green 
McCoy was a maternal nephew of Clark and a 
paternal nephew of Jesse McCoy, who fell in the 
Alamo. The Childers brothers were maternal 
uncles of George W. Tyler, the first child born (in 
1854) in Coryell County. Capt. Erath, Robert 
Childers and Lewis Moore, of McLennan County, 
are the only survivors of this episode of nearly 
fifty-two years ago. Of the whole party, men and 
boys, every one through life bore a good character. 
They were in truth of the " salt of the earth " and 
" pillars of strength " on the frontier. 



The Surveyors' Fight in Navarro County, in October, 1838. 



At this date the long since abandoned village of 
" Old " Franklin, situated in the post oaks between 
where Bryan and Calvert now stand, was the 
extreme outside settlement, omitting a few families 
in the Brazos valley, in the vicinity of Marlin, and 
was the county seat of the original Robertson 
County, with its immense unsettled territory. 



including the west half of Dallas County and terri- 
tory north and west of it. It was a rendezvous 
for both surveying parties and volunteers on expe- 
ditions against the Indians. Its male population 
was much larger than the female, and embraced a 
number of men of more or less note for intelligence 
and courage. Among these were Dr. Georcre W. 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Hill, long a senator and once in President Houston's 
Cabinet, for whom Hill County was named ; Capt. 
Eli Chandler, a brave frontiersman ; E. L. R 
Wheelock, Cavitt Armstrong, the father of the 
Cavitt family of later times, and others. 

There was a great desire on the part of both dis- 
charged soldiers and other citizens who had just re- 
ceived bounty and head-right certificates for land to 
have them located and the land surveyed. In the 
early summer of 1838, near Richland creek, twelve or 
fourteen miles southerly from Corsicana, three men 
belonging to a surveying party were surprised and 
killed. Their names were Barry, Holland, and 
William F. Sparks, a land locator from Nacog- 
doches. The remainder of the party, too weak for 
defense against the number of the savages, cau- 
tiously and successfully eluded them and returned 
home. 

Early in October of the same year William F. 
Henderson, for many years since an estimable 
citizen of Corsicana, fitted out a surveying party 
to locate lands in what is now the southwest por- 
tion of Navarro County. He and his assistant each 
had a compass. The entire party consisted of 
twenty-four men and one boy, and was under the 
command of Capt. Neill. 

The party arrived on the field of their labors and 
encamped at a spring or water hole about two mile 
northwest of what after that expedition was and 
ever since has been known as Battle creek. 

Here they met with a large body of Indians, 
chiefly Kickapoos, but embracing some of several 
tribes, who were encamped in the vicinity, killing 
buffalo. They professed friendship, but mani- 
fested decided opposition to having the lands sur- 
veyed, assuring the party that if they persisted 
the Comanches and lonies would kill them. But it 
was believed their design was only to frighten 
them awaj'. After a day or two a trial of the 
compasses was made, when it was found one of 
the needles had lost its magnetism and would not 
work. William M. Love, afterward a well-known 
citizen of Navarro County, and a Mr. Jackson were 
sent back to Franklin for a magnet to recharge 
the needle, thus reducing the party to twenty- 
three. Early on the following morning Henderson 
ran a line for a mile or so, more or less Indians 
following and intently watching the manipulation 
of the compass, one of them remarking: "It is 
God's eye." The part)', after a satisfactory trial, 
returned to camp for breakfast, and after that was 
over, returned to, and were about resuming their 
work, when from a ravine, about forty yards dis- 
tant, they were fired upon by about fifty Indians. 
The men, led by Capt. Neill, at once charged upon 



them, but in doing so, discovered about a hundred 
warriors rushing to aid those in the ravine from 
the timber behind them. At the same time about 
the same number of mounted Indians charged 
them from the prairie in their rear. Neill retreated 
under heavy fire to the head of a branch in the 
prairie with banks four or five feet high. There 
was some brush and a few trees ; but seventy-five 
yards below them was another cluster, of which 
the enemy took possession. This was between !) 
and 10 o'clock a. m., and there the besieged were 
held under a fluctuating fire until midnight. 
Every one who exposed himself to view was killed 
or wounded. Euclid M. Cox for an hour stood 
behind a lone tree on the bank doing much execu- 
tion, but was finally shot through the spine, upon 
which Waller P. Lane, afterwards a distinguished 
Brigadier-general in the Confederate arm}-, jumped 
upon the bank and dragged him into the ravine, 
in which he died soon afterwards. A man named 
Davis, from San Augustine, having a fine horse, 
attempted to escape through the line of Indians 
strung in a circle around the little band, but he 
was killed in sight of his comrades. A band of 
mounted Indians, not participating in the fight, 
collected on an elevation just out of gunshot, and 
repeatedly called out, " Come to Kickapoo! Kick- 
apoo good Indian! " and by gesticulations mani- 
fested friendship, in which our men placed no 
possible confidence ; but among them was Mr. 
Spikes, a feeble old man of eighty-two years, who 
said his days were few at best, and as he could not 
see to shoot he would test their sincerity. He 
mounted and rode up to them and was mercilessly 
butchered. Night brought no relief or cessation 
of the attack, and a number of our men were dead 
in the ravine. The moon shone brightly until 
midnight. But when it sank below the horizon, 
the survivors determined to make an effort to reach 
the timber on a brushy branch leading into a creek 
heavily covered with thickets and trees, and dis- 
tant hardly half a mile. Three horses yet lived, 
and on these the wounded were placed, and the 
fiery ordeal began. The enemy pressed on the 
rear and both flanks. The wounded were speedily 
shot from their horses. Capt. Neill was wounded 
and immediately lifted on one of the horses, but 
both fell an instant later. A hundred yards from 
the brush Walter P. Lane was shot in the leg, 
below the knee, shattering, but not breaking the 
bone. He entered the brush with Henderson and 
Burton. Mr. William Smith entered at another 
place alone, and Mr. Violet at still a different 
place, terril)!y wounded, and at the same instant 
another man escaped in like manner. Once under 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



49 



cover, in the dark, each lone man, and the group 
of three, felt the necessity of perfect silence. 
Each stealthily and cautiously moved as he or they 
thought best, and the fate of neither became 
known to the other until all had reached the settle- 
ments. Smith, severely wounded, traveled by 
night and lay secreted by day till he reached the 
settlements on the Brazos, distant over forty miles. 
The unnamed man, slightly wounded, escaped 
eastwardly and succeeded, after much suffering, 
in reaching the settlements. Henderson, Lane 
and Burton found lodgment in a deep ravine lead- 
ing to the creek. Lane became so weak from the 
loss of blood that Henderson tore up his shirt to 
stanch and bandage the wound, and succeeded in 
the effort. Passing down some distance, they 
heard the Indians in pursuit, and ascended the 
bank and lay in brush with their guns cocked. 
The pursuers passed within three or four feet but 
failed to discover them. About an hour before 
day they reached the creek and traveled down to 
a muddy pool of water. On a log they crawled 
onto a little island densely matted with brush, 
under which they lay concealed all day. They 
repeatedly heard the Indians, but remained undis- 
covered. When night came as an angel of mercy, 
throwing its mantle over them, they emerged from 
their hiding place ; but when Lane rose up, the 
agony from his splintered leg was so great that he 
swooned. On recovering consciousness he found 
that Burton, probably considering his condition 
hopeless, was urging Henderson to abandon 
him ; but that great-hearted son of Tennessee 
spurned the suggestion. The idea inspired Lane 
with indignation and the courage of desperation. 
In words more emphatic than mild he told Burton 
to go, and declared for himself that he could, and 
with the help of God and William F. Henderson, 
would make the trip. By the zigzag route they 
traveled it was about thirty miles to Tehuacano 
springs. They traveled, as a matter of course, 
very slowly, and chiefly by night, Lane hobbling 
on one leg, supported by Henderson. For two 
days and nights after leaving their covert they had 
neither food nor drink. Their sufferings were 
great and their clothing torn into rags. On the 
third daj', being the fourth from their first assault 
by the enemy, they reached the springs named, 
where three Kickapoos were found with their 
families. At first they appeared distant and sus- 
picious, and demanded of them where and how they 
came to be in such condition. Henderson 
promptly answered that their party, from which 
they had become separated, had been attacked by 
Comanches and lonies, and that they, in their dis- 



tress, had l)een hoping to fall in with some friendly 
Kickapoos. This diplomacy', however remote from 
the truth, had the desired effect. One of the red 
men thereupon lighted his pipe, took a few whiffs, 
and passed it to Henderson, saying, "Smoke! 
Kickapoo good Indian!" All smoked. Provis- 
ions were offered, and the women bathed, dressed 
and bandaged Lane's leg. Henderson then offered 
his rifle to one of them if he would allow Lane to 
ride his horse into Franklin. After some hesita- 
tion he assented, and they started on ; but during 
the next day, below Parker's abandoned fort, 
hearing a gunshot not far off (which proved to 
belong to another party of Kickapoos, but were 
not seen), the Indian became uneasy and left 
them, taking both his pony and the rifle. It should 
be stated that Lane's gun had been left where they 
began their march, at the little island, simply 
because of his inability to carry it ; hence Bur- 
ton's gun was now their last remaining weapon. 
But now, after the departure of the Indian, they 
were gladdened by meeting Love and Jackson, 
returning with the magnet, ignorant, of course, of 
the terrible calamity that had fallen upon their 
comrades. Lane was mounted on one of their 
horses, and they hurried on to Franklin, arriving 
there without further adventure. 

A party was speedily organized at Franklin to 
go to the scene and bury the dead. On their way 
out at Tehuacano springs, by the merest accident, 
they came upon Mr. Violet in a most pitiable and 
perishing condition. His thigh had been broken, 
and for six days, without food or water, excepting 
uncooked grasshoppers, he had crawled on his 
hands and knees, over grass and rocks and through 
brush, about twenty-five miles, in an air line, but 
much more, in fact, by his serpentine wanderings 
in a section with which he was unacquainted. His 
arrival at the springs was a providential interposi- 
tion, but for which, accompanied by that of the 
relief party, his doom would have been speedy and 
inevitable. Two men were detailed to escort him 
back to Franklin, to friends, to gentle nursing, and 
finally to restoration of healih, all of which were 
repaid by his conduct as a good citizen in after 
life. 

The company continued on to the battle-ground, 
collected and buried the remains of the seventeen 
victims of savage fury, near a lone tree. 

It mav well be conceived that heroic courage and 
action were displayed by this little party of twentj'- 
three, encircled by at least three hundred Indians — 
not wild Comanches with bows and arrows, but the 
far more formidable Kickapoos and kindred asso- 
ciates, armed with rifles. It was ascertained after- 



50 



I^WTAy ^VAKS axd pioneers of texas. 



warils that they had sustained a loss in killed equal 
to double the number of the Texians, besides many 
wounded. It was believed that Euclid M. Cos, 
before receiving his death wound, killed eight or 
ten. 

The Surveyors' Fight ranks, in stubborn courage 
and carnage, with the bloodiest in our history — 
with Bowie's San Saba fight in 1831, Bird's victory 
and death in Bell County in 1839, and Hays' 
mountain fight in 1844, and others illustrating sim- 
ilar courage and destructiveness. 

THE SLAIN. 

Of the twenty-three men in the fight seventeen 
were killed, viz. : Euclid M. Cox, Thomas Barton, 
Samuel Allen, — Ingraham, — Davis, J. Hard, 
Asa T. Mitchell, J. Neal or Neill, William Tremier, 
— Spikes, J. Bullock, N. Barker, A. Houston, P. 
M. Jones, James Jones, David Clark, and one 
whose name is not remembered. 

Those who escaped were William F. Henderson, 
Walter P. Lane, wounded as described, and Bur- 
ton, who escaped together; Violet, wounded as de- 
scribed ; William Smith, severely wounded in the 
shoulder; and the man slightly wounded, who 
escaped towards the east — 6. Messrs. Love and 
Jackson, though not in the fight, justly deserve to 
be classed with the party, as they were on hazard- 
ous duty and performed it well, besides relieving 
Lane and then participating in the interment of the 
dead. 

In the year 1885, John P. and Rev. Fred Cox, 
sons of Euclid, at their own cost, erected, under 
the shadow of that lone tree, a handsome and befit- 
ting monument, on which is carved the names of 
.all who were slain and all who escaped, excepting 



that one of each class whose names are missing. 
The tree and monument, inclosed by a neat fence, 
one mile west of Dawson, Narvarro County, are in 
plain view of the Texas and St. Louis railroad. 

Note. This William Smith, prior to this dis- 
astrous contest, but at what precise date cannot be 
stated, but believed to have been in the winter of 
1837-8, lived in the Brazos bottom. The Indians 
became so bad that he determined to move, and 
for that purpose placed his effects in his wagon in 
his yard, but before starting his house was at- 
tacked. He barred his door and through cracks 
between the logs fired whenever he could, nearly 
alwa3's striking an Indian, but all his reserve 
ammunition had been placed in the wagon and the 
supply in his pouch was nearly exhausted, when 
Mrs. Smith opened the door, rushed to the wagon, 
secured the powder and lead and rushed back. 
Balls and arrows whizzed all about her but she 
escaped with slight wounds and immediately began 
moulding bullets. She thought not of herself but 
of her little children. Honored forever be the 
pioneer mothers of Texas and thrice honored be 
such as Mrs. Smith. It was my pleasure after- 
wards, personally, to know- her and some of her 
children, and to serve on the Southwestern frontier 
with her fearless husband, an honest Christian 
man. One of their sons was the late Prof. Smith 
of Salado College, a son worthy of such parents. 
Mr. Smith crippled so many of his assailants that 
they retired, leaving him master of the situation, 
when he removed farther into the settlements. 
There is one fact in connection with this affair 
that, as a Texian, I blush to state. There was an 
able-bodied man in Mr. Smith's house all the time 
who slunk away as the veriest craven, taking 
refuge under the bed, while the heroic father and 
mother " fought the good fight and kept the 
faith." I have not his name and if it were known 
to me would not publish it, as it may be borne by 
others of heroic hearts, and injustice might be 
done ; besides, the subsequent life of that man must 
have been a continuing torture. 



Karnes' Fight on the Arroyo Seco, August 10, 1838. 



Prom the beginning of 1837, lo his death in 
August, 1840, Henry W. Karnes, a citizen of San 
Antonio, stood as a pillar of strength and wall of 
defense to the Southwestern frontier. He was ever 
ready to meet danger, and often commanded small 
bodies of volunteers in search or pursuit of hostile 
Indians. He had numerous skirmishes and minor 
encounters with them and was almost invariably 
successful. 



In the summer of 1838, in command of twenty- 
one fearless volunteers, while halting on the Arroyo 
Seco, west of the Medina, and on the 10th day of 
August, he was suddenly and furiously assailed by 
two hundred mounted Comanehes ; but, ever alert 
and prepared for danger, in the twinkling of an eye 
his horses were secured and his men stationed in 
their front, somewhat protected by a ravine and 
chaparral, and fired in alternate platoons, b}' which 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



51 



one-third of their guns were always loaded to meet 
the attaeli at close quarters. Their aim was deadly 
and warriors were rapidly tumbled to the ground. 
Yet, knowing they were ten to one against the 
Texians, the Comanches were not willing to give up 
the contest till over twenty of their number lay 
dead, and doubtless as many more were wounded. 
Col. Karnes, in his intense and unselfish desire to 
both save and encourage his men, greatly exposed 
himself and was severely wounded, this being the 
only casualty to his party, though nearly all his 
horses were more or less wounded. It was a gal- 
lant and successful defense against immense odds, 
and served to cement more closely the already 



strong ties that bound the modest but ever faitliful 
and fearless Karnes to the hearts of the people of 
San Antonio and the whole Southwest. Living, 
fighting and dying in the country without family or 
kindred ; leaving no trace on paper indicating his 
long and faitliful service ; largely winning achieve- 
ments of which neither official nor private record 
was kept ; though personally having had very slight 
acquaintance with him, it has ever been to the writer 
a sincere pleasure to rescue from oblivion his many 
gallant deeds, and place his memory where it right- 
fully belongs in the galaxy composed of the truest, 
best, most unselfish and bravest men who wrought 
for Texas at any time between 1821 and 1846. 



The Captivity of the Putman and Lockhart Children in 1838. 



In the summer of 1837, succeeding the great 
exodus of 1836, Mr. Andrew Lockhart returned to 
his frontier home on the west side of the Guad- 
alupe, and nearly opposite the present consider- 
able town of Cuero, in DeWitt County. He was 
accompanied, or soon joined, by Mitchell Putman, 
with his wife and several children. Mr. Putman 
was a man of good character, and had been honor- 
ably discharged from the army oiter having served 
a full term and being in the battle of San Jacinto. 
The two families temporarily lived in the same 
yard. 

When the pecans began ripening in the fall, the 
children of both families frequented the bottom 
near by to gather those delicious nuts, which, of 
course, were highly prized at a time when nearly 
all, and oftentimes all, the food attainable was 
wild meat, indigenous nuts and fruit. 

On one occasion, in October, 1838, Matilda, 
daughter of Mr. Lockhart, aged about thirteen, 
and three of Mr. Putman's children, a small girl, 
a boy of four and a girl of two and a half years, 
left home in search of pecans. The hours flew 
by — night came, and through its weary hours 
parental hearts throbbed with anguish. Signal 
fires were lighted, horns blown and guns fired — 
the few accessible settlers were notified, but the 
morning sun rose upon two disconsolate house- 
holds. The four children, as time revealed, had 
been cunningly surprised, awed into silence, and 
swiftly borne away by a party of wild Indians. 
Pursuit was impracticable. There were not men 



enough in the country and the families neeiled 
nightly'protection at home. 

Mr. Lockhart, more able to do so than Mr. Put- 
man, made every effort to recover his daughter and 
the other children. For this purpose he accompa- 
nied Col. John H. Moore on expeditions into the 
mountains in both 1838 and 1839. In one of these 
expeditions Col. Moore made a daylight attack on 
a large hostile village on the San Saba, or rather 
just as day was dawning. Despite the remon- 
strances of others the resolute seeker of his lost 
child rushed ahead of all others, exclaiming in 
stentorian voice: "Matilda Lockhart! Oh, my 
child ! if you are here run to me. I am your 
father! " He continued so to shout, and, dear 
reader, Matilda heard and recognized that loved 
voice repeatedly ; but the moment the fight opened 
she was lashed into a run by squaws and speedily 
driven into the recesses of thickets. So time 
passed, the stricken father seizing upon every hope, 
however faint, to recover his child. 

Negotiations were opened with the hostiles, by 
direction of President Lamar, in the winter of 
1839-40, seeking a restoration of all our captive 
children, and there was known to be quite a number 
among them. The wily foe betrayed the cunning 
and dissimulation of their race from the first. 
They promised much in two or. three interviews, 
but performed little. 

During the spring of 1840 the little boy of Mr. 
Putman was brought in and restored to his parents. 
The elder daughter was not heard of until during 



52 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the late war, in 1864, twenty-seven years after her 
captivity, when she was providentially restored to 
her family at Gonzales, and it happened in this wise : 
Judge John R. Chenault, of Southwest Missouri, 
who had, in former years, been an Indian agent 
west of that State, refugeed to Gonzales, where he 
had kindred. In his family was a girl he had in 
that day recovered from the Indians, and educated. 
She was identified beyond doubt as the missing 
daughter of Mr. Putinan and resumed her place 
among her kindred. Judge Chenault died several 
3'ears since, a citizen of Dallas Count}'. 

In fulfillment of one of their violated promises 
to bring in all the prisoners they had, the warriors 
only brought in one poor woman, who had been 
cruelly treated throughout her captivity — her body 
burnt in small spots all over — and this was Matilda 
Lockhart. 

Restored to her family and adorned in civilized 
costume, she speedily developed into one of the 
prettiest and most lovely women in the surround- 
ing country, becoming a great favorite, distin- 
guished alike for modesty, sprightliness, and 
affectionate devotion to her kindred and friends. 
A few years later a cold contracted at a night 
party, fastened upon her lungs, and speedily closed 
her life, to the regret of the whole surrounding 
country. The story, from her own lips, of the 
cruelties practiced upon her throughout her cap- 
tivity, would fill a small volume, the reason for 
which was unknown to her and unesplainable at 
home. Temporary brutality to captives is common 
among the wild tribes, but in a little while the young 
are treated as other children. 

This leaves the little girl of Mi'. Putman alone to 
account for. She was two and a half years old 
when she was captured in 1838. 

Another party of warriors in the spring of 1840, 
brought in and delivered up at San Antonio a little 
girl of about five, but who could not or would not 
tell where she was captured, and no one there from 
her appearance, could imagine her to be one of the 
lost children of whom he had any information. 
The child could not speak a word of English and 
was wild — afraid of every white person — and 
tried on every occasion to run away. The military 
authorities were perplexed and knew not how to 
keep or how to dispose of her. Here, again, came 
providential interposition. 

The District Court was in session, the now 
lamented Judge John Hemphill presiding for the 
first time. In attendance as a lawyer was his pre- 
decessor, Judge James W. Robinson, who then 
lived two miles above Gonzales, and one mile below 
him lived Arch Gipson, whose wife was a daughter 



of Mitchell Putman, and a sister of the missing 
little girl. Hearing of the child he examined her 
closel}', trusting she might show some family re- 
semblance to Mrs. Gipson, whom he knew well and 
whose father lived onlj- fifteen miles from Gonzales. 
He could recognize no resemblance, but deter- 
mined to take the little stranger home with him, 
for, as he assured the writer, he had a presenti- 
ment that she was the Putman child, and had a 
very sympathetic nature. He, Judge Hemphill and 
John R. Cunningham (a brilliant star, eclipsed in 
death as a Mexican prisoner two years later), made 
the trip on horseback together, the little wild crea- 
ture alternating behind them. The)' exhausted 
every means of gentling and winning her, but in 
vain. It was necessary to tie her in camp at night 
and watch her closely by day. In this plight they 
arrived at Judge Robinson's house as dinner was 
about ready, and the Judge learned that Mrs. Gip- 
son was very feeble from recent illness. He deemed 
it prudent to approach her cautiously about the 
child, and to this end, after dinner he rode for- 
ward, alone, leaving the other gentlemen to follow 
a little later with the child who, up to that time, had 
not spoken an English word. 

Judge Robinson gently related all the facts to 
Mrs. Gipson, said it could not be her sister, but 
thought it would be more satisfactory to let her 
see in person and had therefore brought the little 
thing, adding: " Be quiet, it will be here very 
soon." 

The gentlemen soon rode up to the j'ard fence, 
the child behind Judge Hemphill, on a very tall 
horse. I quote b}' memory the indelible words 
given me by Judge Robinson a few days after- 
wards: — 

"Despite my urgent caution Mrs. Gipson, from 
her first realization that a recovered child was 
near at hand, presented the strangest appearance 
I ever saw in woman, before or since. She 
seemed, feeble as she was, to skip more as a bird 
than as a person, her eyes indescribably bright, 
and her lips tightly closed — but she uttered not a 
word. As the horsemen arrived she skipped over 
the fence, and with an expression which language 
cannot describe, she stood as if transfixed, peering 
up into the little face on horseback. Never before 
nor since have I watched any living thing as I 
watched that child at that moment. As if moved 
b)' irresistible power, the instant it looked into 
Mrs. Gipson's face it seemed startled as from a 
slumber, threw up its little head as if to collect 
its mind, and with a second piercing look, sprang 
from the horse with outstretched arms, clasping 
Mrs. Gipson around the neck, piteously exclaim- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



53 



Dg: 'Sister, sister!'" And tears of joy 
mingled with audible sobs fell from three of the 
most distinguished men of Texas, all long since 
gathered to their fathers — Cunningham in Mexi- 
can bondage in 1842, Robinson in Southern Cali- 



fornia about 1850, and Hemphill in the Confederate 
Senate in 1862. But when such tears flow do not 
the angels sing piuans around the throne of Him 
who took little children "up in His arms, put His 
hands upon them and blessed them ! " 



Texas Independence — A Glimpse at the First Capitals, Harris- 
burg, Galveston, Velasco, Columbia, the First Real 
Capital, Houston, and Austin, the 
First Permanent Capital. 



Independence was declared in a log cabin, with- 
out glass in its windows, in the now almost extinct 
town of Washington-on-lhe-Brazos, on the second 
day of March, 1836. The government ad interim, 
then established, with David G. Burnet as Presi- 
dent, and Lorenzo de Zavala as Vice-president, first 
organized at Harrisburg, but soon fled from Santa 
Anna's army down to the barren island of Galveston, 
where it remained till a short time after the battle 
of San Jacinto, when it moved to Velasco, at the 
mouth of the Brazos. After the first election under 
the Republic, President Burnet, by proclamation, 
assembled the First Congress, President and Vice- 
president, at the town of Columbia, on the Brazos, 
on the 3d of October, 1836. No other place in 
Texas, at the time (excepting, perhaps, Nacog- 
doches, in the extreme east), had suflicient house 
room to meet the emergency. There was in 
Columbia a large two-story house, divided in the 
center by a wide hall and stairway into large rooms 
above and below — one on each side of the hall, and 
an ell containing several rooms. It had been 
erected and occupied in 1832-3 by Capt. Henry S. 
Brown, father of the author, and in it he died on 
July 26, 1834, his attending phj'sician being Dr. 
Anson Jones, afterwards the last President of the 
Republic. This building was torn down early in 
1888. 

In this building tlie First Congress of the Repub- 
lic of Texas assembled under President Burnet's 
proclamation on the third of October, 1836. In it 
on the 22d of the same month, President Burnet 
delivered his farewell message, and at the same 
time Sam Houston, as first constitutional Presi- 
dent, and Mirabeau B. Lamar, as Vice-president, 
took the oath of office and delivered their inaugural 



addresses. In it all of the first Cabinet took the 
oath of office, viz. : Stephen F. Austin as Secre- 
tary of State (died on the 27th of December fol- 
lowing) ; Ex-Governor Henry Smith, as Secretary 
of the Treasury (died in the mountains of Cali- 
fornia, March 4, 1851) ; Thomas J. Rusk, as Secre- 
tarj' of War (resigned a few weeks later and was 
succeeded by William S. Fisher, who died in 1845, 
while Gen. Rusk died in 1857) ; and Samuel Rhoads 
Fisher, as Secretary of the Navy (who died in 
1839.) A portion of the officers were in other 
buildings and for a time one House of the Congress 
occupied a different building. 

In this really first Capitol of Texas were enacted 
all the original laws for organizing the Republic and 
its counties, and the afterwards famous law defining 
its boundaries, the western line of which was the 
Rio Grande del Norte from its source to its en- 
trance into the Gulf of Mexico; and in it Robert 
J. Walker, of Mississippi, then a distinguished 
member of the United States Senate, was received 
as the guest of the infant nation. 

From Columbia the capital was moved to the 
new town of Houston in the spring of 1837. From 
Houston it was removed to the newly planned 
frontier town of Austin in October, 1839, and here 
is where I propose to locate what follows. 

The government was established at Austin in 
October, 1839. Mirabeau B. Lamar, one of the 
truest knights of chivalry that ever figured on Texas 
soil, was President ; David G. Burnet, the embodi- 
ment of integrity — learned and experienced — was 
Vice-president ; Abner S. Lipscomb, one of the 
trio who subsequently gave fame to the judicial 
decisions of Texas, was Secretary of State ; 
Albert Sidney Johnston, the great soldier and 



54 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



patriot who fell at Sbiloh on the Gtb of April, 1862, 
was Secretary of War ; Louis P. Cooke, who died 
of cholera at Brownsville in 1849, and had been a 
student at West Point, was Secretary of the Navy ; 
Dr. James H. Starr, of Nacogdoches, was Secretary 
of the Treasury ; John Rice Jones was Postmaster- 
General ; John P. Borden was Commissioner of the 
Land Office ; Thomas J. Rusk was Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court, the Associates being the Dis- 
trict Judges of the Republic; James Webb was 
Attorney-General; Asa Brigham, Treasurer; E. 
Lawrence Sticknej', Stock Commissioner ; Wm. G. 
Cooke, Quartermaster-General ; Hugh McLeod, 
Adjutant-General; Wm. L. Cazneau, Commissary- 
General ; Jacob Snively, Paymaster-General ; 
Peter H. Bell (afterwards Governor), Inspector- 
General; Edward Burleson was Colonel command- 
ing the regular army ; Charles DeMorse was Fund 
Commissioner, or something of that sort. 

These men arrived in Austin as the government, 
in September and October, 1839. Austin was the 
outside settlement on the Colorado and so remained 
until annexation was perfected on the 19th of 
February, 1846. Through those six years it 
remained exposed to the forays of all the hostile 
Indians in upper Texas, from which manj' valuable 
lives were lost and quite a number of women and 
children carried into savage captivity. Just com- 
pleting my eighteenth year, I became a denizen of 
Austin at its birth, setting type on one of the two 
newspapers then started, and so remained for a 
considerable time, in which it was my privilege to 
make the personal acquaintance of each of the 
gentlemen named as officials of the government, 
and ever after to enjoy the friendship of nearly' all 
of them, the exceptions arising from earl}' and per- 
manent separation by distance. 

No new town, in this or any other country, ever 
began its existence with a larger ratio of educated, 
talented and honorable men, especially of young 
men. A few of the latter now, in the fiftieth year 
afterwards, still live there. Among them are James 
H. Raymond, John M. Swisher, Joseph Lee, James 
F. Johnson, James M. Swisher, Fenwick Smith, 
Wm. S. Hotchkiss. Among those known or be- 
lieved to be living elsewhere, are Henry H. Collier, 
in Canada; *Thomas Gales Forster, in Cincinnati; 
Wm. B. Billingsly, in Bastrop; Archibald C. Hyde, 
of Uvalde County (the first postmaster and one of 
the first justices of the peace at Austin) ; John P. 
Borden, of Colorado County ; Gen. Geo. W. Morgan, 
of Mount Vernon, Ohio (then Captain in the Texian 
arm}') ; *Rev. Joseph A. Clark, living at Thorp's 
Spring, and founder of Ad Ran College ; Parry W. 
Humphries, of Aransas Pass ; John Adriance, in 



Columbia; Ales. T. Gayle, Jackson County ; and 
ex-Governor Bell, living in North Carolina. Of 
those who are dead I recall George J. Durham, who 
died in 1869 ; James M. Ogdeu, Thos. L. Jones 
and *Martin C. Wing, all of whom drew black beans 
and were put to death in Mexico, March 25, 1843 ; 
Capt. Ben. Johnson, killed by Mexicans near the 
Nueces soon afterwards; — -Dodson and — Black, 
killed by Indians opposite Austin, in 1842; Henry 
W. Raglan, Richard H. Hord, died in Kentucky; 
George D. Biggar, Capt. Joseph Daniels, died in 
San Francisco in 1885; M. H. Nicholson, *Joel 
Miner, *Alexander Area, *William Clark, Ambrose 
B. Patlison, died in Onondaga Hollow, N. Y. ; 
Maj. George W. Bonnell (editor, and killed 
as one of the guard at Mier, December 26, 
1842) ; *James Glasscock (a Mier prisoner) ; 
* — McClelland, died in Tyler; *William Carleton, 
Wm. H. Murrah, Alex. C. McFarlane, George 
K. Teulon (editor), died in Calcutta; Maj. Samuel 
Whiting (founder of the first paper in Austin), 
died in New Jersey; Rev. Edward L. Fontaine, 
died in Mississippi; John B. Ransom (poet), 
accidentally killed in 1841 ; John W. Lann, died a 
Santa Fe prisoner ; Thos. Ward and Col. Thomas 
Wm. Ward, Dr. Richard F. Brenham (killed in 
the rescue of the Mier prisoners at Salado, Mexi- 
co, February — 1843); Horace L. Upshur, M. H. 
Beatty, M. P. Woodhouse, Wm. H. H. Johnson, 
James W. Smith (first Judge of Travis Count}'), 
killed by Indians in sight of Austin, in 1843; 
Harvey Smith died in Bell County ; Thomas W. 
Smith (their father), killed by Indians near 
Austin in 1841 ; Francis P. Morris, died a dis- 
tinguished Methodist preacher in Missouri ; *W. 
D. Mims, Dr. Moses Johnson (first Mayor of 
Austin), died in Lavaca ; Charles Schoolfield, killed 
by Indians ; Henry J. Jewett, Judge Luckett, 
Alfred W. Luckett, Wm. W. Thompson, died in 
Arizona; Wayne Barton (the first sheriff), killed 
in Washington County in 1844; Capt. James G. 
Swisher, "George W. Noble, died in Mobile ; Mus- 
grove Evans, Charles Mason (respectively first and 
second Auditors), James Newcomb, L. Vancleve, 
Capt. Mark B. Lewis, killed in 1843 ; Jesse C. 
Tannehill, Jacob M. Harrell, Wm. Hornsby, Na- 
thaniel Townsend, Samuel Browning, Capt. Stephen 
Crosby, Abner H. Cook, Alfred D. Coombs, Neri 
Chamberlain, Joseph Cecil (both arms shot off), 
Massillon Farley, John Green, Joseph Harrell, 
Anderson Harrell, Mrs. Angelina Eberly, died in 
Kentucky ; Mrs. Eliza B. Logan, Mrs. Anna C. 

* All those marked thus *, including myself, were 

priuters. 



lyniAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Luckett, R. D. McAnelly, Nelson Merrill, A. B. 
McGill, B. D. Noble, Dr. Joseph VV. Robertson, 
Mrs. Ann T. J. Wooldridge, Moses Wells, Joseph 
Waples, Thos. G. Western, Michael Ziller, Charles 
R. Sossaman, Martin Moore, Charles De Morse. 

These names, drawn from memory, in a very large 
sense, apply to persons who then or subsequently 
became widely known in the public service — • in- 
deed, in their respective spheres valuable men in 
the country. Of course I can only recall a portion 
of those entitled to honorable mention in an article 
of this character. Gathered together from all 
parts of the Union, and a few from Europe, their 
bones are widely asunder, at least as far as from 
New York to San Francisco, and one in China. 

The then future of Austin, seemingly bright, was 
invisibly portentous of evil. On the capture of 
San Antonio by Mexicans, in March, 1842, Austin 
was abandoned as the seat of government, and so 
remained for four years, or until February, 1846. 
Many of the inhabitants thereupon left their homes, 
and with a greatly depleted population, the town 
■was left open to savage attacks from the north, 
east and west. Their trials and deprivations were 
great. The day of comparative deliverance came 
when, in connection with annexation, the govern- 



ment was returned to Austin, from which period 
the place slowly grew until railroads reached it, 
since which lime its increase in population, wealth 
and costly edifices has been rapid, until, with ample 
public buildings, and four State asj'lums, and a 
State House pronounced equal in grandeur and 
appointments to any in the Union, it is regarded 
with pride by the State and admiration by stran- 
gers as one of the most charming and beautiful 
of State capitals of the Union. Though jierhaps 
the youngest of its self-governing inhabitants 
at the time of its birth, it was my privilege on 
numerous subsequent occasions, covering a period 
of twenty years, to represent other portions of the 
State in its deliberative bodies assembled there, 
and I have never ceased to feel a deep interest in 
its prosperity. Hence, on this fifty-third anniver- 
sary of Texian independence, and in the fiftieth of 
the life of our State capital, with the utmost sin- 
cerity, I can and do salute thee, oh! thou dearly 
won but beautiful city of the Colorado, and would 
gladly embrace each of its survivors of fifty years 
ago — male and female — and their children and 
grandchildren as well, were it practicable to do so. 
May the God of our fathers be their God and bless 
them. 



A Succession of Tragedies in Houston and Anderson Counties 

Death of the Faulkenberrys — Cordova's Rebellion — A 

Bloody Skirmish— Battle of Kickapoo — Slaughter 

and Cremation at John Edens' House — 

Butchery of the Campbell Family — 

1836 to 1841 — Etc., Etc. 



In the account of the fall of Parker's fort, prom- 
inent mention was made of David Faulkenberry, 
his son Evan, a youth, and Abram Anglin, a boy 
of eighteen. They with others of the defeated 
party temporarily located at Fort Houston, as 
before stated, a mile or two west of where Palestine 
now stands. In the fall of 1836 these three, with 
Columbus Anderson (one account gives this name 
as Andrews), went down to the Trinity to the 
point since known as Bonner's ferry, crossed to the 
west bank for the purpose of hunting, lay down 
under the bank and all fell asleep. James Hunter 



was in the vicinity also, but remained on the east 
bank. While gathering nuts near by he heard the 
guns and yells of Indians, and hastening to the 
river, witnessed a portion of the scene. At the 
first fire Columbus Anderson received a death 
wound, but swam the river, crawled about two 
miles and died. David Faulkenberry, also mortally 
wounded, swam over, crawled about two hundred 
yards and died. Both of these men had pulled 
grass and made a bed on which to die. 

A bullet passed through Abram Anglin' s powder 
horn and into his thigh, carrying fragments of the 



56 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



horn, but he swam the river, climbed its banjj, 
mounted behind Hunter, and escaped, to live till 
1875 or 1S76, when he died, in the vicinity of his 
first home, near Parker's fort. Of Evan Faulken- 
berry no trace was ever found. The Indians after- 
wards said that he fought like a demon, killed two 
of their number, wounded a third, and when scalped 
and almost cloven asunder, jerked from them, 
plunged into the river and about midway sank to 
appear no more — adding another to the list of 
heroic boys who have died for Texas. Honored be 
his memory! The dead were buried the next day. 

THE MEXICAN REBELLION. 

At the time of the revolution there was a consid- 
erable resident Mexican population in and around 
Nacogdoches. About the first of September, 1838, 
Jose Cordova, at the head of about two hundred of 
these people, aided bj- Juan Flores, Juan Cruz and 
John Norris, rose in rebellion and pitched camp on 
the Angelina, about twenty miles southwest of 
Nacogdoches. Joined by renegade Indians, they 
began a system of murder and pillage among the 
thinly scattered settlers. They soon murdered the 
brothers, Matthew and Charles Roberts, and Mr. 
Finley, their relative. Speedily, Gen. Thomas J. 
Rusk, at the head of six hundred volunteers, was 
in the field. Cordova retired to the village of 
"The Bowl," Chief of the Cherokees, and sought, 
unsuccessfully, to form an alliance with him ; but 
succeeded in attaching to his standard some of the 
more desperate of the Cherokees and Cooshattas. 
In a day or two he moved to the Kickapoo village, 
now in the northeast corner of Anderson County, 
and succeeded in winning that band to his cause. 
Rusk followed their line of retreat to the Killough 
settlement, some forty miles farther. He became 
convinced of his inability to overhaul them ; also, 
that they had left the country, and returned home, 
disbanding his forces. 

BATTLE OF KIOKAPOO. 

Rusk had scarcely disbanded his men, when the 
numerous family of Killough was inhumanly butch- 
ered by this motley confederation of Mexicans and 
Indians, wliich alarmed and incensed the people 
exposed to their forays. The bugle blast of Rusk 
soon re-assembled his disbanded followers. Maj. 
Leonard H. Mabbitt then had a small force at Fort 
Houston. Rusk directed hira to unite with him at 
what is now known as the Duty place, four miles 
west of the Neches. Mabbitt, reinforced by some 
volunteers of the vicinity under Capt. W. T. Sad- 
dler, started to the rendezvous. On the march, six 
miles from Fort Houston, a number of Mabbitt's 



men, a mile or more in rear of the command, were 
surprised by an attack of Indians and Mexicans, 
led by Flores and Cruz. A sharp skirmish ensued, 
in which the little band displayed great gallantry, 
but before Mabbitt came to their rescue, Bullock, 
Wright and J. W. Carpenter were killed, and two 
men, McKenzie and Webb, were wounded. The 
enemy, on seeing Mabbitt's approach, precipitately 
fled. This occurred on the 11th or 12th of Octo- 
ber, 1838. The dead were buried. Only one 
Indian was left on the field, but several were 
killed. 

On the 13th a spy company was organized, under 
Capt. James E. Box, and on tlie 14th Mabbitt re- 
newed his march for a junction with Rusk. On the 
afternoon of the 15th a few Indians were seen pass- 
ing the abandoned Kickapoo village, evidently 
carrying meat to Cordova. Gen. Rusk soon arrived, 
his united force being about seven hundred men. 
It was nearly night, and he pitched camp on a 
spot chosen as well to prevent surprise as for de- 
fense. 

At dawn on the l(5th, Rusk was furiously assailed 
by about nine hundred Kickapoos, Delawares, 
lonies, Caddos, Cooshattas, a few Cherokees, and 
Cordova with his Mexicans. Indians fell within 
forty or fifty feet of the lines. Many were killed, 
and after an engagement of not exceeding an hour, 
the enemj' fled in every direction, seeking safety in 
the dense forest. The assaults were most severe on 
the companies of Box, Snively, Bradshaw, Saddler 
and Mabbitt's command ; but owing to the sagacity 
of Rusk in the selection of a defensive position, his 
loss was only one man, James Hall, mortally wound- 
ed, and twenty-five wounded more or less severel3', 
among whom were Dr. E. J. DeBard, afterwards 
of Palestine, John Murchison, J. J. Ware, Triplett 
Gates, and twentj'-one others. It was a signal defeat 
of Cordova and his evil-inspired desire for vengeance 
upon a people who had committed no act to justify 
such a savage resolve. He retired to Mexico, and 
thence essayed to gratify his malignant hatred by a 
raid, under Flores, in the following year, which was 
badly whipped by Burleson, six or eight miles from 
where Seguin stands, and virtually destroyed by 
the gallant Capt. James O. Rice, in the vicinity' of 
the present town of Round Rock, on the Brushj', 
in Williamson County. His last attempt to satisfy 
his thirst for revenge was in the Mexican invasion 
of September, 1842, in command of a band of 
Mexican desperadoes and Carrizo Indians. In the 
battle of Salado, on the 18th of that month, a yager 
ball, sent by John Lowe, standing within three feet 
of where I stood, after a flight of about ninety 
yards, crushed his arm from wrist to elbow and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



57 



passed through his heart. This, however, is 
digression. 

The wounded of Gen. Rusii were borne on litters 
back to Fort Houston. Hall survived about twenty 
days — the other twenty-five recovered. 

THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT JOHN EDENS' HOUSE. 

When the citizens of that locality volunteered 
under Capt. W. T. Saddler, a soldier of San Jacinto, 
to acconapany Maj. Mabbitt in the Cordova-Kicka- 
poo expedition, the families of several of the party 
were removed for safety to the house of Mr. John 
Edens, an old man, and there left under the protec- 
tion of that gentleman and three otlier old men, 
viz.: James Madden, Martin Murchison (father of 
John, wounded at Kiekapoo), and Elisha Jloore, 
then a prospector from Alabama. The other per- 
sons in the house were Mrs. John Edens and 
daughter Emily, Mrs. John Murchison, Mrs. W. T. 
Saddler, her daughter, Mrs. James Madden, and 
two little sons, aged seven and nine years, Mrs. 
Robert Madden, and daughter Mary, and a negro 
woman of sixty years, named Betsey or Patsey. 
This is the same place on which Judge D. H. Edens 
afterwards lived, in Houston County, and on which 
he died. The ladies occupied one of the two rooms 
and the men the other, a covered passageway 
separating them. On the fatal night, about the 
19lh of October, after all the inmates had retired, 
the house was attacked b}' Indians. The assault 
was made on the room occupied by the ladies and 
children. The savages broke down the door and 
rushed in, using knives and tomahawks. Mrs. 
Murchison and her daughter, Mrs. Saddler, were 
instantly killed. Mrs. John Edens, mortally 
wounded, escaped from the room and crossed two 
fences to die in the adjoining field. Of Mary, 
daughter of Robert Madden ; Emily, daughter of 
John Edens, each three years old, and the two 
little sons of James Madden, no tidings were ever 
heard. Whether carried into captivity or burned 
to ashes, was never known, but every presumption 
is in favor of the latter. The room was speedily 
set on fire. The men durst not open the door into 
the passage. Mrs. Robert Madden, dangerously 
wounded, rushed into the room of the men, falling 
on a bed. One by one, or, rather, two by two, the 
four men ran the gauntlet and escaped, supposing 
all the others were dead. Early in the assault 
Patsey (or Betsey), seized a little girl of John 
Edens', yet living, the beloved wife of James 
Duke, swiftly bore her to the house of Mr. Davis, 
a mile and a half distant, and then, moved by an 
inspiration that should embalm her memory in every 



generous heart, as swiftly returned as an angel of 
mercy to any who might survive. She arrived in 
time to enter the rapidly consuming house and 
rescue the unconscious Mrs. Robert Madden, but 
an instant before the roof fell in. Placing her on 
her own bed, in her unmolested cabin in the yard, 
she sought elsewhere for deeds of mercy, and found 
Mrs. James Madden, utterly helpless, under the 
eaves of the crumbling walls, and doomed to 
speedy cremation. She gently bore her to the 
same refuge, and by them watched, bathed, poul- 
ticed and nursed — aye, prayed ! — till the morrow 
brought succor. However lowly and humble the 
gifts of the daughters of Ham, every Southron, 
born and reared among them, will recognize in this 
touching manifestation of humanity and affection 
elements witli which he has been more or less 
familiar since his childhood. Honored be the 
memory and cherished be the saintly fidelity of this 
humble servant woman. 

Mrs. James Madden, thus rescued from the 
flames, bore upon her person three ghastly wounds 
from a tomahawk, one severing her collar bone, two 
ribs cut asunder near the spine, and a horrible 
gash in the back. But it is gratifying to record 
that both of these wounded ladies recovered, and 
in 1883, were yet living near Augusta, Houston 
County, ob'ects of affectionate esteem by their 
neighbors. 

On the day following this horrid slaughter, the 
volunteers — the husbands and neighbors of the 
victims — returned from the battle of Kiekapoo, in 
time to perform the last rites to the fallen and to 
nurse the wounded. The late venerable Capt. 
William Y. Lacey, of Palestine, Robert Madden, 
Elder Daniel Parker, and others of the Edens and 
other old families of that vicinity were among 
them. 

ANOTHER BLOODT TRAGEDY MURDEK OF MRS. CAMP- 
BELL, HER SON AND DADGHTER. 

In the year 1837, Charles C. Campbell arrived in 
the vicinity of Fort Houston, and settled on what 
is now called Town creek, three miles west of Pal- 
estine. His family consisted of himself, wife and 
five children — Malathiel, a youth of twenty; Pa- 
melia, aged seventeen ; Hulda, fourteen ; Fountain, 
eleven ; George, four, and two negro men. They 
labored faithfully, built cabins, opened a field, and 
in 1838J made a bountiful crop. 

In February, 1839, Mr. Campbell sickened and 
died. During a bright moon, about a week later, 
in the same month, soon after the family had re- 
tired, the house was suddenly attacked by a party 



58 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of Indians. The only weapon in the house was an 
okl rifle with a defective flint lock. AVilh this Mala- 
thiel heroically endeavored to defend his mother 
and her children. The negro men. Laving no means 
of defense, managed to escape. Mrs. Campbell 
caused Pamelia. the elder daughter, to take refuge 
under the puncheon floor, with her little brother 
George, enjoining upon her silence as the only means 
of saving herself and the child. The son soon 
found that the gun lock refused to work, and the 
mother sought to ignite the powder with a brand of 
fire, but in doing so stood so near the door that an 
Indian, forcing it slightly ajar and thrusting in his 
arm, nearly severed her arm from her body. The 
door was then forced open, the Indians rushed in, 
and iu a moment tomahawked unto death Mrs. 
Campbell, Huldah and Fountain. Malathiel, knife 
in hand, sprang from the room into the yard, but 
was speedily slain by those outside. While these 
things were being enacted in the house Pamelia, 
with little George, steallhil3' emeiged from her hid- 
ing place and nearly escaped unobserved ; but just 
as she was entering a thicket near by, an arrow 
struck the back of her head, but fortunatel}' it 
glanced around without entering the skull, and she 
soon reached Fort Houston to report her desola- 
tion. 

The Indians robbed the house of its contents, 
including six feather-beds (leaving the feathers, 
however), a keg of powder, four hundred silver 
dollars, and a considerable amount of paper money, 
which, like the feathers, was cast to the winds. At 
daylight the bloody demons crossed the Trinity 
eight miles awaj-, and were thus beyond pursuit 
by the small available force at hand ; for the west 
side of the river at that time teemed with hostile 
savages. 

Pamelia Campbell, thus spared and since de- 



prived by death of the little brother she saved, yet 
lives, the last of her family, respected and beloved, 
the wife or widow of Mr. Moore, living on Cedar 
creek, Anderson County. 



THE LAST RAID. 

The last raid in that vicinity was by one account 
in 1841, by another in 1843, but both agree as to the 
facts. A small party of Indians stole some horses. 
They were pursued by Wm. Frost, who escaped 
from the Parker's Fort disaster in 1836, and three 
others. They came upon the Indians while they 
were swimming the Trinity at West Point. Frost 
fired, killing an Indian, on reaching the bank a 
little in advance of the others, but was instantly 
shot dead by a warrior already on the opposite 
bank. The other three men poured a volley into 
the enemy yet under the bank and in the liver. 
Four were killed, when the remainder fled, leaving 
the horses in the hands of the pursuers. 

In 1837 there was a severe encounter in Maine's 
prairie, Anderson County, but the particulars are 
not before me, nor are those attending the butchery 
of the Killough family, which led to the battle of 
Kickapoo, and was one of the impelling causes of 
the expulsion of the Cherokees and associate bands 
from the countr3'. 

In the accounts here given some conflicting state- 
ments are sought to be reconciled. The unrecorded 
memory of most old men, untrained in the habits 
of preserving historical events, is often at fault. 
Unfamiliar with the localities, it is believed that 
substantial accuracy is attained in this con- 
densed account of these successive and sanguinary 
events, illuminating the path of blood through 
which that interesting portion of our beloved State 
was transferred from barbarism to civilization. 



Some Reminiscences — First Anniversary Ball in the Republic 
of Texas, and other Items of Interest. 



The following relating to the first anniversary 
celebration of Texian Independence and the battle 
of San Jacinto, respectively given at Washington, 
March 2d, 1837, and at the newly laid out town of 
Houston, April 21, 1837, will doubtless interest 
the reader. 



The invitation to the first or Independence ball 
ran thus : — 

Washington, 28th February, 1837.^ — The pleas- 
ure of your company is respectfully solicited at a 
party to be given in Washington on Thursday, 2d 



INDIAN- WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



59 



March, to celebrate the birthday of our national 
independence. 

Devereau J. Woodlief, Thos. Gay, R. Stevenson, 
W. B. Scates, Asa Hosey, James R. Cook, W. W. 
Hill, J. C. Hunt, Thos. P. Shapard, managers. 

All these nine now sleep with their fathers. Mr. 
Scales, the last to die a few years since, was a 
signer of the Declaration of Independence ; Wood- 
lief was terribly wounded at San Jacinto; the gal- 
lant James R. Cook, a lieutenant at San Jacinto and 
a colonel under Somervell in 1842—1:3, was killed 
in a momentary difficulty about the first of April, 
1843, a deeply lamented occurrence. 

For a description of the ball in Houston credit is 
due the gifted pen of a lady survivor of the scene, 
then little more than a child : — 

"Following the impulses common to humanity, 
as the 21st of April, 1837, drew near, the patriotic 
citizens of Texas, with the memory of San .Jacinto 
still fresh in their minds and appreciating the ad- 
vantages resulting from it, resolved that the event 
should be celebrated at the capital of the Republic, 
which this victory had made possil)le, and which 
had been most appropriately named for him who 
wore the laurel. The city of Houston was at that 
time a mere name, or at best a camp in the woods. 
While tents and temporary structures of clapboards 
and pine poles were scattered here and there near 
the banks of the bayou, the substantial log house of 
the pioneer was rare, or altogether wanting, it being 
the intention of the builders soon to replace what 
the needs of the hour demanded, with buildings 
fitted to adorn the capital of a great Republic. 

"The site of the capitol had been selected where 
now stands the fine hotel bearing its name, but the 
materials for its construction had not yet arrived 
from Maine. There was, however, a large two- 
story building about half finished on the spot now 
occupied by T. W. House's bank. It was the 
property of the firm of Kelsey & Hubbard, and, 
having been tendered for the free use of the public 
on this occasion, men worked night and day that it 
might at least have floor, walls and roof, which 
were indeed the chief essentials of a dancing hall. 
As there was neither time nor material at hand for 
ceiling or laying the second floor, a canopy of green 
boughs was spread over the beams to do away with 
the unpleasant effect of skeleton timbers and great 
space between floor and pointed roof. 

" Chandeliers were suspended from the beams 
overhead, but they resembled the glittering orna- 
ment of to-day in naught save use for which they 
were intended. Made of wood, with sockets to 
hold the sperm candles, and distributed at regular 
distances, each pendant comprised of five or six 



lights, which shed a dim radiance, but alas, a liberal 
spattering of sperm upon the dancers beneath. 
The floor being twenty-five feet wide, by fifty feet 
in length, could easily accommodate several cotil- 
lions, and, although the citizens of Houston were 
very few, all the space was required for the large 
number who came from Brazoria, Columbia, San 
Felipe, Harrisburg and all the adjacent country. 
Ladies and gentlemen came in parties on horseback, 
distances of fifty and sixty miles, accompanied by 
men servants and ladies' maids, who had in charge 
the elegant ball costumes for the important occa- 
sion. From Harrisburg they came in large row 
boats, that mode of conveyance being preferable 
to a horseback ride through the thick under- 
growth, for at that time there was nothing more 
than a bridle path to guide the traveler between 
the two places. 

" Capt. Mosley Baker, a captain at San Jacinto, 
and one of Houston's first citizens, was living with 
his wife and child (now Mrs. Fannie Darden), in a 
small house built of clapboards ; the house com- 
prised one large room designed to serve as parlor, 
bed-room and dining-room, and a small shed-room 
at the back. The floor, or rather the lack of the 
floor, in the large apartment, was concealed by a 
carpet, which gave an air of comfort contrasting 
strongly with the surroundings. 

" As the time for going to the ball drew near, 
which was as soon as convenient after dark, several 
persons assembled at Capt. Baker's for the purpose 
of going together. These were Gen. Houston, 
Frank R. Lubbock, afterwards Governor, and his 
wife, John Birdsall (soon after Attorney-General), 
and Mary Jane Harris (the surviving widow of 
Andrew Briscoe.) Gen. Houston was Mrs. Baker's 
escort, Capt. Baker having gone to see that some 
lady friends were provided for. When this party 
approached the ball room, where dancing had 
already begun, the music, which was rendered by a 
violin, bass viol and fife, immediately struck up 
' Hail to the Chief,' the dancers withdrew to each 
side of the hall, and the whole party. Gen. Houston 
and Mrs. Baker leading, and maids bringing up the 
rear, marched to the upper end of the room. Hav- 
ing here laid aside wraps, and exchanged black 
slippers for white ones, for there was no dressing 
room, they were ready to join in the dance, which 
was soon resumed. A new cotillion was formed by 
the party who had just entered, with the addition 
of another couple, whose names are not preserved, 
and Mr. Jacob Cruger took the place of Mr. Bird- 
sail, who did not dance. Gen. Houston and Mrs. 
Baker were partners, Mrs. Lubbock and Mr. Cru- 
ger, and Mr. Lubbock and Miss Harris. Then 



60 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



were the solemn figures of tbe stately cotillion exe- 
cuted with care and precision, the grave balancing 
steps, the dos-a-dos, and others to test the nimble- 
ness and grace of dancers. 

" Gen. Houston, the President, was of course the 
hero of tbe day, and his dress on this occasion was 
unique and somewhat striking. His ruffled shirt, 
scarlet cassimere waistcoat and suit of black silk 
velvet, corded with gold, was admirably adapted 
to set off his fine, tall figure ; his boots, with short, 
red tops, were laced and folded down in such a 
way as to reach but little above the ankles, and 
were finished at the heels with silver spurs. The 
spurs were, of course, quite a useless adornment, 
but they were in those days so commonly worn as 
to seem almost a part of the boots. The weakness 
of Gen. Houston's ankle, resulting from the wound, 
was his reason for substituting boots for the slip- 
pers, then universally worn by gentlemen for dan- 
cing. 

"Mrs. Baker's dress of white satin, with black 
lace overdress, corresponded in elegance with that 
of her fscort, and the dresses of most of the other 
ladies were likewise rich and tasteful. Some wore 
white mull, with satin trimmings; others were 
dressed in white and colored satins, but naturally 
in so large an assembly, gathered from many differ- 
ent places, there was great variety in the quality of 
costumes. All, however, wore their dresses short, 
cut low in the neck, sleeves generally short, and all 
wore ornaments or flowers or feathers in their hair, 
some flowers of Mexican manufacture being partic- 
ularly noticeable, on account of their beauty and 
rarety. 

" But one event occurred to mar the happiness of 
the evening. Whilst all were dancing merrily, the 
sad news arrived that the brother of the Misses 
Cooper, who were at the time on the floor, had been 
killed by Indians at some point on the Colorado 
river. Although the young ladies were strangers to 
most of those present, earnest expressions of sym- 
pathy were heard on all sides, and the pleasure of 
their_imraediate friends was of course destroyed. 

" At about midnight the signal for supper was 
given, and the dancers marched over to the hotel of 
Capt. Ben Fort Smith, which stood near the middle 
of the block now occupied by the Hutchins House. 
This building consisted of two very large rooms. 



built of pine poles, laid up like a log house, with a 
long shed extending the full length of the rooms. 
Under this shed, quite innocent of floor or carpet, 
the supper was spread ; the tempting turkeys, veni- 
son, cakes, etc., displaj'ed in rich profusion ; the 
excellent coffee and sparkling wines invited all to 
partake freely, and soon the witt}' toast and hearty 
laugh went round. 

"Returning to the ball room, dancing was re- 
sumed with renewed zest, and continued until the 
energy of the musicians began to flag, and the 
prompter failed to call out the figures with his ac- 
customed gusto ; then the cotillion gave place to 
the time-honored Virginia reel, and by the time 
each couple had enjoyed the privilege of " going 
down the middle," daylight began to dawn, parting 
salutations were exchanged, and the throng of dan- 
cers separated, many of them never to meet again. 

" Ere long the memory of San Jacinto's first ball 
was laid away among the mementos of the dead, 
which, being withdrawn from their obscurity only 
on each recurring anniversary, continue to retain 
their freshness even after fifty years have flown. 

" Of all the merry company who participated in 
that festival, only a few are known to be living at 
the present day. They are ex-Governor Lubbock, 
Mrs. Wynns, Mrs. Mary J. Briscoe and Mrs. 
Fannie Darden." 

Addenda. In January, 188G, the following an- 
cient item in a Nashville paper, announcing the 
death of Noah W. Ludlow, the old theatrical man- 
ager, appeared, viz. : — 

"In Jul}', 1818, in Nashville, an amateur per- 
formance of Home's tragedy of Douglas was given, 
in which Mr. Ludlow appeared as Old Norval. 
There were remarkable men in that performance. 
The manager of the amateur club was Gen. Jno. H. 
Eaton, afterward Secretary of War during Gen. 
Jackson's presidential term. Lieut. Sam. Houston, 
afterward Gen. Sam Houston, of San Jacinto fame, 
played Glenalvon; Wm. S. Fulton, afterward Gov- 
ernor of Arkansas, was the young Norval ; E. H. 
Foster, later United States Senator from Tennessee, 
was a member of the club, and the part of Lord 
Randolph was taken by W. C. Dunlap, who, in 18.39, 
was a member of Congress from Tennessee. Gen. 
Andrew Jackson was an honorary member of the 
same dramatic club." 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



61 



Death of Capt. Robert M. Coleman in 1837— Murder of " Mrs. 

Coleman and her Heroic Boy" and the Battle 

of Brushy in 1839. 



Robert M. Coleman, a native of Trigg County, 
Kentucly, born in 1799, is elsewhere mentioned in 
connection witli the expedition under himself first, 
and Col. John H. Moore, secondly, into the 
Tehuacano Hill region, in 1835. He was a gallant 
man, courageous and impetuous, and settled on the 
Colorado, near Bastrop, io 1830. He was in the 
siege of Bexar, in the fall of 1835, signed the 
Declaration of Independence on the second of 
March, 1836, and commanded a company at San 
Jacinto, on the 21st of April, his wife and children 
being then among tiie refugees east of the Trinit)'. 
In the summer of 1837, while on a mission to 
Velasco, at the mouth of the Brazos, he was 
drowned while bathing in the river. This was 
justly deplored as a great loss to the frontier of the 
country. He left, besides his wife, three sons and 
two daughters. 

Mrs. Coleman returned to their former home in 
what was called Wells' prairie, a prolongation of 
the lower end of Webber's prairie, perhaps twelve 
miles above Bastrop, her nearest neighbors being 
the late Geo. W. Davis and Dr. J. W. Eobertiion, 
of Austin, and one or two others. Her cabin and 
little field stood in the lower point of a small 
prairie, closely flanked on the east, west and south 
by dense bottom timber, the onl3' approach being 
through the prairie on the north, and it was very 
narrow. She and her sons made a small crop there 
in 1838. 

On the 18th of February, 1839, while Mrs. 
Coleman and four of her children were emplo3'ed 
a short distance from the cabin, a large body of 
Indians, estimated at from two to three hundred, 
suddenly emerged from the timber, and with the 
wildest yells, rushed towards them. They fled to 
the cabin and all reached it except Thomas, a 
child of five years, who was captured, never more 
to return to his kindred though occasionally heard 
of many jears later as a Comanche warrior. At 
the moment of the attack James Coleman and 
— Rogers were farther away, separated from the 
others by the Indians, and being powerless, es- 
caped down the bottom to notify the people 
below. 

As Mrs. Coleman reached the door of the cabin, 
Albert and the two little-girls entered, when, missing 



little Thomas, she halted to look for him. It was 
but for an instant, but long enough for an arrow 
to pierce her throat. In the throes of death she 
sprang inside. Albert closed acd barred the door, 
and she sank to the floor, speedily to expire. 
Albert was a boy under fifteen years of age, but 
a worth}' son of his brave sire. There being two 
or three guns in the cabin, he made a heroic figlit, 
holding the enemy at bay for some time, certainly 
killing four of their number; in the meantime 
raising a puncheon, causing his two little sisters 
to get under the floor, replacing the puncheon, 
and enjoining upon them, whether he survived or 
perished, to make no noise until sure that white 
men called them. Soon after this he received a 
fatal wound. As life ebbed he sank down, re- 
peated his former injunction to his little sisters, 
then, pillowing his head on his mother's pulseless 
bosom, died. A year later, in the Congress of 
Texas, my youthful heart was electrified on hear- 
ing the old patriot, William Menefee, of Colorado, 
in a speech on the "Cherokee Land Bill," utter 
an eloquent apostrophe to " Mrs. Coleman and 
her heroic boy." 

For some reason, doubtless under the impression 
that there were other men in the house, the Indians 
withdrew. They next appeared at the house of 
Dr. RDbertson, captured seven negroes and, the 
doctor being absent, robbed the house. 

At twilight John D. Anderson, a youth who lived 
within a few miles (afterwards distinguished as a 
lawyer and an orator), rode to the cabin and called 
the children by name. They recognized his voice 
and answered. He then raised a puncheon and 
released them. Remounting, with one before and 
one behind him, he conveyed them to Geo. W. 
Davis' house, where the families of the vicinity had 
assembled for safety — possibly at a different 
house, but Mr. Davis remained in charge of the 
guard left to protect the women and children. 

Speedily two squads of men assembled at the 
locality — twenty-five under Capt. Joseph Burleson 
and twenty-seven commanded by Capt. James 
Rogers. Thus, fifty-two in number, they pursued 
the savages in a northerly direction. On the next 
forenoon, near a place since called Post Oak Island 
and three or four miles north of Brushy creek, they 



62 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



came in sight of tlie enemy, who, all being on foot, 
sought to reach the thicket on a branch, somewhat 
between the parties. To prevent this a charge was 
ordered to cut them off, and if need be, occupy the 
thicket as a base of defense ; but some of the men 
hesitated, while others advanced. Skirmishing 
began, confusion ensued, followed by a disorderly 
retreat, some men gallantly dismounting time and 
again, to hold the enemy in check. In this engage- 
ment Capt. Joseph Burleson was killed, while dis- 
mounted and trying to save the daj'. The horse of 
W. W. (afterward Captain) Wallace escaped and 
was caught and mounted by an Indian. A. .J. 
Haynie, seeing this, gallantly took Mr. Wallace up 
behind him and thus saved his life. 

The whole party, notwithstanding the disorder, 
halted on reaching Brushy. 

While remaining in a state of indecision, Gen. 
Edward Burleson (of whom Joseph was a brother) 
came up with thirty-two men. All submitted at 
once to his experienced leadership. Ruorganizing 
the force, with Capt. Jesse Billingsley commanding 
a portion, he moved forward, and about the middle 
of the afternoon found the Indians in a strong 
position, along a crescent-shaped branch, partly 
protected by high banks, and the whole hidden by 
brush. Burleson led one party into the ravine 
above and Billingsey the other into it below the 
Indians, intending to approach each way and drive 
the enemy out. But each party found an inter- 
vening, open and flat expansion of the ravine, in 



passing which they would be exposed to an enfilad- 
ing fire from an invisible enemy. Hence this plan 
was abandoned and a random skirmish kept up until 
night, a considerable number of Indians being 
killed, as evidenced by their lamentations, as they 
retreated as soon as shielded by darkness. Burle- 
son camped on the ground. 

The next day, on litters, the dead and Mr. 
Gilleland were carried homeward, the latter to die 
in a few days. 

The men of Bastrop were ever famed for gal- 
lantry, and many were the regrets and heart-burn- 
ings among themselves in connection with the first 
engagement of the day ; but ample amends were 
made on other fields to atone for that untoward 
event. 

Doubtless interesting facts are omitted. Those 
given were derived long ago from participants, sup- 
plemented by a few points derived at a later day 
from Mr. A. D. Adkisson, who was also one of 
the number. 

For several years succeeding the raids into and 
around Bastrop, stealing horses, and killing, some- 
times one and sometimes two or three persons, 
were so frequent that their narration would seem 
monotonous. In most cases these depredations 
were committed by small parties early in the night, 
and by sunrise they would be far away, rendering 
pursuit useless. They were years of anguish, 
sorely testing the courage and fortitude of as 
courageous a people as ever settled in a wilderness. 



Cordova's Rebellion in 1838-9 — Rusk's Defeat of the Kicka- 

poos — Burleson's Defeat of Cordova — Rice's Defeat 

of Flores — Death of Flores and Cordova — 

Capt. Matthew Caldwell. 



At the close of 1837, and in the first eight or 
nine months of 1838, Gen. Vicente Filisola was in 
command of Northern Mexico, with headquarters 
in Matamoros. He undertook, by various well- 
planned artifices, to win to Mexico the friendship 
of all the Indians in Texas, including the Cherokees 
and their associate bands, and unite them in a per- 
sistent war on Texas. Through emissaries passing 
above the settlements he communicated with the 
Cherokees and others, and with a number of Mexi- 



can citizens, in and around Nacogdoches, and suc- 
ceeded in enlisting many of them in his schemes. 
The most conspicuous of these Mexicans, as devel- 
oped in the progress of events, was Vicente Cor- 
dova, an old resident of Nacogdoches, from which 
the affair has generally been called " Cordova's 
rebellion," but there were others actively engaged 
with him, some bearing American names, as Nat 
Norris and Joshua Robertson, and Mexicans named 
Juan Jose Rodriguez, Carlos Morales, Juan Santos 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



63 



Coy, Jose Vicenti Micheli, Jose Ariola, and An- 
tonio Corda. 

Tbe first outbreak occurred on tlie 4tli of August, 
1838, wliena party of Americans who liad pursued 
and recovered some stolen liorses from a Mexican 
settlement in Nacogdoches County, were flred upon 
on their return trip and one of their number lulled. 

Tiie trail of the assailants was followed and 
found to be large and made by Mexicans. On the 
7th Gen. Rusk was informed that over a hundred 
Mexicans, headed by Cordova and Norris, were 
encamped on the Angelina. He immediately re- 
cruited a company of sixty volunteers and posted 
them at the lower ford of that stream. The enemy 
were then on the west side. On the 10th it was 
reported that about 300 Indians had joined Cor- 
dova. On the same day President Houston, then 
in Nacogdocbes, who bad issued a proclamation to 
the immigrants, received a letter signed by the per- 
sons wiiose names have been given, disavowing 
allegiance to Texas and claiming to be citizens of 
Mexico. 

Cordova, on the 10th, moved up towards the 
Cherokee Nation. Maj. H. W. Augustin was 
detailed to follow his trail, while Gen. Rusk moved 
directly towards the village of Bowles, the head 
chief of the Cherokees, believing Cordova had 
gone there; but, on reaching the Saline, it was 
found that lie had moved rapidly in the direction 
of the Upper Trinity, while the great body of his 
followers had dispersed. To the Upper Trinity and 
Brazos, he went and remained till March, 1839, in 
constant communication with the wild Indians, 
urging them to a relentless war on Texas, burning 
and destroying. the homes and property of the 
settlers, of course with the deadly horrors of their 
mode of warfare, and promising them, under the 
instructions of Gen. Filisola first, and his succes- 
sor, Gen. Valentino Canalizo, secondly, protection 
under the Mexican government and fee simple 
rights to the respective territories occupied by 
them. He sent communications to the generals 
named, and also to Manuel Flores, in Blatamoros, 
charged with diplomatic duties, towards the Indians 
of Texas, urging Flores to meet with him for con- 
ference and a more definite understanding. 

In the meantime a combination of these lawless 
Mexicans and Indians committed depredations on 
the settlements to such a degree that Gen. Rusk 
raised two hundred volunteers and moved against 
them. On the 14th of October, 1838, he arrived at 
Fort Houston, and learning that the enemy were in 
force at the Kickapoo village (now in Anderson 
County), he moved in that direction. At daylight 
on the 16th he attacked them and after a short, but 



hot engagement, charged them, upon which they 
fled with precipitation and were pursued for some 
distance. Eleven warriors were left dead, and, of 
course, a much larger number were wounded. 
Rusk bad eleven men wounded, but none killed. 

The winter passed without further report from 
Cordova, who was, however, exerting all his powers 
to unite all the Indian tribes in a destructive war- 
fare on Texas. 

On the 27th of February, 1839, Gen. Canalizo, 
who had succeeded Filisola in command at Mata- 
moros, sent instructions to Cordova, the same in 
substance as had already been given to Flores, 
detailing the manner of procedure and direiiting 
the pledges and promises to be made to the Indians. 
Both instructions embraced messages from Canalizo 
to the chiefs of the Caddos, Seminoles, Biloxies, 
Cherokees, Kickapoos, Brazos, Tebuacanos and 
other tribes, in which he enjoined them to keep 
at a goodly distance from the frontier of 
the United States, — a policy dictated by fear 
of retribution from that country. Of all the 
tribes named the Caddos were the only ones 
who dwelt along that border and, in consequence 
of acts attributed to them, in November, 1838, 
Gen. Rusk captured and disarmed a portion of the 
tribe and delivered them to their Atnerican agent 
in Shreveport, where they made a treaty, promis- 
ing pacific behavior until peace should be made 
between Texas and the remainder of their people. 

CORDOVA EN ROUTE TO JIATAMOROS. 

In his zeal to confer directly with Flores and 
Canalizo, Cordova resolved to go in person to 
Matamoros. From his temporary abiding place on 
the Upper Trinity, with an escort of about seventy- 
five Mexicans, Indians and negroes, he set forth in 
March, 1839. On the 27th of that month, his 
camp was discovered at the foot of the mountains, 
north of and not far from where the city of Austin 
now stands. The news was speedily conveyed to 
Col. Burleson at Bastrop, and in a little while that 
ever-ready, noble and lion-hearled defender of his 
country found himself at the head of eighty of his 
Colorado neighbors, as reliable and gallant citizen 
soldiers as ever existed in Texas. Surmising the 
probable route of Cordova, Col. Burleson bore 
west till he struck his trail and, finding it but a 
few hours old, followed it as rapidly as his horses 
could travel till late in the afternoon of the 
29th, when his scouts reported Cordova near 
by, unaware of the danger in his rear. Burleson 
increased his pace and came up with the enemy in 
an open body of post oaks about six miles east, or 



64 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



probably nearer southeast, from Seguin, on the 
Guadalupe. Yoakum says the enemy fled at the 
first fire. He was misinformed. Cordova promptly 
formed his men, and, shielded by the large trees 
of the forest, made a stubborn resistance. Bur- 
leson dismounted a portion of bis men, who also 
fought from the trees for some time. Finally see- 
ing some of the enemy wavering, Burleson charged 
them, when they broke and were hotlj' pursued 
about two miles into the Guadalupe bottom, which 
they entered as twilight approached. Further pur- 
suit was impossible at night and Burleson bore up 
the valley six miles to Seguin, to protect the few 
farnilies resident there against a possible attack by 
the discomfited foe. The conduct of Gen. Bur- 
leson in this whole affair, but especially during the 
engagement in the post oaks, was marked by 
unusual zeal and gallantry. The lamented John D. 
Anderson, OwenB. Hardeman, Wm. H. Magill and 
other participants often narrated to me, the writer, 
then a youth, how gloriously their loved chief bore 
himself on the occasion. All the Bastrop people 
loved Burleson as a father. Cordova lost over 
twenty-five in killed, fully one-third of his follow- 
ers, Burleson lost none by death, but had several 
wounded. 

PURSUIT OF COKDOVA BY CALDWELL. 

At the time of this occurrence Capt. Matthew 
Caldwell, of Gonzales, one of the best known and 
most useful frontier leaders Texas ever had, was in 
command of a company of six montiis' rangers, 
under a law of the previous winter. A portion of 
the company, under First Lieut. James Camp- 
bell, were stationed in the embryo hamlet of 
Seguin. The other portion, nnder Caldwell, was 
located on the Guadalupe, fourteen miles above 
Gonzales and eighteen miles below Seguin, but 
when the news reached them of this affair, during 
the night succeeding Cordova's defeat, Capt. 
Caldwell was in Gonzales and Second Lieut. 
Canoh C. Colley was in command of the camp. 
He instantly dispatched a messenger, who readied 
Caldwell before daylight. The latter soon sent 
word among the yet sleeping villagers, calling for 
volunteers to join him by sunrise. Quite a number 
were promptlj' on hand, among whom were Ben 
McCuUoch and others of approved gallantry. 

Traveling rapidly, the camp was soon reached 
and, everything being in readiness, Capt. Caldwell 
lost no time in uniting with Campbell at Seguin, 
so that in about thirty-six hours after Burleson had 
driven Cordova into the Guadalupe bottom, Cald- 
well, with his own united company (omitting the 



necessary camp guards), and the volunteer citizens 
referred to, sought, found and followed the trail of 
Cordova. 

But when Cordova, succeeding his defeat, 
reached the river, he found it impracticable to 
ford it and, during the night, returned to the up- 
lands, made a detour to the east of Seguin, and 
struck the river five miles above, where, at day- 
light, March 30th, and at the edge of the bottom, 
he accidentally surprised and attacked five of 
Lieut. Campbell's men returning from a scout, and 
encamped for the night. These men were James 
M. Day, Thomas R. Nichols, John W. Nichols, 
D. M. Poor and David Reynolds. Always on the 
alert, though surprised at such an hour by men using 
fire-arms only, indicating a foe other than wild 
Indians, they fought so fiercely as to hold their as- 
sailants in check sufl[iciently to enable them to reach 
a dense thicket and escape death, though each one 
was severely wounded. They lost their horses and 
everything excepting their arms. Seeing Cordova 
move on up the river, they continued down about 
five miles to Seguin, and when Caldwell arrived 
early next morning gave him this information. 
Besides those from Gonzales Caldwell was joined 
at Seguin by Ezekiel Smith, Sr., Peter D. Ander- 
son and French Smith, George W. Nichols, Sr., 
William Clinton, H. G. Henderson, Doctor Henry, 
Frederick Happell, George H. Gray and possibly 
two or three others. 

Caldwell pursued Cordova, crossing the Guad- 
alupe where New Braunfels stands, through the 
highlands north of and around San Antonio and 
thence westerlj- or northwesterly to the Old Pre- 
sidio de Rio Grande road, where it crosses the Rio 
Frio and along that road to the Nueces. It was 
evident from the "signs" that he had gained 
nothing in distance on the retreating chief who 
would easily cross the Rio Grande thirty or forty 
miles ahead. Hence farther pursuit was futile and 
Caldwell returned, following the road to San 
Antonio. He had started without provisions, rely- 
ing upon wild game; but Cordova's party had, for 
the moment, frightened wild animals from the line 
of march and after a serpentine route of a hundred 
and sixty miles through hills, the men were in need 
of food and became much more so before traveling 
a hundred and ten additional miles to San Antonio. 
Arriving there, however, the whole town welcomed 
them with open arms. In a note to the author 
written August 24, 1887, more than forty-eight 
years later, Gen. Henry E. McCulloch, who was a 
private in Caldwell's Company, says: "The 
hospitable people of that blood-stained old town, 
gave us a warm reception and the best dinner pos- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



65 



sible in tlieir then condition, over whicli the lieroic 
and ever lamented Coi. Henry W. Karnes pre- 
sided. Tliey also furni«lied supplies to meet our 
wants until we readied our respective encamp- 
ments." 

On the way out Caldwell passed at different 
points wounded horses abandoned by Cordova. 
One such, in the mountains, severely wounded, 
attracted the experienced eye of Ben McCulloch as 
a valuable horse, if he could be restored to sound- 
ness. On leaving San Antonio for home by per- 
mission of Capt. Caldwell, with a single companion, 
he went in search of the horse. He found him, 
and bj' slow marches took him home, where, under 
good treatment, he entirely recovered, to become 
famous as " Old Pike," McCulloch's pet and 
favorite as long as he lived — a fast racer of rich 
chestnut color, sixteen hands high, faultless 
in disposition and one of the most sagacious 
horses ever known in the country. The tips 
of his ears had been split for about an inch, 
proving his former ownership by one of the Indian 
tribes. Another coincidence may be stated, viz., 
that returning from a brief campaign in June, 
1841, when at a farm house (that of Mrs. Sophia 
Jones), eight miles from Gonzales, the rifle of an 
old man named Triplett, lying across his lap on 
horseback, with the rod in the barrel, accidentally 
fired, driving the ramrod into Old Pike's shoulder 
blade, not over four feet distant. McCulloch was 
on him at the time and the writer of this, just dis- 
mounted, stood within ten feet. The venerable 
Mrs. Jones (mother of the four brothers, William 
E., Augustus H., Russell and Isham G. Jones), 
wept over the scene as she gazed upon the noble 
animal in his agonizing pain, and strong men wept 
at what they supposed to be the death scene of 
Old Pike. But it was not so. He was taken in 
charge by Mrs. Jones ; the fragments of the shat- 
tered ramrod, one by one, extracted, healthy sup- 
puration brought about ; and, after about three 
months' careful nursing, everyone in that section 
rejoiced to know that Old Pike " was himself 
again." In a chase after tsvo Mexican scouts, 
between the Nueces and Laredo, in the Somervell 
expedition, in December, 1842, in a field of per- 
haps twenty-five horses, Flacco, the Lipan chief, 
slightly led, closely followed by Ha^'s on the horse 
presented him by Leonard W. Grace, and Ben 
McCulloch, on Old Pike. Both Mexicans were 
captured. 

PURSUIT AND DEATH OF MANUEL FLORES. 

Bearing in mind what has been said of Cordova's 
correspondence with Manuel Flores, the Mexican 



Indian agent in Matamoros, and his desire to have 
a conference with that personage, it remains, in 
the regular order of events, to say that Flores, 
ignorant of the calamitous defeat of Cordova (on 
the 29th of March, 1839), set forth from Mata- 
moros probably in the last days of April, to meet 
Cordova and the Indian tribes wherever they might 
be found, on the upper Brazos, Trinity or east of 
the latter. He had an escort of about thirty 
Indians and Mexicans, supplies of ammuni- 
tion for his allies and all his official papers 
from Filisola and Canalizo, to which reference 
has been made, empowering him to treat with 
the Indians so as to secure their united friend- 
ship for Mexico and combined hostility to Texas. 
His march was necessHrily slow. On the 14th of 
May, he crossed the road between Seguin and San 
Antonio, having committed several depredations on 
and near the route, and on the loth crossed the 
Guadalupe at the old Nacogdoches ford. He was 
discovered near the Colorado not far above where 
Austin was laid out later in the same year. 

Lieut. James O. Rice, a gallant young ranger, 
in command of seventeen men, fell upon his trail, 
pursued, overhauled and assailed him on Brushy 
creek (not the San Gabriel as stated by Yoakum), 
in the edge of Williamson County. Flores en- 
deavored to make a stand, but Rice rushed for- 
ward with such impetuosity as to throw the enemy 
into confusion and flight. Flores and two others 
were left dead upon the ground, and fully half of 
those who escaped were wounded. Rice captured 
and carried in one hundred horses and mules, 
three hundred pounds of powder, a large amount 
of shot, balls, lead, etc., and all the correspond- 
ence in possession of Flores, which revealed the 
whole plot for the destruction of the frontier 
people of Texas, to be followed up by the devast- 
ation of the whole country. The destruction of 
the whole demoniacal scheme, it will be seen, was 
accomplished by a train of what must be esteemed 
providential occurrences. 

THE FATE OF VICENTE CORDOVA. 

Cordova, after these admonitions, never returned 
to East or North Texas, but remained on the Rio 
Grande. In September, 1842, in command of a 
small band of his renegade Mexicans and Indians, 
he accompanied the Mexican General, Adrian Woll, 
in his expedition against San Antonio, and was in 
the battle of Salado, on Sunday the 18th of that 
month. While Woll fought in front, Cordova led 
his band below the Texian position on the creek and 
reached a d'-y ravine where it entered the timbered 
bottom, at right angles with the corner of the creek. 



66 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



At intervals were small thickets on the ravine, with 
open spaces between. Cordova, in the nearest 
open space to the bottom and about ninety yards to 
the right of my company, when in the act of firing, 
was shot dead by John Lowe, who belonged to the 
adjoining company on our right and stood about 
thirty feet from me, while I was loading my gun. 
I watched the affair closely, fearing that one of 
our. men might fall from Cordova's fire. There 
could, at the instant, be no mistake about it. 
Others saw the same ; but no one knew it was Cor- 
dova till his men were driven from the position by 
Lieut. John K. Baker of Cameron's Company, when 
old Vasquez, a New Madrid Spaniard in our com- 
mand, recognized him, as did others later. And 
thus perished Cordova, Flores, and largely, but Ijy 
no means entirely, their schemes for uniting the 
Indians against the people of Texas. The great 
invasion of 1840, and other inroads were a part of 
the fruit springing from the intrigues of Filisola and 
Canalizo. 

These entire facts, in their connection and rela- 
tion to each other, have never before been pub- 
lished ; and while some minor details have been 
omitted, it is believed every material fact has been 
correctly stated. 



In subsequent years contradictory statements 
were made as to the manner of Cordova's death, or 
rather, as to who killed him. I simply state the 
absolute truth as I distinctly saw the fact. The 
ball ran nearly the whole length of the arm, hori- 
zontally supporting his gun, and then entered his 
breast, causing instant death. I stated the fact 
openly- and repeatedly on the ground after the 
battle and no one then asserted differently. 

Caldwell's Company of six months' men, while 
failing to have any engagement, rendered valuable 
service in protecting the settlers, including Gonzales 
and Seguin, on the Guadalupe, the San Marcos and 
La Vaca. In the summer of 1839, Capt. Caldwell 
also furnished and commanded an escort to Ben 
McCulloch in surveying and opening a wagon road 
from Gonzales to the proposed new capital of Texas, 
then being laid out at Austin, the course, from the 
court house at Gonzales, being N. 17° W., and the 
distance, by actual measurement, fifty-five and one- 
fourth miles. Referring back to numerous trips 
made on that route from soon after its opening in 
1839 to the last one in 1869, the writer has ever 
been of the impression that (outside of mountains 
and swamps), it was the longest road for its meas- 
ured length, he ever traveled. 



The Expulsion of the Cherokees from Texas in 1839. 



When the revolution against Mexico broke out in 
Texas in September, 1835, all of what is now called 
North Texas, excepting small settlements in the 
present territory of Bowie, Red river and the 
northeast corner of Lamar counties, was without a 
single white inhabitant. It was a wilderness occu- 
pied or traversed at will by wild Indians. The 
Caddos, more or less treacherous, and sometimes 
committing depredations, occupied the country 
around Caddo and Soda lakes, partly in Texas and 
partly in Louisiana. The heart of East Texas, as 
now defined, was then the home of one branch of 
the Cherokees and their twelve associate bands, the 
Shawuees, Kickapoos, Delawares and others who 
had entered the country from the United States 
from about 1820 to 1835. It has been shown in 
previous chapters that in 1822 three of their chisfs 
visited the city of Mexico to secure a grant of laad 
and failed: how in 1826, two of their best and 
most talented men, John Dunn Hunter and • — 



Fields, visited that capital on a similar mission and 
failed, returning soured against the Mexican gov- 
ernment ; how, in the autumn of that year, in con- 
sequence of that failure, they united with Col. 
Haden Edwards, himself outraged by Mexican in- 
justice, as the head of a colony, in opposition to 
the Mexican government, in what was known as 
the Fredonian war, and how, being seduced from 
their alliance with Edwards through the promises 
of Ellis P. Bean, as an agent of Mexico, they 
turned upon and murdered Hunter and Fields, 
their truest and best friends, and joined the Mexi- 
can soldiery to drive the Americans from Nacog- 
doches and Edwards' colony. 

So, when the revolution of 1835 burst forth, the 
provisional government of Texas, through Gen. 
Sam. Houston and Col. Jno. Forbes, commissioners, 
in February, 1836, formed a treaty with them, 
conceding them certain territory and securing their 
neutrality, so far as paper stipulations could do it. 



I2^^DIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



67 



But it was soon suspected that Mexicans were 
among tliem, and when it became known that the 
whole population west of the Trioity must flee to 
the east of that stream, if not to and across the 
Sabine, perhaps two or three thousand men — hus- 
bands, fathers and sons — were deterred from join- 
ing Gen. Houston's little band of three hundred at 
Gonzales, in its retreat, from March 13th to April 
20th, to the plains of San Jacinto. It was a fear- 
ful moment. Being appealed to, on the ground 
that these were United States Indians, Gen. 
Edmund P. Gaines, the commander at Fort Jessup, 
near Natchitoches, Louisiana, encamped a regiment 
of dragoons on the east bank of the Sabine, which 
was readily understood by the Indians to mean that 
if they murdered a single Texian family, these 
dragoons would cross that river and be hurled upon 
them. This had the desired effect. 

Again, in the early summer of 1836, when a 
second and much more formidable invasion of 
Texas seemed imminent, it became known that 
Mexican emissaries were again among these In- 
dians, and great apprehensions were felt of their 
rising in arms as the Mexicans advanced. Presi- 
dent David G. Burnet, on the 28th of June, at the 
suggestion of Stephen F. Austin, who had arrived 
at Velasco on the 26th from the United States, 
addressed a letter to Gen. Gaines, asking him for 
the time being, to station a force at Nacogdoches, 
to overawe the Indians. Austin also wrote him of 
the emergenc}'. That noble and humane old soldier 
and patriot assumed the responsibility and dis- 
patched Col. Whistler with a regiment of dragoons 
to take post at Nacogdoches. This had the desired 
effect on the Indians. The Mexican invasion did 
not occur, and the crisis passed. 

But the seeds of suspicion and discord between 
the whites and Indians still existed. Isolated mur- 
ders and lesser outrages began to show themselves 
soon afterwards. The Pearce family, the numer- 
ous family of the Killoughs and numerous others 
were ruthlessly murdered. 

Gen. Houston, who had great influence with the 
Cherokees, interposed his potential voice to allay 

the excitement and preserve the peace. In 

, 1838, Vicente Cordova headed an insur- 
rection of the Mexicans of Nacogdoches and took 
position in the Cherokee country, — and sustained 
more or less by that tribe, and joined by a few of 
them, greatly incensed the whites against them. 

In November, 1838, Gen. Rusk fought and 
defeated a strong force of Kickapoo and other 
Indians. Gen. Houston retired from his first 
presidential term in December, and was succeeded 
by Gen. Mirabeau B. Lamar, who was in deep 



sympathy with the people, and had probably 
brought with him from Georgia a measure of 
prejudice against those who had fought and slain 
his kindred and fellow-citizens in that State. 

President Lamar resolved on the removal of 
these people from the heart of East Texas, and 
their return to their kindred west of Arkansas — by 
force if necessary. He desired to pay them for 
their improvements and other losses. He ap- 
pointed Vice-president David G. Burnet, Gen. 
Albert Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War, Hugh 
McLeod, Adjutant-general, and Gen. Thomas J. 
Rusk to meet and treat with them for their peace- 
ful removal ; but if that failed then they were to be 
expelled by force. To be prepared for the latter 
contingency, he ordered Col. Edward Burleson, 
then in command of the regular army, to march 
from Austin to the appointed rendezvous in the 
Cherokee country, with two companies of regulars 
and the volunteer companies of Capts. James 
Ownsby and Mark B. Lewis, about two hundred 
strong, and commanded by Maj. William J. 
Jones, still living at Virginia Point, opposite Gal- 
veston. On the ground they found the com- 
missioners and about the same time Gen. Kelsey 
H. Douglas arrived with several hundred East 
Texas militia and took chief command. Burleson 
took with him also Capt. Placido, with forty 
Toncahua warriors. 

After three days' negotiation terms were verbally 
agreed upon. The Indians were to leave the 
country for a consideration. The second day fol- 
lowing was fixed for signing the treaty. But the 
Indians did not appear. The rendezvous was 
ten miles from their settlements. Scouts sent out 
returned reporting the Indians in force moving off. 
It turned out that Bowles, the principal chief, had 
been finessing for time to assemble all his warriors 
and surprise the whites by a superior force. His 
reinforcements not arriving in time, he had begun 
falling back to meet them. Col. Burleson was 
ordered to lead the pursuit. He pressed forward 
rapidly and late in the afternoon (it being July 
16th, 1839), came up with them and had a. severe 
engagement, partly in a small prairie and partly in 
heavy timber, into which Burleson drove them, 
when night came on and our troops encamped. I 
now quote from the narrative of Maj. Wm. J. 
Jones, who was under Burleson in the first as well 
as the last engagement on the 17th of July. He 
says: — 

" It soon became apparent that the reinforce- 
ments looked for by Bowles had not reached him 
and that he was falling back to meet them. This 
he succeeded in accomplishing next morning (the 



G8 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



17th daj' of July), at the Delaware village, now in 
Clierokee Couut^', occup}'ing an eminence in the 
open post oaks, with the heavily timbered bottom 
of the Neches in their immediate rear. When our 
forces overtook them the main bodj' of the enemy 
were in full sight occupying tiie eminence where the 
village was located, while a detachment was posted 
in a ravine, tortuous in its course, and was 
intended to conceal their movements towards our 
rear, with a view to throw themselves between our 
men and their horses. But the watchful eye of 
Col. Burleson, who well understood the Indian 
tactics, discovered this movement in good time, 
when he ordered his entire force of three hundred 
men to charge and drive the Indians from their 
place of concealment. Although the weather was 
extremely hot and the men all famished for water, 
lliis order was executed with promptness, routing 
the Indians and driving them baclv towards the 
village, surrounded by fences and cornfields. 
Oen. Rusk, with all the force (about 400) of East 
Texas under his immediate* command, had in the 
meantime advanced upon the enemy's front and 
kept them so hotly engaged in defense of their 
women and children that no reinforcement could 
be spared from that quarter for the support of 
those who had been driven from the ravine. When 
they retreated upon the main body, their entire 
force was terrorized and fell back in great disorder 
upon the cornfields, then in full bearing, and the 
dense timber of the river bottom. It was here that 
Bowles evinced the most desperate intrepidity, and 
made several unavailing efforts to rally his trusted 
warriors. * * * It was in his third and last 
effort to restore his broken and disordered ranks, 
that he met his death, mounted upon a very fine 
sorrel horse, with blaze face and four white feet. 
He was shot in the back, near the spine, with a 
musket ball and three buckshot. He breathed 
a short while only after his fall. * • » 

" After this defeat and the loss of their great and 
trusted chief," the Indians disappeared, in the 
jungles of the Neches and, as best they could, in 
squads, retreated up the country, the larger por- 
tion finally joining their countrymen west of 
Arkansas; but as will be seen a band of them led 
by John Bowles (son of the deceased chief) and 
Egg, en route to Mexico, were defeated, these two 
leaders killed and twenty-seven women and children 
captured, near the mouth of the San Saba, on 
Christmas day, 1839, by Col. Burleson. These cap- 
tives were afterwards sent to the Cherokee Nation, 

The victory at the Delaware village freed East 
Texas of those Indians. It had become an imper- 
ative necessity to the safet}' and population of the 



country. Yet let it not be understood that all of 
RIGHT was with the whites and all of wrong with 
the Indians — for that would be false and unjust, 
and neither should stain our history. From their 
standpoint the Cherokees believed they had a 
moral, an equitable, and, at least, a quasi-legal 
right to the country, and such is truth. But be- 
tween Mexican emissaries on the one hand, mis- 
chievous Indians on the other and the grasping 
desire of the unprincipled land grabbers for their 
territory, one wrong produced a counter wrong 
until blood flowed and women and children were 
sacrificed by the more lawless of the Indians, and 
we have seen the result. All the Indians were not 
bad, nor were all the whites good. Their expul- 
sion, thus resolved into the necessity of self-preser- 
vation, is not without shades of sorrow. But it has 
been ever thus where advancing civilization and its 
opposite have been brought into juxtaposition for 
the mastery. 

But to return to the l)attle-field of Delaware vil- 
lage. Many heroic actions were performed. Vice- 
president Burnet, Gen. Johnston and Adjt.-Gen. 
McLeod were each wounded, but not dangerously 
so. Maj. David S. Kaufman, of the militia 
(afterwards the distinguished congressman), was 
shot in the cheek. Capt. S. W. Jordan, of the 
regulars (afterwards, by his retreat in October, 
1840, from Saltillo, styled the Xenophon of his 
age), was severely wounded when Bowles was 
killed, and one of his privates, with " buck and 
ball," says Maj. Jones, " had the credit of killing 
Bowles." 

[In a letter dated Nacogdoches, July 27, 1885. 
Mr. C. N. Bell, who was in the fight under Capt. 
Robert Smith, and is vouched for as a man of in- 
tegrity, says: " Chief Bowles was wounded in the 
battle, and after this Capt. Smith and I found him. 
He was sitting in the edge of a little prairie on the 
Neches river. The chief asked for no quarter. 
He had a holster of pistols, a sword and a bowie 
knife. Under the circumstances the captain was 
compelled to shoot him, as the chief did not surren- 
der nor ask for quarter. Smith put his pistol right 
to his head and shot him dead, and of course had no 
use for the sword." So says Mr. Bell, but the in- 
quisitive mind will fail to see the compulsive neces- 
sity of killing the disabled chief when his slayer 
was enabled " to put his pistol right to his head 
and shoot him dead." I well remember in those 
daj^s, however, that the names of half a dozen men 
were paraded as the champions, who, under as 
man\' different circumstances, had killed Bowles.] 

In this battle young Wirt Adams was the Adjutant 
of Maj. Jones' battalion. He was the distinguished 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



69 



Mississippi Confederate General who was killed in 
some sort of personal difficulty a year or two j'ears 
ago. Michael Chavaliier, subsequently distinguished 
as a Texas ranger, drew his maiden sword in this 
fight. Maj. Henry W. Augustine, of San Augustine, 
was severely wounded in it. Charles A. Ogsbury, 
now of Cuero, was a gallant member of Capt. Owns- 
by's Company. John H. Reagan,* then a youth, 
recently arrived in the countr}', was in the hottest of 
the engagement, and now sits in the Senate of the 
United States. David Rusk, standing six feet six 



in his stocking feet, was there, as valiant as on San 
Jacinto's field. The ever true, ever cool and ever 
fearless Burleson covered himself with glory and by 
his side rode the stately and never faltering chief, 
Capt. Placido, who would have faced "devils and 
demons dire" rather than forsake his friend and 
beau ideal of warriors, "Col. Woorleson," as he 
always pronounced the name. 

I cannot give a list of casualties, but the 
number of wounded was large — of killed 
small. 



Col. Burleson's Christmas Fight in 1839 — Death of Chiefs John 
Bowles and the " Egg." 



After the double defeat of the Cherokees in East 
Texas, in the battle of July 16th and 17lh, the 
whereabouts of those Indians was unknown for a 
considerable time. Doubtless a considerable por- 
tion of them sought and found refuge among their 
kindred on the north side of the Arkansas, where 
Texas had long desired them to be. The death of 
their great chief, Col. Bowles, or "The Bowl," as 
his people designated him — the man who had been 
their Moses for many years — had divided their 
counsels and scattered them. But a considerable 
body remained intact under the lead of the younger 
chiefs, John Bowles, son of the deceased, and 
"The Egg." In the autumn of 1839, these, with 
their followers, undertook to pass across the coun- 
try, above the settlements, into Mexico, from which 
they could harass our Northwestern frontier with 
impunity and find both refuge and protection 
beyond the Rio Grande and among our national 
foes. 

At that time it happened that Col. Edward Bur- 
leson, then of the regular army, with a body of 
regulars, a few volunteers and Lipan and Toncahua 
Indians as scouts, was on a winter campaign against 
the hostile tribes in the upper country, between the 
Brazos and the Colorado rivers. 

On the evening of December 23d, 1839, when 
about twenty-five miles (easterly) from Pecan 
bayou, the scouts reported the discovery of a large 
trail of horses and cattle, bearing south towards 

* Since above was written, resigned from United 
States Senate, and is now a member of the Texas State 
Railroad Commission. 



the Colorado river. On the following day Col. Bur- 
leson changed his course and followed the trail. 
On the morning of the 25th, Christmas day, the 
scouts returned and reported an encampment of 
Indians about twelve miles distant, on the west 
bank of the Colorado and about three miles below 
the mouth of the San Saba. (This was presumably 
the identical spot from which Capts. Kuykendall 
and Henry S. Brown drove the Indians ten years 
before in 1829.) 

Fearing discovery if he waited for a night attack, 
Col. Burleson determined to move forward as 
rapidly as possible, starting at 9 a. m. By great 
caution and the cunning of his Indian guides he 
succeeded in crossing the river a short distance 
above the encampment without being discovered. 

When discovered within a few hundred yards of 
the camp, a messenger met them and proposed a 
parley. Col. Burleson did not wish to fire if they 
would surrender ; but perceiving their messenger 
was being detained, the Indians opened a brisk 
fire from a ravine in rear of their camp, which was 
promptly returned by Company B. under Capt. 
Clendenin, which formed under cover of some 
trees and fallen timber; while the remainder of the 
command moved to the right in order to flank their 
left or surround them ; but before this could be 
executed, our advance charged and the enemy 
gave way, and a running fight took place for two 
miles, our whole force pursuing. Favored by a 
rocky precipitous ravine, and a dense cedar brake, 
the warriors chiefly escaped, but their loss was 
great. Among the seven warriors left dead on 
the field were the Chiefs John Bowles and " The 



70 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Egg." The whole of their camp equipage, horses 
and cattle, one man, five women and nineteen 
children fell into the hands of the victors. Among 
the prisoners were the motiier, three children and 
two sisters of John Bowles. 

Our loss was one Toncahua wounded and the 
brave Capt. Lynch of the volunteers killed — shot 
dead while charging among the foremost of the 
advance. 

The prisoners were sent under a guard com- 
manded by Lieut. Moran to Austin, together with 
important papers found in the cam|i. 

Col. Burleson made his official report next day 
to Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston, Secretary of 
War, from which these details are derived. He 



then continued his original march, scouring the 
country up Pecan bayou, thence across to the 
Leon and down the country. Several bodies of 
Indians were discovered by the scouts — one being 
large — but tiiey fled and avoided the troops. 
Two soldiers deserted on the trip, and both were 
killed by the hostiles. Among others in this 
expedition were Col. Wm. S. Fisher, Maj. Wyatt, 
the gallant Capt. Matthew Caldwell, Lieut. Lewis, 
Dr. Booker and Dr. (then Capt.) J. P. B. Jan- 
uary, who died in Victoria, Texas, a worthy sur- 
vivor of the men of '36. 

A few months later, after an amicable under- 
standing, the prisoners were sent to their kindred 
in the Cherokee Nation, west of Arkansas. 



Bird's Victory and Death in 1839. 



In 1839 the savages, flushed with many trophies, 
became exceedingly bold, and were constantly 
committing depredations. The settlers on the 
upper Brazos, Colorado and Trinity called upon 
the government for some measure of relief and 
protection. Under an Act of the Congress in the 
beginning of that year several companies of three 
months' rangers were called out. 

The fraction of a company, thirty-four men, 
recruited in Houston, and under the command of 
Lieut. William G. Evans, marched from that city 
and reached Fort Milam the 3d of April, 1839. 
This fort, situated two miles from the present town 
of Marlin, had been built by Capt. Joseph Daniels, 
with the Milam Guards, a volunteer company, also 
from Houston. William H. Weaver was Orderly 
Sergeant of Evans' Company. Evans was directed 
to afford all the protection in his power to the 
settlers. 

A company of fifty-nine men from Fort Bend 
and Austin counties, was mustered into the ser- 
vice for three months, on the 21st of April, 1839, 
under the command of Capt. John Bird, and 
reached Fort Milam on tlie 6th of May. Capt. 
Bird, as senior officer, took command of both com- 
panies, but leaving Evans in the fort, he quartered 
in some deserted houses on the spot where Marlin 
now stands. 

Nothing special transpired for some little time, 
but their provisions gave out, and the men were 
compelled to subsist on wild meat alone. This 



occasioned some murmurs and seven men became 
mutinous, insomuch, as, in the opinion of Bird, to 
demand a court-martial ; but there were not 
officers enough to constitute such a tribunal, and 
after their arrest he determined to send them under 
guard to Col. Burleson, at Bastrop. For this pur- 
pose twelve men were detailed under First-Lieut. 
James Irvine. At the same time Bird detailed 
twelve men, including Sergt. Weaver, from Evans' 
command, to strengthen his own company, and 
determined to bear company with the prisoners 
on a portion of the route towards Bastrop. 

They reached the deserted fort on Little river on 
the night of the 25th of June and camped. Next 
morning, leaving Lieut. Wm. R. Allen in charge, 
Bird and Nathan Brookshire accompanied the 
guard and prisoners for a few miles on their route 
and then retraced their steps towards the fort. 
On the way, they came upon three Indians, skin- 
ning a buffalo, routed them and captured a horse 
loaded with meat. 

About 9 o'clock a. m., and during Bird's ab- 
sence, a small party of Indians, on the chase, ran 
a gang of buffaloes very near the fort, but so soon 
as they discovered the Americans they retreated 
north over the roiling prairie. Sergt. Weaver 
was anxious to pursue them, but Allen refused, 
lest by so doing they should expose Bird and 
Brookshire. So soon as the latter arrived, and 
were informed of what had been seen. Bird directed 
an examination into the condition of their arms, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



71 



and ordered " To horse," and a rapid march in 
the direction the Indians had gone, leaving two 
men in the fort as guard. In about four miles 
they came in view of fifteen or twenty Indians and 
chased without overhauling Ihcm. The enemy 
were well mounted and could easily elude them, 
but seemed only to avoid gun-shot distance, and 
continued at a moderate speed on the same course, 
through the broken prairie. Now and then, a sin- 
gle Indian would dart off in advance of his com- 
rades and disappear, and after pursuing them some 
four or five miles small parties of well mounted 
Indians would frequently appear and join the first 
body ; but still the retreat and the pursuit were 
continued. 

After traveling some twelve miles in this way, 
through the prairie, the Indian force had been ma- 
terially augmented, and they halted and formed on 
the summit of a high ridge. Bird immediately 
ordered a charge, which was firmly met by the 
enemy and they came into close quarters and hot 
work. As they mingled with the Indians on the 
elevated ridge, one of Bird's men, pointing to the 
next ridge beyond, sang out: "Look yonder, 
boys! What a crowd of Indians! " and the little 
band of forty-five men beheld several hundred 
mounted warriors advancing at full speed. They 
immediately surrounded our men and poured a 
heavy fire among them. The intrepid Weaver 
directed Capt. Bird's attention to a ravine two hun- 
dred 3'ards distant and at the base of the hill, as an 
advantageous position. Bird, preserving the ut- 
most composure amid the shower of bullets and 
arrows, ordered his men to dismount, and leading 
their horses in solid column, to cut their way down 
to the position named. 

Cutting their way as best they could, they reached 
the head of the little ravine and made a lodgment 
for both men and horses, but a man named H. M. 
C. Hall, who had persisted in remaining on his 
horse, was mortally wounded in dismounting on 
the bank. This ravine was in the open prairie with 
a ridge gradually ascending from its head and on 
either side, reaching the principal elevations at 
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred 
yards. For about eighty yards the ravine had 
washed out into a channel, and then expanded 
into a flat surface. Such localities are com- 
mon in the rolling prairies of Texas. The party 
having thus secured this, the only defensible point 
within their reach, the enemy collected to the 
number of about six hundred on the ridge, stripped 
for battle and hoisted a beautiful flag of blue and 
red, perhaps the trophy of some precious victory. 
Sounding a whistle they mounted and at a gentle 



and beautifully regular gallop in single file, they 
commenced encircling Bird and his little band, 
using their shields with great dexterity. Passing 
round the head of the ravine then turning in front 
of the Texian line, at about thirty yards — • a trial 
always the most critical to men attacked by supe- 
rior numbers, and one, too, that created among 
Bird's men a death-like silence and doubtless tested 
every nerve — the leading chief saluted them with: 
"How do you do? How do you do?" repeated 
by a number of his followers. At that moment, 
says one of the party, my heart rose to my throat 
and I felt like I could outrun a race-horse and I 
thought all the rest felt just as I did. But, just as 
the chief had repeated the salutation the third time, 
William Winkler, a Dutchman, presented his rifle 
with as much self-composure as if he had been 
shooting a beef, at the same time responding: " I 
dosh tolerably well ; how dosh you do, God tarn 
you! " He fired, and as the chief fell, he con- 
tinued: " jVbro, how dosh you do, you tam red 
rascal ! " Not another word had been uttered up to 
that moment, but the dare-devil impromptu of the 
iron-nerved Winkler operated as an electric battery, 
and our men opened on the enemy with loud and 
defiant hurrahs — the spell was broken, and not a 
man among them but felt himself a hero. Their 
first fire, however, from the intensity of the ordeal, 
did little execution, and in the charge, Thomas Gay 
fell dead in the ditch, from a rifle liall. 

Recoiling under the fire, the Indians again formed 
on the bill and remained about twenty minutes, 
when a second charge was made in the same order, 
but in which they made a complete circuit around 
the Texians dealing a heavy fire among them. But 
the nerves of the inspirited defenders had now be- 
come steady and their aim was unerring — they 
brought a goodly number of their assailants to the 
ground. They paid bitterly for it, however, in the 
loss of the fearless Weaver, who received a death 
ball in the head, and of Jesse E. Nash, who was 
killed by an arrow, while Lieut. Allen and George 
W. Hensell were severely wounded and disabled ; 
and as the enemy fell back a second time, Capt. 
Bird jumped on to the bank to encourage his men; 
but only to close his career on earth. He was shot 
through the heart with an arrow by an Indian at 
the extraordinary distance of two hundred yards — 
the best arrow shot known in the annals of Indian 
warfare, and one that would seem incredible to 
those who are not familiar with their skill in shoot- 
ing by elevation. 

They were now left without an officer. Nathan 
Brookshire, who had served in the Creek war under 
Jackson, was the oldest man iu the companj', and 



72 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



at the suggestion of Samuel A. Blain, was unani- 
mously called upon to assume the command. He 
assented, and requited the confidence reposed in a 
most gallant manner. 

For the third time, after a brief delay on the 
ridge, the enemy came down in full force, with ter- 
rific yells, and an apparent determination to triumph 
or sacrifice themselves. They advanced with impet- 
uosity to the very brink of the ditch, and, recoiling 
under the most telling fire from our brave boys, 
they would rally again and again with great firmness. 
Dozens of them fell within twenty or thirty feet of 
our rifles — almost every shot killed or wounded an 
Indian. Brookshire's stentorian voice was heard 
through the lines in words of inspiring counsel. 
The stand made by the enemy was trul}' desperate; 
but the death-dealing havoc of the white man, fight- 
ing for victory or death, was too galling for the red 
man, battling for his ancient hunting-grounds, and 
after a prolonged contest, they withdrew with sullen 
stubbornness to the same position on the ridge, leav- 
ing many of their comrades on the field. It was 
now drawing towards night, and our men, wearied 
with the hard day's woik, and not wishing to pro- 
voke a feeling of desperation among the discom- 
fited foe, concluded it would be unwise to hurrah 
any more, as they had done, unless in resisting a 
charge. 

The Indians drew up into a compact mass on the 
ridge and were vehemently addressed by their prin- 
cipal chief, mounted on a beautiful horse and 
wearing on his head a buffalo skin cap, with the 
horns attached. It was manifest, from his manner 
and gesticulations, that he was urging his braves 
to another and last desperate struggle for victory — 
but it would not do. The crowd was defeated. 
But not so with their heroic chief. Failing to 
nerve the mass, he resolved to lead the few who 
might follow him. With not exceeding twelve 
warriors, as the forlorn hope, and proudly waving 
defiance at his people, he made one of the most 
daring assaults in our history, charging within a 
few paces of our lines, fired, and wheeling his 
horse, threw his shield over his shoulders, leaving 
his head and neck only exposed. At this moment, 
the chivalrous young James W. Robinett sent a 
ball through his neck, causing instant death, ex- 
claiming, as the chief fell, "Shout boys! I struck 
him where his neck and shoulders join! " A tre- 
mendous hurrah was the response. The Indians on 
the hill side, spectators of the scene, seeing their 
great war chief fall within thirty feet of the Amer- 
icans, seemed instantly possessed by a reckless 
frenzy to recover his body ; and with headlong 
impetuosity, rushed down and surrounded the 



dead chief, apparently heedless of their own dan- 
ger, while our elated heroes poured among them 
awful havoc, every ball telling upon some one of 
the huge and compact mass. This struggle was 
short, but deadly. They bore away the martyred 
chief, but paid a dear reckoning for the privilege. 

It was now sunset. The enemy had counted 
our men — they knew their own force — and so 
confident were they of perfect victory, that they 
were careful not to kill our horses, only one of 
which fell. But they were sadly mistaken — they 
were defeated with great loss, and as the sun was 
closing the daj^ they slowly and sullenly moved 
off, uttering that peculiar guttural howl — that 
solemn, Indian wail — which all old Indian fighters 
understand. 

Brookshire, having no provisions and his heroic 
men being exhausted from the intense labors of 
the day, thought it prudent to fall back upon the 
fort the same night. Hall, Allen and Hensell were 
carried in, the former djing soon after reaching 
there. The next day Brookshire sent a runner to 
Nashville, fifty miles. On the second day, his 
provisions exhausted, he moved the company also 
to Nashville. Mr. Thompson received them with 
open arms and feasted them with the best he had. 
Brookshire made a brief report of the battle to the 
Government, and was retained in command till 
their three months' term of service expired, with- 
out any other important incident. " Bird's Vic- 
tor}'," as this battle has been termed, spread a 
gloom among the Indians, the first serious repulse 
the wild tribes had received for some time, and its 
effect was long felt. 

I have before me copies of the muster rolls of 
both Bird's and Evans' companies, in which are 
designated those who were in the battle, excepting 
one person. The list does not show who composed 
the prisoners or guard. Lieut. Irvine and L. M. 
H. Washington, however, were two of the guards. 
As the muster rolls have been burnt in the Adjutant- 
General's ofHce, these rolls are the more important 
and may be preserved in this sketch. The names 
are classed and hereto appended. 

bird's COMPANr. 

Those known to be in the fight were: John Bird, 
Captain ; Wm. R. Allen, Second Lieutenant ; Wm. 
P. Sharp, Second Sergeant; Wm. P. Bird, First 
Corporal. Privates: Nathan Brookshire (Captain 
after Bird's death), William Badgett, James 
Brookshire, Tillman C. Fort, James Hensley, 
William Hensley, H. M. C. Hall, J. H. Hughes, 

A. J. Ivey, Edward Jocelyn, Lewis Kleberg, Green 

B. Lynch, Jesse E. Nash, Jonathan Peters, William 




GEN. BEN. MoCULLOCH. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



73 



Peters, E. Rector, Milton Bradford, Warren Hast- 
ings, T. W. Lightfoot, G. W. Pentecost, Eli Fore- 
man, A. G. Parker, Daniel Bradle\', Geo. W. 
Hensel, Benj. P. Ku3-ger, John D. Thompson, 
Joseph H. Slack, Thomas Bradford — 32 and one 
omitted — say 33. Left in charge of the fort, 
Joseph S. Marsh and F. G. Woordward — 2. Ab- 
sent (as before stated, including the man in the 
fight not remembered), James Irvine, First Lieuten- 
ant. Privates: Bela Vickery, Wm. Blair, Second 
Corporal, George Allen, Wm. Ayres, Joshua O. 
Blair, Lewis L. Hunter, W. Hickson, Neil Me- 
Crarey, J. D. Marshall, James Martin, J. W. 
Stoddard, Henry Verm, Joseph H. Barnard, 
Stephen Goodman, M. J. Hannon, C. Beisner, 
Jackson E. Burdick, James M. Moreton, .Joseph 
McGuines, Wm. J. Hodge, Charles Waller, L. M. 
H. Washington, John Atkinson, Joshua O. Blair — 
25. 

LIEDT. EVANS' COMPANY. 

Those in the fight were: William H. Weaver, 
First Sergeant ; Samuel A. Blain, Second Corporal; 
Privates: Thomas Gay, Charles M. Gevin, W. W. 
Hanman, Robert Mills, Thomas S. Menefee, H. A. 
Powers, James M. Robinett, John Romann, William 



Winkler, Thos. Robinett— 12. Those left at Fort 
Milam were: Wm. G. Evans, First Lieutenant; 
J. O. Butler, Second Sergeant; Thos. Brown, 
First Corporal ; A. Bettinger, Musician ; Piivates: 
Charles Ball, Littleton Brown, Grafton H. Boatler, 
D. W. Collins, Joseph Flippen, Abner Frost, James 
Hickey, Hezekiah Joner, John Kirk, Laben Mene- 
fee, Jarrett Menefee, Thomas J. Miller, Frederick 
Pool, Washington Rhodes, Jarrett Ridgway, John 
St. Clair, John Weston, Thomas A: Menefee — 22. 
Joseph Mayor crippled and left in Houston — total 
company, 35. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Bird's men in the battle 33 

Evans' " " " 12—45 

Bird's men not in the fight 26 

Evans' " •' " " 22—48 

Aggregate force of both commands 93 

The classification of the names was made by one 
of those in the battle, from memory. It may pos- 
sibly be slightly incorrect in that particular; but 
the rolls of each company as mustered in are 
official. 



Ben McCulloch's Peach Creek Fight in 1839. 



Among the survivors of that day, it is remem- 
bered as a fact and b}' those of a later day, as a 
tradition, that in February, 1839, there fell through- 
out South and Southwest Texas, the most destruc- 
tive sleet ever known in the country. Great trees 
were bereft of limbs and tops by the immense 
weight of ice, and bottoms, previously open and 
free of underbrush, were simply choked toimpassa- 
bility by fallen timber. The cold period continued 
for ten or twelve days, while ice and snow, shielded 
from the sun, lay upon the ground for a much 
longer period. This occurred in the latter half of 
February, 1839, in the same year but several 
months before Austin, or rather the land upon 
which it stands, was selected as the future seat of 
government. 

At that time Ben McCulloch, who had entered 
Texas just in time to command a gun at San 
Jacinto, was a young man in his twenty-eighth year 
residing at Gonzales, having been joined by his 
brother, Henry E., his junior by several years. 



during the preceding year. At the same time the 
Toncahua tribe of Indians were encamped at the 
junction of Peach and Sandy creeks, about fifteen 
miles northeast of Gonzales. 

Just prior to this great sleet Ben McCulloch had 
made an agreement with a portion of the Toncahuas 
to join him and such white men as he could secure 
in a winter expedition against the hostile Indians 
above. The sleet postponed the enterprise and, 
when the weather partially resumed its usual 
temperature, it was difficult to enlist either whites 
or Indians in the contemplated enterprise. Both 
dreaded a recurrence of the storm. But following 
Moore's San Saba trip and in hope of recovering 
Matilda Lockhart and the Putman children, Mc- 
Culloch deemed that an auspicious time to make 
such a trip, and about the first of March left the 
Toncahua village for the mountains. The party 
consisted of five white men — Ben McCulloch, Wil- 
son Randall, John D. Wolfin, David Henson and 
Henry E. McCulloch — and thirty-five Toncahua 



74 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



warriors commanded by their well-linown and wily 
old chief, " Capt. Jim Kerr," a name that he 
assumed in 1826 as an evidence of his friendship 
for the first settler of Gonzales, after that gentle- 
man had been broken up by other Indians in July 
of that j'ear. The medicine man of the party was 
Chico. 

On the second day out and on the head waters of 
Peach creek, they struck a fresh trail of foot 
Indians, bearing directly for Gonzales. This, of 
course, changed their plans. Duty to their threat- 
ened neighbors demanded that they should follow 
and break up this invading party. 

They followed the trail rapidly for three or four 
hours and then came in sight of the enemy, who 
promptly entered an almost impenetrable thicket 
bordering a branch and in a post oak country. 
The hostiles, concealed from view, had every 
advantage, and every attempt to reach a point from 
which they could be seen or fired upon was ex- 
posing the party attempting it to the fire of the 
unseen enemj'. Several hours passed in which 
occasional shots were fired. From the first Capt. 
Jim refused to enter or allow his men to enter the 
thicket, saying the dangei was too great and Ton- 
cahuas too scarce to run such hazards. One of 
his men, however, from behind the only tree well 
situated for defense, was killed, the only loss sus- 
tained by the attacking party. Finally, impatient 
of delay and dreading the approach of night, 
McCulloch got a promise from Capt. Jim to so 
place his men around the lower end of the thicket 
as to kill any who might attempt to escape, while 
he, his brother, Randall and Henson would crawl 
through it from the upper end. Wolfln declined a 
ticket in what he regarded as so dangerous a lot- 
tery. Slowly they moved, observing every possible 
precaution till — " one by one " — each of the four 
killed an Indian and two or three others were 
wounded. The assailed Indians fired many shots 
and arrows, but seemed doomed to failure. In 
thickets nothing is so effective as liie rifle ball. 



Finally the survivors of the enemy (nine of an 
original thirteen) emerged in the branch at the 
lower end of the thicket and were allowed by Capt. 
Jim to escape. When the whites effected an exit 
the enemy was beyond reach, sheltered in a j'et 
larger thicket. 

This closed the campaign. The Toncahuas, 
scalping the four dead hostiles, felt impelled by a 
patriotic sense of dut}' to hasten home and celebrate 
their victory. They fleeced off portions of the 
thighs and breasts of the dead and all started in ; 
but they soon stopped on the way and went through 
most of the mystic ceremonies attending a war 
dance, thoroughly commingling weird wails over 
their fallen comrade with their wild and equally 
weird exultations over their fallen foes. This cere- 
mon}^ over, they hastened home to repeat the savage 
scenes with increased ferocity. McCulloch and 
party, more leisurely, returned to Gonzales, to be 
welcomed by the people who had thus been pro- 
tected from a night attack by the discomfited 
invaders. Such inroads by foot Indians almost 
invariably resulted in the loss of numerous horses, 
and one or more — alas! sometimes many — lives 
to the settlers. 

This was forty-eight and a half years ago ; yet, 
as I write this, on the 19th day of August, 1887, 
Henry E. McCulloch, hale, well-preserved and spot- 
less before his countrymen, is my guest at the 
ex-Confederate reunion in Dallas, and verifies the 
accuracy of this narrative. Our friendship began 
later in that same year, and every succeeding year 
has been an additional record of time, attesting a 
friendship lacking but eighteen months of ha f a 
century. After 1839 his name is interwoven with 
the hazards of the Southwestern frontier, as Texas 
ranger — private, lieutenant and captain — down 
to annexation in 1846 ; then a captain in and after 
the Mexican war under the United States ; later as 
the first Confederate colonel in Texas, and from 
April, 1862, to the close of the war, as a brigadier- 
general in the Confederate army. 



Moore's Defeat on the San Saba, 1839. 



In consequence of the repeated and continued 
inroads of the Indians through 18.37 and 1838, at 
the close of the latter year Col. John. H. Moore, 
of Fayette, already distinguished alike for gallantry 
and patriotism, determined to chastise them. Call- 



ing for volunteers from the thinly settled country 
around him, he succeeded in raising a force of fifty- 
five whites, forty-two Lipan and twelve Toncahua 
Indians, an aggregate of one hundred and nine. 
Col. Castro, chief of the Lipans, commanded his 



ly^DIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



75 



warriors, assisted by the rising and ever faithful 
young chief, Flacco, whose memory is honored, 
and whose subsequent perfidious fate is and ever 
has been deplored by every pioneer of Texas. 

Among this little troup of whites was Mr. Andrew 
Lockhart, of the Guadalupe, impelled by an 
agonizing desire to rescue his beautiful little 
daughter, Matilda, who had been captured with 
the four Putman children near bis home. Her 
final recovery, at the time of the Council House 
fight in San Antonio, on the 19th of March, 18-10, 
is narrated in another chapter. 

The advance scouts reported to Col. Moore the 
discovery of a large Comanche encampment, with 
many horses, on the San Saba river, yet the sequel 
showed that they failed to realize its magnitude in 
numbers. 

With adroit caution that experienced frontiers- 
man, by a night march, arrived in the vicinity be- 
fore the dawn of day, on the 12th of February, 
1839, a clear, frosty morning. They were in a 
favored position for surprising the foe, and wholly 
undiscovered. At a given signal every man un- 
derstood his duty. Castro, with a portion of the 
Indians, was to stampede the horses grazing in the 
valley and rush with them beyond recovery. The 
whites and remaining Indians were to charge, with- 
out noise, upon the village. The horses of the 
dismounted men of both colors were left tied a mile 
in the rear in a ravine. 

As light sufficiently appeared to distinguish 
friend from foe, the signal was given. With thirty 
of his people the wily old Castro soon had a 
thousand or more loose horses thundering over 
hill and dale towards the south. Flacco, with 
twelve Lipans and the twelve Toncahuas, remained 
with Moore. The combined force left, numbering 
seventy-nine, rushed upon the buffalo tents, firing 
whenever an Indian was seen. Many were killed 
in the first onset. But almost instantly the camp 
was in motion, the warriors, as if by magic, rush- 
ing together and fighting ; the women and children 
wildly fleeing to the coverts of the bottom and 
neighboring thickets. It was at this moment, amid 
the screams, yells and war-whoops resounding 
through the valley, that Mr. Lockhart plunged 
forward in advance of his comrades, calling aloud: 
" Matilda! if you are here, run to me! Your 
father calls!" And though yet too dim to see 



every word pierced the child's heart as she recog- 
nized her father's wailing voice, while she was 
lashed into a run with the retreating squaws. 
The contest was fierce and bloody, till, as the 
sunlight came, Col. Moore realized that he had 
only struck and well-nigh destroyed the fighting 
strength of the lower end of a long and powerful 
encampment. The enraged savages from above 
came pouring down in such numbers as to 
threaten the annihilation of their assailants. Re- 
treat became a necessity, demanding the utmost 
courage and strictest discipline. But not a man 
wavered. For the time being the stentorian voice 
of their stalwart and iron-nerved leader was a law 
unto all. Detailing some to bear the wounded, 
with the others Moore covered them on either 
flank, and stubbornly fought his way back to the 
ravine in which his horses had been left, to find 
that every animal had already been mounted by a 
Comanche, and was then curveting around them. 
All that remained possible was to fight on the 
defensive from the position thus secured, and this 
was done with such effect that, after a prolonged 
contest, the enemy ceased to assault. Excepting 
occasional shots at long range by a few of the most 
daring warriors, extending into the next day, the 
discomfited assailants were allowed to wend their 
weary way homewards. Imagine such a paity, 
150 miles from home, afoot, with a hundred miles 
of the way through mountains, and six of their 
comrades so wounded as to perish in the wilder- 
ness, or be transported on litters home by their 
fellows. Such was the condition of six of the 
number. They were William M. Eastland (spared 
then to draw a black bean and be murdered by the 
accursed order of Santa Anna in 1843) ; S. S. B. 
Fields, a lawyer of La Grange ; James Manor, 
Felix Taylor, — Lefflngwell, and — Martin, the 
latter of whom died soon after reaching home. 
Cicero Rufus Perry was a sixteen-year-old boy in 
this ordeal. Gonzalvo Wood was also one of the 
number. 

After much suffering the party reached home, pre- 
ceded by Castro with the captured horses, which the 
cunning old fox chiefly appropriated to his own tribe. 

Col. Moore, in his victorious destruction of a 
Comanche town high up the Colorado in 1840, 
made terrible reclamation for the trials and adver- 
sities of this expedition. 



76 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The Famous Council House Fight in San Antonio, March 19, 
1840 — A Bloody Tragedy — Off icial Details. 



From the retreat of the people before Santa 
Anna in the spring of 1836, clown to the close of 
1839, the Comanches and other wild tribes had 
depredated along our entire line of frontier, steal- 
ing horses, killing men, and carrying into captivity 
women and children, more especially the latter, 
for they often murdered the women also. 

On several occasions, as at Houston in 1837, and 
perhaps twice at San Antonio, they had made quasi- 
treaties, promising peace and good behavior, but 
on receiving presents and leaving for home they 
uniformly broke faith and committe<l depredations. 
The people and the government became outraged 
at such perfidy and finally the government deter- 
mined, if possible, to recover our captives and 
inculcate among the hostiles respect for pledges 
and a desire for peace. 

The seat of government in the fall of 1839 was 
removed from Houston to Austin, a newly planned 
town, forming the outside settlement on the Colo- 
rado. There was not even a single cabin above or 
beyond the place, west, north, or east, above the 
falls of the Brazos. So stood matters when the 
first day of January, 1840, arrived, with Mirabeau 
B. Lamar as President, David G. Burnet as Vice- 
President, and Albert Sidney Johnston on the eve 
of resigning as Secretary of War, to be succeeded 
by Dr. Branch T. Archer. 

On the 10th of January, 1840, from San Antonio, 
Col. Henry W. Karnes (then out of ottlce), wrote 
Gen. Johnston, Secretary of War, announcing that 
three Comanche chiefs had been in on the previous 
day, expressing a desire for peace, stating also that 
their tribe, eighteen days previously, had held a 
council, agreed to ask for peace and had chgsen a 
prominent chief to represent them in the negotia- 
tion. They said they had rejected overtures and 
presents from the hostile Cherokees, and also of 
the Centralists, of Mexico, who had emissaries 
among their people. Col. Karnes told them no 
treaty was possible unless they brought in all 
prisoners and stolen property held by them. To 
this they said their people had already assented in 
council. They left, promising to return in twenty 
or thirty days with a large party of chiefs and 
warriors, prepared to make a treaty, and that all 
white prisoners in their hands would be brought in 
with them. 

F'rom their broken faith on former occasions, and 



their known diplomatic treachery with Mexico from 
time immemorial, neither the President, Secretary 
of War nor Col. Karnes (who had been a prisoner 
among them) had any faith in their promises, be- 
yond their dread of our power to punish them. 
Official action was based on this apprehension of 
their intended duplicity. 

On the 30th of January Lieut. -Col. William S. 
Fisher, commanding the First Regiment of Infan- 
try, was instructed to march three companies to San 
Antonio under his own command, and to take such 
position there as would enable him to detain the 
Comanches, should they come in without our pris- 
oners. In that case, says the order of Gen. John- 
ston, " some of their number will be dispatched as 
messengers to the tribe to inform them that those 
retained will be held as hostages until the (our) 
prisoners are delivered up, when the hostages 
will be released." The instructions further say: 
"It has been usual, heretofore, to give presents. 
For the future such custom will be dispensed 
with." 

Following this military order, and in harmony 
with the suggestion of Col. Karnes, President Lamar 
dispatched Col. Hugh McLeod, Adjutant-General, 
and Col. William G. Cooke, Quartermaster-General, 
as commissioners to treat with the Comanches, 
should they come in, and with instructions in ac- 
cord with those given Col. Fisher. They repaired 
to San Antonio and awaited events. 

On the 19th of March, in the morning, two Co- 
manche runners entered San Antonio and announced 
the arrival in the vicinity of a party of sixty-five 
men, women and children, and only one prisoner, 
a girl of about thirteen years, Matilda Lockhart. 
In reporting the subsequent facts to the President 
on the next day Col. McLeod wrote: — 

" They (the Indians) came into town. The 
little girl was very intelligent and told us that she 
had seen seTeral of the other prisoners at the prin- 
cipal camp a few days before she left, and that they 
brought her in to see if they could get a high price 
for her, and, if so, they intended to bring in the 
rest, one at a time. 

" Having ascertained this, it became necessary 
to execute j'our orders and take hostages for the 
safe return of our people, and the order was 
accordingly given by Col. William G. Cooke, act- 
ing Secretary of War. Lieut. -Col. Fisher, First 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



77 



Infantry, was ordered to march up two companies 
of his command and post them in the immediate 
vicinity of the council room. 

" The chiefs were then called together and asked : 
' Where are the prisoners you promised to bring in 
to the talk?' 

" Muke-war-rah, the chief who held the last talk 
with us and made the promise, replied : ' We have 
bi ought in the only one we had ; the others are with 
other tribes.' 

" A pause ensued because, as this was a palpa- 
ble lie, and a direct violation of their pledge, 
solemnly given scarcely a month since, we had the 
only alternative left us. He observed this pause 
and asked quicklj- : ' How do you like the an- 
swer ? ' 

"The order was now given to march one com- 
pany into the council room and the other in rear 
of the building, where the warriors were assembled. 
During the execution of this order the talk was 
re-opened and the terms of a treaty, directed b^J^ 
3'our excellency to be made with them in case the 
prisoners were restored, were discussed, and they 
were told the treaty would be made when they 
brought in the prisoners. They acknowledged 
that they had violated all their previous treaties, 
and yet tauntingly demanded that new confidence 
should be reposed in another promise to bring in 
the prisoners. 

"The troops being now posted, the (twelve) 
chiefs and captaius were told that the}' were our 
prisoners and would be kept as hostages for the 
safety of our people then in their hands, and that 
they might send their young men to the tribe, and 
as soon as our friends were restored they should be 
liberated. 

" Capt. (George T.) Howard, whose company 
was stationed in the council house, posted sentinels 
at the doors and drew up his men across the 
room. We told the chiefs that the soldiers they 
saw were their guards, and descended from the 
platform. The chiefs immediately followed. One 
sprang to the back door and attempted to pass the 
sentinel, who presented his musket, when the 
chief drew his knife and stabbed him. A rush 
was then made to the door. Capt. Howard col- 
lared one of them and received a severe slab from 
him in the side. He ordered the sentinel to Are 
upon him, which he immediately did, and the 
Indian fell dead. The}' then all drew their knives 
and bows, and evidentl}' resolved to fight to the 
last. Col. Fisher ordered: 'Fire, if they do not 
desist! ' The Indians rushed on, attacked us des- 
perately, and a general order to fire became 
necessary." 



"After a short but desperate struggle every one 
of the twelve chiefs and captains in the council 
house lay dead upon the floor, but not until, in the 
hand-to-hand struggle, they had wounded a num- 
ber of i)ersons. 

" Tlie indoor work being finished, Capt. Howard's 
company was formed in front to prevent retreat in 
that direction ; but, in consequence of the severity 
of his wound, he was relieved by Capt. Gillen, who 
commanded the company till the close of the action. 

"Capt. Redd,* whose company was formed in 
the rear of the council house, was attacked by the 
warriors in the yard, who fought like wild beasts. 
They, however, took refuge in some stone houses, 
from which they kept up a galling fire with bows 
and arrows and a few rifles. Their arrows, wher- 
ever they struck one of our men, were driven to 
the feather. A small part}' escaped across the 
river, but were pursued by Col. Lysander Wells 
with a few mounted men and all killed. The only 
one of the whole band who escaped was a renegade 
Mexican among them, who slipped away unob- 
served. A single warrior took refuge in a stone 
house, refusing every overture sent him by squaws, 
with promise of security, and killing or wounding 
several till, after "night, when a ball of rags, soaked 
in turpentine and ignited, was dropped through the 
smoke escape in the roof onto his head. Thus, in a 
blaze of flre, he sprang through the door and was 
riddled with bullets. 

" In such an action — so unexpected, so sudden 
and terrific — it was impossible at times to distin- 

* Note. Cap. Redd and Col. Wells fought a duel in 
Sau Antonio later the same year and killed each other. 
Judge Robinson died iu San Diego, California, in 1853. 
Judge Hemphill died during the Civil War* a member of 
the Confederate Senate. Capt. Matthew Caldwell, then 
of the regulars and a famous Indian fighter, died at his 
home in Gonzales in the winter of 1842-3. Col. McLeod, 
commanding a Texas regiment, died at Dumfries, 
Virginia, during the Civil War. Col. William S. Fisher, 
afterwards commander at Mior and a "Mier prisoner," 
died in Galveston in 1845, soon after his release. Col. 
Wm. G. Cooke died at Navarro ranch, on the San Gero- 
nirao, in 1847. He came as Lieutenant of the NewOrleans 
Grays iu 1835. succeeded Burleson as Colonel of the 
regulars in 1840. He married a daughter of Don Luciano 
Navarro. He was Quartermaster-General, a commis- 
sioner to Santa Fe and a prisoner, and was a noble man. 
Col. Henry W. Karnes died in San Antonio, his home, in 
the autumn of 1S40. Henry Clay Davis was a volunteer 
in the fleht on horseback. An Indian sprang up behind 
him and, while trying to kill him with an arrow used as 
a dirk, Davis killed him with one of the first lot of Colt's 
revolvers ever brought to Texas. Davis settled at Rio 
Grande City, married a Mexican lady, was once in the 
Senate, and was killed accidentally by his own gun while 
out hunting. 



78 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



guish between the sexes, and three squaws were 
killed. The short struggle was fruitful in blood. 
Our losses were: — 

"Killed: Judge Hood, of San Antonio ; Judge 
Thompson, of Houston; Mr. Casey, of Mata- 
gorda County ; Lieut. W. M. Dunnington, First 
Infantry; Privates Kaminske and Whitney, and a 
Mexican — 7. 

"Wounded: Capt. George T. Howard, Lieut. 
Edward A. Thompson and Private Kelly severely ; 
Capt. Matthew Caldwell, Judge James W. Robin- 
son, Messrs. Higgenbottom, Morgan and Car- 
son — 8." • 

"John Hemphill, then District Judge and after- 
ward so long Chief Justice, assailed in the council 
house by a chief and slightly wounded, felt reluct- 
antly compelled (as he remarked to the writer 
afterwards) to disembowel his assailant with his 
bowie knife, but declared that he did so under a 
sense of dutj', while he had no personal acquaint- 
ance with nor personal ill-will towards his antag- 
onist. 

"The Indian loss stood: Thirty chiefs and war- 
riors, 3 women and 2 children killed. Total, 35. 

"Prisoners taken : Twenty-seven women and chil- 
dren and 2 old men. Total, 29. 

"Escaped, tlie renegade Mexican, 1. Grand 
total, 6.5." 

Over a hundred horses and a large quantity of 
buffalo robes and peltries remained to the victors. 

By request of the prisoners one squaw was 
released, mounted, provisioned and allowed to go 
to her people and say that the prisoners would be 



released whenever they brought in the Texas 
prisoners held by them. 

A short time afterwards a party of Comanches 
displayed a white flag on a hill some distance from 
town, evidently afraid to come nearer. When a 
flag was sent out, it was found that they had 
brought in several white children to exchange for 
their people. Their mission was successful and 
they hurried away, seeming to be indeed "wild 
Indians." 

These are the facts as shown bj' the official 
papers, copies of which have been in my possession 
ever since the bloody tragedy. At that time a few 
papers in the United States, uninformed of the 
underlying and antecedent facts dictating the 
action of Texas, criticised the affair with more or 
less condemnation ; but the people of to-day, 
enlightened by the massacre of Gen. Canby in 
Oregon, the fall of the chivalrous Gen. Custer, the 
hundreds of inhuman acts of barbarism along the 
whole frontier of the United States, and the recent 
demonisms of Geronimo and his band of cut- 
throats, will realize and indorse the genuine spirit 
of humanity which prompted that as the only mode 
of bringing those treacherous savages to a real- 
ization of the fact that their fiendish mode of 
warfare would bring calamities upon their own 
people. Be that as it may, the then pioneers of 
Texas, with their children in savage captivity, 
shed no tears on that occasion, nor do their sur- 
vivors now. Their children of to-day dispense 
with that liquid, eye-yielding manifestation of 
grief. 



The Great Indian Raid of 1840 — Attack on Victoria — Sacking 

and Burning of Linnville — Skirmish at Casa Bianca 

Creek — Overthrow of the Indians 

at Plum Creek. 



Of this, the most remarkable Indian raid in the 
annals of Texas, numerous fragmentary and often 
erroneous, or extremely partial, accounts in former 
years have been published. It was a sudden and 
remarkable inroad by the savages, took the countrj' 
by surprise, drew the fighting population together 
from different localities for a few days, to speedily 
disperse to their homes, and there being no official 



control, no one was charged with the duty of re- 
cordingHhe facts. The great majority' of the par- 
ticipants, as will be seen in the narrative, witnessed 
but a portion, here or there, of the incident. 

The writer was then nineteen years old and, 
though living on the Lavaca near Victoria and Linn- 
ville, happened to be with a party from that vicinity 
that passed to the upper and final field of opera- 




coiJANciiK \VAia;i()i;s. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



79 



tions — a part}' that saw more of the entire episode 
than any other one party. More than this, he took 
care at once to gather all the facts not seen by him 
and made copious notes of all, which have ever 
since remained in his possession. In January, 1871, 
in the town of Lavaca, the successor of Linnville, 
he delivered (for a benevolent purpose) to a large 
audience, embracing both ladies and gentlemen 
resident in that section at the time of the raid, a 
lecture historically narrating the events connected 
with it, and received their public thanks for its 
fullness, fairness and historical accuracy. These 
remarks are justified by the false statements in 
" Dewees' Letters from Texas," giving the credit 
of fighting the battle of Plum Creek to four com- 
panies of citizen volunteers, he claiming to have 
been Captain of one of them, when in fact not one 
of such companies was in the fight or even saw the 
Indians. This falsehood was exposed by tiie writer 
hereof, on the appearance of Dewees' book, in the 
Indianola Bulletin of January, 1853, an exposure 
unanswered in the intervening thirty-five years. 

At the time of this raid the country between the 
Guadalupe and San Marcos, on the west, and the 
Colorado on the east, above a line drawn from Gon- 
zales to La Grange, was a wilderness, while below 
that line it was thinly settled. Between Gonzales 
and Austin, on Plum creek, were two recent set- 
tlers, Isom J. Goode and John A. Neill. From 
Gonzales to within a few miles of La Grange there 
was not ft settler. There was not one between Gon- 
zales and Bastrop, nor one between Austin and San 
Antonio. A road from Gonzales to Austin, then in 
the first year of its existence, had been opened in 
July, 1839. 

This Indian raid was known to and encouraged 
by Gen. Valentin Canalizo, commanding in 
Northern Mexico, with headquarters in Matamoras. 
The Comanches were easily persuaded into it in 
retaliation for their loss of thirty-odd warriors in 
the Council fight in San Antonio during the previous 
March. Renegade Mexicans and lawless Indians 
from some of the half-civilized tribes were induced 
to join it. Dr. Branch T. Archer, Secretary of 
War, from information reaching him gave a warning 
to the country two months earlier ; but as no enemy 
appeared, the occasion became derisively known as 
the " Archer war." 



On August 5, 1840, Dr. Joel Ponton and Tucker 
Foley, citizens of the Lavaca (now Hallettsville) 
neighborhood, en route to Gonzales, on the road 
from Columbus and just west of Ponton's creek, 
fell in with twenty-seven mounted warriors, and 



were chased about three miles back to the creek. 
Foley was captured, mutilated and killed. Ponton 
received two wounds, but escaped, and during the 
following night reached home. The alarm was 
given, and next day thirty-six men, under Capt. 
Adam Zumwalt, hastened to the scene, found and 
buried Folej', and then pursued the trail of the 
savages.* 

In the meantime the mail carrier from Austin 
arrived at Gonzales and reported a large and fresh 
Indian trail crossing the road in the vicinity of 
Plum creek, bearing towards the coast. Thereupon 
twenty-four volunteers, under Ben McCulloch, has- 
tened eastwardly to the Big Hill neighborhood, 
about sixteen miles east. This is an extended 
ridge bearing northeast and southwest, separat- 
ing the waters of the Peach creeks of the Guad- 
alupe from the heads of Rocky, Ponton's, and 
other tributaries of the Lavaca and the latter 
stream itself. . Indian raiders, bound below, 
almost invariably crossed the Columbus and 
Gonzales road at the most conspicuous elevation 
of this ridge — the Big Hill. Hence McCul- 
loch's haste to that point. On the Gth McCulloch 
and Zumwalt united on the trail and rapidly fol- 
lowed it in the direction of Victoria. Some miles 
below they fell in with sixty-five men from the 
Cuero (now De Witt County) settlements on the 
Guadalupe, and some from Victoria, commanded 
by Capt. John J. Tumlinson. The latter assumed 
command of the whole 125 by request and the march 
was continued. 

On the same afternoon the Indians approached 
Victoria. At Spring creek, above the town, they 
killed four negroes belonging to Mr. Poage. On 
the Texana road, east side of town, they met and 
killed Col. Pinkney Caldwell, a prominent cit- 
izen and soldier of 1836. They chased various 
persons into the town, killing an unknown Ger- 
man, a Mexican, and three more negroes. A 
partj' hastily repaired to the suburbs to confront 
the enemy. Of their number Dr. Gray, Varlan 
Richardson, William McNuner and Mr. Daniels 
were killed, a total of thirteen. 

The Indians retired and passed the night on 
Spring creek, having secured about fifteen hundred 
horses and mules on the prairie in front of Victoria, 

* Arthur Foley was killed ia the Fannin massacre, 
March 27, 183G; James Foley was killed by Mexican 
marauders west of the Nueces in 1839; Tucker was the 
third brother to fall as stated. They were the sons of 
an eccentric but wealthy planter (Washington Green Lee 
Foley), who died in Lavaca County some years ago. 
The father of Dr. Ponton was killed by Indians near his 
home, on Ponton's creek, about 1834-35. 



80 



INDIAN WARS A^W PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



a large portion of which, belonging to "Scotch" 
Sutherland, had just arrived en route east. On 
Frida}', August 7, the Indians reappeared, made 
serious demonstrations, but were held in check by 
citizens under cover of houses. Securing several 
hundred more horses, they bore down the country 
to Nine Mile Point, where they captured j'oung 
Mrs. Crosby, a granddaughter of Daniel Boone, 
and her infant. They then deflected to the east, 
across the prairie in the direction of Liunville. 
They camped for a portion of the night on Placido 
creek, killed a teamster named Stephens, but failed 
to discover a Frenchman ensconced in the moss 
and foliage of a giant live oak over their heads. 

Moving before dawn on Sunday, August 8, as 
they approached Liunville, its inhabitants entirely 
unconscious of impending danger, they killed Mr. 
O'Neal and two negro men belonging to Maj. H. 
O. Watts. The people, believing the enemy to be 
friendly Mexicans with horses to sell, realized the 
fearful truth only in time to escape into the sail- 
boats anchored in shoal water about one hundred 
yards from shore. In attempting this, Maj. 
Watts was killed in the water. His young bride, 
negro woman, and a little son of the latter were 
captured. There was an immense amount of goods 
in the warehouses destined for San Antonio and 
the Mexican trade. Rapidly were these goods 
packed on horses and mules, but it consumed the 
day, and late in the afternoon everj- building but 
one warehouse was burned, the citizens, becalmed 
all day in their boats, witnessing the destruction of 
their homes and business houses. 

During the night the jubilant savages began their 
return march for their mountain homes, taking a 
route that passes up the west side of the Garcitas 
creek, about fifteen miles east of Victoria. 

On the 8th of August (Sunday) while Linnville 
was being sacked, Tumlinson reached Victoria 
about sunset, rested for a time, received some sup- 
plies, left about twenty-five men and receired about 
an equal number, continuing his effective force at 
12.5 men. ' They moved east on the Texana i-oad 
and at midnight camped on the Casa Blanca creek, 
a small tributary of the Garcitas from the west. 
George Kerr was dispatched for recruits to 
Texana, but at Kitchen's ranch, on the east side of 
the Arenoso, near tidewater junction with the Gar- 
citas, he found Capt. Clark L. Owen of Texana 
with forty men. It was then too late to unite with 
Tumlinson. The enemy in force had come between 
them. Owen sent out three scouts, of whom Dr. 
Bell was chased and killed. Nail escaped by the 
fleetness of his horse towards the Lavaca, and the 
noble John S. Meuefee (deceased in 1884) escaped 



in some drift brush with seven arrows piercing his 
body, all of which he extracted and preserved to 
the day of his death. 

Thus Tumlinson early in the day (August 9) con- 
fronted the whole body of the Indians with their 
immense booty, on a level and treeless prairie. 
He dismounted his men and was continually 
encircled b}' cunning warriors, to divert attention 
while their herds were being forced forward. 
McCulloch impetuously insisted on charging into 
the midst of the enemy as the only road to victory. 
The brave and oft- tried Tumlinson, seeing hesitancy 
in his ranks, yielded, and the enemy, after immate- 
rial skirmishing, was allowed to move on with herds 
and booty. Later in the day Owen's party joined 
them and desultorj' pursuit was continued, but the 
pursuers never came up with the Indians, nor did 
any other party till the battle of Plum creek was 
fought by entirely different parties. In this skir- 
mish one Indian was killed and also Mr. Mordecai 
of Victoria. 

On reaching the timber of the Chicolita, some 
twenty miles above the Casa Blanca, writhing 
under what he considered a lost opportunity, Ben 
McCulloch, accompanied by Alsey S. Miller, 
Archibald Gipson, and Barney Randall, left the 
command, deflected to the west so as to pass the 
enemy, and made such speed via Gonzales that 
these four alone of all the men at any time in the 
pursuit, were in the battle of Plum creek. The 
pursuers, however, were gallant men, and many of 
them reached the battle ground a few hours after 
the fight. 

Let us now turn to the series of movements that 
culminated in the overwhelming overthrow of the 
Indians at Plum creek, and of much of this the 
writer was an eye-witness. On the night of 
August 7, advised by courier of the attack on 
Victoria twenty-two volunteers left the house of 
Maj. James Kerr (the home of the writer) on the 
Lavaca river. Lafayette Ward was called to the 
command. The writer, then a boy of nineteen, was 
the youngest of the party. Reaching the Big 
Hill, heretofore described, and finding the In- 
dians had not passed up, the opinion prevailed that 
they had crossed over and were returning on the 
west side of the Guadalupe. They hastened on 
to Gonzales where the old hero, Capt. Matthew 
Caldwell, had just arrived. He adopted the same 
view, and announced that the Indians would 
recross the Guadalupe where New Braunfels now 
stands. In an hour he was at the head of thirty- 
seven men, making our united number fifty-nine. 
We followed his lead, traveled all night, and at 
sunrise on the 10th, reached Seguin. As we did so, 



INDIAN M'AHS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



81 



" Big" Hall, of Gonzales, on foaming steed, over- 
took us with the news from Victoria and Linnville, 
and that the Indians, pursued, were retreating on 
their downward made trail. The old veteran Cald- 
well at once said we must meet and fight them alPlum 
creek. After rest and breakfast, and strengtiiened 
by a few recruits, we moved on and camped that 
night at the old San Antonio crossing of the San 
Marcos. The 11th was intensely hot, and our 
ride was chiefly over a burnt prairie, the flying 
ashes being blinding to the eyes. Waiting some 
hours at noon, watching for the approach of the 
enemy after night, we arrived at Goode's cabin, on 
the Gonzales and Austin road, a little east of Plum 
creek. Here Felix Huston, General of militia, with 
his aide, James Izard, arrived from Austin about 
the same time. We moved two or three miles and 
camped on Plum creek, above the Indian trail. 
Here we met the gallant Capt. James Bird, of 
Gonzales, with about thirty men, who had come up 
the road directly from that place, and with the 
indefatigable Ben McCulloch and his three com- 
rades. Our united force was then one hundred 
men. We camped at midnight and sent pickets to 
watch the trail. Men and horses were greatly jaded, 
but the horses had to eat while the men slept. 

At daylight the pickets dashed in and 
reported the Indians advancing about three 
miles below. In twenty minutes every man 
was mounted and in line. Capt. Caldwell, in 
the bigness of his heart, rode out in front and 
moved that Gen. Felix Huston take command. 
A few responded aye and none said nay, but in 
fact the men wanted the old Indian fighter Caldwell 
himself to lead. Thej' respected Gen. Huston 
as a military man in regular war. They knew he 
had no experience in the business then in hand, but 
thej' were too polite to say nay, having a real 
respect for the man. The command moved forward 
across one or two ravines and glades till they entered 
a small open space hidden from the large prairie 
by a branch, thickly studded with trees and bushes. 
At this moment the gallant young Owen Hardeman, 
and Reed of Bastrop dashed up with the infor- 
mation that Col. Edward Burleson, with eighty- 
seven volunteers and thirteen Toncahua Indians 
(tiie latter on foot) were within three or four miles, 
advancing at a gallop. They were too invaluable 
to. be left. A halt was called. Gen. Huston 
then announced his plan: a hollow square, open in 
front, Burleson on the right, Caldwell on the left. 
Bird and Ward forming the rear line, under Maj. 
Thomas Monroe Hardeman. During this delay we 
had a full view of the Indians passing diagonally 
across our front, about a mile distant. They were 



singing and gyrating in divers grotesque ways, 
evidencing their great triumph, and utterly ob- 
livious of danger. Up to this time they had lost 
but one warrior, at the Casa Blanca ; thej' had 
killed twenty persons, from Tucker Foley, the first, 
to Mordecai, the last; they had as prisoners Mrs. 
Watts, Mrs. Crosby and child, and the negro 
woman and child ; they had about 2,000 captured 
horses and mules, and an immense booty in goods 
of various kinds. Before Burleson arrived the 
main body had passed our front, leaving only 
stragglers bringing up bunches of animals 
from the timber in their rear. It must be under- 
stood that the whole country, about forty miles 
from the Big Hill to the north side of Plum creek, 
is heavily timbered, while beyond that it is an open 
prairie to the foot of the mountains, with the Clear 
Fork of Plum creek on the left and parallel to the 
Indian trail. 

Here is an appropriate place to speak of the 
number of Indians. Their number was variously 
estimated, but from all the facts and the judg- 
ment of the most experienced, it is safe to say 
they numbered about 1,000. Our force was: — 

Number under Caldwell, including Bird and 

Ward 100 

Under Burleson, 87; and 13 Indians... 100 

Total 200 

As soon as Burleson arrived the troops were 
formed as before mentioned, and the advance made 
at a trot, soon increasing into a gallop. The main 
body of the Indians were perhaps a mile and a 
half ahead. As soon as we ascended from the 
valley on to the level plain, they had a full view of 
us, and at once prepared for action. Small par- 
ties of their more daring warriors met and con- 
tested with a few of our men voluntarily acting as 
skirmishers, and some heroic acts were performed. 
I remember well the gallantry of Capt. Andrew 
Neill, Ben McCulloch, Arch. Gipson, Reed of 
Bastrop, Capt. Alonzo B. Sweitzer (severely 
wounded in the arm), Columbus C. DeWitt, Henry 
E. McCulloch, and others then personally- known 
to me. 

The Indians, as we neared them, took position 
in a point of oaks on the left, with the Clear Fork 
in their rear, and a small boggy branch on their 
left, but in the line of their retreat. It was only 
boggy a short distance, and was easilj' turned on 
our right advance. 

When within about two hundred yards of the 
enemy we were halted and dismounted on the open 



82 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



plain. Bands of warriors then began encircling us, 
firing and using their shields with great effect. 
From the timber a steady Are was kept up, by 
muskets and some long range rifles, while about 
thirt\' of our men, still mounted, were dashing 
to and fro among the mounted Indians, illustrating 
a series of personal lieroisms worthy of all praise. 
In one of these Reed of Bastrop had an arrow 
driven through his body, piercing his lungs, though 
he lived long afterwards. Among the dismounted 
men several were wounded and a number of horses 
were killed. In all this time the herds and pack 
animals were being hurried onwards, and our oldest 
fighters, especially Burleson, Caldwell, Ben Mc- 
Culloch, and others, were eager for a charge into 
the midst of the savages. At last, perhaps half an 
hour after dismounting, an Indian chief, wearing a 
tremendous head dress, who had been exceedingly 
<laring, approached so near that several shots struck 
him, and he fell forward on the pommel of his 
saddle, but was caught by a comrade on either 
side and borne away, evidently dead or dying, for 
as soon as he was led among his people in the oaks 
they set up a peculiar howl, when Capt. Caldwell 
sang out, " Now, General, is your time to charge 
them! they are whipped!" The charge was 
ordered, and gallantly made. Very soon the 
Indians broke into parties and ran, but ran fight- 
ing all the time. At the boggy branch quite a 
number were killed, and they were killed in clusters 
for ten or twelve miles, our men scattering as did 
the Indians, every man acting as he pleased. 
There was no pretense of command after the 
boggy branch was passed. A few of our men pur- 
sued small bodies for twelve or more miles. In 
one of these isolated combats it fell' to my lot to 
dismount a warrior wearing a buffalo skin cap sur- 
mounted with the horns. He was dead when I dis- 
mounted to secure the prize, which was soon after- 
wards sent by Judge John Hayes to the Cincinnati 
museum, and was there in 1870. 

During the running light Mrs. Watts was severely 
wounded in the breast by an arrow, but fell into 
our hands. The negro woman shared ^ similar 
fate, and her little son was recovered without 
wounds. IVIrs. Crosby, by some means (probably 
her own act), was dismounted during the retreat 
near a small thicket, and sought to enter it, but in 
the act a fleeing warrior drove a lance through her 
heart. With several others, at about a hundred 



yards distance, I distinctly witnessed the act; but 
though at full speed none of us could overtake the 
bloody wretch. 

The heroic action of Placido, chief of the Ton- 
cahuas, attracted universal praise. He seemed 
reckless of life, and his twelve followers, as rapidly 
as mounted, emulated his example. All being on 
foot, the}' could only be mounted by each vaulting 
into the saddle of a slain Comanche, but they were 
all mounted in a marvelously short time after the 
action commenced. 

Great numbers of the loose and pack animals 
stampeded during the engagement, and were seen 
no more ; but large numbers on the return were 
driven in, and about the middle of the afternoon the 
men had generally returned to the point where the 
action began, and near which a camp was pitched. 
A welcome shower proved refreshing about this 
time. Later in the afternoon Col. John H. Moore, 
of Fayette, Capt. Owen, previously mentioned, 
and in all about 150 men arrived on the ground, 
having followed the trail that far. 

The trophies, during the next day, were classi- 
fied, numbered, and drawn by lot. I only remember 
that a horse, a fine mule, §27 worth of silk, and 
about $.50 worth of other goods fit for ladies' use 
fell to my lot, and the latter were so donated. I 
gave the horse to a poor man as a plow horse, and 
sold the mule for SlOO on trust to a stranger whose 
horse died on the road, and never received a cent 
thereof; and although he so treated me, an inex- 
perienced boy, I was verj' sorry some j'ears later 
when the Indians shot on arrow through his breast. 
It was impossible to determine how many Indians 
were killed. They sank many in the creek, and 
many died after reaching their haunts, as was 
learned from prisoners afterwards reclaimed. From 
this source of information it was ascertained that 
fifty-two so died in a few days, and I became sat- 
isfied by the after discovery of secreted and sunken 
bodies and the number found on the field that at 
least eighty-six were killed in the action, being a 
total of 138 certainly killed. 

The Indians lost everything. The defeat was 
unexpected — a surprise, complete and crushing. 
Followed by a great victory over them in the fol- 
lowing October, near where Colorado City now 
stands, won by Col. John H. Moore and his brave 
volunteers, the Comanches were taught lessons 
hitherto unknown to them. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



83 



Moore's Great Victory on the Upper Colorado, in 1840. 



Following Cul. Moore's defeat on the San Saba 
in January, 1839, came the Cherokee battles, of 
July and December, and many engagements or 
calamities of lesser magnitude during that year, 
including the massacre of the Webster party of 
fourteen men and one child and the capture of 
Mrs. Webster, her other two children and negro 
woman, on Brushy creek, in what is now William- 
son County. In March, 1840, occurred the 
Council House fight, in San Antonio, and in Au- 
gust the great Indian raid to the coast, the rob- 
bery and burning of the village of Linnville, two 
miles above the present Lavaca, and the final defeat 
and dispersion of the Indians in the decisive battle 
of Plum Creek, on the r2th day of that month. 

Following this last raid the veteran soldier, Col. 
John H. Mooie, of Fayette, sent forth circulars 
calling for volunteers to again penetrate the country 
of the hostiles, on the upper waters of the Col- 
orado, as another lesson to them that the whites 
were determined to either compel them to abstain 
from robbing, murdering and capturing their fel- 
low-citizens or exterminate them. A prompt 
response followed, and about the first of October 
the expedition left Austin, at once entering the 
wilderness. Col. Moore commanded, with S. S. B. 
Fields, a lawyer of LaGrange, as Adjutant. Capts. 
Thomas J. Rabb and Nicholas Dawson, of Fayette, 
commanded the companies, the latter being the 
same who commanded and fell at the Dawson 
massacre in 1842. There were ninety men in all. 
Clark L. Owen, of Texana (who fell as a Captain, 
at Shiloh, in 1862), was First Lieutenant in Eabb's 
Company. R. Addison Gillespie (who fell as a 
Captain of Texas rangers in storming the Bishop's 
palace at Monterey, in 1846), was one of the 
lieutenants, his brother being also along. Nearly 
all the men were from Fayette and Bastrop, but 
there were a few from the Lavaca, among whom I 
remember Isaac N. Mitchell, Mason B. Foley, 
Joseph Simons, of Texana, Nicholas J. Ryan and 
Peter Rockfeller (Simons and Rockfeller both 
dying in Mexican prisons, as Mier men in 1844 or 
1845.) I started with these young men, then my 
neighbors, but was compelled to halt, on account 
of my horse being crippled at the head of the 
Navidad. Col. Moore also had with him a detach- 
ment of twelve Lipan Indians, commanded by Col. 
Castro, their principal chief, with the famous 
young chief Flacco as his Lieutenant. 



The command followed up the valley of the 
Colorado, without encountering an enemy, till it 
reached a point now supposed to be in the region of 
Colorado City. The Lipan scouts were constantly 
in advance, and on the alert. Hastily returning, 
while in the vicinity mentioned, they reported the 
discovery of a Comanche encampment fifteen or 
twenty miles distant, on the east bank and in a 
small horseshoe bend of the Colorado, with a high 
and somewhat steep bluff on the opposite bank. 

Col. Moore traveled by night to within a mile or 
two of the camp, and then halted. It was a clear, 
cold night in October, and the earth white with 
frost, probably two thousand feet above the sea 
level. The men shivered with cold, while the un- 
suspecting savages slept warmly under buffalo- 
robes in their skin-covered tepees. In the mean- 
time Moore detached Lieut. Owen, with thirty 
men, to cross the river below, move up and at dawn 
occupy the bluff. This movement was success- 
fully effected, and all awaited the dawn for sufficient 
light to guide their movements. 

The stalwart and gallant old leader, mounted 
on his favorite steed, with a few whispered words 
summoned every man to his saddle. Slowly, 
cautiously they moved till within three hundred 
yards of the camp, when the rumbling sound of 
moving horses struck the ear of a warrior on watch. 
His shrill 3'ell sounded the alarm, and ere Moore, 
under a charge instantly ordered, could be in their 
midst, every warrior and many of the squaws had 
their bows strung and ready for fight. But pell- 
mell the volunteers rushed upon and among them. 
The rifles, shot-guns and pistols of the white man, 
in a contest largely hand-to-hand, with fearful 
rapidity struck the red man to the earth. Sur- 
prised and at close quarters, the wild man, though 
fighting with desperation, shot too rapidly and 
wildly to be effective. Seeing their fate a consid- 
erable number swam the narrow river and essayed 
to escape by climbing the bluff. Some were shot in 
their ascent by Moore's men from across the 
stream and tumbled backwards. Every one who 
made the ascent to the summit of the bluff was 
confronted and slain by Owen's men. At the onset 
two horses were tied in the camp. On these two 
warriors escaped. Besides them, so far as could be 
ascertained, every warrior was killed, excepting a 
few old men and one or two young men, who sur- 
rendered and were spared. 



84 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Many of the Indian women, for a little wiiile, 
fought as stoutl}' as the men and some were killed, 
despite every effort to save them. In the charge 
Isaac Mitchell's bridle bit parted asunder and his 
mule rushed ahead into the midst of the Indians — 
then halted and " sulked " — refused to move. A 
squaw seized a large billet of wood and by a blow 
on his head tumbled him to the ground ; but be 
sprang to his feet, a little bewildered, and just as 
his comrades came by, seeing the squaw springing 
at him knife in hand, they sang out, "Kill her, 



Mitchell! " With a smile, not untinged with pain, 
he replied: " Oh, no, boys, I can't kill a woman!" 
But to prevent her killing himself, lie knocked 
her down and wrenched the weapon from her 
hands. 

A hundred and thirty Indians were left dead on 
the field. Thirty-four squaws and children and 
several hundred horses were brought in, besides 
such camp equipage as the men chose to carry 
with tliem, among which were goods plundered at 
Linnville the previous August. 



A Raid into Gonzales and Pursuit of the Indians in May, 1841 — 
Ben McCulloch in the Lead. 



Lnte in April, or early in May, 1841, a party of 
twenty-two Indians made a night raid into and 
around Gonzales, captured a considerable number 
of horses and, ere daylight came, were in rapid 
flight to their mountain home. It was but one of 
oft-recurring inroads, the majority of which will 
never be known in history. In this case, however, 
as in many others, I am enabled to narrate every 
material fact, and render justice to the handful of 
gallant men who pursued and chastised the free- 
booters. 

Ben McCulloch called for volunteers ; but not, as 
was most usual, to hurry off in pursuit. He knew the 
difficulty and uncertainty of overliauling retreating 
savages, with abundant horses for frequent change, 
and preferred waiting a few days, thereby inducing 
the red men, who always kept scouts in the rear, to 
believe no pursuit would be made, and in this he 
was successful. 

When ready, McCulloch set forth with the fol- 
lowing sixteen companions, every one of whom was 
personally well known to the writer as a brave and 
useful frontiersman, viz. : Arthur Swift, James H. 
Callahan (himself often a captain), Wilson Randle, 
Green McCoy (the Gonzales boy who was in 
Erath's fight in Milam County in 1837, when his 
uncle, David Clark, and Frank Childress, were 
killed), Eli T. Hankins, Clement Hinds, Archibald 
Gipson (a daring soldier in many fights, from 1836 
to 1851,) W. A. Hall, Henry E. McCulloch, 
James Roberts, Jeremiah Roberts, Thomas R. 



Nichols, William Tumlinson, William P. Kincannon, 
Alsey S. Miller, and William Morrison. 

Tliey struck the Indian trail where it crossed the 
San Marcos at the mouth of Mule creek and fol- 
lowed it northwestwardly up and to the head of 
York's creek ; thence through the mountains to the 
Guadalupe, and up that stream to what is now 
known as " Johnson's Fork," which is the principal 
mountain tributary to the Guadalupe on the north 
side. The trail was followed along this fork to its 
source, and thence northwestwardly to the head of 
what is now known as " Johnson's Fork " of the 
Llano, and down this to its junction with the 
Llano. 

Before reaching the latter point McCulloch 
halted in a secluded locality, satisfied that he was 
near the enemy, and in person made a reconnoisance 
of their position, and with such accuracy that he 
was enabled to move on foot so near to the encamp- 
ment as, at daylight, to completely surprise the 
Indians. The conflict was short. Five warriors 
lay dead upon the ground. Half of the remainder 
escaped wounded, so that of twenty- two only about 
eight escaped unhurt ; but their number had prob- 
ably been increased after reaching that section. 

The Indians lost everything excepting tlieir arms. 
Their horses, saddles, equipages, blankets, robes, 
and even their moccasins, were captured. It was 
not only a surprise to them, but a significant warn- 
ing, as they had no dread of being hunted down 
and punished in that distant and remarkably 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



85 



secluded locality. In March and April, 18C5, in 
command of 183 men, the writer, as a Confederate 
officer, made a campaign through and above that 
country, following the identical route from the 
mouth of Johnson's Fork of the Guadalupe to the 



spot where this conflict took place twenty-four 
years before, and found it still a wild mountain 
region — ^ still a iiiding-place for savage red men, 
and at that particular period, for lawless and dis- 
reputable white men. 



Red River and Trinity Events in 1841 — The Yeary and Ripley 

Families — Skirmish on Village Creek and Death 

of Denton — Expeditions of Gens. Smith 

and Tarrant. 



For a great many years I have had notes on the 
expedition in which John B. Denton was killed, 
furnished at different times by four different per- 
sons who were participants, viz.. Cols. James Bour- 
land and Wm. C. Young, Dr. Lemuel M. Cochran 
and David Williams, then a boy ; but there has 
appeared from time to time in former years such a 
variety of fiction on the subject that I determined 
to publish nothing until thoroughly convinced of 
the accuracy of the statements thus obtained — all 
the while hoping for a personal interview with m}' 
venerable friend of yore, Henry Stout, of Wood 
County — who, besides Denton, was the only man 
hurt in the trip. This I now have together with a 
written statement from Dr. Cochran, dated Gon- 
zales, September 2G, 1886, and the personal recol- 
lections of John M. Watson, Alex W. Webb and 
Col. Jas. G. Stevens, then a youth. 

As a prelude to the expedition it is proper to say 
that late in 1840, the house of Capt. John Yeary, 
living on Sulphur, in the southeast part of Fannin 
County, was attacked by a party of ten Indians 
while lie and a negro man were at work in his field 
three hundred yards from the house. Mrs. Yeary, 
gun in hand, stood on the defensive, inside of the 
closed door. Yeary and the negro man, armed 
with a hoe each, rusiied towards the house and 
across the yard fence, fought the assailants hand to 
hand, in which Yeary received an arrow just above 
the eye, which glanced around the skull without 
penetrating. Mrs. Y'^eary, with a gun, ran out to 
her husband, but in doing so was shot in the hip. 
Thus strengthened in the means of defense, the 
Indians were driven off, without further casualty 
to the family. 

Early in April, 18-11, a part of the Ripley family 



on the old Cherokee trace, on Riplej' creek, in Titus 
County, were murdered by Indians. Ripley was 
absent. Mrs. Ripley was at home with a son 
scarcely twenty years old, a daughter about six- 
teen, two daughters from twelve to fifteen, and 
several smaller children, living some distance from 
any other habitation. The Indians suddenly ap- 
peared in daj'light, shot and killed the son as he 
was plowing in the field, and rushed upon the house, 
from which the mother and children fled towards a 
canebrake, two hundred yards distant. The elder 
daughter was shot dead on the way. The second 
and third daughters escaped into the cane; the 
mother and the other children were killed with 
clubs ; one child in the house, probably asleep. 
The Indians then plundered tlie house and set it on 
fire, the child inside being consumed in the flames. 
This second outrage led to a retaliatory expedi- 
tion, which required some time for organization, in 
tlie thinly populated district. By prior agreement 
the volunteer citizens, numbering eighty (as stated 
by Dr. Cochran, who was Orderly Sergeant; but, 
seventy, according to Henry Stout's statement), met 
in a body on Choctaw bayou, eight miles west of the 
place since known as Old Warren, on the 4th of May, 
1841, as shown by the notes of John M. Watson, 
yet (188G) living in Fannin County. On the next 
morning they organized into a company by electing 
James Bourland, Captain, William C. Young, 
Lieutenant, and Lemuel BI. Cochran, Orderly Ser- 
geant. John B. Denton and Henry Stout were 
each placed in charge of a few men as scouts. 
Edward H. Tarrant, General of militia, was of the 
party without command, but was consulted and 
respected as a senior officer. On the same day the 
company moved west to the vacant barracks, 



86 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



erected during the previous winter by Col. William 
G. Cooke, senior officer in command of the regular 
troops of Texas. At the barracks, which stood 
in the immediate vicinity of the present town of 
Denison, the company remained two or three days 
for a portion of the volunteers, who had been de- 
tained. On their arrival the command moved west 
on the old Chihuahua trail, leading to Natchitoches. 
Jack Ivej', a man of mixed Indian and African blood, 
was pilot. At that time Holland Coffee, who was one 
of the part3', lived eight miles above the barracks. At 
some point on the trip, but exactly when or vrhere, I 
have been unable to learn, he, with a man named 
Wm. A. (Big Foot) Wallace, Colvill, and seven 
others, left the company andj^returned to his post 
or trading house. This doubtless accounts for the 
disparity in numbers given by Cochran and Stout. 

It was believed that the depredating Indians 
were encamped on a creek which enters the west 
fork of Trinity from the northeast side, where the 
town of Bridgeport now stands, in Wise County, 
the reputed village being at a broken, rocky spot, 
four or five miles up the stream, which now bears the 
name of " Village" creek. The expedition moved 
under that belief, passing where Gainesville now is, 
and thence southwesterly to the supposed Keechi 
village, but founil it abandoned, without any evi- 
dence of very recent occupancy, beyond some fresh 
horse tracks, not far away. 

The next day they crossed to the west side of 
the Trinity, and for two days traveled south 
obliquely in the direction of the Brazos. Find- 
ing no indication of Indians, they turned north- 
easterly, and on the afternoon of the second 
day recrossed the Trinity to the north and trav- 
eled down its valley, camping in the forks of 
that stream and Fossil creek. On the next day, 
near their cami), they found an old buffalo trail, 
leading down and diagonally across the river, and on 
to an Indian encampment on Village creek, a short 
distance above, but south from where the Texas and 
Pacific Kaihoad crosses that creek, which runs from 
south to northeast, and is some miles east of Fort 
Worth. On this trail they found fresh horse tracks, 
and followed them. Henry Stout then, as through- 
out the expedition, led an advance scout of six 
men. Nearing the camp referred to, they dis- 
covered an Indian woman cooking in a copijer ket- 
tle, in a little glade on the bank of the creek. See- 
ing he was not observed, and being veiled by a 
brush-covered ris^e in the ground, Stout halted and 
sent the information back to Tarrant. While 
thus waiting, a second woman rose the bank and 
joined the first, one of them having a cliild. As 
Tarrant came up the squawsdiscovered them, gave 



a loud scream, and plunged down into the bed of 
the creek. The men charged, supi»osing the war- 
riors were under the bank. A man named Alsey 
Fuller killed one of the squaws, not knowing her 
to be a woman, as she ascended the opposite bank. 
The other woman and child were captured. 

Here the men scattered into several different 
parties in quest of the unseen enemy. Bouriand, 
with about twent3^ men, including Denton, Coch- 
ran and Lindley Johnson, crossed the creek and 
found a road along its valley. The3- galloped along 
it down the creek a little over a mile, when they 
came upon a large camp, when Bouriand, with 
about half of the men, bore to the right, and Coch- 
ran, with the others, to the left, in order to flank 
the position, but the Indians retreated into the 
thickets on the opposite side. Cochran and Elbert 
Early both attempted to fire at a retreating 
Indian, but their guns snapped. On reaching the 
creek the Indian fired at Early but missed. The 
whole command became badly scattered and con- 
fused. Eight men again crossed the creek and in a 
short distance came upon a third camp just deserted. 
Tarrant ordered them to fall back to the second 
camp. When they did so about forty were pres- 
ent. While waiting for the others to come up, Den- 
ton asked and obtained Tarrant's reluctant consent 
to take ten men and go down the creek, promising 
to avoid an ambuscade by extreme caution. After 
Denton left, Bouriand took ten men and started in 
a different direction ; but about a mile below they 
came together, and after moving together a short 
distance Bouriand and Calvin Sullivan crossed a 
boggy bi-anch to capture some horses, one of 
which wore a bell. The others bore farther down 
the branch into a corn-field, crossed it and found a 
road leading into the bottom. At the edge of the 
bottom thicket they halted, Denton to fulfill his 
promise of care in avoiding an ambush. Henry 
Stout then rode to the front saying, "If you are 
afraid to go in there, I am not." Denton brusquely 
answered that he would follow him to the infernal 
regions and said " Move on!" In about three hun- 
dred yards they came to and descended the creek 
bank. Stout led, followed by Denton, Capt. 
Griffin and the others in single file. When the 
three foremost had traveled up the creek bed about 
thirty paces from a thicket on the west bluff they 
were fired upon. Stout was in front, but parti}' 
protected by a small tree, but was shot through his 
left arm. He wheeled to the right, and in raising 
his gun to fire, a ball passed through its butt, caus- 
ing the barrel to strike him violently on the head, 
and five bullets pierced his clothing around his 
neck and shoulders. Denton, immediately behind 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



87 



Stout, was shot at the same instant, wheeled to the 
right-about, rode back up the bank, and fell dead, 
pierced by three balls, one in his arm, one in his 
shoulder and one through his right breast. The 
other men, being in single file, did not get in 
range, being screened by a projection in the bank, 
and some had not quite reached the creek bed. 
Those firing upon Stout and Denton fled in the 
brush after a single volley, and in a little time the 
savages were securely hidden in the surrounding 
thickets. Griffin was grazed by a ball on his 
cheek, and several passed through his clothes. 

The men hastily countermarched to the field, 
where Capt. Bourland met them. They were con- 
siderably demoralized. Pretty soon all were 
rallied at the first point of attack. Bourland 
took twenty-four men, went back and carried 
off the body of Denton. Eighty horses, a consid- 
erable number of copper kettles, many buffalo 
robes and other stuff were carried away. Our men 
retraced their steps to the Fossil creek camp of the 
previous night, arriving there about midnight, 
after losing much of the spoil. Next morning, 
crossing Fossil creek bottom to its north side, they 
buried Denton under the bank of a ravine, at the 
point of a rocky ridge, and not far from where 
Birdville stands. Ten or twelve feet from the 
grave stood a large post oak tree, at the roots of 
which two stones were partly set in the ground. 
This duty performed they traveled up the country 
on the west side of the Cross Timbers and Elm 
Fork, until they struck their trail outward at the 
site of Gainesville, and then followed it back to the 
barracks, where they disbanded, after a division of 
the captured property. The Indian woman escaped 
on the way in. Gen. Tarrant kept the child, but it 
was restored to its mother some two years later, at 
a council in the Indian Territory. 

The expedition was unsuccessful in its chief 
objects and, from some cause, probably a division 
of responsibility, the men, or a portion of them, at 
the critical moment, were thrown into a degree of 
confusion bordering on panic. 

On returning home from tliis fruitless, indeed 
unfortunate, expedition, measures were set on foot 
for a larger one, of which Gen. Tarrant was again 
to be the ranking officer. 

At that time Gen. James Smith, of Nacogdoches, 
was commander of the militia in that district. He 
led an expedition at the same time to the same 
section of country, there being an understanding 
that he and Tarrant would, if practicable, meet 
somewhere in the Cross Timbers. 

The volunteers of Red river, between 400 and 
500 in number, assembled from the 15th to the 



20th of July, 1841, at Fort English, as the home 
of Bailey English was called, and there organized 
as a regiment by electing William C. Young as 
Colonel and James Bourland as Lieutenant-Colonel. 
John Smither was made Adjutant, and among the 
captains were William Lane, David Key and Robert 
S. Hamilton. 

Gen. Tarrant assumed command and controlled 
the expedition. Simultaneously with this assem- 
bling of the people two little boys on the Bois 
d'Arc, lower down, were captured and carried off 
by Indians, to be recovered about two j'ears later. 

The expedition moved southwest and encamped 
on the west bank of the Trinity, probably in Wise 
County, and sent out a scouting party, who made no 
discoveries ; yet, as will be seen, the Indians dis- 
covered Tarrant's movements in time to be unseen 
by him and to narrowly escape a well-planned attack 
by Gen. Smith. Without discovering any enemy, 
after being out several weeks, Tarrant's command 
returned home and disbanded. 

In the meantime Gen. Smith, with a regiment of 
militia and volunteers, moved up northwesterly in 
the general direction of the present city of Dallas. 
On arriving at the block houses, known as King's 
Fort, at the present town of Kaufman, he found 
that the place had been assaulted by Indians during 
the previous evening and a considerable fight had 
occurred, in which the assailants had been gallantly 
repulsed and had retired, more or less damaged. 

Gen. Smith fell upon and followed the trail of 
the discomfited savages, crossing Cedar creek (of 
Kaufman Count}'), the " East Fork," White Rock 
and the Trinity where Dallas stands, this being a 
few months before John Neely Bryan pitched his 
lonely camp on the same spot. On the spring 
branch, a mile or so on the west side of the river, 
the command halted, enjoying limpid spring water 
and an abundance of honey, from which one of the 
springs derived the name it still retains — Honey 
spring. From this camp Gen. Smith dispatched a 
scout of twelve men, under Capt. John L. Hall, to 
seek and report the location of the Indian village. 
Besides Capt. Hall there were in this scout John H. 
Reagan (then a buckskin attired surveyor — years 
later United States senator, having first entered the 
lower House of Congress in 1857), Samuel Bean, 
Isaac Bean, John I. Burton (of race-horse fame), 
Hughes Burton, George Lacey, Warren A. Ferris, 
a Creek Indian named Charty, and three others 
whose names have not been obtained. They crossed 
Mountain creek above or south of the Texas and 
Pacific railroad of to-day, thence passed over the 
prairie into the Cross Timbers and to within a short 
distance of Village creek. From the number of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fresh trails, apparently converging to a common 
center, it became evident they were in the vicinity 
of an Indian town. Secreting his party in a low 
and well hidden spot, Capt. Hall sent Judge 
Reagan and Isaac Bean on foot, to discover the 
exact location of the village and the best means of 
approaching and surprising it. These brave but 
cautious men, well-skilled in woodcraft, spent over 
half a day in " spying out the lay of the land," 
finding the Indians in quiet possession of their 
camp and that it was approachable at both the 
upper and lower ends of the village. Thus informed 
they lost no time in reporting to Capt. Hall, who, 
as soon as night came, cautiously emerged from his 
hiding-place with his party, and hastened with the 
information to Gen. Smith, who, by the way, was a 
gallant old soldier in the Creek war under Gen. 
Jackson. Camping at night on Mountain creek, 
after starting as soon as possible after the arrival 
of Hall, Gen. Smith reached the village about noon 



next day. The command was divided into two 
battalions, respectively commanded bj' Gen. Smith 
and Lieut. -Col. Elliott. 

Judge Reagan acted as guide in conducting Smith 
to the upper end of the village, while Bean per- 
formed the same service in guiding Elliott to the 
lower. Both moves were successfully made ; but, 
when the crisis came and the entliusiasm of the 
men was at fever heat, it was found that the enemy 
had already precipitately fled, leaving some supplies 
and camp fixtures. 

The simple explanation was that the Indians had 
discovered Tarrant's force and fled barely in time to 
elude Smith. Pursuit, under such circumstances, 
would be useless. 

Without meeting, each command, in its own wa}', 
returned homeward ; but, though bloodless, the 
invasion of the Indian country, in such force, had 
a salutary effect in preparing all the smaller hostile 
tribes for the treaty entered into in September, 18-i3. 



Death of McSherry and Stinnett — Killing of Hibbins and 
Creath and the Capture of Mrs. Hibbins and 
Children — 1828 to 1842. 



In 1828, there arrived on the Guadalupe river a 
j'oung married couple from the vicinity of Browns- 
ville, Jackson County, Illinois — .John McSherry 
and his wife, Sarah, whose maiden name was Cre.ath. 
They settled on the west side of the Guadalupe, 
near a little creek, which, with a spring, was some 
two hundred yards in front of the cabin they erected. 
This was in the lower edge of DeWitt's Colony, as 
it is now in the lower edge of DeWitt County. 
Their nearest neighbor was Andrew Lockhart, ten 
miles up the river, and one of a large family of 
sterling pioneers on the Guadalupe, bearing that 
name. Mrs. McSherry was a beautiful blonde, an 
excellent type of the country girls of the West in 
that day, very handsome in person, graceful in 
manner and pure of heart. Mr. McSherry was an 
honest, industrious man of nerve and will. They 
were happily devoted to each other. 

Early in 1829, their first child, John, was born in 
that isolated cabin, in one of the most lovely spots 
of the Southwest. 

Later in the same year, about noon on a pleasant 
day, Mr. McSherry went to the spring for a bucket 



of water. As he arose from the bank, bucket in 
hand, a party of Indians with a wild yell, sprang 
from the bushes and in a moment he was a lifeless 
and scalped corpse. His wife hearing the yell, 
sprang to the door, saw him plainly and realized 
the peril of herself and infant. In the twinkling of 
an ej^e, she barred the door, seized the gun and 
resolved to defend herself and baby unto death. 
The savages surveyed the situation and manoeuvered 
to and fro, but failed to attack the cabin and soon 
disappeared. Thus she was left alone, ten miles 
from the nearest habitation, and without a road to 
that or any other place. But truly, in the belief 
of every honest person of long frontier experi- 
ence, the ways of providence are inscrutable. 
About dark John McCrabb, a fearless and excel- 
lent man, well armed and mounted, but wholly 
unaware of the s.ad condition of matters, rode up to 
the cabin to pass the night. Hearing the recital his 
strong nerves became stronger, and his heart pul- 
sated as became that of a whole-souled Irishman. 

Ver}' soon he placed the young mother and babe 
on his horse and, by the light of the stars, started 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



89 



on foot, through the wilderness, for the house of 
Andrew Lockhart, reaching it before daylight, 
where warm hearts bestowed all possible care and 
kindness on those so ruthiesslj' stricken in the 
wilderness and so remote from all kindred ties. 

Mrs. McSherry, for a considerable time, found a 
home and friends with the Lockharts ; but a few 
years later married John Hibbins, a worthy man, 
who settled on the east side of the Guadalupe, in 
the vicinity of where the town of Concrete now 
stands, in DeWitt County. 

In the summer of 1835, with her little boy, John 
McSherry, and an infant by Mr. Hibbins, she re- 
visited her kindred in Illinois. She returned via 
New Orleans in the winter of 1835-6, accompanied 
by her brother, George Creath, a single man, and 
landed at Columbia, on the Brazos, where early in 
February, 1836, Mr. Hibbins met them with an ox 
cart, on which they began the journey home. 
They crossed the Colorado at Beason's and fell into 
the ancient La Bahia road on the upper Navidad. 
In due time they arrived at and were about 
encamping on Rocky creek, six miles above the 
subsequent village of Sweet Home, in Lavaca 
County and within fifteen or sixteen miles of their 
home, when they were suddenly attacked by 
thirteen Indian warriors who immediately killed 
Hibbins and Creath, made captives Mrs. Hibbins 
and her two children, took possession of all the 
effects and at leisure moved off up the country 
with perfect unconcern. They traveled slowly up 
through the timbered country, the Peach creek 
region between the Guadalupe and the Colorado, 
securely tjnng Mrs Hibbins at night and lying 
encircled around her. About the second day, at 
one of their camps, the baby cried with pain for 
some time, when one of the Indians seized it by the 
feet and mashed its brains against a tree, all in the 
presence of its helpless mother. For two or three 
days at this time Mrs. Hibbins distinctly heard 
the guns in the siege of the Alamo, at least sixty 
miles to the west. That she did so was made cer- 
tain a little later by her imparting the news to 
others till then unaware of that now world- 
renowned struggle. 

In due time her captors crossed the Colorado at 
the mouth of Shoal creek, now in the city of 
Austin. They moved on three or four miles and 
encamped on the south edge of a cedar brake, 
where a severe norther came up and caused them 
to remain three nights and two days. On the third 
night the Indians were engaged in a game till late 
and then slept soundly. Mrs. Hibbins determined, 
if possible, to escape. Cautiously, she freed her- 
self of the cords about her wrists and ankles and 



stepping over the bodies of her unconscious guards, 
stole awa}', not daring even to imprint a kiss on 
her only and first-born child, then a little over six 
years of age. 

Daylight found her but a short distance from 
camp, not over a mile or two, and she secreted 
herself in a thicket from which she soon saw and 
heard the Indians in pursuit. The savages com- 
pelled the little boy to call aloud, "Mama! Ma- 
ma!" But she knew that her only hope for her- 
self and child was in escape, and remained silent. 
After a considerable time the Indians disappeared. 
But she remained concealed still longer, till satisfied 
her captors had left. She then followed the creek 
to the Colorado and, as rapidly as possible, traveled 
down the river, shielded by the timber along its 
banks. 

The crow of a chicken late in the afternoon sent 
a thrill through her agonizing heart. The welcome 
sound was soon repeated several times and thither 
she hastened with a zeal born of her desperate con- 
dition, for she did not certainly know she was in a 
hundred miles of a habitation. In about two miles 
she reached the outer cabin on the Colorado, or 
rather one of the two outer ones — Jacob Harrell 
occupying the one she entered and Reuben Horns- 
by the other. She was so torn with thorns and 
briars, so nearly without raiment, and so bruised 
about the face, that her condition was pitiable. 
Providentially (as every old pioneer untainted with 
heathenism believed), eighteen rangers, the first 
ever raised under the revolutionarj' government of 
Texas, and commanded by Capt. John J. Tum- 
linson, had arrived two days before and were 
encamped at the cabin of Hornsby. To this warm- 
hearted and gallant officer Mrs. Hibbins was per- 
sonally known and to him she hastily narrated her 
sad story. 

Tumlinson knew the country somewhat and felt 
sure he could find the Indians at a given point 
further up the country. He traveled nearly all 
night, halting only a short while before day to rest 
his horses and resuming the march at sunrise, and 
about 9 o'clock came upon the Indians, encamped, 
but on the eve of departure. I have the privilege, 
as to what followed, of quoting the exact language 
of Capt. Tumlinson, written for me fort}- years ago, 
as follows : — - 

" The Indians discovered us just as we discov- 
ered them, but had not time to get their horses, so 
they commenced running on foot towards the 
mountain thickets. I threw Lieut. Joseph Rogers, 
with eight men, below them ■ — and with the others 
I dashed past and took possession of their route 
above them. The Indians saw that the route 



no 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



above and below them was in our possession, and 
struck off for the mountain thicket nearest the side 
of the trail. I ordered Lieut. Rogers to charge, 
and fell upon them simultaneously. I saw an 
Indian aiming his rifle at me, but knew that he 
must be a better marksman than I had seen among 
them to hit me going at my horse's speed, and did 
not heed him till I got among them. Then I 
sprang from my horse quick as lightning, and 
turned towards him ; at the same instant he fired ; 
the ball passed through the bosom of my shirt and 
struck my horse in the neck, killing him immedi- 
ately. I aimed deliberately and fired. The Indian 
sprang a few feet into the air, gave one whoop and 
fell dead within twenty-five feet of me. The fight 
now became general. Pell-mell we fell together. 
The Indians, thirteen in number, armed with bows 
and rifles, were endeavoring to make good their 
retreat towards the thicket. Several of them fell, 
and two of my men were wounded ; when finally 
they effected an entrance into the thicket, which 
was so dense that it would have been madness to 
have attempted to penetrate it, and we were forced 
to cease the pursuit. I dispatched Rogers after 
the child, the horses and mules of the Indians, 
whilst I remained watching the thicket to guard 
against surprise. He found the child in the Indian 
camp tied on the back of a wild mule, with his 
robe and equipments about him fixed on for the 
day's march, and had to shoot the mule in order to 
get the child. He also succeeded in getting hold 
of all the animals of tiie Indians, and those they 
had stolen. My men immediately selected the best 
horse in the lot, which they presented to me in place 
of the one that was killed. 

''We watched for the Indians a while longer; 
and in the meantime sent a runner for the doctor 
to see to the wounded. I sent a portion of the 
men under the command of Rogers with the child, 
and the wounded men and I brought up the rear. 
The wounded were Elijah Ingram, shot in the arm, 
the liall ranging upwards to the shoulder; also 
Hugh M. Childers, shot through the leg. Of the 
Indians, four were killed. We arrived that night 
at Mr. Harrell's, where we found Mrs. Hibbins, 
the mother of the child. Lieut. Rogers presented 
the child to its mother, and the scene which here 
ensued beggars description. A mother meeting 
with her child released from Indian captivity, re- 
covered as it were from the very jaws of death! 
Not an eye was dry. She called us brothers, and 
every other endearing name, and would have fallen 
on her knees to worship us. She hugged her child 
to her bosom as if fearful that she would again lose 
him. And — but 'tis useless to say more." 



Lieut. Joseph Rogers was a brother of Mrs. Gen. 
Burleson, and was killed in a battle with the Indians 
a few years later. Thus the mother and child, 
bereft of husband and father, and left without a 
relative nearer than Southern Illinois, found them- 
selves in the families of Messrs. Harrell and 
Hornsby, the outside settlers on the then feeble 
frontier of the Colorado — large-hearted and sym- 
pathizing avant-couricrs in the advancing civili- 
zation of Texas. The coincident fall of the Alamo 
came to them as a summons to pack up their effects 
and hasten eastward, as their fellow-citizens below 
were already doing. 

The mother and child accompanied these two 
families in their flight from the advancing Mexi- 
cans, till they halted east of the Trinity, where, in a 
few weeks, couriers bore the glorious news of vic- 
tory and redemption from the field of San Jacinto. 
Soon they resumed their weary march, but this 
time for their homes. In Washington County Mrs. 
Hibbins halted, under the friendly roof of a sym- 
pathizing pioneer. There she also met a former 
neighbor, in the person of Mr. Claiborne Stinnett, 
an intelligent and estimable man, who, with Capt. 
Henry S. Brown (father of the writer of this) 
represented De Witt's Colony in the first delibera- 
tive body ever assembled in Texas — the able and 
patriotic convention assembled at San Felipe, 
October 1, 1832. 

After a widowhood of twelve months, Mrs. Hib- 
bins married Mr. Stinnett and they at once (in the 
spring of 1837) returned to their former home on 
the Guadalupe. In the organization of Gonzales 
County, a little later, Mr. Stinnett was elected 
Sheriff. Late in the fall, with apackhorse, he went 
to Linnville, on the bay, to buy needed supplies. 
Loading this extra horse with sugar, coffee, etc., 
and with seven hundred dollars in cash, lie started 
home. But instead of following the road by Vic- 
toria, he traveled a more direct route through the 
prairie. When, about night, he was near the 
Arenosa creek, about twenty miles northeast of 
Victoria, he discovered a camp fire in a grove of 
timber and, supposing it to be a camp of hunters, 
went to it. Instead, it was the camp of two " run- 
away" negro men, seeking their way to Mexico. 
They murdered Mr. Stinnett, took his horses, pro- 
visions and money, and, undiscovered, reached 
Mexico. The fate of the murdered man remained 
a mystery. No trace of him was found for five 
years, until, in the fall of 1842, one of the negroes 
revealed all the facts to an American prisoner in 
Mexico (the late Col. Andrew Neill), and so de- 
scribed the locality that the remains of Mr. Stinnett 
were found and interred. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



)1 



Thus this estimable lady lost her tliird husband — 
two by red savages and one by black — and was 
again alone, without the ties of kinship, excepting 
her child, in all the land. Yet she was still young, 
attractive in person and pure of heart, so that, two 
years later, she was wooed and won by Mr. Philip 
Howard. Unwisely, in June, 1840, soon after their 
marriage, thej' abandoned their home on the Guad- 
alupe and removed to the ancient Mission of San 
Juan, eight miles below San Antonio. It was a 
hundred miles through a wilderness often traversed 
by hostile savages. Hence they were escorted by 
seven young men of the vicinity, consisting of Byrd 
Loekhart, Jr. (of that well-known pioneer family), 
young McGary, two brothers named Powers (one 
of whom was a boy of thirteen and both the sons of 
a widow), and three others whose names are for- 
gotten. On arriving at the mission in the fore- 
noon their horses were hobbled out near by and 
little John McSherry (the child of Mrs. How- 
ard, recovered from the Indians in 1836, and at 
this time in his eleventh year) was left on 
a pony to watch them ; but within half an 
hour a body of Indians suddenly charged upon 
them, captured some of the horses, and little John 
barel}' escaped by dashing into the camp, a vivid 
reminder to the mother that her cup of affliction 
was not yet full. In a day or two the seven young 
men started on their return home. About noon 
next day, a heavy shower fell, wetting their guns; 
but was soon followed by sunshine, when they all 
fired off their guns to clean and dr^' them. Most 
imprudently they all did so at the same time, leav- 
ing no loaded piece. This volley attracted the 
keen ear of seventy hostile Comanches who other- 
wise would not have discovered them. In a 
moment or two they appeared and cried out that 



they were friendly Toncaluias. Tne ruse succeeded 
and they were allowed to approach and encircle the 
now helpless young men. Six of them were in- 
stantl3' slain, scalped and their horses and effects, 
with the boy i Powers, carried off. During the 
second night afterwards, in passing through a 
cedar brake at the foot of the Cibolo mountains, he 
slid quietly off his horse and escaped. In three or 
four days he reached the upper settlements on the 
Guadulupe, and gave the first information of these 
harrowing facts. 

Thus again admonished, Mr. and Mrs. Howard 
removed low down on the San Antonio river, below 
the ancient ranch of Don Carlos de la Garza, in the 
lower edge of Goliad County, confident that no hos- 
tile savage would ever visit that secluded locality. 
But they were mistaken. Early in the spring of 
1842, the hostiles made a night raid all around 
them, stole a number of their horses, murdered 
two of their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Gilleland, and 
carried off their little son and daughter ; but a party 
of volunteers, among whom were the late Maj. 
Alfred S. Thurmond, of Aransas, and the late Col. 
Andrew Neill, of Austin, overhauled and defeated 
the Indians and recaptured the children. The boy 
is now Wm. M. Gilleland, long of Austin, and the 
little girl is the widow of the late Rev. Orseneth 
Fisher, a distinguished Methodist preacher. 

Following this sixtii admonition, Mr. and Mrs. 
Howard at once removed to the present vicinity of 
Hallettsville, in Lavaca County, and thencefoward 
her life encountered no repetition of the horrors 
which had so terribly followed her footsteps through 
the previous thirteen j-ears. Peace and a fair share 
of prosperity succeeded. In 1848 Mr. Howard was 
made County Judge, and some years later they 
located in Bosque County. 



The Snively Expedition Against the Mexican Santa Fe 
Traders in 1843. 



The year 1843 was one of the gloomiest, at least 
during its first half, ever experienced in Texas. 
The perfidious and barbarous treatment given the 
" Texian Santa Fc " prisoners of 1841, after they 
had capitulated as prisoners of war, preceded by 
the treason of one of their number, a wrelch named 
William P. Lewis, had created throughout Texas a 



desire for retaliation. The expedition so surren- 
dered to tiie overwhelming force of Armijo, the 
Governor of New Mexico, was both commercial 
and peaceful, but of necessity accompanied by a 
large armed escort to protect it against the hostile 
Indians, covering the entire distance. The wisdom 
and the legality of the measure, authorized by 



92 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



President Lamar, ou his own responsibility, were 
severely criticised by many ; but Texas was a unit 
in indignation at tlie treacherous, dastardly and 
brutal treatment bestowed upon their brave and 
chivalrous citizens after honorable surrender, 
among whom were many well-known soldiers and 
gentlemen, including Hugh McLeod, the com- 
mander, Jose Antonio Navarro, William G. Cooke 
and Dr. Eichard F. Brenham as Peace Commis- 
missioners, Capt. Matthew Caldwell, Geo. W. 
Kendall of New Orleans, young Frank Coombes 
of Kentucky, Capt. Houghton and an array of 
first-class privates, the choice spirits of the coun- 
try, of whom ray friend of forty-eight years, 
Thomas W. Hunt, now of Bosque County, is still 
an honorable sample. 

The triplicate Mexican raid of 1812, ending with 
the glorious but unsuccessful battle of Mier, inten- 
sified the desire for retaliatory action towards 
Mexico and especially so towards New Mexico. 

As the result of this feeling, on the 28th of 
January, 1843, Jacob Snively, who had held the 
staff rank of Colonel in the Texian army, applied 
to the government for authority to raise men and 
proceed to the upper boundaries of Texas, and 
capture a rich train belonging to Armijo and other 
Santa Fe Mexicans. Permission was issued by 
George W. Hill, Secretary of War, on the 16th of 
February, with provisos that half the spoils should 
go to the government and should only be taken in 
honorable warfare. 

On the 24th of April, near the present town of 
Denison, the expedition, about 175 strong, was 
organized, with Snively unanimously chosen as 
commander. A few others joined a day or two 
later, making a total of about 190. They followed 
the old Chihuahua trail west till assured of being 
west of the hundredth meridian, then bore north, 
passing along the western base of the Wichita 
mountains, and on the 27th of May encamped on 
the southwest bank of the Arkansas. This was 
said to be about forty miles below the Missouri- 
Santa Fe crossing, but was only eight or ten miles 
from the road on the opposite side of the river. 

It was known before they started that a Mexican 
train of great value (for that day) would pass from 
Independence to Santa Fe, some time in the spring, 
and as the route for a long distance lay in Texas, it 
was considered legitimate prey. 

They soon learned from some men from Bent's 
Fort that six hundred Mexican troops were waiting 
above to escort the caravan from (he American 
boundary to Santa li'e. Snively kept out scouts 
and sought to recruit his horses. His scouts in- 
spected the camp of the enemy and found their 



number as reported, about six hundred. On the 
20th of June a portion of the command had a fight 
with a detachment of the Mexicans, killing seven- 
teen and capturing eighty prisoners, including 
eighteen wounded, without losing a man, and 
securing a fine supply of horses, saddles and arms. 
Snively held the prisoners in a camp with good 
water. On the 24th three hundred Indians sud- 
denly appeared, but, seeing Snively's position and 
strength, professed friendship. There was no con- 
fidence, however, in their profession, excepting so 
far as induced by a fear to attack. 

The long delay created great discontent and 
when scouts came in on the 28th and reported no 
discovery of the caravan, a separation took place. 
Seventy of the men, selecting Capt. Eli Chandler 
as their commander, started home on the 29th. 
Snively, furnishing his wounded prisoners with 
horses to ride, the others with a limited number of 
guns for defense against the Indians and such pro- 
visions as he could spare, set the whole party at 
liberty. Whereupon he pitched another camp 
farther up the river to await the caravan, perfectly 
confident that he was west of the hundredth meri- 
dian and (being on the southwest side of the Ar- 
kansas, the boundary line from that meridian to 
its source), therefore, in Texas. Subsequent sur- 
veys proved that he was right. By a captured 
Mexican he learned that the caravan was not far 
distant escorted by one hundred and ninety-six 
United States dragoons, commanded by Capt. 
Philip St. George Cooke. On June 30th they were 
discovered by the scouts and found to have also 
two pieces of artillery. Cooke soon appeared, 
crossed the river, despite the protest of Snively 
that he was on Texas soil, and planted his guns so 
as to rake the camp. He demanded unconditional 
surrender and there was no other alternative to the 
outrage. Cooke allowed them to retain ten guns 
for the one hundred and seven men present, com- 
pelled to travel at least four hundred miles through 
a hostile Indian country, without a human haliita- 
tion ; but their situation was not so desperate as 
he intended, for a majority of the men, before it 
was too late, buried their rifles and double-barreled 
shot-guns in the friendly sand mounds, and meekly 
surrendered to Cooke the short escopetas they had 
captured from the Mexicans. Cooke immediately 
re-crossed the liver and slept. He awakened to a 
partial realization of his harsh and unfeeling act; 
and sent a message to Snively that he would escort 
as many of his men as would accept the invitation 
into Independence, Missouri. About forty-two of 
the men went, among whom were Capt. Myers F. 
Jones of Fayette County, his nephew John Rice 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



93 



Jones, Jr., formerly of Washington County, Mis- 
souri, and others whose names cannot be recalled. 
With Cooke, on a health-seeking trip, was Mr. 
Joseph S. Pease, a noted hardware merchant of 
St. Louis, and an old friend of the writer, who 
bitterly' denounced Cooke and defended the cause 
of the Texians on reaching St. Louis. 

Col. Snivel5' hastily dispatched a courier advising 
Capt. Chandler of these events and asking him to 
halt. He did so and on the 2d of July the two 
parties re-united. On the 4th the Indians stam- 
peded sixty of their horses, but in the fight lost 
twelve warriors, while one Texian was killed and 
one wounded. 

On the 6th the scouts reported that the caravan 
had crossed the Arkansas. Some wanted to pursue 
and attack it — others opposed. Snively resigned 
on the 9th. Sixty-five men selected Chas. A. War- 
field as leader (not the Charles A. Warfield after- 
wards representative of Hunt County, and more 
recently of California, but another man of the 
same name who, it is believed, died before the Civil 
War.) Col. Snively adhered to this party. They 
pursued the caravan till the 13th, when they found 
the Mexican escort to be too strong and abandoned 
the enterprise and started home. Warfield resigned 
and Snively was re-elected. On the 20th they were 
assaulted by a band of Indians, but repulsed them, 
anfl after the usual privations of such a trip in 
mid-summer, they arrived at Bird's Fort, on the 
West Fork of the Trinity, pending the efforts to 
negotiate a treat3' at that place, as elsewhere set 



forth in this work. Chandler and part}', including 
Capt. S. P. Ross, had already gotten in. 

Besides those already named as in this expedition 
was the now venerable and honorable ex-Senator 
Stewart A. Miller, of Crockett, who kept a daily 
diary of the trip, which was in my possession for 
several years and to which Yoakum also had access. 
The late founder of the flourishing town bearing 
his name, Robert A. Terrell, was also one of the 
party, and a number of others who are scattered 
over the country, but their names cannot be 
given. 

When this news reached St. Louis, the writer 
was on a visit to that city, the guest of Col. A. B. 
Chambers, editor of the Repiiblican, in whose 
familj' six years of his boyhood had been passed. 
The press of the country went wild in bitter de- 
nunciation of the Texians as robbers and pirates. 
The Repuhlican alone of the St. Louis press 
seemed willing to hear both sides. Capt. Myers 
F. Jones and party published a short defensive card, 
supplemented by a friendly one from Mr. Joseph 
S. Pease. That was nearly forty-five years ago, 
when the writer had just graduated from contests 
with Mexican freebooters, runningfor the ten months 
next prior to the battle of Mier. He could not 
submit in silence, and published in the Republican 
a complete recapitulation of the outrages, robberies 
and murders committed in 1841 and 1842 by the 
Mexicans upon the people of Texas, closing with a 
denunciation of the conduct of Capt. Philip St. 
George Cooke. 



The Thrilling Mission of Commissioner Joseph C. Eidridge to 

the Wild Tribes in 1843, by Authority of President 

Houston — Hamilton P. Bee, Thomas Torrey — 

The Three Delawares, Jim Shaw, John 

Connor and Jim Second Eye — 

The Treaty. 



When the year 1843 opened, Gen. Sam. Houston 
was serving his second term as President of the 
Republic of Texas, and the seat of government was 
temporarily at the town of Washington-on-the 
Brazos. He had uniformly favored a peace policy 
toward the Indians, whenever it miwht become 



practicable to conclude a general treaty with the 
numerous wild and generally hostile tribes inhabit- 
ing all the western and northwestern territory of 
the republic. On this policy the country was 
divided in opinion, and the question was often 
discussed with more or less bitterness. Nothing 



94 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



could be more natural, respeclioga policy affecting 
so deeply the property and lives of tLie frontier 
people, who were so greatly exposed to the raids of 
the hostiles, and had little or no faith in their 
fidelity to treaty stipulations ; while the President, 
realizing the sparsity of population and feebleness 
in resources of the government and the country, 
hoped to bring about a general cessation of hostili- 
ties, establish a line of demarcation between the 
whites and Indians, and by establishing along the 
same a line of trading houses, to promote friendly 
traffic, with occasional presents by the government, 
to control the wild men and preserve the lives of 
the people. 

At this time Joseph C. Eldridge,* a man of 
education, experience, courage, and the highest 
order of integrity, was appointed by the President 
as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. About the 
same time a delegation from several of the 
smaller tribes visited the President, in order to 
have a talk. Among them were several Delawares, 
nearly civilized, and among them were persons who 
spoke not only our language, but all the tongues 
of the wild prairie tribes, some speaking one 
and some another tongue. It occurred to the 
President, after frequent interviews, that he could 
utilize these Delawares, or the three chief men 
among them, Jim Shaw, John Connor and Jim 
Second Eye, as commissioners in inducing all the 
wild tribes to meet the President and peace com- 



* Joseph C. Eldridge was a native o£ Connecticut, and 
of an aucieut and honorable family. Of him Gen. Bee 
writes nie: "He was an airairable character, brave, 
cool, delerrained in danger, faithful to public trusts aud 
loving iQ his friendships. He did more thau his duty on 
this trip. He served as Paymaster in the United States 
navy from ISlfi, and died the senior officer of that corps 
in 1881, at his home in Brooklyn, New York. His stern 
sense of duly was displayed oq our way out, when, north 
of Red river, we met aud camped all night with a com- 
pany of men under Capt. S. P. Ross, returning from the 
Ill-fated Snively expeditiou. They urged us to return 
home, as the ludians on the plains were all hostile — our 
trip would be fruitless, and the hazards were too great 
for such a handful. Only Eldridge's courage and high 
sense of duty caused him to reject the advice and pro- 
ceed; but pending our trial in the Comanche council we 
all regretted not having yielded to the warnings of Capt. 
Ross. Capt. Eldridge died of softening of the brain. He 
had a sou, Houston Eldridge, named for the President 
after their temporary unpleasantness, a most promising 
young officer of the navy, who died not long after his 
father. John C. Eldridge, a cousin of Joseph C, also 
figured honorably in Texas for a number of years, and 
their names were sometimes confounded. Charles W. 
Eldridge, another coushi, deceased in Hartford, Con- 
necticut, was a brotlier-iu-law to the writer of this his- 
torv. 



missioners, at a point to be designated, for the 
purpose of making a treaty. Subsequent events 
went to show that the Delawares had imbibed that 
idea; but President Houston Anally decided to 
commission Capt. Eldridge for that onerous and 
hazardous mission, to be accompanied by two or 
three white men of approved character, together 
with llie Delawares and a few Indians of other 
tribes. Capt. Eldridge eagerly applied to his young 
and bosom friend, Hamilton P. Bee, to accompany 
him. They had crossed the gulf together on their 
first arrival in Texas in 1837— Bee accompanying 
his mother from South Carolina to join his father, 
Col. Barnard E. Bee, already in the service of 
Texas, and Eldridge coming from his native State, 
Connecticut. He selected also Thotnas Torrey, 
already an Indian agent, and also a native of 
Connecticut. 

The preparations being completed, the party left 
Washington late in March, 1843, and consisted of 
Joseph C. Eldridge, commissioner, Thomas Tor- 
rey, Indian agent, the three Delawares as guides 
and interpreters, several other Delawares as hunt- 
ers, helpers and traders, Acoquash, the Waco head 
chief, who was one those who had been to see 

the President, and Hamilton P. Bee. There may 
have been a few other Indians. They had a small 
caravan of pack mules to transport their provisions 
and presents for the Indians. They also had with 
them for delivery to their own people two Comanche 
children about twelve years old, one a girl named 
Maria (May-re-ah) aud the other a boy who had 
taken the name of William Hockley, being two of 
the captives at the Council House fight, in San 
Antonio, on the 19th of March, 1840, elsewhere 
described in this work. They also had two young 
Waco women, previously taken as prisoners, but 
these were placed in charge of Acoquash. 

They passed up the valley of the Brazos, passing 
Fort Milam, near the present Marlin, around which 
were the outside habitations of the white settlers.. 
Further up, on Tehuacano creek, six or seven 
miles southeast of the present city of Waco, they 
reached the newly established trading house of the 
Torrey brothers,* afterwards well known as a 



* There were four of the Torrey brothers, all from 
Ashford, Connecticut, the younger following the elder to 
Texas 1836 to 18i0. David was the head of Torrey's 
Trading House. He was the third one in the order of 
death, being killed by Indians on the Brazos frontier, 
not far from the time of annexation. James, a gallant 
and estimable young man, kindly remembered by the 
writer of this for his social and soldierly virtues, was one 
of the seventeen justly celebrated Mier prisoners who 
drew black beaus at the hacieuda of Salado, Mexico, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



95 



resort for Indians and traders. Here the}' found a 
large party of Delawares. 

The Uelawares accompan3'iiig Eldridge also had 
mules freighted with goods for tralliu with tiie wild 
tribes, and, among other commodities, a goodly 
supply of that scourge of our race — - whisk}' — 
doubtless intended for the Delawares found here, 
as ex|>ected by those with Eldridge, for at tliat 
time the wild tribes did not drink it. 

On the arrival of the commissioner, all became 
bustle and activity. The liquor was soon tapped 
and a merry time inaugurated, but soon after dark 
every Indian surrendered his knife and firearms to 
the chiefs, by whom they were secreted. Then 
loose reign was given to unarmed warriors, and 
throughout the night pandemonium prevailed ac- 
companied by screams, hideous yells, fisticuffs, 
scratching, biting, and all manner of unarmed per- 
s mal combat, causing wakefulness and some degree 
of apprehension among the white men. But no 
one was killed or seriously injured, and in due 
time, sheer exhaustion was followed by quiet 
slumber, the red man showing the same maudlin 
beastliness when crazed by mean whisky as, alas! 
characterizes his white brother in like condition. 
It required two days to recover from the frolic, 
and then Eldridge resumed his march into the 
wilds beyond. His instructions were to visit as 
man}' of the wild tribes as possible, and the head 
chief of the Comanches — to deliver to them the 
words of friendship from their Great Father, the 
President, and invite them all to attend a grand 
council to be held at Bird's Fort, on the north side 
of the main or west fork of the Trinit}', com- 
mencing on the 10th of August (1843), where 
they would meet duly accredited commissioners 
and the President in person to treat with them. 



and were shot to death by order of Santa Anna, on the 
19lh of March, 1843. Thomas, the companion of Eld- 
rid<;e and Bee on this hazardous mission, a worthy 
brottier of such men as David and James, was a Santa 
Fe prisoner in 1841-42, marched in chains twelve hundred 
miles, from Santa Fe to the city of Mexico, and was there 
imprisoned with his fellows. He passed the terrible 
ordeal narrated in this chapter, as occurring in the 
council of Pajhayuco — separated from Eldridge and Bee 
at the Wichita village, successfully reached Bird's Fort, 
with detachments of the wild tribes, there to sicljen and 
die, as success largely crowned their efforts to bring 
about a general treaty. John F. Torrey, the only sur- 
vivor of the four brothers, the personification of enter- 
prise, built and ran cotton and woolen factories at New 
Braunfels. Floods twice swept them and his wealth away. 
At a goodly age he lives on his own farm on Comanche 
Peali, Hood County. Honored be the name of Torrey 
among the children of Texas! 



This fort was about twenty- two miles westerly 
from where Dallas was subsequently founded. 

At a point above the three forks of the Trinity, 
probably in Wise or Jack County, the expedition 
halted for a few days and sent out Delaware ines- 
sengers to find and invite any tribes found in the 
surrounding country to visit them. Delegations 
from eleven small tribes responded by coming in, 
among them being Wacos, Anadarcos, Towdashes, 
Caddos, Keechis, Tehuacanos, Delawares, Bedais, 
Boluxies, lonies, and one or two others, constitut- 
ing a large assemblage, the deliberations of which 
were duly opened by the solemnities of embracinof, 
smoking, and a wordy interchange of civilities. 
Capt. Eldridge appeared in full uniform, and Bee * 
performed the duties of secretary. The council 
opened bj' an address from the Delaware interpre- 
ters, and the whole day was consumed in a series 
of dialogues between them and the wild chiefs, 
Capt. Eldridge getting no opportunity to speak, 
and when desiring to do so was told by the Dela- 
wares that it was not 3'et time, as the}' had not 
talked enough to the wild men. So, at night, the 
council adjourned till next day when Eldridge de- 
livered his talk, which was interpreted to the differ- 
ent tribes by the Delawares. Finally Eldridge 
said: "Tell them I am the mouth-piece of the 
President, and speak his words." Two of the Dela- 
wares interpreted the sentence, but Jim Shaw re- 
fused, saying it was a lie. The other two conveyed 
the language to ail. The result was satisfactory, 
and the tribes present all agreed to attend the 
council at Bird's Fort. Returning to bis tent, 
Capt. Eldridge demanded of Shaw, who was the 
leader and more intelligent of the Delawares, the 
meaning of his strange conduct, to whi,ch he replied 
that the three Delawares considered themselves the 
commissioners, Eldridge being along only to write 
down whatever was done. He also charged that 
Eldridge bad their commission, attested by seals 



* Hamilton P. Bee is a native of Charleston, South Car- 
olina, favorably and intimately linown to the writer for 
half a century as an honor to his country in all that con- 
stitutes a true and patriotic citizen — a son of the Hon. 
Barnard E. Bee, who early tendered bis sword and ser- 
vices to struggling Texas, and a brother of Gen. Barnard 
E. Bee, who fell at Manassas, the first General to yield 
his life to the Confederate cause. Hamilton P. Bee was 
Secretary to the United States and Texas Boundary Com- 
missioB, 1839-40; Secretary of the first State Senate in 
1846; a gallant soldier in the Mexican war; eight years a 
member of the Legislature from the Rio Grande, and 
Speaker of the House in 1855-oC; a Brigadier-General in 
the Confederate army, losing a handsome estate by the 
war, and later served as Commissioner of Insurance, 
Statistics and History of the State of Texas. 



9G 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and ribbons, with his baggage. This document 
being Eldridge's instructions as commissioner, was 
brought out, read and explained by Bee. Jim Shaw 
was greatl}' excited, and had evidently believed 
what he said ; but Eldridge bore himself with great 
composure and firmness. After the reading Jim 
Shaw said: " I beg your pardon, Joe, but I have 
been misled. I thought the Delawares were to 
make the treaties. We will go no farther, but go to 
our own country', on the Missouri river — will start 
to-morrow, and will never return to Texas." Eld- 
ridge, alarmed at this unexpected phase of affairs, 
appealed to the trio to stay and guide him, as the 
President expected them to do ; but they seemed 
inflexible. To proceed without them was madness, 
and in this dilemma Eldridge sent for Jose Maria, 
the noted chief of the Anadarcos, who had been so 
severely wounded in his victorious fight with the 
whites, in Bryant's defeat near Marlin, in January, 
1839. He explained to him the facts just related, 
and asked him if he would escort him back into the 
settlements. Greatly pleased at such a mark of 
confidence — his keen Ijlack eyes giving full expres- 
sion to his gratified pride — he promptly and sol- 
emnly promised to do so. 

On the next morning, while Eldridge was pack- 
ing and mounting for his homeward march, sur- 
rounded by his promised escort of one hundred 
Anadarco warriors, well mounted and armed with 
bows and lances, w'th Jose Maria at their head, 
Jim Shaw sent word to Capt. Eldridge that he had 
changed his mind and would continue the trip. An 
interview followed and a full understanding was 
entered into, acknowledging Capt. Eldridge as the 
sole head of the expedition ; but after this the manner 
of the Delaware trio was formal and reserved, and 
their intercourse long confined to business matters. 
Continuing the march, they next reached the 
principal village of the Wacos, whither they had 
been preceded bj' Acoquash, witii the two released 
Waco girls, who greeted them warmly. During 
their stay he was their guest, and most of the time 
had his family on hand. It was a little odd, but 
his friendship was too valuable to be sacrificed on 
a question of etiquette. Here the Delawares 
announced that it would be necessary to send out 
runners to find the Comanches ; that this would 
require fifteen days, during which time the trio — 
Shaw, Connor and Second E3'e — • would take the 
peltries they had on hand to Warren's trading 
house down on Red river, for deposit or sale, and 
return within the time named. During the delay, 
Eldridge camped three miles from the village, but 
was daily surrounded and more or less annoyed by 
the W.icos. men, women and children. The wife of 



Acjquash became violently ill, and he requested his 
white brothers to exert their skill as medicine men. 
Mr. Bee administered to her jalap and rhubarb, 
which, fortunately for them, as will be seen later, 
speedily relieved and restored her to health. 

The runners returned on time with rather encour- 
aging reports ; but the essential trio, so indispen- 
sable to progress, were absent twenty-eight instead 
of fifteen days, causing a loss of precious time. 

Their next move was for the Wichita village, at 
or near the present site of Fort Sill. The3' were 
kindly received by this warlike tribe, who had heard 
of their mission and promised to attend the council 
at Bird's Fort. 

They next bore westerly for the great prairies and 
plains in search of the Comanches, Acoquash and 
his wife being with them. It was now in Jul}^ and all 
of their provisions were exhausted, reducing them 
to an entire dependence on wild meat, which, how- 
ever, was abundant, and they soon found the tal- 
low of the buffalo, quite unlike that of the cow, 
a good substitute for bread. They carried in 
abundant strings of cooked meal on their pack 
mules. 

After twenty days they found Indian" signs " in 
a plum thicket, " the best wild plums," wrote Young 
Bee, "I ever saw." They saw where Indians 
had been eating plums during the same day, and 
there the}' encamped. Pretty soon an Indian, 
splendidly mounted, approached, having a boy of 
six years before him. He proved to be blind, but 
a distinguished chief of the Comanches — a man 
of remarkable physique, over six feet in height, a 
model in proportions and his hair growing down 
over his face. He told the Delaware interpreter 
the locality' in which they were, and that the town 
of Payhayuco, the great head chief of the 
Comanches, was only a few miles distant. 

As soon as the blind chief's boj' — a beautiful 
child, handsomely dressed in ornamented buck- 
skin — gathered a supplj' of plums, they mounted 
and returned to their town, accompanied by a few 
of the Delawares. In the afternoon a delegation 
of the Comanches visited Eldridge and invited him 
and his partj' to visit their town. Promptly sad- 
dling up and escorted by about 500 Comanche 
warriors, in about two hours' ride, they entered 
the town of the great chief 

PAYHATLOO, 

and for the first time beheld the pride and the glory 
of the wild tribes — the Comanche Indian in his 
Bedouin-like home. With considerable ceremonj' 
they were conducted to the tent of Payhayuco, who 
was absent, but the honors were done by the chief 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



97 



of his seven wives, wlio caused the best tent to be 
vacated and placed at the disposal of her white 
guests. It was hot, August weather, anil such 
crowds of Comanches, of all ages and sexes, pressed 
in and around the tent that it became so suffocat- 
ing as to necessitate the erection of their own tent, 
which was open at bath ends. First getting the 
consent of their hostess, this was done. 

Finding that the chief would be absent a week 
yet to come, and their business being with him, 
they could only patiently await his arrival. They 
were ceaseless curiosities to all the younger Coman- 
ches, who had never seen a white man, and who 
continued to crowd around and inspect them ; roll- 
ing up their sleeves to show their white arms to the 
children, etc. While thus delayed the Comanches 
twice moved their town, and our peo()le were aston- 
ished at the regularity with which each new location 
was laid off into streets and the precision with 
which each family took its position in each new 
place. Mr. Bee accompanied the warriors on two 
or three buffalo hunts, and was surprised at their 
wonderful dexterity. 

Payhayuco arrived On the afternoon of August 
9 (1843), and occupied the tent adjoining the 
whites. They were soon informally presented to 
him and courteously received, but no clue was 
obtained as to the state of his mind. At sunrise 
next morning about a hundred warriors met in 
council in a large tent, sitting on the ground in a 
series of circles diminishing from circumference 
to center, wherein Payhayuco sat. Our friends, 
not being invited, took a brief glance at them 
and retired to their own tent, leaving their case 
with the Delawares, who attended the council. 
About 10 a. m. a sort of committee from the 
council waited on them to say that a report 
had come from the Waco village, where they 
had tarried so long, charging that they were bad 
men and had given poison to the Wacos, and 
wanted to know what they had to say about it. 
This was supremely preposterous, but it was also 
gravely suggestive of danger. They repelled the 
charge and referred to the old Waco chief, 
Acoquash, then present, their companion on the 
whole trip, and whose wife they had cured. 
What a hazard they had passed ! Had that poor 
squaw died instead of recovering under Bee's 
treatment, their fate would have been sealed. A 
Choctaw negro, who understood but little Co- 
manche, told them the council was deliberating 
on their lives and talking savagely. They sent for 
the Delawares and told them of this. The Dela- 
wares denied it, and reassured them. But half an 
hour later their favorite Delaware hunter, the only 



one in whose friendship they fully confided, in- 
formed them that the Comanches were going to kill 
them. They were, of course, very much alarmed 
by this second warning, and, again summoning 
the trio, told .Jim Shaw they were not children, but 
men, and demanded to know the truth. Shaw re- 
plied that he had desired to conceal their peril 
from them as long as possible, and for that reason 
had told them a lie ; but in truth the council was 
clamorous and unanimous for their death ; that all 
the chiefs who had a right to speak had done so, 
and all were against them ; that they (Shaw and 
Connor) had done all they could for them ; had 
told the council thej' would die with them, as they 
had promised the White Father they would take 
care of them and would never return without them ; 
and that Acoquash had been equally true to them. 
They added that only Payhayuco was yet to speak, 
but even should he take the opposite side they did 
not believe he had influence enough to save their 
lives. "Nest came into our tent" (I quote the 
language of Gen. Bee on this incident), " our dear 
old friend Acoquash, where we three lone white 
men were sitting, betraying the most intense feel- 
ing, shaking all over and great tears rolling from 
his eyes, and as best he could, told us that we 
would soon be put to death. He said he had told 
them his father was once a great chief, the head of 
a nation who were lords of the prairie, but had 
always been the friends of the Comanches, who 
always listened to the counsel of his father, for 
it was always good, and he had begged them to 
listen to him as their fathers had listened to his 
father, when he told them that we (Eldridge, Bee 
and Torrey) were messengers of peace ; that we 
had the ' white flag,' and that the vengeance of 
the Great Spirit would be turned against them if 
they killed such messengers ; but he said it was of 
no avail. We had to die and he would die with us 
for he loved us as his own children. Poor old In- 
dian ! My heart yearns to him yet after the lapse 
of so many years." [Gen. Bee to his children.] 

Acoquash then returned to the council. Our 
friends, of course, agonized as brave men maj' who 
are to die as dogs, but they soon recovered com- 
posure and resolved on their course. Each had 
two pistols. When the party should come to take 
them out for death, each would kill an Indian with 
one, and then, to escape slow torture, empty the 
other into his own brain. From 12 to 4 o'clock 
not a word was spoken in that council. All sat in 
silence, awaiting the voice of Payhayuco. At 4 
o'clock his voice was heard, but no one reported to 
the doomed men. Then otber voices were heard, 
and occaskinally those of the Delawares. A little 



98 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



later confusion seemed to prevail, and many voices 
were heard. Bee said to P^ldridge : "See the set- 
ting sun, old fellow ! It is the last we shall ever 
see on earth! " At the same instant approaching 
footsteps were heard. Each of the three sprang to 
his feet, a pistol in each hand, when "dear old " 
Acoquash burst into the tent and threw himself 
into the arms of Eldridge. Bee and Torrey 
thought the old Spartan had come to redeem his 
pledge and die with them, but in a moment realized 
that his convulsive action was the fruit of uncon- 
trollable joy. The next moment the Delawares 
rushed in exclaiming, "Saved! saved!" "Oh! 
God ! can 1 ever forget that moment ! To the 
earth, from which we came, we fell as if we had 
been shot, communing with Him who reigns over 
all — a scene that might be portrayed on canvas, 
but not described! Prostrate on the earth lay the 
white man and the red man, creatures of a common 
brotherhood, typified and made evident that day 
in the wilderness ; not a word spoken ; each bowed 
to the earth — brothers in danger and brothers in 
the holy electric spark which caused each in his 
way to thank God for deliverance." [Gen. Bee to 
his children.] 

After this ordeal had been passed, succeeded l)y 
a measure of almost heavenly repose, the inter- 
preters, now fully reconciled to Eldridge, explained 
that after that solemn silence of four hours, Pay- 
hayuco had eloquently espoused the cause of 
mercy and the sanctity of the white flag borne by 
the messengers of peace. His appeal was, perhaps, 
as powerful and pathetic as ever fell from the lips 
of an untutored son of the forest. Upon con- 
clusion, amid much confusion and the hum of 
excited voices, he took the vote per capita and was 
sustained by a small majority. The sun sank at 
the same moment, reflecting rays of joy upon the 
western horizon, causing among the saved a solemn 
and inexpressibly grateful sense of the majesty and 
benignity of the King of kings — our Father in 
Heaven. 

As darkness came, the stentorian voice of Pay- 
hayuco was successively heard in the four quarters 
of the town, its tones denoting words of command. 
Our countrymen demanded of the interpreters to 
know what he was saying. The latter answered : 
" He is telling them you are under his protection 
and must not, at the peril of their lives, be hurt." 
A hundred warriors were then placed in a circle 
around the tent, and so remained till next morning. 
No Indian was allowed to enter the circle. 

When morning came they were invited to the 
council, when Capt. Eldridge delivered the message 
of friendship from President Houston, and invited 



them to accompany him in and meet the council at 
Bird's Fort; but this was the 11th of August, a 
day after the date heretofore fixed for the assem- 
blage, and a new date would be selected promptly 
on their arrival, or sooner if runners were sent in 
advance. The presents were then distributed and 
an answer awaited. 

On their arrival the little Comanche boy had been 
given up. He still remembered some of his mother 
tongue and at once relapsed into barbarism. But 
now Capt. Eldridge tendered to the chief, liitle 
Maria, a beautiful Indian child, neatly dressed, 
who knew no word but English. A scene followed 
which brought tears to the eyes of not only the 
white men, but also of the Delawares. The 
child seemed horrified, clung desperately and im- 
ploringly to Capt. Eldridge, and screamed most 
piteously ; but the whole scene cannot be described 
here. It was sim];]y heartrending. She was taken 
up b}' a huge warrior and borne away, utteiing 
piercing cries of despair. For years afterwaids she 
was occssionally heard of, still bearing the name of 
Maria, acting as interpreter at Indian councils. 

Succeeding this last scene they were informed 
that the council had refused to send delegates to 
the proposed council. Payhayuco favored the 
measure, but was overruled by the majority. 
Within an hour after tiiis announcement (August 
11th, 1843) our friends mounted and started on 
their long journey home — fully five hundred miles, 
through a trackless wilderness. I pass over some 
exciting incidents occurring at the moment of tiieir 
departure between a newly arrived party of Dela- 
ware traders, having no connection with Eldridge, 
and a portion of the Comanches, in regard to a 
Choctaw negro prisoner bought from the Comanches 
by the traders. It was dreaded by our friends as a 
new danger, but was settled without bloodshed by 
the payment of a larger ransom to the avaricious 
Comanches. 

Without remarkable incident and in due 
time, our friends arrived again at the principal 
Wichita village (at or near the present Fort Sill) 
and were again kindly received. The day fixed for 
the treaty having passed, Eldridge knew the Presi- 
dent would be disappointed and impatient ; so, 
after consultation, it was agreed that Torrey, with 
Jim Shaw, John Connor and the other Indian 
attaches, still with them, should return on the route 
they had gone out, gather up the tribes first men- 
tioned in this narrative, and conduct them to Bird's 
Fort ; while Eldridge, Bee and their most trusted 
Delaware hunter, with Jim Second Eye as guide, 
would proceed directly to the fort. Thus they 
separated, each party on its mission, and to 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



99 



Eldridge and Bee it was a perilous one. I sliall 
follow them. 

On the second day, at 3 p. m., they halted in a 
pretty grove, on a beautiful stream, to cook their 
last food, a little Wichita green corn. This en- 
raged Second Eye, who seized the hunter's gun, 
and galloped away, leaving them with only holster 
pistols. The Delaware hunter was a stranger in 
the country and could only communicate by signs. 
For three days he kept a bee line for Warren's 
trading house on Red river, as safer than going 
directly to Bird's Fort, guided by the information 
he had casually picked up from his brothers on the 
trip, for neither of the white men knew the countr3'. 
On the third day tliey entered the Cross Timbers 
where brush and briers retarded their progress, 
and camped near night on a pretty creek. The 
Delaware climbed a high tree and soon began joy- 
ful gesticulations. Descending he indicated that 
Eldridge should accompany him, leaving Bee in 
camp. He did so and they were gone two or three 
hours, but finally returned with a good supply of 
fresh corn bread, a grateful repast to men who had 
been without an ounce of food for three days and 
nights. The camp visited proved to be that of a 
party of men cutting hay for Fort Arbuckle, on the 
Washita, who cooked and gave them the bread and 
other provisions, with directions to find the trading 
house and the information that they could reach it 
next day. With full stomachs they slept soundly; 
started early in the morning and about 2 p. m. 
rode up to Warren's trading house. The first 
man seen was Jim Second Eye, the treacherous 
scoundrel who had left them at the mercy of any 
straggling party of hostile or thieving savages. 
He hastened forward with extended hand, exclaim- 
ing: "How are you, Joe? How are you, Ham? 
Glad to see you ! " 

The always courteous Eldridge, usually gentle 
and never given to profane language, sprang from 
his horse and showered upon him such a torrent of 
denunciatory expletives as to exhaust himself ; then, 
recovering, presented himself and Mr. Bee to Mr. 
Warren, with an explanatory apology for his violent 
language, justified, as he thought, towards the base 
wretch to whom it was addressed. Quite a crowd 
of Indians and a few white men were present. Mr. 
Warren received and entertained them most kindly. 
They never more beheld Jim Second Eye. 

After a rest of two days Eldridge and Bee, with 
their faithful Delaware, left for Bird's Fort, and, 
without special incident, arrived there about the 
middle of September, to be welcomed by the com- 
missioners, Messrs. George W. Terrell and E. H. 
Tarrant, who had given them up as lost. The 



President had remained at the fort for a month, 
when, chagrined and greatly disappointed, he had 
left for the seat of government. 

Capt. Eldridge, anxious to report to the Presi- 
dent, tarried not at the fort, but with Bee and the 
still faithful Delaware, continued on. On the way 
Mr. Bee was seized with chills and fever of violent 
type, insomuch that, at Fort Milam, Eldridge left 
him and hurried on. Mr. Bee finally reached the 
hospitable house of his friend. Col. Josiah Crosl)j', 
seven miles above Washington, and there remained 
till in the winter, before recovering his health. 
Capt. Eldridge, after some delay, met and reported 
to the President, but was not received with the 
cordiality he thought due his services. Jim Shaw and 
John Connor had preceded him and misstated vari- 
ous matters to the prejudice of Eldridge, and to 
the amazement of many who knew his great merit 
and his tried fidelity to President Houston, he was 
dismissed from office. Very soon, however, the old 
hero became convinced of his error ; had Eldridge 
appointed chief clerk of the State Department 
under Anson Jones, and, immediately after annexa- 
tion in 184G, secured his appointment by President 
Polk, as Paymaster in the United States Navy, a 
position he held till his death in his long-time home 
in Brooklj'n, New York, in 1881. Excepting only 
the incident referred to — deeply lamented by 
mutual friends — the friendship between him and 
President Houston, from their first acquaintance in 
1837, remained steadfast while both lived. Indeed 
Capt. Eldridge subsequently named a son for him — 
his two sons being Charles and Houston Eldridge. 

A TREATY MADE. 

On the 29th of September, 184.3, a few da}^s after 
Eldridge and Bee left, a treaty was concluded by 
Messrs. Tarrant and Terrell, with the following 
tribes, viz. : Tehuacanos, Keechis, Wacos, Caddos, 
Anadarcos, Ionics, Boluxies, Delawares, and thirty 
isolated Cherokees. The Wichitas and Towdashes 
were deterred from coming in b}- the lies of some 
of the Creeks. Estecayucatubba, principal chief 
of the Chickasaws, signed the treaty merely for its 
effect on the wild tribes. Leonard Williams and 
Luis Sanchez, of Nacogdoches, were present and 
aided in collecting the tribes, who failed to assemble 
on the 10th of August, because of the non-return of 
Eldridge and his party. Roasting Ear, S. Lewis 
and IMcCulloch, Delaware chiefs, were present at 
the signing and rendered service in favor of the 
treaty. 

The most potent chief in the council, to whom 
the wild tribes looked as a leader, was Kechikoro- 
qua, the head of the Tehuacanos, who at first 



100 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



refused to treat with any one but the President ; 
but finally yielded, after understanding the powers 
of the commissioners. 

A line of demarcation was agreed upon between 
the whites and Indians, along which, at proper in- 
tervals, trading houses were to be established. 
Three points for such houses were selected, which 
indicate the general line chosen, viz. : one at the 
junction of the West and Clear Forks of the Trin- 



ity ; one at the Comanche Peak ; and one at the 
old .San Salia Mission. 

From undoubted data this narrative has been pre- 
pared, the first ever published of this most thrilling 
succession of events in our Indian history^, It 
reflects the highest credit on the three courageous 
young men who assumed and triumphed over its 
hazards, though sadly followed by the death of the 
heroic and much loved Thomas Torre}'. 



Scenes on Red River — Murder of Mrs. Hunter, Daughter 

and Servant. 



From the first settlements along and near Red 
river in the counties of Fannin and Grayson, cov- 
ering the years from 1837 to 1843, the few and 
scattered inhabitants were at no time free from the 
sneaking savages, who in small parties, often clan- 
destinel}' entered the vicinity of one or more of 
the new settlers and lay in wait till opportunity 
siiould offer for their murderous assaults under cir- 
cumstances promising them greater or less immun- 
ity from danger to tliemselves. The number of 
such inroads during those years was considerable, 
and relatively many lives were lost, besides quite 
a number of women and children being carried into 
captivity. It must seem incredible to those who 
have ever lived in peace and security in old com- 
munities, that men, in no sense compelled to 
abandon such localities on account of crowded 
population, should, with their wives and children, 
thrust themselves forward entirely beyond the arm 
of governmental protection, or even the aid of their 
own countrymen. To such persons thousands of 
the hazards thus voluntarily assumed must appear 
as the offspring of inexcusable temerity. The idea 
of voluntarily subjecting women and helpless chil- 
dren to the constant hazard of such fiendish horrors, 
is appalling to those who are born, live and die in 
the older States of our country. All this seems 
unreasonable to those around the peaceful firesides 
of home, in the midst of population, comfort, 
schools, churches, law and government. But the 
liolitical philosopher as well as the enlightened stu- 
dent of American histor}', meets these tender sen- 
sibilities of the human heart with the stubborn and 
all-pervading fact, that had it not been for this 
trait in the Anglo-Saxon character, this loft}' defi- 



ance of danger and love of adventure, the Ameri- 
can Union to-day would scarcely have passed the 
Ohio in its march towards the West. The truth of 
this opinion, in a large degree, if not in its entiret}', 
is attested by the blood of the slain in ten thousand 
places west and southwest of the AUeghanies, and 
by the heroism, the anguish, the tears and the 
prayers of more than ten thousand mothers ascend- 
ing to the throne of God pleading for their children 
" because they were not." It is a truth the 
quintessence of which should ever comfort every 
American freeman as one of the great testimonials 
by which he enjoys life and liberty, home and hap- 
piness in much the larger portion of this Republic 
of Republics, reaching from the Eastern to the 
Western ocean, entirely across the New World. Of 
all men on earth such a freeman should be a good 
citizen, jealous of his rights, as sacred boons, con- 
ferred that he and his fellows might stand forth as 
true men — the unfaltering friends of good govern- 
ment and of liberty, regulated by wise and just 
laws. 

As samples of the horrors referred to, the sub- 
joined narrative of one of the lesser demonisms 
pertaining to our pioneer settlements is given. 

In the year 1840, Dr. Hunter and family located 
in the valley of Red river, about eight miles east 
or below the trading house or village of Old Warren 
and several miles from any other habitation. The 
family consisted of the parents, a son nearly 
grown, three daughters, aged about eighteen, 
twelve and ten, and a negro woman. They soon 
erected cabins, and the elder daughter married Mr. 
William Lankford of Warren, and settled at a new 
place. The family were pleased with the surround- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



101 



ings and labored assiduously in opening up a 
permanent home. Like thousands before them, 
they finally fell into a state of fancied security 
and became careless, till on one occasion, the 
fatiier and son both left home to be absent till 
night. 

Late in the afternoon of the ill-fated day, the 
two little girls went to the spring, about a hundred 
yards from the cabin, for a bucket of water. But 
as they started on their return to the house, a party 
of eleven lurking savages sprang from the brush, 
shot one of the children to death and seized the 
other so suddenly that neither made the slightest 
noise. Scalping the slain child and holding fast to 
the other, they noiselessly approached the cabin, 
unheard and unseen till they sprang into the door 
and there, in tlie presence of the captive, merci- 
lessly killed and scalped her mother and killed, 
without scalping, the negro woman. As speedily 
as they could they plundered the house of all they 
could carry off and left at dark, of course bearing 
away the child prisoner. 

Before they had passed beyond hearing young 
Hunter reached home and hallooed for some one to 
come out. The Indians increased their pace, a 
stout warrior carrying the child on his shoulders. 
Eeceiving no answer the young man entered the 



house and before he could strike a light, stumbled 
over his dead mother. The light, when struck, 
revealed the dead bodies and the destruction other- 
wise wrought. He lost no time in mounting and 
hastening for help, but the people were too few and 
scattered to make any effective pursuit. Arriving 
at the place next day the dead little girl was found, 
and this led to grave apprehensions as to the fate 
of the other. It had rained all night, rendering it 
impracticable to rapidly follow the trail of the 
retreating marauders. 

Subsequent developments showed that the Indians 
traveled all night in the rain, but during the next 
day slackened their pace and thereafter traveled 
slowly for several days to their villages. At night, 
before the fire, the little cajitive was compelled to 
work in dressing her mother's scalp. Months 
passed and no tidings came of the missing one ; 
but perhaps a year later the father and son learned 
that a party of Choctaws had bought such a child 
from wild Indians. The son hastened into the 
country of those friendly people and after three or 
four days' travel, found and recovered his sister. 
He hastened her back to the embraces of her 
stricken father and sister, to cherish through life, 
however, an everpresent recollection of the ghastly 
scene she was compelled to witness. 



Captivity of the Simpson Children — The IVIurder of Emma and 
the Recovery of Thomas — 1844. 



Among the residents of Austin in the days of its 
partial abandonment, from the spring of 1842 to 
the final act of annexation in the winter of 1845-6, 
was an estimable widow named Simpson. During 
that period Austin was but an outpost, without 
troops and ever exposed to inroads from the In- 
dians. Mrs. Simpson had a daughter named Emma, 
fourteen years of age, and a son named Thomas, 
aged twelve. On a summer afternoon in 1844, her 
two children went out a short distance to drive 
home the cows. Soon their mother heard them 
scream at the ravine, not over 400 yards west 
of the center of the town. In the language of Col. 
John S. Ford, a part of whose narrative I adopt: 
"She required no explanation of the cause; she 
knew at once the Indians had captured her darlings. 
Sorrowing, and almost heartbroken, she rushed to 



the more thickly settled part of the town to implore 
citizens to turn out, and endeavor to recapture 
her children. A party of men were soon in the 
saddle, and on the trail. 

"They discovered the savages were on foot — 
about four in number — and were moving in the 
timber, parallel to the river, and up it. They found 
on the trail shreds of the girl's dress, yet it was 
difficult to follow the footsteps of the fleeing red 
men. From a hill they descried the Indians just 
before they entered the ravine south of Mount Bon- 
nell. The whites moved at a run, yet they failed 
to overtake the barbarians. A piece of an under- 
garment was certain evidence that the captors had 
passed over Mount Barker. The rocky surface of 
the ground precluded the possibility of fast trail- 
ing, and almost the possibility of trailing at all. 



102 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Every conceivable effort was made to track the 
Indians, and all proved unavailing. Tbey were 
loth to return to Austin to inform the grief-striclven 
mother her loved ones were indeed the prisoners of 
savages, and would be subject to all the brutal 
cruelties and outrages of a captivity a thousand 
times more terrible than the pangs of death. The 
scene which ensued, when the dread news reached 
Mrs. Simpson's ears, can not be painted with pen 
or pencil. The wail of agony and despair rent the 
air, and tears of sympathy were rung from fron- 
tiersmen who never quailed when danger came in 
its most fearful form. The pursuing party was 
small. All the names have not been ascertained. 
Judge Joe Lee, Columbus Browning and Thomas 
Wooldridge, were among them." 

Pursuit under the then condition of the almost 
defenseless people of Austin was impossible. No 
further tidings of the lost children were had for a 
j-ear or more. About that time Thomas Simpson 
was ransomed by a trader at Taos, New Mexico. 
He was finally returned to his mother, and tlien the 
fate of Emma became manifest. Thomas said 
'• his sister fought the Indians all the time. They 
carried her by force — dragged her frequently, 
tore her clothing and handled her roughly. 
Thomas was led by two Indians. lie offered no 
resistance, knowing he would be killed if lie 
did. 

" When the Indians discovered they were fol- 
lowed they doubled, coming back rather in the 
direction of Austin. They made a short halt not 
far from Hon. John Hancock's place. Thomas 
begged his sister not to resist, and told her such a 
course would cause her to be put to death." 

The Indians then divided for a short time, the 



sister in the charge of one and the brother of the 
other couple. When they reunited on Shoal creek, 
about six miles from Austin, Thomas saw " his 
sister's scalp dangling from one's belt. No one 
will ever know the details of the bloody deed. 
Indeed, a knowledge of Indian customs justifies 
tlie belief that the sacrifice of an innocent life 
involved incidents of a more revolting character 
than mere murder. In the course of time the 
bones of the unfortunate girl were found near the 
place where Mr. George W. Davis erected his 
residence, and to that extent corroborated the 
account of Thomas Simpson. It is no difficult 
matter to conceive what were the impressions 
produced upon parents then living in Austin b}' 
this event. It is easy to imagine how vivid the 
conviction must have been that their sons and 
daughters might become the victims of similar mis- 
fortunes, suffering and outrages." 

In the language of Col. Ford: " Let the reader 
extend the idea, and include the whole frontier of 
Texas in the scope, extending, as It did, from Red 
river to the Rio Grande, in a sinuous line upon the 
outer tiers of settlements, and including a large 
extent of the Gulf coast. Let him remember that 
the country was then so sparsely populated it was 
quite all frontier, and open to the incursions of 
the merciless tribes who made war upon women 
and children, and flourished the tomahawk and the 
scalping-knife in the bedrooms and the boudoirs, 
as well as in the forests and upon the bosoms of 
the prairies. When he shall have done this he can 
form a proxim.ate conception of the privations and 
perils endured by the pioneers who reclaimed Texas 
from the dominion of the Indian and made it the 
abode of civilized men." 



Brief History of Castro's Colony. 



With the declaration of Texian independence, 
March 2d, 183G, all prior colonial grants and con- 
tracts with Mexico or the State of Coahuila and 
Texas ceased. Really and practically thej' ceased 
on the 13th of November, 1835, by a decree of the 
first revolutionary assembly, known as the consulta- 
tion, which, as a preventive measure against frauds 
and villainy, wisely and honestly closed all land 
otfice business until a permanent government could 
be organized. Hence, as a historical fact, the 



colonial contracts of Stephen F. Austin, Austin & 
Williams, Sterling C. Robertson, Green De Witt, 
Martin DeLeon, Power & Hewetson and McMullen 
& McGloin ceased on the 13th of November, 1835. 
The concessions to David G. Burnet, Joseph 
Vehlein and Lorenzo de Zavala, previously trans- 
ferred to a New York syndicate, known as the New 
York and Galveston Bay Company, of which Archi- 
bald HotchkHS, of Nacogdoches, was made resi- 
dent agent, and which, in reality, accomplished 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



103 



'little or nothing, also expired by the decree of the 
13th of November, 1835. 

The Republic was bora March 2, 1836, and for 
the five succeeding years, until February 4th, 1841, 
in the last year of Lamar's administration, there 
was no law authorizing colonial contracts. But on 
the last named day a law was passed authorizing 
the President, under conditions set forth, to enter 
into contracts for the colonization of wild lands in 
Northwest and Southwest Texas. That act was 
amended January 1st, 1843. 

President Lamar entered into a contract for 
what became known as Peters Colony, in North 
Texas, August 30, 1841, which was altered Novem- 
ber 20, 1841, and, by President Houston, on the 
26th of July, 1842, Houston having succeeded 
Lamar as President. Under this law, besides the 
Peters Colonj', already granted. President Houston 
made grants to Henry F. Fisher and Burchard 
Miller, for what afterwards became known as the 
German Colony, which did much to populate the 
beautiful mountain country drained by the Perder- 
nales, Llano and San Saba rivers. 

On the 15th of January, 1842, Henry Castro 
entered into a contract with President Houston for 
settling a colony west of the Medina, to continue 
for five years, the eastern boundary being four 
miles west of the Medina and cutting him off from 
that beautiful stream ; but he bought from private 
parties the lands on it and thereby made the Bledina 
his eastern boundary. At the same time President 
Houston appointed Mr. Castro Texian Consul-Gen- 
eral to France. 

Who was Henry Castro? He was an educated 
and accomplished Frenchman, bearing a Spanish 
name, and was rightfully Henri de Castro. Owing 
to the invasion of Texas in 1842 and other 
obstacles, on the 25th of December, 1844, after 
he had brought over seven hundred immigrants, 
on seven different ships, chartered at his own 
cost, his contract was prolonged for three years 
from its original period of termination — a just 
and honorable concession by Texas to one of such 
approved zeal and energy. 

A volume of interest could be written descriptive 
of the efforts of Mr. Castro to settle his colony, 
then exposed to the attacks of bandit and guerrilla 
Mexicans but a little to its west, and to all the 
hostile Indians north and west of his proposed 
settlement. He hurried to France and besides his 
official and personal affairs, did great service in 
aiding Gen. James Hamilton, the Texian minister, 
in popularizing the cause of Texas in France. He 
encountered great obstacles, as the French govern- 
ment was using immense efforts to encourac'e 



migration to its colony in Algiers; but on the 13th 
of November, 1842, he dispatched the ship, Ebro, 
from Havre with 113 immigrants for Texas. Soon 
afterwards the ships Lj'ons, from Havre, and the 
Louis Philippe, from Dunkirk, followed with im- 
migrants, accompanied by the Abbe Menitrier. 
These were followed from Antwerp on the 25th of 
October, 1843, by the ship, Jeane Key ; and on 
May 4th by the Jeanette Marie. The seven ships 
named brought over seven hundred colonists. In 
all, in thirtj'-seven ships, he introduced into Texas 
over five tliousand immigrants, farmers, orchard- 
ists and vine-growers, chiefly from the Rhenish 
provinces, an excellent class of industrious, law- 
abiding peeple, whose deeds " do follow them " in 
the beautiful gardens, fields and homes in Medina 
and the contiguous counties on the west. 

On the 3d of September, 1844, after many 
delays, the heroic Castro, at the head of the first 
party to arrive on the ground, formally inaugurated 
his colony as a living fact. A town was laid out 
on the west bank of the Medina, and by the unani- 
mous vote of the colonists, named Castroville. It 
was a bold step, confronting dangers unknown to 
the first American colonists in 1822, for besides 
hostile savages, now accustomed to the use of fire 
arms, it challenged inroads from the whole Rio 
Grande Mexican frontier, which, in 1822 furnished 
friends and not enemies to foreign settlement in 
Texas. It was doing what both Spanish and Mex- 
ican power had failed to do in 153 years — 1692 to 
1844 — since the first settlement at San Antonio. 
It was founding a permanent settlement of civilized, 
Christian men, between San Antonio and the Rio 
Grande, the settlements and towns on which, from 
Matamoros (Reynosa, Camargo, Mier, Guerrero, 
Larioredo, Dolores, San Fernando, Santa Rosa, 
Presidio del Rio Grande, Presidio del Norte), 
bristled in hostility to Texas and its people. It 
was an achievement entitling the name of Henri de 
Castro to be enrolled among the most prominent 
pioneers of civilization in modern times. Yet the 
youth of to-day, joyously and peacefully gallopincr 
over the beautiful and fertile hills and valleys he 
rescued from savagery, are largely ignorant of his 
great services. 

The gallant Col. John. C. Hays, the big-hearted 
Col. George T. (Tom) Howard, John James, the 
survej'or, and, among others, the pure, warm- 
hearted and fatherly John M. Odin, the first Cath- 
olic Bishop of Texas, besides many generous 
hearted Americans, visited Castroville and bade 
godspeed to the new settlers from La Belle France 
and the Rhine. Bishop Odin (friend of my youth 
and of m}' mother's house), laid and blessed the 



104 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



corner-stone of the first house dedicated to the 
worship of God — a service rendered before the 
settlers had completed respectable huts to shelter 
their families. On his return from this mission the 
good bishop dined at my mother's house, and, 
though a Baptist, both by inheritance and forty-sis 
years of membersiiip, in the broader spirit of civil- 
ization and tliat spirit which embraces all true and 
pure hearts, regardless of party and creed, she 
congratulated him on the work he had done. But 
in fact every man, woman and child who knew 
Bishop Odin (0-deen) in tiiose years of trials and 
sorrow in Texas, loved him, and sorrowe 1 when he 
returned to and died in his native Lombardy. 

Mr. Castro, soon after inaugurating his colony, 
was compelled to revisit France. He delivered a 
parting farewell to his people. On the 25th of 
November, 1844, to the number of fifty-three heads 
of families, they responded. Their address is 
before me. They say: "We take pleasure in 
acknowledging that since the first of September — 
the date at wliich we signed the process verbal of 
taking i)OSsession — you have treated us like a 
liberal and kiird father. * * * Our best wishes 
accompany you on your voyage and we take this 
occasion to express to you our ardent desire to see 
you return soon among us, to continue to us your 
paternal protection." Signed by Leopold Mentrier, 
J. H. Burgeois, George Cuppies, Jean Baptiste 
Lecomte, Joseph Weber, Michael Simon and forty- 
seven others. 

The Indians sorely perplexed these exposed peo- 
ple. In the rear of one of their first immigrating 
parties, the Indians, forty miles below San Antonio, 
attacked and burnt a wagon. The driver, an 
American, rifle in hand, reached a thicket and 
killed s 'veral of them ; but thej- killed a boy of 



nineteen — a Frenchman — cut off his head and 
nailed it to a tree. In the burnt wagon was a 
trunk containing a considerable amount of gold 
and silver. In the ashes the silver was found 
melted — the gold only blackened. This was one 
of the first parties following the advance settlers. 

In this enterprise Henry Castro expended of his 
personal means over one hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars. He fed his colonists for a year — furnished 
them milch cows, farming implements, seeds, medi- 
cines and whatever tliey needed. He was a father, 
dispensing blessings hitherto unknown in the col- 
onization of Texas. He was a learned, wise and 
humane man, unappreciated by many, because he 
was modest and in nowise self-asserting, and his 
tastes were literary. He was a devoted friend of 
Presidents Lamar, Houston and Jones, all of whom 
were his friends and did all in their power, each 
during his term, to advance his great and patriotic 
idea of planting permanent civilization in South- 
west Texas. He was a devout believer in tlie 
capacity of intelligent men for self-government, and 
abhorred despotism as illustrated in the kinglj' gov- 
ernments of Europe — the rule of nations by suc- 
cession in particular families regardless of sense, 
honor or capacity. He believed with Jefferson, in 
the God-given right of every association of men, 
whether in commonwealth, nations or empires, to 
select their own officers, and, by chosen represent- 
atives, to make their own laws. Hence he was, in 
every sense, a valnable accession to the infant 
Republic of Texas. 

When war raged and our ports were closed, Mr. 
Castro sought to visit the land of his birth, and, to 
that end, reached Monterey in Mexico. There he 
sickened and died, and there, at the base of the 
Sierra Madre, his remains repose. 



The "Chihuahua-El Paso" Pioneer Expedition in 1848. 



When the Mexican war closed and the last of the 
Tesian troops returned home in the spring of 1848, 
the business men of San Antonio and other places 
became deeply interested in opening a road and 
establishing commercial intercourse with El Paso 
and Chihuahua. The U. S. Government also 
desired such a road. Meetings were held and the 
plan of an expedition outlined. A volunteer party 
of about thirtv-five business men and citizens was 



formed, among whom were Col. John C. Hays, Mr. 
Peacock, Maj. Mike Chevalier, Capt. George T. 
Howard, Maj. John Caperton, Samuel A. Maverick, 

Quartermaster Ralston, Dr. a German from 

Fredericksburg, and a young friend of his, Lorenzo, 
a Mexican, who went as a guide and who had been 
many years a prisoner among the Comanches. 

At that time Capt. Samuel Highsmith was in 
command of a company of Texas rangers, stationed 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



105 



opposite the little German settlement of Castell, on 
the Llano river. In response to a request from the 
citizens interested, Capt. Higbsmith was directed 
to detail thirty-five of his company and escort 
the expedition. Col. Ha3's commanded the com- 
bined forces. Capt. Highsmith, instead of making 
an arbitrary detail, called for volunteers. Instantly 
more men stejjped forth than were required, but 
the matter was amicably arranged. Among those 
who went were bugler A. K. Barnes, now of Lam- 
pasas, Calvin Bell, Joseph Collins, Jesse Jerkins, 
— Jerkins, John Hughes, — Measbe, Herman 
L. Raven, still of Travis County, Solomon Ramsey, 
James Sims, Thomas Smith, John Warren and 
John Conner, a noted Delaware Indian who was 
the regular guide of the company. My informant, 
Herman L. Raven, can only recall these names. 

The San Antonio party arrived at Highsmith's 
camp about the 1st of August, 1848. The troops 
were given a pack mule to each mess of four men 
and carried rations for thiity days. The com- 
mand, seventy in all, moved up the valley of the 
Llano to the source of the South or Paint Rock 
fork. They then crossed the divide and reached 
the upper Nueces river. The route then pursued 
passed the Arroyo Las Moras, a tributary of the 
Rio Grande (on which Beales' unfortunate party 
essayed the establishment of an English-American 
colony in 1834, as will be seen in the remarkable 
narrative of Mrs. Horn, one of the victims, else- 
where in this work), and thence to Devil's river, 
near its confluence with the Rio Grande. This 
stream had previously acquired the name of San 
Pedro ; but after occupying three days in getting 
across and away from it, accompanied by several 
accidents, the expedition voted that it should ever 
more bear the name of El Rio del Diablo, or the 
Devil's river. It required three days to pass from 
this to the Pecos river, the water found on the way 
being reddish and brackish. Thenceforward no 
man in the expedition knew the country. Having 
crossed the Pecoa they found themselves in 
the rough, broken and unknown region 
lying between that stream and the Rio Grande. 
To men whose rations, as at this time, were 
about exhausted, it was a dismal succession of 
barrenness in hill, vale and barranca. Lorenzo, 
the guide, failed to recognize the landmarks and 
became bewildered. In a day or two their supplies 
gave out. There was no game in the country, and, 
as many had been driven to do before, they re- 
sorted to their pack mules, the flesh of which was 
their only food for ten or twelve days. Fortun- 
ately a party of Mescalero Indians discovered them 
and, as Col. Hays, from prudential motives with 



reference to Indians in that region, always had a 
white flag flying, came close enough to invite a talk, 
for which purpose three of their number met three 
of the Texians. After mutual explanations, easily 
understood on both sides through the Spanish lan- 
guage, and a liberal distribution of presents, with 
which the San Antonians were well supplied, they 
gave the party careful directions how to reach and 
cross the Rio Grande, and get to the Rancho San 
Carlos, on the Mexican side. Before reaching the 
river a doctor of the San Antonio parly became de- 
ranged and wandered off. Five days after leaving 
the Mesealeros they arrived at San Carlos in a pitia- 
ble condition, where they procured a supply of food. 
After resting one day they continued their march 
about forty miles further up the country, recross- 
ing the Rio Grande to Fort Leaton, on the east 
side and nine miles below Presidio del' Norte, on 
the west side, where they arrived on the forty- 
seventh day from the initial point on the Llano. 
Fort Leaton (pronounced "Laytou") was a sort 
of fortified trading house kept by two or three 
brothers of that name, the senior of whom, Ben- 
jamin Leaton, a Tennesseean and an old Apache 
trader, was personally known to the writer of this. 
The expedition remained there sixteen days recruit- 
ing their animals and providing supplies, during 
which lime the proprietors gave them a barbecue, 
the chief elements being meat, tortillas (Mexican 
corn pancakes), and that most cheiished of all 
beverages among old Texians — coffee ! The 
Bishop of Chihuahua sent them also some supplies. 
For reasons deemed sufficient it was determined 
to prosecute the enterprise no farther. Winter was 
close by. They had left to be absent only sixty 
days. At the expiration of that time they were 
not yet recruited at Leaton's. The troops, having 
started in August, had only summer clothing. The 
result showed the wisdom of their determination 
to return. 

About the first of November the return march 
was begun. The men had thirty days' rations; of 
meat, beeves to be driven on foot, and more or 
less " Pinola" or parched corn meal. Their route 
was by Lost Springs, where they arrived after a 
fast of two and a half days without water. They 
struck the Pecos at the Horsehead crossing, and 
followed that stream down to Live Oak creek, 
where Fort Lancaster was afterwards established. 
It was in this locality that the command separated. 
Twenty-eiglit of the San Antonio party started in a 
direct route for that city and safely arrived at their 
destination. Col. Hays, with six men, returned by 
waj' of the Las Moras and also got in safely, but 
both parties suffered much. 



106 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



From Live Oak creek Capt. HighsmitU bore 
across the country towards the sources of the South 
Concho. On the way, on one occasion, some of 
the men fell in the rear on account of their failing 
horses, and at night camped in a thicket of small 
bushes. While asleep at night a party of Indians 
furiously rode over them, seizing a saddle and some 
other articles and suecessfull}' stampeded their 
horses. On foot they overhauled the company at 
camp next morning. On the head of South Concho 
they encamped for the night. One of the sentinels 
fell asleep and at daylight it- was found that the 
Indians had quietly taken off thirteen of their 
horses. Thenceforward about half the men traveled 
on foot. 

At the head of Brady's creek, these men, clad 
only in their now tattered and torn summer gar- 
ments, encountered a violent snow storm. Capt. 
Highsmith, with a few men, pushed forward to his 
quarters on the Llano, to relieve the anxiety of the 
country as to their safety, correctly conjecturing 
that intense anxiety among the people must exist 
on account of their prolonged absence. Tlie other 
men remained shivering in an open camp for five 
daj's. The sufferings of both parties were terrible. 
Their beef was exhausted and wild game was their 
only food, but it was abundant in deer, antelope 



and turkey. On the forty-seventh day from Fort 
Leaton the last party reached the camp on the 
Llano. Thus with forty-seven days each on the 
outward and inward trip and eighteen days at 
the Fort, they had been absent 112 instead of 
60 days. The re-united company was marched to 
Austin, and on the 26th day of December, dis- 
charged, their term of service having expired. 
From the sufferings of this trip, in less than a 
month, Capt. Sam Highsmith died. From 1826 to 
184S be bad justly borne the character of a noble 
pioneer — warm-hearted, generous, brave; yet, 
most tender in nature and ever considerate of 
the rights of others, he never had personal difficult- 
ies. I knew him well, and as he had been a long- 
time friend and comrade of my then long deceased 
father, his friendship was prized as priceless. 

Col. Hays brought in a little son of Mr. Leaton, 
to be sent to school. 

The doctor who became deranged and wandered 
off, fell into the hands of a party of Indians, 
by whom his hunger was appeased and he was 
kindly treated, as is the habit of those wild tribes 
towards insane persons. He gradually recovered 
and, after he had been mourned by his wife as dead 
for over a year, suddenlj' presented himself to her, 
sound in mind and body. 



The Bloody Days of Bastrop. 



Before and immediately after the Texas revolu- 
tion of 1835-6, Gonzales, on the Guadalupe, and 
Bastrop, on the Colorado, with the upper settlements 
on the Brazos, were more exposed to Indian depre- 
dations than any other distinct localities in Texas. 
These sketches have more fully done justice to Gon- 
zales and the Brazos, than to Bastrop, the home of 
the Burlesons, Coleman, Billingsley, Wallace, 
Thomas H. Mays, Wm. H. Magill, the brothers 
Wiley, Middleton and Thomas B. J. Hill, Washing- 
ton and John D. Anderson, Dr. Thomas J. Gasley, 
/L. C. Cunningham, Wm. A. Clopton, Bartlett 
Sims, Cicero Rufus Peiry,'nlie Wilbargers, Dr. J. 
W. Robertson, John Caldwell, Hurch Reed, John 
H. Jenkins, Hon. William Pinkney Hill, for a time 
Robert M. Williamson, the eloquent orator and 
patriot, Highsmith, Eblin, Carter Anderson, Dal- 
rymple, Eggleston, Gilleland, Blakey, Page, Pres- 
ton Conley, the Hardemans, the Andrews brothers. 



the Crafts, Taylor, the Bartons, Pace, John W. 
Banton, Martin Wolner, Geren Brown, Logan Van- 
deveer, George Green, Godwin, Garwood, Halde- 
man~Miller, Holder, Curtis, Bain, Hood, McLean, 
Graves, Allen, Henry Jones, Thomas Nicholson, 
Vaughan, Hugh Childers, Hancock and John 
Walters. 

Aside from many important battles, in which a 
large per cent of those men and others not named,' 
participated, as at and around San Antonio in 1835- 
at San Jacinto in 1836 (in which fifty of them fought 
under Col. Burleson in Capt. Jesse Billingslej^'s 
company, and in which Lemuel Blakey was killed, 
and Capt. Billingslc}', Logan Vandeveer, Washing- 
ton Anderson, Calvin Page and Martin Walter were 
wounded), at Plum creek in 1840, in wiiich a hun- 
dred of them and tliirteenToncahua Indians fought 
under Burleson, and other important contests, for 
fifteen j'ears they were exposed to Indian forays and 



mDTAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



107 



bad numberless encounters and also fruitless pur- 
suits after those ever active and cunning enemies. 
Some of these sanguinary incidents have been de- 
scribed ; but, many have not and some, from the 
death of the participants and failing memories, 
never will be. But enough has been preserved to 
shed a halo of honor on those pioneers, by this 
writer many years ago styled — "The brave men 
of Bastrop." 

In this chapter, availing myself somewhat of the 
recollections of Mr. John H. Jenkins, I will briefly 
summarize some of the incidents not heretofore 
given. 

By a false alarm of Mexican invasion in 1837, 
as in 183G, the people of Bastrop fled from their 
homes, but the alarm passed and they soon returned 
from near the Brazos. 

Near where Austin is, later in 1837, Lieut. 
Wreun, of Coleman's Company, surprised a body 
of warriors, killed several, had one man shot in 
the mouth and killed, defeated the Indians and 
captured all their horses. 

In the same fall the Indians attacked the home of 
Mr. Gocher (or Gotier) east of Bastrop, killed him, 
his wife and two sons, and carried off Mrs. Craw- 
ford, his widowed daughter, one of his little sons 
and a little son and daughter of Mrs. Crawford. 
This tragedy was discovered by Col. Burleson 
some days later, when too late to pursue the mur- 
derers. Mrs. Crawford and the children, after 
several years of captivity, were bought by Mr. 
Spaulding, a trader, who married the widow and 
brought tiiem all back to live in Bastrop County. 

Not far from this time a part3' of Indians robbed 
a house below Bastrop. Burleson drove them into 
a cedar brake on Finey creek, above town, and 
sent back for more men. While waiting, the 
Indians slipped out and retreated east toward the 



headwaters of the Yeguas. Reinforced, Burleson 
followed their trail at half speed, overtaking them 
late in the afternoon, and drove them headlong, 
after quite a chase, into a ravine, from which they 
escaped unhurt and soon reached their camp, but 
most of them only to die. They had gorged them- 
selves on fat pork, killed in the woods, and soon 
after arriving among their people nearly all of them 
died, proving that stomachs overcharged with fat 
and fresh hog meat were not prepared for rapid foot 
races, the deceased sons of the forest having been 
on foot. Mrs. Crawford was then a prisoner in 
the camp and verified these facts. 

The next raid was made in daylight. A party of 
Comanches came in sight of town and drove off 
fifteen horses. They were hastily followed by a 
few citizens, who overhauled them eight miles out. 
A running fight ensued — the Indians abandoned 
their own and the stolen horses and found security 
in thickets. No one was killed on either side, but 
the citizens returned with their own and the Indian 
horses. Richard Vaughan's horse, however, was 
killed under him. 

Early in 1838 the Indians entered the town at 
night, killed Messrs. Hart and Weaver and es- 
caped. 

Soon afterwards, about three miles east of town, 
Messrs. Robinson and Dollar were making boards. 
Fifteen Indians charged upon them. Each sprang 
upon his horse, near by, but Robinson was killed 
at the same moment, while Dollar was pursued and 
hemmed on a high bank of the river ; but, leaving 
his horse, he leaped down the bank about twenty 
feet, swam the Colorado and then hastened to town. 
Soon afterwards he started to leave the country and 
was never again heard of. No doubt was enter- 
tained, however, of his having been killed by 
Indians. 



Raid into Gonzales and De Witt Counties in 1848 — Death of 

Dr. Barnett, Capt. John York and Others — Death 

of Maj. Charles G. Bryant in 1850. 



For several j-ears prior to ISiS the country fore unprepared for it. Early in October, 1848, 

between the Guadalupe and San Antonio rivers they realized, however, tliat they were open to 

escaped annoyance from the Indians, though their savage fury. A party of Indians descended from 

depredations beyond were frequent. The people the mountains along the valley of the Cibolo, and 

in the section referred to had ceased to regard thence southeasterly to the " Sandies," a set of 

themselves as exposed to danger, and were there- small streams in the western part of Gonzales 



108 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



County. On the Sandies they came across and 
killed Dr. George W. Barnett, also a recent settler 
in that locality — the same gentleman mentioned 
in my chapter on the events in 1833 and 1835, as a 
Captain in '35, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, a soldier at San Jacinto and a senator of 
the Repul)lic. Another party of Indians, presumed 
to be of the same band, and acting in concert with 
them, crossed from the west to the east side of the 
San Antonio, and formed a junction with the first 
named party, the two bands numbering thirty-five 
or forty warriors, including, it was believed, some 
outlawed Mexicans, the Indians being Lipans, then 
living in the border Mexican State of Coaliuila, be- 
yond the Rio Grande. Before their junction, about 
the 5th of October, the second named or lower 
gang had killed a Mr. Lockard (or Lockhart) and 
a young man of Goliad County, son of Mr. Thacker 
Vivian, at the Goliad and San Antonio crossing of 
the Ecleto creek. 

These events alarmed the settlers on the west side 
of the Guadalupe, the remainder of the district 
mentioned being still a wilderness, and a company 
of thirty-two men and boys from the west side of 
the river in De Witt County, assembled to meet 
and repel the raiders. John York, a brave old 
soldier who commanded a company in the storming 
of San Antonio in 1835, was made Captain ; Richard 
H. Chisholm, another veteran, Lieutenant, with H. 
B. McB. Pridgen and Newton Porter, Sergeants, 
and Joseph Tumlinson, guide. 

On the night of October 10th, these hastily col- 
lected volunteers encamped on the head waters of 
the Cabcsa, twenty-five miles above Goliad. On 
the morning of the 11th they traveled some miles 
up the country, and then struck the trail of the 
Indians, which bore southerly towards the mouth 
of the Eseondida, a tributary of the San Antonio 
from the southwest side. It became evident the 
enemy had secured a considerable number of horses, 
were leaving the countr}', and the pursuit was 
quickened. Passing the San Antonio, on its west 
bank they found the recently abandoned camp of 
the savages, wiUi a letter and some trifling articles 
proving they were the murderers of Lockard and 
Vivian. The letter found was from George ^V. 
Smyth, Commissioner of the General Land Office, 
to a citizen of Robertson County, on official busi- 
ness, and sent by Lockard. Young Vivian was 
the son of a neighbor of my parents when I was a 
child in Missouri, and a kinsman of Mrs. Dr. A. 
A. Johnston, of Dallas. Believing that they had 
been discovered, and that the Indians were hastily 



retreating, Capt. York pressed forward rapidly till, 
on reaching the brushy banks of the Eseondida, 
about five miles beyond the abandoned camp, and 
while a portion of the pursuers were a little behind, 
those in front received a heavy fire from ambush, 
accompanied by yells of defiance and imprecations 
in broken English, which threw some of the inex- 
perienced into confusion, causing a recoil, and this 
disconcerted those in the rear, but the brave old 
leader ordered the men to dismount in a grove of 
trees, and was obeyed by a portion of his followers, 
who returned and kept up the fire. Lieut. Chis- 
holm (Uncle Dick, who cast the first cannon ball in 
the Texas revolution) tried to rally the halting, 
but the panic was on them and he tried in vain. 
James H. Sykes, a stalwart man of reckless daring, 
dashed up to the dense chaparral in which the 
Indians were sheltered, and was killed. James 
Bell, a son-in-law of Capt. York, and a man of ap- 
proved nerve, was shot down between the contend- 
ing parties, when Capt. York ran to him and while 
stooping to raise him up was shot through the 
kidnej's. The brave couple expired in the embrace 
of each other. Joseph Tumlinson and Hugh R. 
Young were severely wounded, and James York, 
son of the dead captain, one of the handsomest 
boj's I ever knew, was shot centrally through the 
cheeks from side to side, supposed at the time to 
be fatally, but he rode home and finally recovered, 
though greatly disfigured. The contest was kept 
up about an hour, when both parties retired, ours 
only a little down the creek to get water for the 
wounded. It was believed the Indians lost six or 
seven in killed, but of this there was no certaintj'. 
Besides those already named among those who 
stood to their colors to the last were William R. 
Taylor (Goliad), Johnson, A. Berry, and others 
whose names cannot be recalled. Some men of 
unquestioned courage were among the victims of 
the panic, and others were inexperienced boys who 
had never been under fire. 

This, so far as is remembered, was the last raid 
in that section of country below the Seguiu and 
San Antonio road ; but above that line the pioneers 
of the frontier, till some years after the Civil War, 
were the victims of a predatory and brutal w.ar, in 
which the most remorseless cruelties were more or 
less practiced. 

The facts as herein narrated were communicated 
to me by a number of the participants on the 20th 
of October, only nine days after the fight, and have 
been so preserved ever since. I personally knew 
every one named in connection with the engagement. 




UKNRY M.CLLLOCH. 



INDFAX WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



109 



Death of Maj. Charles G. Bryant. 



The isolated murder of this estimable gentleman, 
by the Indians, occurred about fourteen months 
after the events herein described, but being in the 
same section of the State, the facts are added to 
tliis ciiapter, with some other matters of interest 
in relation to him and bis famil3r. 

Cliarles G. Bryant was born in 1803 at Thomas- 
ton, Maine, and was long captain of a company in 
Bangor, being of an ardent military temperament. 
Being also a warm sympathizer with the rebellion 
in Canada in 1837-8, he crossed the border in the 
latter year and joined his fortunes with those in 
arms against the British power. In their final de- 
feat he was captured, tried and sentenced to death. 
By the intervention of friends, at great hazard to 
themselves, on the night before his appointed exe- 
cution, he escaped from prison, and by relays of 
horses previously provided, rode in a gallop from 
Montreal to Bangor. A large reward was offered 
for him, dead or alive, and to escape extradition he 
chartered a small vessel, on which, with his elder 
son, Andrew Jackson Bryant, leaving the remainder 
of his family beiiind, he sailed for Galveston, arriv- 
ing there in January, 1839. His son entered the 
Texas navy, as midshipman, won esteem as such, 
and in the naval battle off Campeechy in the spring 
of 1843, was fearfullj' wounded, displaying the 
highest order of heroism. He sailed from Galves- 
ton for New York a few months later for medical 
treatment and to bring out his mother and the other 
children, but the vessel went down at sea. No tid- 
ings of it or any of its human freight were ever 
received. In January, 184.5, Mrs. Bryant arrived 
in Galveston, accompanied by their sons, Charles 



C. (now an cmplo3'ee on Texas Farm and Ranch'), 
Martin, Clinton and Wolfred N. (now of Dallas). 

During the Mexican war, probably in 1846 or 
1847, Maj. Bryant removed his familj^ from Gal- 
veston to Corpus Christi. It had been reinforced 
at Galveston by the birth of a son named Edwin, 
and a daughter, now of Dallas, and known through- 
out the State from her brilliant and patriotic poet- 
ical effusions, as Mrs. Welthea Bryant Leaehman, 
a favorite pet of the Texas Veteran Association, to 
whom she is endeared by ties honorable to her 
mind, her genius and her heart. 

Maj. Bryant was a prominent and valued citizen 
of Corpus Christi. He was mustering officer of the 
three companies of Texas rangers, commanded 
respectively by Capts. John S. Ford, John G. 
Grumbles and Charles M. Blackwell. On the 11th 
of January, 1850, he left Corpus Christi on horse- 
back for Austin, on business growing out of this 
official position, crossing the reef at the head of 
Corpus Christi bay. Early on the next day, about 
nine miles from Black Point, and in plain view of 
several persons who had fortunately discovered the 
danger and concealed themselves in some chaparral, 
he was completely surprised, murdered and robbed 
by a party of nine Indians. He had on his person 
several hundred dollars in gold, and a large amount 
in bank bills. In that locality he had no reason to 
apprehend danger, but though surprised, he fought 
with desperation, till overwhelmed by the odds 
against him. The concealed and unarmed specta- 
tors, though being unseen by the Indians, and see- 
ing their approach in time to save themselves, could 
give no warning to him whose life was at hazard. 



The Southwest Coast in 1850 — Henry McCulloch's Fight on 
the San Saba in 1851. 



In 1849 and 1850, while Gen. Brooke, with head- 
quarters at San Antonio, was in command of the 
United States troops in Texas, there wae such a 
succession of Indian raids into the coast country 
between the San Antonio and Nueces rivers, and 
west of the latter stream in rear of Corpus Christi, 



as to create a constant sense of insecurity among 
the scattered population of that section. It will be 
remembered, as shown elsewhere, that on the 11th 
of January, 1850, Maj. Charles G. Bryant, of Cor- 
pus Christi, was killed by one of those raiding 
parties. 



no 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Gen. Brooke, in view of tliese increasing depre- 
dations, called into service a company of Texas 
rangers, who were mustered in at Austin, Novem- 
ber 5, 1850. Henry E. McCulIoch, for the fifth 
time since June 8, 1846, was elected Captain, Jolin 
R. King, First Lieutenant, Calvin S. Turner, Second 
Lieutenant, and Wm. C. McKean, was Orderly 
Sergeant. 

The company formed a central camp on the 
Aransas, between the Nueces and San Antonio, 
and kept up an active system of scouts from the 
one river to the other, and successively discovered, 
pursued and broke up two or three raiding parties, 
capturing their horses and outfits, though the sav- 
ages in each case escaped into the almost impene- 
trable chaparrals of that section. Two Indians, 
however, during the stay of the company in that 
locality, slipped inside the lines, captured a small 
boy, son of Hart, at the Mission Refugio, and suc- 
cessfully escaped ; but this in a period of five 
months, was the only success they achieved, being 
wholly defeated in every other attempt, and confi- 
dence was restored. The company, being' six 
months' men, were discharged at Fort Merrill, on 
the Nueces, on the 4th of May, 18-51, but reor- 
ganized as a new company for another six months 
on the next day. Capt. Gordon Granger (a 
Federal General in the civil war) was the oflficer 
who mustered out the old company and remus- 
tered them in the new. 

Of this second compan3' (the sixth and last one 
in the service of the United States commanded by 
the same gentleman) Henry E. McCulloch was 
unanimously elected Captain, MilburnHarrell, First, 
and Wm. C. McKean, Second Lieutenant, Oliver H. 
P. Keese, Orderly Sergeant, the other Sergeants 
being Houston Tom, Thomas Drennan and James 
Eastwood ; the corporals were John M. Lewis, 
Abner H. Beard, Thomas F. Mitchell and Archi- 
bald Gipson ; Wm. J. Boykin and James E. Keese, 
buglers ; John Swearinger, blacksmith ; Thomas 
Sappington, farrier. There were seventj'-four 
privates and a total in rank and file of eighty- 
nine. 

In the mean time Gen. Brooke died in San 
Antonio and Gen. Wm. S. Harney had succeeded 
to the command. He directed Capt. McCulloch to 
take such position in the mountains, covering the 
head waters of the Guadalupe, Perdenales, Llano 
and San Saba, as, by a system of energetic scout- 
ing, would enable him best to protect the settle- 
ments inside, in reality covering most of the 
country between the upper Nueces and the Colo. 
rado. About the 1st of June Capt. McCulloch 
established his headquarters on the north branch of 



the Llano river, about ten miles above the forks, 
and thenceforward had daily reports from a long 
line of observation. This active service, without 
any important action or discovery, continued until 
early in August, when the scouts reported a con- 
siderable and fresh Indian trail to the west of the 
encampment bearing from the lower country in a 
northerly direction. 

Capt. McCulloch, with a detail of twenty-one 
men, started in immediate pursuit. 

Following the trail, rendered very plain by the 
number of stolen horses driven by the Indians, it 
became manifest that the robbers apprehended no 
danger and were traveling leisurely. On reaching 
the south branch of the San Saba, not far from its 
source, it became certain that the enemy was near 
by, Capt. McCulloch halting the company, with 
Chris. McCoy went forward, soon to discover the 
Indians encamped on a deep branch, tvidently feel- 
ing secure, and their horses grazing at some distance 
from them. A plan of attack was at once adopted. 
A charge was so made as to cut the horses off and 
the Indians took position in the branch, but be- 
trayed more of a desire to escape than to fight. 
The rangers, inspired by their captain, crowded 
upon them whenever and wlierever it could be done 
without reckless exposure to their invisible shots. 
Some of the squaws with bows and arrows, fought as 
men, and two would have been killed in the deadly 
melee but for the discovery of their sex, upon which 
they were overpowered and disarmed, this being 
the highest manifestation of chivalry possible under 
the circumstances, including, of course, the safe 
custody of the captured ladies. Herman L. Raven 
was wounded by one of the squaws. Jeremiah 
Campbell's horse was killed b^' a rifle ball. The 
Indians were closely pressed as they retreated 
down the branch until they found security in the 
thickets on its borders. 

Seven or eight warriors were left dead on the 
ground. Ail the horses and other property of the 
Indians were captured. It became evident that the 
raiders had been robbing Mexicans on the Rio 
Grande. On reflection Capt. McCulloch furnished 
the two squaws horses and outfits, telling them 
to find their people and say to them that if they 
would come into Fort Martin Scott (two and a half 
miles east of Fredericksburg, and on the Perde- 
nales), bring in any prisoners they might have, and 
pledge themselves to cease depredations on the 
frontier, their horses and effects would be restored 
to them. This offer was accepted and carried into 
effect. Ketemsi, chief of the defeated party, con- 
tended that he had been warring on Mexicans only, 
and it was not right for Texians to attack him — a 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



iir 



position untenable while he passed over and occu- 
pied Texas soil in his hostile movements against 
people with whom we were at peace. But in truth 
he was ready to rob and slay Texians as well as 
Mexicans. 

The company continued in active service till the 
expiration of their period of enlistment, when on the 



5th of November, 1851, they were mustered out at 
Fort Martin Scott. As previously stated, the}' 
were mustered in at Fort Merrill by Capt. Gordon 
Granger, afterwards a distinguished Union General 
in the war between the States. They were mustered 
out by James Longstreet, an equally distinguished 
General on the Confederate side in the same war. 



Governor Fitzhugh Lee's Hand-to-Hand Fight with a Stalwart 

Warrior in 1855. 



I am unable to give the date or precise locality 
of the incident about to be narrated ; but it was 
about 1855, and not far from one of the U. S. mil- 
itary posts then on our western frontier, and the 
facts are derived from Capt. Hayes, the only wit- 
ness of the scene. The hero of the occasion was 
Fitzhugh Lee, then a young Lieutenant of cavalry 
in the United States armj', afterwards distinguished 
as a General of cavalry in the Confederate army and 
still later as Governor of Virginia. He is a nephew 
of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and a son of Com. Sidney 
Smith Lee, deceased, of the United States navy. 

Capt. Hayes (then, I think, a lieutenant), and 
Lieut. Lee, on the occasion referred to, were roam- 
ing through a forest when they espied a large and 
robust warrior quite near and mounted on horse- 
back. As soon as he discovered them he gave a 
stentorian war whoop and darted off through the 
timber, pursued by Lee and Hayes. The chase con- 
tinued for a considerable distance, first one and then 
the other party gaining ground, till finally, owing 
to thick brush on the bank of a creek, the Indian 
was forced to abandon his horse and seek conceal- 
ment, in doing which he leaped down the creek 
bank where it was about ten feet high. 

The pursuers dismounted, Lee passing down 
the creek on one side and Hayes on the other. 
Id a little while Hayes saw Lee stoop down and 
pick up a fine blanket, dropped by the Indian, and 
called to him to be cautious, as the owner must be 
near at hand. He had scarcely done so when the 
savage sprang from behind a ledge of rocks, not 
over four feet distant, and with a wild yell, seized 
Lee, and a life and death struggle began. The 
Indian was much the stronger of the two and 
very soon had Lee down. The former had a 
lance and a bow and arrow on his back while 



Lee had a pistol and carbine, but, at the first 
onset, the lance and carbine, respectively, were 
dropped. Lee, being agile, rose to his feet, tightly 
clenched by his antagonist, but was again thrown 
to the ground. His pistol fell and rolled beyond 
the reach of either. Lee rose a third time and was 
again thrown, when they rolled over and over each 
other. Lee, with his left hand, seized the Indian's 
throat and endeavored to suffocate him, but his 
hand was seized by the savage and restrained. 
Lee continued his efforts — they again rolled over 
each other and finally Lee found himself on top and 
renewed his choking operation ; but at the same 
instant discovered that they had rolled within reach 
of his pistol, seizing which, unseen by the Indian, 
he held it near the ground and fired, the ball pass- 
ing through the Indian's cheeks. 

The savage then made a powerful effort to 
" turn " Lee and get possession of the pistol. In 
the language of Capt. Hayes: " Each man fought 
with superhuman strength, and each knew that it 
was a battle unto death." 

In all this time, and it was but a moment, Capt. 
Hayes had seen the struggle and hastened to reach 
the spot in aid of his friend, for he dare not fire 
unless immediately at them, lest he might kill Lee, 
but he was delayed by brush and the bluff in cross- 
ing the creek. " But," says he, " just as I reached 
Fitz he fired again and the ball went crashing 
through the Indian's heart, killing him. Lee then 
arose and I said to him : That was a close call, 
Fitz. He replied: 'Yes, I thought I was gone.' 
Afterward I asked him how in the world he man- 
aged to turn the heavy Indian? In his own peculiar 
way Fitz replied : ' I tell you what saved my life, 
Jack. When I was a boy at school in Virginia I 
learned a litt'e trick in wrestling that the boys 



112 



IXDTAX WARS AXD PIOXEEIiS OF TEXAS. 



called the back heel, and the thought struck me, 
when he had me down, that if I trieil that Virginia 
bade heel on him I would get him. I tried it and I 
got him.' " 

An account of this rencounter speedily spread all 
over the frontier of Texas and gave Fitzhugh Lee 
a hold ou the people which is a pleasant remem- 
brance among the surviving pioneers unto this day, 
and has never been weakened by any act of his 
since ; but, on the conirar}', thej- have ever followed 
and rejoiced over his brilliant career as soldier, and 
statesman, with a pride akin to kinship. Not long 
after the occurrence, he visited Dallas in charge of 



an escort to a supply train, where the people gave a 
ball and supper in his honor — then sent a commit- 
tee to escort him on his return as far as McKinney. 
where the same honors were paid. 

As Governor of Virginia he worthily occupied a 
seat honored aforetime by his grandfather. Light 
Horse Hany Lee, of glorious memory, but erecting 
another monument to the fact that since Richard 
Lee, first of the name in America, came to the 
colony of Virginia as secretary to Governor Sir 
William Beverly, in IGtl, no Lee has ever left 
a stain upon his name or proved untrue to his 
country. 



Van Dorn's Fight at the Wichita Village, October 1, 1858. 



Some years since Capt. (now ex-Governor) L. S. 
Koss wrote the following brief account of this 
battle, Maj. Van Dorn being of the U. S. Cavalry 
and severely wounded : — • 

"In 1858 I returned from school and found 
Maj. Van Dorn was at Belknap organizing an ex- 
pedition against the Comanches, then supposed to 
he somewhere on the head waters of the Arkansas 
and Canadian rivers. I went at once to the Indian 
agency and raised one hundred and thirt^'-five 
Waco, Tehuacano, Toncahua and Caddo warriors, 
and with them reported to Maj. Van Dorn for 
co-operation in the expedition. He sent me in ad- 
vance to the Wichita mountains, while he followed 
with trains, supplies, and troops, expecting to 
establish a depot there for supplies, etc. When I 
reached the mountains, I sent a Waco and a Tehua- 
cano Indian to the Wichita village, seventy-five 
miles east of the Washita river, hoping to learn 
through them where the Comanches were to be 
found. When the scouts came in sight of the vil- 
lage they found, to their surprise, " Buffalo Hump " 
with his band of Comanches (the very ones we 
were hunting), encamped there, trading and gam- 
bling with the Wichitas. The scouts concealed 
themselves until after dark, and then stole two 



Comanche horses and returned to me to report the 
facts. With difficulty I convinced Maj. Van Dorn 
that the Indians could be relied upon and induced 
him to turn the direction of his columns, and by a 
forced march we reached the village at sunrise 
October 1st, 1858, surprising and almost completely 
destroying that band of the Comanches, capturing 
their horses, tents, supplies and several prisoners, 
among whom I captured the white girl named 
" Lizzie," subsequently raised by ray mother, and 
of whose family or parentage no trace has been 
discovered. For their services Maj. Van Dorn 
gave the Indians of my command the spoils cap- 
tured, horses, etc. I received for my pay a dan- 
gerous gun-shot wound, still a painful reminder of 
the occasion, together with a petition, signed on 
the battle-field by every U. S. officer present, re- 
questing my appointment by the Government in 
the regular army for distinguished gallantr}^ and 
after due time came a complimentary order from 
Gen. Winfield Scott, which documents I still have, 
but have never made or attempted to make use of 
them." 

This, when but twenty years old, was the 
beginning of Gen. Ross' brilliant career as a 
soldier. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



113 



A Story of Gen. Lee— His Attack Upon a Band of Savages in 
1860, While on the Way to the Rio Grande. 



" Col. A. G. Brackett, who in 1886 and for sev- 
eral years commanded at Fort Davis, Texas, spent 
the better part of a long and arduous military career 
in Indian fighting and the roughest of frontier worli 
generally," writes a correspondent of the St. Louis 
Globe-Democrat; and then continues: " For years 
prior to the war, when Sati Antonio was but a far 
outlying post, when railways were an unknown 
quantity in Texas' taxable values, and the Coman- 
ches and Mexicans practically owned creation, 
Col. Brackett was holding up his end of government 
guard duty, and of necessity became intimate with 
most of the men who for some portion of their lives 
lived on the then far frontier, and afterward be- 
came heroes of national story and song. To a 
group of interested listeners Col. Brackett detailed 
the following hitherto unprinted episode in the life 
of Gen. Robert E. Lee — in I860 a Colonel in com- 
mand of the departmeut of Texas, and in 1865 the 
Confederacy's grandest soldier. 

" ' Robert E. Lee,' says Col. Brackett, ' was on 
his way from San Antonio to the Rio Grande for the 
purpose of doing what he could toward bringing the 
Cortinas war to a close and settling the disturbances 
connected therewith. He had for his escort my 
company of the Second Cavalry, and was marching 
as rapidly as possible. He had done what he could 
in his office, and now found his only safe plan was 
to go himself to the spot where hostilities were pro- 
gressing. He was a man who always attended to 
everything himself as far as possible. Utterly with- 
out pretension, he held every man to a strict per- 
formance of his duty, and spared nothing in having 
his plans carried out. He was an able department 
commander, and foreshadowed many of those quali- 
ties which made him famous in a more extended 
sphere of action, and proved him one of the great- 
est military leaders this country has produced. He 
was strict in his waj's, but at the same lime was one 
of the most benevolent and kind-hearted of men. 

" ' As he approached .Seco river a messenger came 
galloping up to him and reported that the Indians 
were just ahead and were robbing the settlements 



on and near that stream. It took but a moment to 
pass the word to me. We dashed off with our 
troops and were soon in the midst of the savages, 
who, unaware of our proximity, were plundering 
without hindrance and to their own great satisfac- 
tion. But when the cavalry dashed in upon them 
there were seen some amazing feats of horseman- 
ship as with wild yells the Indians endeavored to 
get out of the way. They had killed some head of 
cattle, and were about to rob a house occupied by 
women who had huddled together there, when Lee 
appeared on the scene. Again they went in every 
direction, but generally up the river toward the 
mountains, the cattle lowing from fright, and the 
big bay horses of the troopers bounding after the 
red men over the rocks, stones and bushes in a 
way to gladden the heart of every true horseman. 
For a time the din was great as the troops tore 
through the bushes. It was a race for life, and a 
most exciting one, as all must admit. How many 
were hurt was never accurately known to the whites, 
as an Indian can conceal himself in a place which 
would almost seem impossible. The chase was 
kept up for a couple of miles, but in the broken 
ground all further efforts were useless. The men 
returned to the house, when a recall was sounded, 
their horses being blown and their clothing in 
strings from the brush and briers. The women 
were dreadfully frightened, their husbands and 
brothers being away from home at the time of the 
attack, but as the soldiers returned they came in 
and were profuse in their thanks to Lee for his 
timely arrival and his handsome performance in 
beating off the red rascals. He was as impassive 
as ever, but it was plainly to be seen that he 
thoroughly enjoyed the discomfiture of the Indians, 
as well as the eagerness of his men to get at them.' 
" In lengthy and interesting mention of the great 
commander as one who had broken bread and lived 
in camps with him, Col. Brackett speaks of the 
Confederate General with the respect and tender 
appreciation of a lifetime soldier for a gallant 
foe." 



114 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



A Raid in Burnet County in April, 1861 — Death of James 

Gracey — George Baker and Family's Escape — 

Escape of John H. Stockman, a Boy. 



In 1861 Thomas Dawson, a single man, lived 
about nine miles westerly from Lampasas, and two 
miles east of the road from Burnet to San Saba. 
With him lived a fatherless boy of thirteen, John 
H. Stockman, whose aunt, Miss Greenwood, subse- 
(juently became the wife of Dawson. On the 10th 
of April, 1861, James, the thirteen-year-old son of 
John N. Gracey, then and still (in 1887) of 
Lampasas, went to Dawson's in search of horses, 
and remained all night. 

On the morning of the 11th these two boys, on 
foot, went out seeking the horses. When about 
two miles from the house and very near the Burnet 
and San Saba road, while Stockman was trying to 
kill a turkey a short distance from Gracey, and in 
a body of post oaks, he heard a rumbling sound — 
then shouts, and, on looking, discovered fifteen 
Indians in charge of about a hundred stolen and 
frightened horses. Checking up the herd, three of 
the savages seized little Gracey, stiipped off his 
clothing, scalped him as he stood upon the ground, 
then beckoned him to run, and as he did so, sent sev- 
eral arrows through his body, causing instant death. 
It was the work of but a moment, during which 
Stockman stood among the trees as if paralyzed, not 
doubting a similar fate ; but just as the wretches 
were about to rush upon him, their attention was 
directed to another party a short distance below on 
the road. It consisted of George Baker, of Austin, 
on horseback, his wife and infant, and Mr. Austin, 
his father-in-law, in a buggy. Most of the Indians 
were required to hold their restUss herd, but the 
remainder attacked the party. Mr. Baker sought 
to defend his precious charge till they could reach 
some timber and brush perhaps two hundred yards 
away. He had both a gun and pistols. He was 
soon wounded, but killed the most daring of the 
assailants at an instant when Mrs. Baker was for 
a moment at their mere}'. But they were so san- 
guine of killing the husband and holding the wife, 
that the whole party succeeded in reaching the 
desired haven and found partial protection. Mr. 
Austin was an old man somewhat palsied in the 
arms and could do nothing. Baker held them at 
bay, firing several shots and wounding a second 
Indian ; but he was wounded several times and 
finally became unable to do more. Mrs. Baker 



drew the arrows from his body ami staunched the 
wounds as best she could ; but in the last dread 
alternative stood in his stead, wielding his weapons 
and holding the brutal creatures at a respectful 
distance. An arrow entered the baby's stomach 
through several folds of a Mexican blanket, but 
not far enough to endanger its life. 

In the meantime two other fortunate events 
transpired. The boy, Stockman, seized the occa- 
sion to escape. He found partial protection for a 
short distance along a ravine. Having on a very 
white shirt, easily seen at a considerable distance, 
he cast it off. Having to cross a small prairie, he 
crawled perhaps half a mile, lacerating his flesh 
and limbs, and while so engaged, a part of the 
Indians, in preventing a stampede of the horses, 
rode almost upon, without seeing him, in the high 
grass. Through brush and briers he ran rapidly, 
by circuitous routes, six or eight miles, to reach 
the house of Thomas Espy, two miles east of Daw- 
son's place. He was severelj' torn and bruised, 
but not otherwise injured, though frantic over the 
horrors he had witnessed. 

The other incident was that as the occupants 
quit the buggy, the horse ran away, casting off one 
of the four wheels, and, providentially leaving the 
road, he went full speed to Dawson's house, near 
which one or two of the Indians captured, unhar- 
nessed and hurried him back to their fellows. This 
was seen by Mr. Dawson, who mounted his own 
horse and started in a run to give the alarm at 
Lampasas ; but, again providentially, within a mile 
he fell in with a hunting party from Lampasas, 
consisting of Dempsey Pace, John Greenwood 
George Weldy and Newton Knight, who, at half 
speed, followed the trail made by the buggy, and 
soon arrived on the scene, to find the enemy still 
endeavoring to accomplish their object, without 
losing any more of their own number. The savages 
challenged them to combat at some distance on the 
prairie ; but their purpose was to protect and save 
the apparently doomed family. They prepared, as 
best they could, for conveying them to the house 
of Mr. Espy, the nearest family in that region. 
The Indians soon retired with their booty, and the 
rescuers safely conducted their charges in, carrying 
Mr. Baker in a litter. He was gently nursed for 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



115 



sis or eight weeks, and was then enabled to reach 
his home, where he in due time recovered, as proud 
of his heroic wife as he was thaul<ful for their pres- 
ervation through such apparently hopeless dangers. 
A party, accompanied by little Stockman, went 
out during the succeeding night to recover the 
body of little James Gracey, but were unable to 
find it. They camped at the spot indicated by 
Stockman, and when daylight came found it in 
their midst, and then realized the cause of their 
failure in the fact that the nude body, lying among 
the white rocks, was not distinguishable in the 



night time. The remains were conveyed to his 
stricken parents and family, and interred in the 
presence of a sympathizing concourse. 

Stockman now lives in San Antonio, but has been 
much about Dallas, and only a few days since 
recounted to me his version of this bloody episode 
in our border history. It will be of Interest to 
many old residents of East and Southwest Texas to 
know that he is a grandson of Elder Garrison 
Greenwood, a sterling old Baptist preacher, who 
settled in Nacogdoches County in 1833, and moved 
west in 184G, finally to die in Lampasas County. 



Raid into Cooke County, in Decennber, 1863. 



On the 22d and 23d days of December, 1863, 
occurred one of the most bloody and destructive 
Indian raids to which our poorly protected frontier 
was subject during and for some years after the 
late war. At this time Col. James Bourland, one 
of the bravest and truest of all our frontiersmen, 
commanded a regiment of Confederate troops with 
his headquarters at Gainesville, but at the lime of 
this particular raid he was in Bonhara, on official 
business with Gen. Henry E. McCulloch. Col. 
Bourland had to protect with his regiment such an 
extended reach of frontier that he was compelled 
to scatter his troops in small squads far apart, and 
for this reason it was impossible to concentrate any 
considerable number of his troops at any given 
point in time to repel such an invasion as this. 
At this time Capt. Wm. C. Twitty, a brave and 
true soldier, was in command of the few troops of 
Col. Bourland's regiment, that then happened to 
be at and near Gainesville not exceeding fifty or 
seventy-five in number. 

At the same time Capt. Jno. T. Rowland, a 
brave and experienced Indian fighter, commanded 
a company of Texas State troops. Capt. Rowland 
was in camp at Red River Station, in Montague 
County, and was the first to hear of the raid. The 
Indians crossed Red river into Texas about 2 
o'clock in the afternoon of the 22d of December, 
1863, a few miles below Red River Station, 
and at once commenced their fiendish work 
of murder and burning. They first came upon the 
house of Mr. Anderson. They killed his wife, and 
left her with her feet so near a fire in the yard as 
to roast her feet. At the residence of Wesley 



Willet they killed Mr. Willet and one daughter, 
while his wife and another daughter made their 
escape. They burned and plundered Mr. Willet's 
house, and then came upon the house of Mr. G. L. 
Hatfield. Hatfield and his family made their es- 
cape, but they had fled only a short distance before 
they looked back and saw their home in flames. 
After taking such things as they wanted the Indians 
set fire to the house. Settlements at this time 
along the Red river border were quite spare and 
what was then known as the Wallace settlement, in 
Sadler's bend in Cooke County, was the next set- 
tlement below Hatfield's and was some twelve or 
fifteen miles distant. The Indians started in the 
direction of this settlement when they left the Hat- 
field place, but they were closely pursued by Capt. 
Rowland with about twenty-five men. The Indians 
were between two and three hundred strong. 
Before reaching the Wallace settlement the Indians 
recrossed Red river and this led Capt. Rowland to 
believe that they had abandoned the raid, as it was 
their custom to make these sudden inroads upon 
the settlements and then make their escape under 
cover of night. Capt. Rowland and his men had 
ridden very rapidly — the Indians had so much 
the start of them, that their horses were 
completely wearied out, so he thought it was 
best to turn into Capt. Wallace's and rest 
his men and horses for the night, and renew 
the pursuit early next morning. The news of 
the raid and the massacre of the Willet familv 
with the usual exaggerations, had alreadv been 
carried to the Wallace settlement, by some terrifie<l 
settler, and when Capt. Rowland reached Wallace's 



116 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



he found that the whole settlement had forted there 
as a means of protection. The news had also been 
conveyed to what was known as the Elmore settle- 
ment, on the head of Fish creek, about six miles 
east of Wallace's ; also to what was known as the 
Potter settlement, some four miles southeast from 
Elmore's, and a fleet courier had also carried the 
news to Gainesville. During the night of the 22d, 
the few families in that settlement gathered at the 
residence of James Elmore, and the few families 
that composed the settlement around Capt. C. 
Potter's were also gathered in there before daylight 
of the morning of the 23d. Many of these families 
were simply women and children, the husbands and 
fathers being in the Confederate army, and the few 
men in the county were armed with the poorest 
class of firearms, all the best guns having been 
given to those who joined the Confederate army. 

When Capt. Twitty heard the news of the raid, 
which reached him at Gainesville, in the earl^' part 
of the night of the 22d of December, he imme- 
diately dispatched about twenty-five men from 
Capt. S. P. C. Patton's Company, to the scene of 
the raid. These men, after a hard ride, reached 
Capt. Wallace's a short time before daylight on 
the morning of the 23d. Capt. Rowland, who was 
not expecting reinforcements, and taking these 
men for the enemy, came near firing upon them 
before the mistake was discovered. But the 
Indians, confident in their superior numbers, deter- 
mined to do more devilment before leaving and early 
next morning, recrossed Red riv-er and went in 
below Capt. AVallace's. At sunrise they were scam- 
pering over the prairies, stealing horses, shooting 
cattle, and burning houses. They soon came to 
the Elmore place and their number was so unpre- 
cedencedly large, that they struck terror to the 
hearts of the men and women crowded in the house, 
and they at once fled to the woods, scattering in 
every direction. Some were killed, others were 
chased for miles — but most of them made their 
escape, though they lay in the woods all that day 
and the following night. Many thrilling incidents 
could be related of this flight. Among others, a 
Mr. Dawson, when the stampede began from 
the house, seized a babe about six months old, 
but not his own. When he reached a spot where 
he thought he could safely hide, the child began to 
cry and would not be comforted. Dawson could 
see the Indians coming in his direction and knew 
that they must soon hear the screams of the child, 
if they had not alreadj' done so. So he ran deeper 
into the woods, seeking the most inaccessible 
places. The Indians continued to follow and the 
child to cry, as poor Dawson thought louder than 



ever. In utter despair of ever making his escape 
with the babe, he laid it down in a deep dry branch 
and covered it with leaves. The little thing went 
to sleep in a moment. Dawson thus made his 
escape and when the Indians left he went back, 
got the babe and carried it to its almost frenzied 
mother. After the people left Elmore's house the 
Indians plundered it, took what they vranted and 
set fire to it. The people forted up at Capt. 
Potter's, soon saw the flames at Elmore's house 
and knew that the Indians were coming on in their 
direction. About a mile and a half south of Capt. 
Potter lived the families of Ephraim Clark and 
Harrison Lander. These families, contrary to 
their usual custom, failed to go to Capt. Potter's, 
as their neighbors had done when they received 
the report of the raid. When the people at Pot- 
ter's saw Elmore's house burning they knew that 
it was too late to get Clark's and Lander's families 
to Potter's. Hence they concluded that it was 
best to go to Clark's or Lander's, as they lived 
very near together. About the time they left 
Potter's house, James McNabb, who had left 
Potter's early that morning to go to his home . 
a mile away to look after his stock, came flying 
back, hotly pursued by a squad of Indians who 
were in advance of the main body. McNabb made 
a narrow escape. Before he dismounted the 
Indians surrounded the house and tried to cut him 
off from his horse, but he made his escape by 
making his horse jump the fence. The people 
forted at Capt. Potter's, as well as his own family, 
made a hasty retreat to Lander's house going by 
Clark's and getting his family. Many of the chil- 
dren were taken from bed and without being 
dressed were hurried into a wagon and driven 
rapidly away. They had not reached Lander's 
house before they saw the flames bursting from 
the roof of Capt. Potter's house. Mr. Lander's 
house was situated on a prairie knoll near a very 
high and precipitous bluff. Here the affrighted 
women and children were gathered in the house, 
while four men and three boys, with poor and 
uncertain guns in their hands, stood in the yard 
and about the outhouses ready to protect as best 
they could all that was dear to them. Soon the 
Indians came in sight and a sight it was. They 
came not in a body but in squads and strings. 
They had bedecked their horses with the bed 
clothing, sheets, quilts, counterpanes, table-cloths, 
ladies wearing apparel, etc". 

The women gathered in the house were frantic. 
It was supposed that all had been killed at Elmore's 
as the house had been seen to burn. It was known 
that they had as much or more fighting force at 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



117 



Elmore's than they had at Lander's and when the 
overwhelming force of Indians came in sight strung 
out for a considerable distance, with their yells and 
queer decorations, all hope sank. Some women 
prayed, others screamed and cried, while others 
held their children to their bosoms in mute despair. 
Soon the Indians were around the place and had 
driven off the loose horses that had been driven 
along by the fleeing people with the hope of saving 
them. The horses that had been ridden and driven' 
were brought inside the yard fence and tied. It 
was some time before all the Indians congregated 
and, as they would come up, they would stop near 
the house, shoot arrows at the men in the yard, 
occasionally fire a gun or pistol, and at times some 
daring fellow would come within gun-shot, but the 
citizens were too experienced in Indian warfare to 
fire until it had to be done to save the dear ones 
in the house. The Indians were so slow about 
making an attack upon the house that it was thought 
that the women and children might be hurried over 
the steep bluff that was just north of the liouse and 
down this the' Indians could not follow them on 
their horses, and if the bluff could be reached 
escape was certain to most of the party. A plan 
was soon arranged ; the Indians were south of the 
house and the main body of them three hundred 
yards awaj'. The bluff was north of the house and 
one hundred and fifty yards away. The men and 
boys with guns were to mount their horses and 
form a line for the protection of the women and 
children, who were to make a break for the bluff. 
The men were soon on their horses and the women 
and children started, but as they poured out of the 
house and out of the yard, the Indians set up an 
unearthly yell, and all the women and children ran 
back into the house. After some further delay, 
another effort was made to carry out this scheme. 
It might not have been successful, but about the 
time the women and children got out of the yard, 
the soldiers came in sight upon the brow of a high 
hill a mile away to the north, and this gave the 
Indians something else to do. They at once took 
to their heels and ran for two miles to the highest 
point of the divide between Fish creek and Dry 
Elm and then halted. 

The soldiers seen were Capt. Rowland with that 
part of his own company that was with him the day 
before, and that part of Capt. Patton's Company 
that had joined them the night before at Wallace's, 
as already related. They had learned early on the 
morning of that day that the Indians had again 
crossed Red river and were continuing their depre- 
dations. Capt. Rowland immediately ordered a 
pursuit and he found it no trouble now to trail the 



Indians, as he could follow them by the burning 
houses. But they had so much the start and 
traveled so rapidly that long before Capt. Rowland 
came in sight of them the horses of many of his 
men were completely worn out and they could go 
no farther. By the time the soldiers reached 
Lander's, Capt. Rowland's own horse had given 
out, but he was furnished another by Clark. Some 
of his men also obtained fresh horses from the citi- 
zens who were only too glad to show favors to those 
who had just saved them and their families from 
death. Some of the citizens joined the soldiers in 
pursuit of the Indians. The Indians were over- 
taken near the high point where they had first 
stopped. Indeed they showed no disposition to get 
away when they ascertained the small number of 
whites. Capt. Rowland led his men through Capt. 
Potter's prairie farm and, in going out on the south 
side, the rail fence was thrown down and left down 
in two or tln-ee different places. This fact proved 
most fortunate to the whites, as will hereafter 
appear. After going some three hundred yards 
south of the fence, Capt. Rowland halted his com- 
mand, but it was with great difficulty that he got 
them into a tolerable line. The Indians soon 
seemed to divide into two wings, one starting east 
and the other west around the soldiers, to surround 
them. The troops, without waiting for command, 
commenced firing, but at such long range as to do 
little damage. As the Indians got closer and be- 
gan to fire upon the line, many of the soldiers 
thinking the odds too great, broke line and started 
to run. Capt. Rowland did all in his power to stop 
this and to rally the men, but the panic soon be- 
came general and the whole command fled. The 
object seemed to be to go through the gaps 
left in the fence and turn and fight the Indians 
from behind the fence. The Indians at once 
began a hot pursuit of the flying men, and with 
their guns, and pistols, bows, arrows and spears, 
they did fatal work on the poor men whose tired 
horses could not carry them out of reach of the 
Indians. Before the fence was reached three men 
were killed and several others were wounded. Mr. 
Green, of Capt. Pollard's Company, also another 
man, whose napne is not remembered, were killed. 
Mr. Pollard, an officer in Rowland's Company, was 
severely wounded, having four arrows shot into his 
back, which were pulled out by Capt. Rowland 
after the men had reached the inside of the field, 
but the spikes from some of the arrows were left in 
his body. S. B. Potter, a son of Capt. Potter, was 
also wounded in the head by an arrow that struck 
the skull and then turned to one side. There was 
quite a rush among the men to get through the gaps 



118 



lynux WARS and pioneers of texas. 



in the fence to a place of security behind it, as tlie 
Indians were pressino; them hard. Men rode at full 
speed against the fence, endeavoring to get through 
the gaps. Capt. Rowland was about the last man 
to pass through the gaps. He had purposeli' kept 
near the rear, and did what he could to protect the 
hindmost of the men, reserving his fire until a shot 
was absolutely demanded. Just before riding into 
the field he fired his double-barrel shot-gun at an 
Indian not more than thirty yards from him, and 
at the fire the Indian dropped his shield and gave 
other signs of being badly hurt. It was afterwards 
learned that this shot killed him and that he was 
the chief. When the Indians saw the men forming 
behind the fence they precipitately fled. Capt. 
Rowland attempted to encourage his men to again 
attack them, but they were too much demoralized 
to renew the fight against such odds. Capt. Row- 
land, finding that he could not hope to again fight 
ihe Indians with the force he then had, dispatched 
couriers to different points to give the alarm and 
with a few men he went to the head of Elm in Mon- 
tague County where there were a few families 
without protection. The Indians soon continued 
their raid, going south and east, and soon reached 
the Jones' settlement on Dry Elm. Here they 
came upon and mortally wounded Mr. White and 
dangerously wounded his step-son, j'oung Parker. 
Mr. Jones, their companion, escaped. Parker be- 
longed to Wood's company of Fitzhugh's regiment. 
He had been severely wounded in the battle at Mil- 
lican's Bend, June 7th, 18G3, and was home on 
sick furlough. 

The Indians beat a hasty retreat that night and 
crossed Red river with a large number of stolen 
horses before daj'light next morning. Small squads 
of Indians would scatter off from the main body 
and commit all sorts of depredations. One of 
their parties came upon Miss Gouna, who was carry- 
ing water from a spring some distance from the 
house. They thrust their spears into her body in 



several places and cut off her hair, but she escaped 
and finally recovered from her wounds. 

Young Parker, above alluded to, saw the Indians 
and heard the shooting in their fight with Capt. 
Rowland, but did not believe it was Indians and 
kept riding towards them, against the protests, too, 
of his companion, Mr. Miles Jones. He did not 
discover that it was Indians until a squad of them 
dashed upon and mortally wounded him. He died 
in ten days. 

The following additional facts are taken from a 
letter written by me at the time to the Houston 
Telegraph : — 

" At every house burnt, the savages derisively 
left hanging a blanket, marked 'U. S.' During 
the night of the twenty-third, they made a hast^' 
retreat, left about fifty Indian saddles, numerous 
blankets and buffalo robe's, and considerable of the 
boot3- they had taken from houses. 

" In the meantime nearly a thousand men had 
reached Gainesville and made pursuit next day as 
soon as the trail coul I be found ; but a start of 
twenty-four hours by fleeing savages cannot be 
overcome in the short and cold days of winter, when 
they could travel at night and only be followed in 
daylight. The pursuit, though energetic under Mai. 
Diamond and aided by Chickasaws, was fruitless. 

''As soon as the news reached Col. Bourland, at 
Bonhara, that old veteran spared neither himself 
nor horse till he was on the ground doing his duty. 
Capts. Patton, Mosby and many citizens were in 
the pursuit under Diamond. Lieut.-Col. Showal- 
ter, with Capts. Wm. S. Rather (then and now of 
Belton), Wilson and Carpenter, with their compa- 
nies, made a forced march from Bonham, hoping 
for a tilt with the Indians ; but on reaching Red 
river, some twenty miles northwest from Gaines- 
ville, information from the advanced pursuers ren- 
dered the effort hopeless. Being on detailed duty 
at that time in Bonhara, I accompanied Col. Sho- 
walter in this severe march." 



The Murder of Mrs. Hamleton and Children in Tarrant County, 

in April, 1867. 



In the fall of 1860 James My res, wife and six 
children, came from Missouri and settled on Walnut 
creek, in the northwestern edge of Tarrant County. 
His wife, Sally, was a daughter of Nathan Allman, 
who had settled on Walnut creek in 1850 and on 



whose land a countrj' church was built. Mr. 
Myres died in the spring of 1861, and a year or so 
later his widow married William Hamleton, bj' 
whom she had two children. The tragedy about 
to be related occurred in cotton-picking time in 



IXDIAX WARS AXD nONEERS OF TEXAS. 



119 



1867. The elulilren at that time were AVilliam 
Myres, aged sixteen, Mahala Emilene, aged fifteen, 
Eliza, thirteen, Sarina, eleven, Samuel, nine, and 
John Myres, aged seven. The two Hamleton chil- 
dren were Mary L., aged about five j'ears, and 
Gus., aged about eighteen months. 

On the day of the attaclc Mr. Hamleton had 
gone some distance to mill ; the elder son, Will- 
iam, was from home attending cattle. Mahala, 
Eliza, Samuel and John were piclting cotton. 
Sarina Myres, Mary and little Gus. were at the 
house and their mother was weaving cloth in a 
hand loom. 

Such was the situation when a band of Indians, 
said to have been led b3' the Comanche chief, 
Santag — the same who, while a prisoner with 
Santanta and Big Tree in 1871, was killed by the 
guard — surrounded and entered the house. Mrs. 
Hamleton was at once murdered ; and little Gus., 



Sarina and Mary were seized. The house was 
then plundered of everything portable desired by 
the Indians, and with their little prisoners and 
boot}' they left. Little Mar}-, from the effect of 
chills, was very weak, so much so that on leaving 
their camp next morning, they left her and started, 
but she cried so wildly that they went back and 
killed her. The only eye-witness to these double 
horrors was Sarina, who was also in feeble health, 
but had both the strength and fortitude to en- 
dure without murmur the indignities and hardships 
incident to her condition in the hands of such 
brutal creatures. She was held by them about six 
months and by some means recovered at Fort 
Arbuckle, on the False Washita. Her brother, 
William, as soon as advised of the fact, went to 
the fort and escorted her home. 

Mr. Hamleton died about two years after the 
murder of his wife and children. 



A Bloody Raid in Cooke County in 1868. 



To man}- persons latterly drawn to the pretty and 
prosperous little city of Gainesville, Cooke Count}', 
it must be difficult to realize how that place was at 
one time exposed to the inroads of murderous 
savages. 

On Sunday, January 5th, 1868, about a hundred 
Indians suddenly appeared upon the head waters 
of Clear creek, in the northwestern part of Cooke 
County. They gathered horses wherever seen, 
aggregating a large number, and killed during their 
slay nine persons, Mr. Long, a young man named 
Leatherwood, Tliomas Fitzgerald and wife, Arthur 
Purkhill, an old man named Loney, and Mr. 
Manascos. Previously they had killed Mrs. Car- 
rolton and captured her sixteen-year-old daughter. 
Mr. Manascos living about seventeen miles west of 
Gainesville, on his way home from church discov- 
ered signs of the Indians and immediately hastened 
to the house of Edward Shegogg, his son-in-law, 
whom he knew to be from home and whose wife and 
infant were alone. Mr. Manascos took his daughter 
and her child and started to his own house, near 
which the savages fell upon and killed him and 
made captive the mother and infant, the latter, 
however, being killed soon afterwards. During the 
succeeding night Mr. Shegogg, having returned 
home and collected a few men, fired upon the sav- 



ages on the overland mail road about fifteen miles 
west of Gainesville. In the confusion produced 
among them by this attack Mrs. Carrolton escaped 
from them and followed that road till she ap- 
proached the premises of Dr. Davidson, but, very 
prudently fearing to go to the house lest she again 
might fall into the hands of her captors, took shel- 
ter in a ravine, covered with brush, and there 
remained till morning came and she discovered 
white persons in possession of the house. She then 
hastened to it, having suffered much from cold 
during the night. 

The Indians had divided into two or more parties 
and covered considerable territory. They captured 
horses from St. Clair, Jones, Newton, Gilbert and 
others southwest of Gainesville, and killed some. 
They seem to have become bewildered, as during 
the night they halted on the west bank of Elm 
creek, immediately below the farm of Samuel Doss 
and within a mile of Gainesville and remained there 
about three hours. Yet, while this was transpiring, 
another party, as discovered next day, had lialted 
and built a fire a mile above town on the east side 
of the creek, and another party, or scouts from one 
of these two, had entered the town, apparently 
without knowing of its existence, for they hurriedly 
left it, crossed the creek and either l)y design or 



120 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



accident joined the party near Doss' place, maliing 
such communication to them as to cause much ex- 
citement and confusion. Mrs. Shegogg, taking ad- 
vantage of this and the darkness of the night, man- 
aged to escape and secrete herself till morning, 
when almost nude and suffering greatly from cold, 
she found refuge in Mr. Doss' house. The Indians 
hastily retired as she escaped. The party that had 
been in town had left so hurriedly that they left sev- 
eral of their horses, with saddles on, one of which 
was found next morning at the door of the hotel 
stable — another with saddle, moccasins and other 
Indian outfit, was in the yard of Mr. Patton, in a 
few hundred j'ards of the court house — and various 
articles of Indian toilet were found in different 
parts of the town ; yet the inhabitants slept the 
sleep of security, unconscious of the murderous 
wretches being in the country till morning revealed 
these facts, followed by the appearance and recital 
of Mrs. Shegogg, who had not only been robbed of 
most of her apparel, but also of her beautiful suit 
of hair, clipped close to the scalp. 

Near the time of the killing of Mr. Manascos, they 
had captured two children of W. G. Manascos, and 
a negro boy. Prior to that, on Clear creek, they 
had robbed the houses of Joseph Wilson, Mr. Mc- 
Crackin and Washington Williams, burning the two 
former, and at the time of killing Mr. and Mrs. 
Fitzpatrick, ca|)tured three of their children. Mrs. 
Parkhill and children, in connection with the murder 
of their husband and father, successfully secreted 
themselves and escaped. In all seventeen women 
and children were carried into brutal captivity in 
the midst of winter and a cold period for that sea- 
son, and being, without doubt, deprived of most of 
their clothing, must have suffered greatly. Of 
their ultimate fate I am not advised. 

The citizens collected and did all in their power 
to overhaul and chastise the enemy and recover the 
captives, but the severity of the weather, the gen- 
eral povert}' of the people in munitions of war 
at that dark period of reconstruction, when some 
of the most favored leaders of the people were 
ostracised by the military despotism enthroned at 
Austin and New Orleans, and when a majority of 
the men felt bound to stand by their own families 
during such a raid, abundantly accounts for their 
inability to wreak vengeance on the raiders. It 
was one of those blood-curdling desolations follow- 
ing the war when, with abundance of troops, 
munitions and supplies, the army, to the disgust 
of its honorable otficers and men, was diverted 
from its mission of protection to the people against 
■wild and bloody savages, to that of espionage and 



constabulary duties for the annoyance, the arrest 
and the imprisonment of men whose only offense, 
as a general fact, had been fidelity to their own 
State and section during the war, and who were 
honored in becoming oljjects of vengeance to the 
creatures then suddenly risen to the surface as 
petty and (thank God) ephemeral rulers of a peo- 
ple by the respectable and honorable portion of 
whom they were despised ; and by none more than 
by honorable officers of the army and civilians who 
had been consistent Union men from convictions of 
duty. Those classes never ceased to realize that in 
a mighty issue, involving millions of people on both 
sides, American freemen might differ and die in 
their convictions, without being tainted with treason 
or infidelit3' to human liberty. They left that soul- 
less manifestation of littleness of heart, weakness of 
intellect and meanness of spirit to such as chose to 
follow the vocation of spy, informer and perse- 
cutor. 

On the 16th of the following June, five months 
after the destructive assault on those frontier peo- 
ple, a once famous resolution was introduced in the 
reconstruction convention at Austin, among thou- 
sands of others, specifically and forever disfranchis- 
ing a large number of the very men exposed to this 
raid, because during the war, and under the laws of 
their country at the time, they had belonged to 
Gen. Wm. Hudson's Brigade of State troops, whose 
chief duty was the protection of the women and 
children on the frontier against these barbarian 
savages, whose mode of warfare " respected neither 
age, sex nor condition." But from that Bedlam 
of hate sprang forth a single fact more preciously 
freighted with faith in the perpetuity of American 
unity and American liberty than a thousand theories 
and prophecies by political philosophers. It is the 
simple fact that the American heart, as soon as time 
for reflection had passed, disdained to tolerate per- 
secution for opinion's sake ; that the opposing 
soldiers in the Civil War are long since friends and 
reconciled countrymen ; breaking bread together on 
holy days ; voting together as seemeth to them best 
now, regardless of the past ; sitting together in the 
same sanctuary ; counseling together for the com- 
mon weal as their conditions are now; partners in 
business; their children intermarrying; jointly 
burying their deceased comrades ; jointly aiding 
their unfortunate comrades ; and jointly upholding 
each other when unjustly assailed. Talk not of 
American liberty failing through faction, when con- 
fronted with this one ever-present, grand and 
heaven-blest fact! Leave that bewailing whine to 
moral dj'speptics and intellectual dwarfs. 




COMANCHP: INDIAN GROUP. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



121 



Indian Massacres in Parker County, 1858 to 1873. 



The first settlements in the present territory of 
Parker County were made about 1853-4. The 
county was created by the legislature, December 
12, 1855, and organized March 2, 1856. It was 
long exposed to forays by bands of hostile savages, 
and while no important battle was ever fought, 
life and property were insecure as late as 1873. 
During the existence of the Indian reservation on 
the Brazos, in Young County, and especially for 
two years prior to the removal of the Indians to 
Fort Cobb, north of Red river, in the summer 
of 1859, it was alleged, and almost universally 
believed by the border people, that many of the rob- 
beries and murders were committed by the tribes 
resident on the ten miles square embracing that 
reservation. That matter will not be discussed 
here. The writer was one of five commissioners 
deputed by the Governor to investigate that matter, 
in 1859, the board consisting of Richard Coke, 
John Henry Brown, George B. Erath, Joseph M. 
Smith and Dr. Josepbus M. Steiner. The writer 
also commanded a company of Texas rangers for 
some time before and during the removal of the 
Indians, to prevent their leaving the reservation 
before their removal or committing depredations on 
the march. Hence he was well informed on the 
existing matters in issue, which, for the moment, 
vitrQ more or less distorted for political effect. It 
is enough here to say that while many exaggerated 
or false statements were scattered broadcast over 
the countr}', arousing the people to such a frenzy 
as to cause the killing of probably two small par- 
ties of unoffending Indians, still it was unques- 
tionably true that more or less of the depredations 
committed along the frontier, from Red river to the 
Guadalupe, were perpetrated by the Indians be- 
longing to the one or the other of the two reserva- 
tions — the second, at Camp Cooper, on the clear 
fork of the Brazos, being exclusively occupied by 
a portion of the Comanche tribe — while on the 
other Brazos reservation were various small tribes, 
embracing the Wacos, Tehuacanos, Keechis, Ana- 
darcoes, Towashes, Toncahuas, lonies, Caddos 
and perhaps one or two others, with a few indi- 
viduals, or families of Choctaws, Delawares, Shaw- 
nees and others. It is equally true that those 
Indians left the localities named with the most 
vengeful animosities towards such localities on the 
frontier as they believed had been active against 
them, and this feeling especially applied to Parker, 



Wise, jjack, Palo Pinto, P>alh, Comanche and 
other outside counties. 

It is proposed in this chapter to briefly narrate 
the successive massacres in Parker County, in so 
far as I have the data, for portions of which I am 
indebted to Mr. H. Smythe's history of that 
county. 

In December, 1859, following the removal of the 
Indians, a party of five assaulted, killed and scalped 
Mr. John Brown, near his residence about twelve 
miles from Weatherford, and drove off eighteen of 
his horses. Two miles away they stole seven 
horses from Mr. Thompson, and next, with their 
number increased to flft^', they appeared at the 
house of Mr. Sherman, whose family consisted of 
himself, wife and four children. They ordered the 
family to leave, promising safety if they did. They 
obeyed the mandate and hurried away on foot, but 
in half a mile the savages overtook them, seized 
Mrs. Sherman, conveyed her back to the house, 
committed nameless outrages on her person, shot 
numerous arrows into her body, scalped and left her 
as dead ; but she survived four days, to detail the 
horrors she had undergone. 

In June, 1860, Josephus Browning was killed 
and Frank Browning wounded on the Clear Fork 
of the Brazos. At that time several citizens of 
Weatherford were in that section and pursued the 
murderers. The party consisted of John R. Bay- 
lor, George W. Baylor (of Weatherford), Ellas 
Hale, Minn Wright and John Dawson. On the 
5th day of June, 1860, they overtook the Indians 
on Paint creek and boldly attacked them, killing 
nine and putting the remainder to flight. As attest- 
ations of their achievment they scalped their 
victims and carried the evidence thereof into the 
settlements, along with sundry trophies won on 
the occasion. 

In the spring of 18G1 a party of eleven Indians 
attacked David Stinson, Budd Slover, John 
Slover, — Boj'd and — McMahon, a scout from 
Capt. M. D. Tackett's Company, a few miles 
north of Jacksboro, but they were speedily re- 
pulsed, with the loss of one Indian killed and one 
wounded. On the next day, AVilliam Youngblood, 
a citizen, was killed and scalped, near his home, 
by a party of nine Indians. The five rangers 
named, reinforced by James Gilleland, Angle 
Price, — Parmer and others, pursued and attacked 
the enemj', and killed a warrior and recovered the 



122 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



scalp of Youngblood, wbich was conveyed to his 
late residence in time to be placed in its natural posi- 
tion before the burial. 

In the summer of 1861, a party of Indians on 
Grindstone creek attacked two .younn; men named 
William Washington and John Killen, while stock 
hunting. They killed Mr. Killen while Washington 
escaped severely wounded, but recovered after 
prolonged suffering. 

In the same summer Mrs. John Brown, living on 
Grindstone creek and having twin babies, started 
to visit a neighbor, she carrying one and a young 
girl the other infant. The girl was some distance 
ahead, when the Indians appeared, and reached the 
neighbor's house. Mrs. Brown retreated to her 
own house and entered it, but was closely followed 
l)y the murderous wretches, by whom she was 
killed and scalped. The infant, however, was left 
unharmed. 

Prior to these tragedies, in January, 1861, Mrs. 
Woods and her two sisters, the Misses Lemley, of 
Parker County, were ruthlessly assailed by five sav- 
ages, who murdered and scalped the former lady, 
and shockingly wounded the young ladies, leaving 
them as dead, but after great suffering, under the 
assiduous treatment of Dr. J. P. Volintiue they 
recovered. 

In September, 1861, the house of Jas. Brown, on 
the Jacksboro road, in his temporary absence, was 
attacked by a small party of Indians, but they were 
repulsed and driven off by Blrs. Brown, who under- 
stood the use of fire arms ami used them most 
effectually. 

In the beginning of 1863, William and Stewart, 
sons of Rev. John Hamilton, living in the valley 
of Patrick's creek, while near their home, were 
murdered, scalped and otherwise mutilated. 

On the same day the house of Mrs. F. C. Brown, 
in the same neighborhood, was attacked and the 
lady killed. Her daughter, Sarah, aged sixteen, 
and another fourteen years of age, on their return 
home from the house of a neighbor, were both 
wounded, but escaped — Sarah to die of her 
wounds — the younger sister to recover. 

A Mr, Berry, while at work in his field on Sanchez 
creek, in September, 1804, was killed by a squad 
of Indians. 

In those same days of insecurity and bloodshed, 
a child was captured and carried into captivitv from 
the home of Hugh O. Black well, but was subse- 
quently recovered at Fort Cobb, in the Indian 
Territory. But soon after his return home from 
the disbanded Confederate army in 186.5 Mr. Black- 
well himself, while returning home from Jacksboro, 



was killed by a party of these prowling assassins 
and scalped. 

In the same year Heiirj- Maxwell was murdered 
by a similar band on his farm near the Brazos 
river. 

In June, 1865, Fuller Milsap was attacked by 
two savages near his house, seeing which, his 
heroic daughter, Donnie (subsequently Mrs. Jesse 
Hitson), ran to hitn with a supply of ammunition, 
when her brave father rebuked her temerity, but 
must have felt an exalted pride in such a daughter, 
who had on former occasions exhibited similar 
courage, and was once shot through her clothing. 
Honored be her name in her mountain home, far 
away in Colorado! The father triumphed over his 
foes, and they fled. 

In July, 1865, in a fight with a small party of 
Indians in Meek's prairie, A. J. Gorman was 
killed, about a month after reaching home from the 
Confederate army. Charles Rivers and his other 
companions repulsed the attacking party. 

In November, 1866, while working in his field 
on Sanchez creek, Bohlen Savage was butchered 
and scalped. His child, eight years old, ran to 
him on seeing the assault, and was carried off, to 
be recovered two years later at Fort Sill. The 
wretches then passed over to Patrick's creek, 
where James Savage, a brother of Bohlen, lived, 
and where they murdered him with equal brutality. 

In August, 1866, William, son of Hiram Wil- 
son, of Spring creek, twelve years of age, and 
Diana Fulton, aged nine years, were captured. 
On the fourth day afterwards, in Palo Pinto 
County, Captain Maxwell's Company attacked the 
same Indians, killed several, routed the band, and 
recovered the two children. 

On Rock creek, in April, 1869, Edward Rippey 
was attacked a short distance from his home. He 
fled towards the house, calling to his wife to bring 
the gun. She ran toward him with the weapon, 
but before meeting her he was killei, when the 
demons slew the devoted wife. In the house was 
their only daughter and a boy named Eli Hancock. 
This heroic lad quickly barred the door, and with 
the arms still in the house, defied and beat off the 
blood-stained vandals. On a priOr occasion, Mrs. 
Rqipey, rifle in hand, had successfully held at bay 
one of these roving bands. 

On the 4th of July, 1869, while returning from 
a visit to a neighbor, Mr. and Mrs. Light were 
murdered near their home on Grindstone creek. 
Both were scalped, but Mr. Light survived two 
da3's. Their children were at home and thus 
escaped a similar fate. 

On the 16th of December, 1870, on Turkey creek, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



123 



George and Richard Joel repulsed an attack by 
twelve Indians. Two hours later the savages fell 
in with three gentlemen returning to their home on 
the Brazos, from a business trip to Kansas. They 
were Marcus L. Dallon (who had nearly $12,000 
with him), James Redfield and James McAster. 
They were evidently taken Viy surprise, speedily 
slain and scalped. The freebooters secured five 
horses and other effects, but failed to find the 
money. They fell in Loving's valley, and their 
mutilated bodies were discovered next day by 
Green Lassiter, destined himself soon to share a 
similar fate. He was horribly butchered in the 
Keechi valle}' a few months later. 

On the 23d of April, 1871, in sight of his father's 
house, twelve miles west of Weatherford, Linn 
Boyd CranflU, aged fifteen, and son of Isom Cran- 
flU, was mortally wounded by a fleeing part}' of 
savages, in full view of his sister, who gave the 
alarm and caused the assassins to flee without 
scalping him. 

On the 14th of March, 1872, in front of the 
iiouse of Fuller Milsap, on Rock creek, Thomas 
Landrum was murdered by a party of red demons. 
Mr. Milsap and Joseph B. Loving attacked and 
pursued the murderers, killing one. It was on this 
occasion that the heroic girl, Donnie Milsap, fol- 
lowed her father with ammunition and received a 
shot through her clothing. 

On the 14th of July, 1872, two lads from the 
Brazos, enroute to mill in Weatherford, viz., Jack- 



son, aged thirteen, a son of Jesse Hale, and Martin 
Cathey, aged eighteen (the boys being cousins) 
were murdered by another of those bands, so often 
appearing on the frontier. 

In August, 1873, while standing in his yard, in 
the northwest part of Parker County, Geo. W. 
McClusky was instantly killed by an Indian con- 
cealed behind an oat stack, and armed, as were 
many of these marauders in the years succeeding 
the Civil War, with Winchester or other improved 
rifles. 

These recitals may embrace inaccuracies in dates 
and otherwise, but are believed to be substantially 
correct; but they by no means embrace all the 
bloody tragedies enacted in the years named. 

Bear in mind that this is only a brief and very 
incomplete recital of a portion of the fiendish 
murders in Parker County alone for the fourteen 
years from 1859 to 1873. In several other counties, 
as Palo Pinto, Wise, Jack, Comanche Brown and 
San Saba, the catalogue would be, in a general 
average, full as bloody — in some much more so, 
in others possibly less. The same calamities fell 
upon the southwestern frontier from the San Saba 
to the Rio Grande, and also upon the counties of 
Cooke, Montague and Clay on Red river. 

They are sad memorials of the trials, sufferings 
and indomitable courage of those fearless and lion- 
hearted men and women, by whom those portions 
of Texas were won to peace, to civilization and to 
Christianitj'. 



The Heroism of the Dillard Boys in 1873. 



On the 7lh day of August, 1873, Henry Dillard, 
aged about twenty, and his brother Willie, aged 
thirteen, made one of those heroic fights and 
escapes which approach the marvelous even in the 
hazards of frontier life. They lived on the Brazos ; 
had been to Fort Griffin with a two-horse wagon 
load of produce for sale ; had sold their commodi- 
ties and, after sitting up late the previous night, in 
attendance upon a ball at the fort, were quietly 
returning home through an open prairie country. 
Henry was armed with a six-shooter and a Win- 
chester rifle — Willie with a six-shooting revolver 
only. 

When about fifteen miles from the fort, Henry, 
who had fallen into a partial slumber, was aroused 



by loud voices and the tramping of horses. Arous- 
ing, he instantly realized that he had driven into a 
band of thirty mounted Indians. Each brother 
seized his arms and stood on the defensive. The 
foremost Indian, abreast of and very near the 
wagon, fired at Henry, cutting away one of his 
temporal locks and powder-burning his bead. 
Henry fired twice, but discovering that his balls 
failed to penetrate the Indian shields, fired a third 
ball lower down, breaking the thigh of an Indian 
and the backbone of his horse. 

Instructing Willie to f jIIow and be with him, 
Henry then sprang from the wagon and determined, 
if possible, to reach a branch about a quarter of a 
mile distant. The Indians at once formed a circle, 



124 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



galloping; around anrl firing upon them. Walking, 
running, hailing b}' alternation, the boys fired with 
great precision, rarely failing to strike an Indian 
or his horse, or both. Very soon the cylinder of 
Willie's pistol was knocked out by a ball, and 
thenceforward he could only carry cartridges for his 
brother. At one time Henry tripped and fell on 
his face. An Indian dashed up and dismounted to 
scalp him, but while yet on the ground the brave 
boy drove a pistol ball through his heart. At 
another time Willie called out: "Henry! look 
here! " On looking he found the little fellow run- 
ning around a mesquite bush, pursued by an Indian 
clutching at his clothes, but shot him dead, and the 
boys, as before, continued their retreat, the enemy 
charging, yelling and firing. The brothers con- 
tinued firing, loading, dodging, turning, trotting or 
running as opportunity offered, all the while realiz- 
ing that to halt was death, and the only haven of 
hope was in the thickets on the branch. As they 
neared the covert the enemy became more furious, 
but the boys, encouraged by their seeming miracu- 
lous immunity from death or wounds, and thus 
buoyed in the hope of safety, maintained perfect 
self-possession, and finally reached the hoped for 
refuge. But one savage had preceded them, dis- 
mounted, and confronted their entrance. Henry 
tried to fire his Winchesterat him, but it was empty. 
The Indian, seeing this, remounted and charged 
upon him, but Henry sent a pistol ball through his 
body. The astounded red men, seeing their prey 
escape from such fearful odds, seemed awe-stricken. 
After a short parley they returned to the wagon, 
took the horses and its contents and retired, bear- 
ing their dead and wounded, and leaving five 
horses dead on the ground. The day — August 
7th, be it remembered — was very hot, and the 
boys, following such a contest, came near dying 
for water. 

When night came the brothers sought the nearest 



ranch, some miles away. Mounting horses there 
they hurried back to Fort Griffin and reported the 
facts to Gen. Buell, U. S. A., commanding that post. 
That gentleman promptly dispatched a party of 
dragoons in pursuit. Tlie pursuers discovered that 
the Indians, bearing northwesterly, had divided into 
twoparties, the left hand gang carrying off the killed 
and wounded. In two or three days they came 
upon a newly deserted camp in which were three 
beds of grass gorged with blood. Discovering buz- 
zards sailing round a mountain near by, some of 
the party ascended it and found three dead Indians, 
partially burled on its summit. They also found 
in this camp Henr}' Dillard's memorandum book. 
The gallant boy, let it be understood, was among 
the pursuers. From this locality, which was about 
the head of the Big Wichita, hopeless of over 
taking the Indians, the dragoons returned to the 
fort. 

This is among the extraordinary episodes in our 
frontier history. It seems almost incredible. The 
officer commanding the pursuit, after all his dis- 
coveries, asserted that the brothers had killed and 
wounded eleven Indians, besides the five horses 
left on the field. 

The gentleman to whom I am chiefly indebted 
for these details, says that Henry Dillard is a Ken- 
tuckian, who came to Texas a boy five or six years 
before this occurrence. He is about five feet nine 
inches high, slender, erect and quick in movement, 
with brown hair, handsome features and clear, 
penetrating gray eyes. He afterwards set- 
tled on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, near 
the scene of this remarkable conflict, and stood as 
a good citizen, enjoying the confidence and esteem 
of the surrounding country — an acknowledged 
hero of modest nature, void of all self-adulation 
and averse to recounting his deeds of daring to 
others. It is ever pleasant to record the merits of 
such men. 



Don Lorenzo De Zavala. 



For one who loves truth and admires purity in the 
character of public men and benefactors to the mul- 
titude in the land of their birth or adoption, the 
career of Don Lorenzo de Zavala possesses peculiar 
interest. Only the oldest and best informed citi- 
zens of Texas have an\' intelligent knowledge of 
his character and services in the cause of human 



liberty. But every scliool boy and school girl in 
our State should be familiar with his history. 

Lorenzo de Zavala was born in Madrid, Spain, 
on the 3d of October, 1789. His father was a man 
of education and refinement and belonged to that 
class of men in Europe who had glimmerings of 
human rights and yearnings to possess them. In 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



125 



olliei' words, he was a Castilian of noble aspirations 
and possessed of love for his fellow-beings. When 
his child, Lorenzo, was but eighteen months old he 
determined to quit Spain and seek a home where he 
iioped for more liberty. Instead of going to the 
United States and among a different race, where 
liberty was a birthright, he went to Yucatan, which 
was then not a part of Mexico, as now, but a dis- 
tinct Captain-Generalcy under the Spanish crown. 
He settled, in the infancy of his child, Lorenzo, in 
the beautiful city of Merida, and hence it is that 
the impression became general (including among 
its believers not only enlightened Mexicans, but 
also his first-born son, Lorenzo de Zavala, Jr.), 
that he was born in that place ; and such was my 
own impression till recently furnished with data 
having the sanction of his own name. The father 
gave Lorenzo every possible advantage to gain an 
education, and kept him from his earliest boj'hood 
at a fine school in Merida. The son advanced 
beyond the liberal ideas of the father and began to 
grasp the Jeffersonian idea of the rights of man. 
He acquired a knowledge of the English language 
and eagerly read everything he could reach to 
enlighten his mind. While a student, he became 
an intense Jeffersonian Republican. Passing on 
the street one day the Governor, he failed to lift 
his hat as an obeisance, whereupon his Excellency 
struck him with his riding whip. The young Jef- 
fersonian thereupon jerked the Governor from his 
calesa (a sort of buggy) and gave him a pounding. 
For this outrage on dignity (Ijy a compromise) he 
was banished to Europe to complete his education. 
He went, and studied with assiduity. 

Returning in the year 1809, and in his twentieth 
j'ear, on board the good ship which bore him he fell 
in love with a Castilian maiden, the daughter of a 
family on board. This maiden bore the name of 
Toresa Correa. Soon after arriving in Yucatan, 
Lorenzo and Toresa became husband and wife. 
It was a happy union of pure hearts, and three 
children were born to them. 

The young Democrat arrived in Merida sur- 
charged with a sense of political rights, and a 
reformer against the outrageous oppressions borne 
by the people of Spain, and more especially by 
those of Spanish America. He became, by the 
inspiration of his own sense of true manhood, 
a missionary among a down-trodden people. 
Newspapers did not exist. He found a substitute. 
He organized a sort of political institute, to which, 
at its regular weekly meetings, he read his own 
productions, the grand, all-pervading idea of which 
was that, under the providence of God, all men 
were born free and equal and were entitled to a 



fair and equal participation in the blessings of 
government. He rejected in toto the idea that the 
accident of birth should confer upon a particular 
family — regardless of sense, honesty or merit — 
the power to rule over a multitude, a common- 
wealth or a nation of men. On this point, without, 
perhaps knowing it, he was an assimilated disciple 
of Thomas Jefferson. He exerted vast influence 
in Y''ucatan, and became, for one so young, the idol 
of the people, a fact of which I had abundant 
evidence during my four months tour in Yucatan 
in the winter of 18G5-G, for, when it became known 
in Campeachy that an American gentleman of 
Texas, who was a friend of Lorenzo de Zavala was 
a guest of the son of the celebrated John McGregor, 
the house was visited by many, and an old lady of 
benevolent face, when introduced, said to my host: 
" Will the gentleman permit one who loved Lorenzo 
de Zavala to embrace him ? " Without waiting for 
interpretation, as I perfectly understood her, I 
said : " I'es, dear madam, with keenest pleasure ; " 
and the embrace was mutual, a la Mexicana. My 
heart yet warms to the dear old lady. I recall the 
whole scene, too long to be described here, with 
a pleasure which whispers to my heart that truth, 
virtue, manhood, womanhood, patriotism, and all 
the attributes pertaining to the highest developed 
humanity, are not the peculiar and exclusive char- 
acteristics of my own countrymen, but exist, in 
some form or other, wherever the children of men 
are found. "The wind bloweth where it listeth 
but thou canst not tell whence it cometh nor whither 
it goeth; such is the kingdom of God." So it is 
in virtue, in honor, in love, in manhood and in 
womanhood. 

Returning to Merida with an education finished 
in Europe, young Lorenzo was made secretary of 
the city council of Merida (then a city of about 
sixty thousand inhabitants), aud he filled that 
ofBce through 1812-13, and until July, 1814, when, 
in consequence of his liberal doctrines, he was 
seized and imprisoned in the castle of San Juan de 
Ulloa, in front of Vera Cruz. He was held in that 
prison till 1817, covering three years of the Mexi- 
can revolution (1810 to 1821). While in prison 
his library and property were conQscated. Liber- 
ated in the last half of 1817, and going forth bank- 
rupt, he rallied on a previous study in medicine 
and became a physician in Merida from the latter 
part of 1817 to about the close of 1819. 

It must be remembered that during the Mexican 
revolution against Spain (1810 to 1821), I'ucatan 
was a separate Captain-Generalcy and took no part ; 
but that as soon as Mexican independence was 
secured Yucatan joined the Mexican confedera- 



126 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



tion as a State. This is important to bear in mind 
as a historical fact. 

In 1820 Zavala was elected by Yucatan as a 
deputy to the then ephemeral Cortes of Spain. He 
attended the sessions of that body and proposed 
a measure to establish a legislative bod}' for 
Yucatan and other Spanish- American colonies, for 
their local self-government ; but this caused among 
the monarchists j)er se, a great cry against him, 
and, to save his liberty, if not his life, he was 
compelled to flee. He escaped into France and 
thence found his way over to London and from 
there sailed for his home. 

In September, 1821, the Mexican revolution, 
under Iturbide's plan of Iguala, triumphed. 
Thereupon Yucatan determined to join her foi tunes 
to Mexico, and in February, 1822, elected Don 
Lorenzo as one of her deputies to the flrst Congress 
of that country. He took his seat in that notable 
assembly and was elected its President. That body 
finally adopted the Republican constitution of 1824. 
The first name signed to it is that of Lorenzo de 
Zavala, President, and Deputy from Yucatan. 

Under that constitution, the future Congress 
being divided into a Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, Zavala was senator from Yucatan in 
1825 and 1826. In March, 1827, he was made 
Governor of the State of Mexico, (including the 
capital city), and held that office till 1830, when a 
revolution fomented at Jalapa compelled him, as a 
friend of free constitutional government, to flee to 
the United States. During his exile he made a 
tour of the United States and wrote a most valuable 
volume on his observations, designed to enlighten 
his countrymen as to the practical workings and 
bentfits of free government. 

On the triumph of Santa Anna, in 1833, as the 
champion of the Republican constitution of 1824, 
Zavala returned to Mexico. He had been a friend 
of Santa Anna and the Liberal party, and incident- 
ally a zealous friend of the American colonists in 
Texas. Indeed he had bought land on Buffalo 
bayou, in Texas, and resolved to make that his 
home, that he might live among a free and liberty- 
loving people ; but fate delaj'ed the consummation of 
his wishes. His great and lucid mind seems to 
have foreseen the future grandeur of Texas. He 
acquired the right to found a colony in the eastern 
part of the province, but his public duties forbade 
his personal attention, and he transferred the right 
to persons, or a company, who did nothing to carry 
out the project. 

On the triumi)h of Santa Anna, Zavala was 
appointed Mexican Minister to France. In the 
meantime Mrs. Zavala had died, early in 1831, and 



he had married an accomplished lady in New York, 
whose maiden name was Emily West, who was 
born in New York, September 9, 1811. (This lad}', 
subsequently Mrs. Hand, died in Houston, June 15, 
1883, and was buried at the family cemetery, 
Zavala's Point, opposite the battle ground of San 
Jacinto.) Mrs. Zavala was considered at the court 
of St. Cloud a beautiful and accomplished woman, 
and was greatly esteemed for her social virtues. 

Don Lorenzo repaired at once to his post in Paris 
flushed with high hopes as to the future of his 
country. He had scarcely arrived, however, when 
ominous sounds rolled over the Atlantic — ^ sounds 
SODU ren<lered certainties — admonishing him that 
his old friend and chief, Antonio Lopez de Santa 
Anna, had become a traitor to the cause of liberty 
and was now the champion of despotism — of ihe 
Church and State party — -and in fact was the 
champion of the cast-off despotism of Spain, the 
only difference being in a name. 

When this whole fact, thrice repeated, came to 
be understood by Zavala in Paris, his honest soul 
revolted, and he promptly sent his resignation to 
Mexico. He at once resolved to carry out his idea 
of becoming a citizen of Texas — then a Mexican 
province — where he hoped to rear his children in 
an atmosphere of freedom. He sent his son 
Lorenzo de Zavala, Jr., who was his Secretary of 
Legation also, to Texas, to begin improvements on 
the lands he had previously bought. He wrote 
Santa Anna a letter worthy of his character, de- 
nouncing the latter's apostasy to the cause of 
liberty, and telling him that whereas, heretofore 
his cause had prospered because it was right, now 
that he had betrayed that cause, he would fall. 
Truer prediction was never uttered, though it re- 
quired nineteen }'ears to bring the grand truth 
home to Santa Anna, and make him a refugee from 
the wrath of his own countrymen, never more to 
be tolerated on the soil of his birth, except when 
old and decrepit, to be allowed the privilege to 
return and die in the capital of the land he had 
outraged. The poor old apostate did so return and 
die, a veritable outcast, in the old Hotel Vergara, 
about 1874. 

Governor Zavala arrived in Texas early in 1835. 
He was received with open arms by all classes, and 
was consulted by all prominent men in regard to 
the condition of the country. When the people 
elected members to the first revolutionary conven- 
tion (consultation), of November 3d, 1835, he was 
a delegate, and aided in forming the provisional 
government, of which that grand and noble patriot, 
Henry Smith, was made chief. 

When the second convention declared Texas to 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



127 



be a free and independent nation, iMareli 2d, 
1836, Zavala was a member and signed the docu- 
ment. 

When the convention of independence formed a 
government ad interim for the Republic, on the 
17th of March, 183G, David G. Burnet was elected 
President and Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice-president. 
Both held office until the formation of the con- 
stitutional government, on the 22d of October, 
1836. 

Zavala's home was at Zavala's Point, on Buffalo 
bayou. In crossing the bayou early in November, 
just after yielding up the vice-presidency, in a 
canoe, and with his son, Augustin, then only three 
years old, the canoe capsized. It was a cold, 
windy da}'. Securing his child on the bottom of 
the capsized boat, be swam and guided it to the 
opposite shore. In saving his child he became 
chilled; pneumonia followed, and on the 16th of 
November, 1836, the pure and noble soul of 
Lorenzo de Zavala went to God. 

Consider where and when this man was born ; 
where and under what conditions he lived, how he 
demeaned himself, and j'our judgment must be that 
he was an honor to his race. His memory will be 
hallowed while that of his apostate enemy and per- 
secutor, Santa Anna, will be hissed as something 
detestable between the teeth of freemen. Blessed 
is the memory of one — detested that of the other. 

In such a sketch I am compelled to epitomize 
rather than enlarge on the subject-matter. Yet I 
cannot withhold an expression of the opinion enter- 
tained of the exalted and spotless character of this 
noble man. That this is not a recent opinion is 
shown by the fact that in the legislature of 1857-8, 
while a member from Galveston, I introduced and 
carried through the legislature a bill creating and 
naming the county of Zavala. My visit to Yucatan, 
in 1865-6 — being then " a man of sorrow and 
acquainted with grief" — intensified the original 
pleasure I had enjoyed in accomplishing that tribute 
to his memory. Donna Joaquina Peon, of Merida, 
made famous in Stephens' work on Central America, 
being made sensible of the fact by the gentleman 
who presented me, was profuse in expressions of 
thankfulness, because, as she said, Don Lorenzo 
was one of God's noblemen. 

By his mariiage with Toresa Corrca, Governor 



Zavala had three children, viz. : Lorenzo, Jr., who, 
in 1881, lived in Merida. He was on the battle 
field of San Jacinto, and part of the time acted as 
interpreter between Santa Anna and Gen. Houston. 
He left Texas in 18U and went to his native city 
of Merida, where he still resided in 1881, though 
he was absent during my visit there in 1865-6. 
There was a daughter named Manuela, and a 
daughter who died in infancy. 

By his second marriage, late in 1831, to Miss 
Emily West, of New York, he had three children, 
viz. : — 

1. Augustin de Zavala, born in New York, Janu- 
ary 1, 1833, married Julia Terrell, and now lives in 
San Antonio, Texas. Their children are Adina, an 
educated and accomplished young lady (as I know 
from correspondence with her), Florence, Mar}', 
Zita, Thomas J., and Augustin P. 

2. Emily de Zavala, born in February, 1834, mar- 
ried Capt. Thomas Jenkins, a lawyer, and died in 
Galveston, April 20, 1858, leaving a child named 
Catherine. 

3. Ricardo de Zavala, born in New York in 1835, 
twice married and both wives dead. He still lives, 
having two sons and two daughters. 

In all my meditations on the men and history of 
Texas — with an involuntary reverence for the char- 
acters of Milam, Travis, Bonham, Bowie, and numer- 
ous others — I dwell with fascinating delight on 
the character of Lorenzo de Zavala. He must not 
be judged and weighed in the same scale that we 
apply to native born Americans, but by the times, 
countrj', institutions and surroundings attending his 
birth and growth into manhood. Tried by the test, 
he presents one of the most spotless and exalted 
characters of modern times, and his memory shouM 
be cherished by the children of Texas as one of the 
purest patriots of this or any other age. 

He was one of the proscribed citizens of Texas, 
and Santa Anna sought both through the civil 
authorities and his military minions sent to overawe 
Texas in 1835, to have him arrested and sent to 
Mexico for trial. The civil authorities spurned the 
infamous request, and the military at San Antonio 
were impotent to effect it. Through his grand- 
daughter, Adina, I have recently come into posses- 
sion of the only picture of him ever in Texas, a 
painting executed in Havana, about 1831. 



128 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



David G. Burnet. 



David Gouveneur Burnet, son of a revolutionary 
surgeon, was born at Newark, New Jersey, April 
4tb, 1788. 

His family ranked high for intelligence and 
moral worth. His elder brother, .Jacob, was sen- 
ator from Ohio and many years Chief Justice of 
that State. Another brother, Isaac, was long 
Mayor of Cincinnati. David G. received a thor- 
ough education and when in his eighteenth year, 
on the 1st of January, 1806, joined in New York, 
the expedition of Gen. Francisco de Mirando, 
a native of Venezuela, for the liberation of that 
country from Spanish bondage. On that day he 
received from that patriot chief a commission as 
Second Lieutenant of infantry, the original of which 
is in my possession, a gift from him in 18C9. The 
sons of many noted families of New York, New 
Jersey and Massachusetts, including a grandson of 
President John Adams, were in the expedition. 
The invading squadron entered the gulf of Venez- 
uela, accompanied by the British frigate Buchante, 
whose launch boat was commanded by Lieut. 
Burnet, under whose orders the first gun was fired 
in behalf of South American liberty. This was in 
an attack on the fort protecting La Villa de Coro, 
on that gulf. The assailants carried the fort, its 
occupants retiring to the Interior. At Porto 
Caballo, a number of the invaders were captured — 
ten of whom were slaughtered, some condemned to 
the mines, and others died. The death of Pitt, 
Premier of England and patron of Mirando, caused 
an abandonment of the enterprise and the return 
of the survivors to New York. 

In 1808 Mirando renewed the contest and secured 
a position on the coast. Burnet hastened to him, 
but he was persuaded by the patriot chief to 
return home. Soon afterwards Mirando was cap- 
tured and sent to Spain, where he died in prison. 
Various thrilling incidents are omitted. 

Burnet, a few years later, went to Cincinnati, 
and early in 1817, to Natchitoches, Louisiana. 
Threatened with consumption, in the autumn of 
that year, he went among the wild Comanches and 
lived about two years with them, recovering robust 
health, and having as a companion for a part of the 
time Ben R. Milam, who went among those wild 
people to exchange goods for horses, furs and pel- 
tries. On leaving them Burnet gave the Indians 
all his effects in exchange for a number of Mexican 
women and children held captives by them, all of 



whom he safely returned to tlieir people, refusing 
all offers of compensation. For the seven suc- 
ceeding years, in Texas, Louisiana and Ohio, he 
devoted his time to the study and practice of law. 
Marrying a lady, whose memory is fondly cherished 
wherever she was known, in 1826, he became a 
permanent citizen of Texas, on the San Jacinto 
river, near Galveston Bay, introducing a steam saw 
mill, which proved a failure for want of people to 
buy lumber. 

In 1833 he was a member of the convention 
which drafted and sent to Mexico a proposed con- 
stitution for Texas as a State, and a long and able 
memorial praying for its adoption. Gen. Sam 
Houston was chairman of the committee which 
drew the constitution; Burnet wrote the memorial, 
and Austin, as commissioner, carried both to 
Mexico. The base imprisonment of Austin and 
utter refusal to adopt the constitution and allow 
Texas to have a separate State government from 
Coahuila were the causes, direct and indirect, of 
the Texas revolution. 

In 1834 a law was passed establishing a Supe- 
rior Court in Texas, with a judge, and three dis- 
tricts with a judge each — Bexar, Brazos and Na- 
cogdoches. Burnet was appointed judge of the 
district of Brazos, that is, all of Central Texas. 
He held terms of court until superseded by the 
revolutionary provisional government in November, 
1835, and was the only person who ever held a 
court of law in Texas prior to that time. 

The convention which declared Texas independ- 
ent and established its government as such, on 
the 18th day of March, 183G (the last of its 
session), elected David G. Burnet, President; 
Samuel P. Carson, Secretary of State ; Thomas J. 
Kusk, Secretary of War; Robert Potter, Secretary 
of the Navy ; Bailey Hardeman, Secretary of the 
Treasury, and David Thomas, Attorney General. 

The presidency of this ad interim term con- 
tinued till the 22d of October, when it was suc- 
ceeded by officers elected by the people under the 
constitution. Gen. Houston becoming President and 
Mirabeau B. Lamar, Vice president. 

The fame of President Burnet very largely rests 
upon his administration through those eight months 
of peril, gloom, disaster and brilliant success. 
The Alamo had fallen twelve days before. The 
butchery of Fannin and his o-to men occurred nine 
davs later. Houston was then retreating before 



IXDIAN WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



129 



Santa Anna. The sun of San Jacinto rose in 
splendor and went down in blood thirty-four days 
after Burnet's election, but its rays were reflected 
over a land won to freedom. 

Then followed grave problems. First the dis- 
position to be made of Santa Anna; second, the 
maintenance of an army in the field, without 
money, supplies or resources in a country from 
which the inhabitants had recently fled and were 
returning without bread — the condition soon 
aggravated by men poorly fed and idle in camp ; 
third, the creation of a navy against Mexican 
cruisers ; fourth, Indian ravages on the frontier ; 
and flfth, the regular organization of the Republic, 
by elections under and the ratification of the con- 
stitution. Passions ran high ; demagoguery had 
its votaries, and nothing short of superhuman 
power could have escaped unjust criticism. But 
to men of enlightened minds and just hearts it 
has long been evident that the administration of 
this over-burdened first President was wise and 
eminently patriotic. It will bear the most rigid 
scrutiny and be pronounced a durable monument 
to the head and heart of its chief. 

After remaining in retirement two years he be- 
came Vice-president by a large majority in Decem- 
ber, 1838, and served three years, several months 
of the time as President. He participated in the 
Cherokee battles of 1839, and was wounded. 

With 1841 he retired to private life, but served as 
Secretary of State through 1846 and 1847, with 
Governor J. P. Henderson. 

In 1866 he was elected to the United States 
Senate, but was denied a seat on account of the 
question of reconstruction. 

The close of the war found him alone in the 
world. His wife and three children lay buried on 
his San Jacinto farm. His last child, the gallant 
Maj. Wm. E. Burnet, had fallen in the battle of 
Spanish Fort, near Mobile, March 31, 1865 — a 
noble young man worthy of his noble parents. 

President Burnet was not only a learned, wise 
and upright man, but a man of sincere and pro- 
found religious convictions, from which, neither in 
youth nor manhood, did ho ever depart. 



He was tendered and accepted a home in the 
generous and estimable family of Mr. Preston 
Perry, in Galveston, but in 1868 his kindred in 
Newark, tendered him a home among them, on his 
native spot. The affections of childhood returned 
and he concluded to go. This becoming known in 
Galveston, on the 23d of May, 1868, a farewell 
letter was addressed to him signed by ninety-eight 
gentlemen and twenty-seven ladies, embracing some 
of the most eminent names in tlie State. That 
letter, now before me, is touchingly beautiful and 
as true as beautiful. It is too long for this place ; 
but I want young people to read at least its con- 
cluding paragraph. Here it is : — • 

" Texas, whom you have loved and served, sends 
you to-day from her mountain tops to her sea 
board, from both sexes and all ages her affection- 
ate greeting and farewell. It comes alike from the 
few feeble voices that long ago, in the day of 
youth and strength, elevated you to the supreme 
authority in the Republic of Texas ; the heroic 
few that won her independence and accepted her 
destiny as their own ; from the lispings of child- 
hood, who have learned from parental lips the 
value of your services, and beauty of your char- 
acter ; and from strangers, too, who have learned 
to love in you all that is pure, unselfish, and_ noble 
in man. And that God, in his goodness, may 
bless and preserve you, is the earnest and universal 
prayer of Texas and her people." 

This letter to President Burnet, in its entirety, 
with the names attached, is a proud monument to 
his memor}'. 

He went to his native place, but did not long 
remain. The changes there had removed the 
scenes of childhood and he moved among strangers. 
The love of Texas — the product of fifty years' 
association in manhood and its trials — came upon 
him, by contrast, with resistless force. He came 
back to die in the land of his love, and then to 
sleep beside his wife and children. Peacefully, on 
the 5th day of December, 1870, he departed from 
life, aged eighty-two years and eight months, in 
the home of Mrs. Preston Perry of Galveston, who 
was to him all that a daughter could be. 



130 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



James Butler Bonham. 



It is honorable to human nature to feel some- 
thing akin to personal interest and, with many, 
kinship, in the character of men whose deeds stamp 
them as of the highest order of honor and heroism. 
Of such is the character we have under considera- 
tion. Most that is known among the multitude, 
even of well-informed Texians, is that Bonham, a 
South Carolinian, fell in the Alamo. The true 
sublimity of his acts and bearing Lias been locked 
in the hearts of a few, and never till recently, by 
the writer of these chapters, given to the public, 
and then only to contradict a published historical 
misstatement awarding to another the credit due to 
Bonham, and to Bonham only. 

Who was this almost matchless hero, patriot and 
friend — friend to the illustrious Travis, as David 
and Jonathan were friends — a friendship hallowed 
in Masonry and in the hearts of men three thousand 
years after its manifestation in the days of Saul? 
Very briefly I will answer. 

The Bonham family, in so far as their American 
history goes, are of Maryland origin. They 
branched off more than a hundred years ago fiom 
that State into South Carolina, Kentucky (from 
Kentucky into Missouri and thence to Texas), and 
elsewhere in the newer portions of the Union. 

James Bonham, in the Eevolutionary War, was a 
private soldier at fifteen 3'ears of age in a Mary- 
land cavalry company, whose captain and oldest 
member was but nineteen. They served at the 
siege of Yorktown. The wife of this James Bon- 
ham was iSophia Smith. They had 5ve sons and 
three daugthers. Jacob, the eldest, died in child- 
hood. The second, Simon Smith Bonham, died a 
lawyer and planter in Alabama, in 1835. 

The third, Malachi Bonham, died in Fairfield, 
Freestone County, Texas, during the Civil War, and 
has children there now. The fourth son was the 
hero of Alamo, James Butler Bonham. The fifth 
and last son was Milledgc L. Bonham. This son 
was Adjutant of a South Carolina brigade in the 
Florida war. He was Colonel of the 12th U. S. 
Infantry in the Mexican war. He was Solicitor in 
his district in South Carolina for nine years ; a 
member of Congress from 18.57 to the Civil War in 
1861. He was Major-General commanding all the 
troops of South Carolina at the time of her seces- 
sion from the Union, and so remained until April 
19, 1861, when the State troops were merged into 
the Confederate army, and Gen. Bonham, as a fact. 



led the first brigade into that service. In the fall 
of that year, however, he was elected to the Con- 
federate Congress, in which he served one session, 
and in 1862 was elected Governor of South Caro- 
lina, serving till the close of 1864, when, as Briga- 
dier-General, he re-entered the Confederate army 
and so remained till the close of the war. He died 
at the age of 80 years in 1890, while President of 
the State Board of Railroad Commissioners. 

Returning to Bonham, the martyr, it may be 
stated that his sister, Sarah M., married John Lips- 
comb, of Abbeville, S. C, while Julia married Dr. 
Samuel Bowie, and died in Lowndes County, 
Alabama. 

James Butler Bonham, fourth son of Capt. James 
Bonham, was born on Red Bank creek, Edgefield 
County, South Carolina, February 7, 1807. Wm. 
Barrett Travis, slightly his senior, and of one of the 
best families of that country, was born within five 
miles of the same spot. Their childhood and boy- 
hood constituted an unbroken chain of endearment. 
Both were tall, muscular and handsome men. Both 
were noted for manly gentleness in social life and 
fearlessness in danger. Travis came to Texas in 
1830. His career thence to his death is a part of 
our history. We turn to Bonham. He was well 
educated, studied law, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1830. In the fall of 1832, with the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel, he was appointed Aide to Gov- 
ernor James Hamilton (afterwards so justly en- 
deared to Texas. ) That was when South Carolina 
was a military camp in the time of nullification. He 
was at Charleston in all the preparations for de- 
fense. The citizens of Charleston, charmed by his 
splendid physique, accomplished manners and gentle 
bearing, made him Captain of their favorite artillery 
company, which he commanded in addition to his 
staff duties. The passage of Henry Clay's com- 
promise averted the danger, and young Bonham 
resumed his practice in Pendleton District; but in 
1834 removed to Montgomery, Alabama, and at 
once began a career full of brilliant promise. But 
about September, 1835, there was wafted to him 
whisperings, and then audible sounds, of the impend- 
ing revolution in Texas. While the correspondence 
is lost, it is certain that earnest and loving letters 
passed between him and Travis. Communication 
was slow and at distant intervals compared with the 
present time ; but by November the soul of Bon- 
ham was enlisted in the cause of Texas. He 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



131 



abandoned everything and came — came with such 
indorsements as commanded tlie confidence of Gov- 
ernor Henry Smith, the leader of the party of in- 
dependence, Gen. Houston, and all the prominent 
men who advocated an absolute separation from 
Mexico. At San Felipe he met and embraced his 
loved Travis. Bexar had fallen. Wild schemes 
not untinged with selfishness, and consequent de- 
moralization, were in the air. Govenor Smith sent 
Col. Travis to take command at San Antonio, after 
Johnson, Grant and their self-organized expedition 
to take Matamoros had depleted San Antonio of its 
military supplies and left it as a defenseless out- 
post. Travis hastened to his post of duty, pre- 
ceded a short time by the friend of his youth, 
Bonham. Travis, grand in intellect, unselfish in 
spirit and noble in heart, organized his force as best 
he could, determined to hold the advancing enemy 
in check until Gen. Houston could collect and 
organize a force sufficient to meet and repel him in 
the open field. He trusted that Fannin, with over 
four hundred thoroughly equipped men at Goliad, 
would march to his relief. He sent appeals to him 
to that effect, and finally, after Santa Anna's co- 
horts had encircled his position in the Alamo, he 
sent Bonham for a last appeal for aid, with in- 
structions also to his lifetime friend to proceed 
from Goliad to Gonzales in search of aid. This 
mission was full of peril from both Mexicans around 
San Antonio and Indians on the entire route of his 
travel. As things were then, none but a man oblivi- 
ous of danger would have undertaken the mission. 
James Butler Bonham, then just twenty-nine years 
of age, assumed its hazards. He presented the 
facts to Fannin, but the latter failed to respond. 
Thence Bonham, through the wilderness, without a 
human habitation between the points, hastened from 
Goliad to Gonzales, just as a few volunteers began 
to collect there. In response to the appeals of 
Travis thirty-two citizens of that colony had left 
a day or two before, under Capt. Albert Martin, 
to succor the 150 defenders of the Alamo. The 
siege had begun on the 23d of February. These 
thirty-two men had fought their way in at daylight 
on the 1st of March. Bonham, supplied with all 
the information he could gather, and satisfied he 
could get no further present recruits, determined 
to return to Travis. He was accompanied by John 
W. Smith. When they reached the heights over- 
looking San Antonio and saw that the doomed 
Alamo was encircled by Santa Anna's troops, Smith 
deemed it suicidal to seek an entrance. That was 
the ninth day of the siege and the doom of the 
garrison was inevitable. Smith, by his own hon- 
orable statement afterwards, to both Gen. Sam 



Houston and ex-Governor Milledge L. Bonham, in 
Houston, in 1838, urged Bonham to retire with 
him ; but he sternly refused, saying: " I will report 
the result of my mission to Travis or die in the 
attempt." Mounted on a beautiful cream-colored 
horse, with a white handkerchief floating from his 
hat (as previously agreed with Travis), he dashed 
through the Mexican lines, amid the showers of 
bullets hurled at him — the gate of the Alamo flew 
open, and as chivalrous a soul as ever fought and 
died for liberty entered — entered to leave no more, 
except in its upward flight to the throne of God. 
The soul communion between those two sons of 
Carolina — in that noonday hour may be imagined. 
Sixty-six hours later they and their doomed com- 
panions, in all 183, slept with their fathers. 

Bonham had neither wife nor child. He was but 
twenty-nine years and fourteen days old when he 
fell. His entrance into the Alamo under a leaden 
shower hurled from an implacable enemy was 
hailed by the besieged heroes with such shouts as 
caused even the enemy to marvel. It was a per- 
sonal heroism unsurpassed in the world's history. 
In its inspiration and fidelity to a holy trust it was 
sublime. 

Such was James Butler Bonham. Shall any man, 
after the immortal Travis, be more prominently 
sculptured on the Alamo monument tlian he? Let 
all who love truth and justice in history answer. 
The spirit of truth and justice appeals to those who 
would commemorate the deeds of the Alamo, that 
the names to be most signalized should be arranged 
with that of Travis in the foreground, then Bon- 
ham, Bowie, who heroically died sick in bed, Albert 
Martin, leader of the thirty-two from Gonzales, 
after which should follow those of Crockett, Green 
B. Jameson, Dickenson, Geo. W. Cottle, Andrew 
Kent, and the others down to the last one of the 
one hundred and eighty-three. 

South Carolina went into mourning over Travis 
and Bonham, sons in whom she felt a sublime 
pride. I have before me the proceedings of several 
public meetings held in that State when the truth, 
in all its chivalrous glory, spread over her borders. 
Carolina wept for her sons " because they were 
not." She baptized them with tears of sorrow, not 
uumingled with the consolatory resignation of a 
mother who bewails the loss of her sons but rejoices 
that they fell in a cause just and righteous — 
gloriously fell that their country might be free. 
Among many sentiments uttered at these meetings 
in South Carolina, I extract the following: — 

1. "The memory of Cols. Travis and Bonham: 
There is cause for joy and not of mourning. The 
District of Edgefield proudly points to her two gal- 



132 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fant sons who fell in a struggle against a monster 
tyrant, contending for those sacred principles which 
are dear to every American bosom." 

2. "The memory of Cols. Travis and Bonliam : 
Martyrs in the cause of Texian liberty. We are 
proud to say that this spot of earth gave them 
birth ; and that here they imbibed those principles 
in the maintenance of which they so gloriously 
fell." 

3. By James Dorn : "James Butler Bonham, 
who perished iu the Alamo — a noble son of Caro- 



lina. May her sons ever contend for that soil on 
which he so nobly fought and died." 

Throughout the State similar meetings were held, 
and hundreds of Carolina volunteers hastened 
to Texas, to save the land for which Travis, 
Bonham, Bowie, Martin, Crockett and their com- 
rades died. Bowie, by name, shared in the eulogies 
pronounced, as did also Crockett. Each name is 
dear to Texas ; but no name in the splendor of 
manhood and chivalrous bearing can ever eclipse 
that of James Butler Bonham. 



Benjamin R. Milam. 



The career of this chivalrous martyr to Texian 
liberty possesses romantic interest from its incep- 
tion to its close. 

Born in Kentucky about 1790, of good stock and 
reared in that school of republican simplicity and 
unbending integrity so characteristic of a large ele- 
ment of the people of that (then) district in old 
Virginia, he entered upon man's estate, fortified by 
sound principles of right and never departed from 
them. He inherited the love of enterprise and 
adventure, and among such a people, in passing 
from childhood to manhood, this inheritance grew 
into a passion. 

In early manhood he was a daring soldier in the 
" war of 1812," and won both the admiration and 
affection of his comrades. In 1815 he and John 
Samuel, of Frankfort, Kentucky, took a large ship- 
ment of flour to New Orleans, but finding a dull 
market, he and two others chartered a schooner and 
sailed with the flour for Maricaibo. 

On the voyage the yellow fever appeared in its 
most malignant form, carrying off the captain and 
nearly all the crew. A terrific storm disabled the 
vessel. The adventure proved a total loss. The 
survivors were finally conveyed to St. Johns, N. B., 
and thence to New York. Milam ultimately reached 
his Kentucky home. 

We next find him, with a few followers, in 1818, 
on the head waters of the Colorado, trading with 
the wild Comanches. It was there that he first 
met David G. Burnet, afterwards the first Presi- 
dent of Texas, then among those wild men of the 
plains, as has been elsewhere shown, successfully 
striving to overcome the threatened inroads of 
pulmonary consumption. They slept on the same 



blanket among savages, few of whom had ever seen 
an American. The closest ties of friendship speed- 
idly united them in the warmest esteem, never 
to be severed, except in death. It was a beautiful 
affection between two noble men, whose souls, 
dedicated to liberty and virtue, were incapable of 
treachery or dishonor. They separated to meet 
again as citizens of Texas. 

Returning to New Orleans in 1819, Milam sailed 
for Galveston Island and there joined Long's ex- 
pedition for Mexico, in aid of the patriots of that 
country. Milam, however, sailed down the Mexi- 
can coast with General Felix Trespalacios, and a 
small party, effecting a landing and union with 
native patriot forces, while Long marched upon La 
Bahia (now Goliad), Texas, and took the place, but 
in a few daj's surrendered himself and fifty-one fol- 
lowers to a Spanish royalist force. They were 
marched as prisoners to Monterey, whence Long 
was conveyed to the cit}' of Mexico. When he 
reached there the revolution, by the apostasy of 
Ilurbide from the royalist cause, had triumphed. 
Long was then hailed as a friend. Trespalacios, 
Milam, Col. Christy and John Austin (the two 
latter having sailed with them from Galveston), 
arrived in the capital about the same time. Ever^'- 
thing, to them, wore a roseate hue and they were 
the recipients of every courtesy. It was soon de- 
termined by the new government to send Tres- 
palacios as Governor of the distant province of 
Texas. That personage, however, became jealous 
of the influence of Long and basely procured his 
assassination. This enraged Milam, Christy and 
Austin, who had fought for Mexican liberty in sev- 
eral battles. They left the capital in advance of 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



133 



Trespalacios, rejoined their companions at Mon- 
terey, reporting to them the dastardly murder of 
Lions. It was agreed among them to wreak ven- 
oeance on the new Governor on his arrival at 
Monterey, 

Before his arrival, however, two of the party there 
revealed the plan. Thereupon they were all seized 
and sent to the city of Mexico and there thrown 
into prison, with every prospect of being put to 
death. At the close of 1822, on the arrival in that 
city of Joel R. Poinsett, of South Carolina, as a 
commissioner of observation from the United States, 
he secured their liberation and return home. 

After the formation of the constitutional govern- 
ment in Mexico in 1825, Milam returned to that 
countr}', and was recognized as a valiant soldier. 
He was granted in consideration of his services, a 
large body of land, which, unfortunately, he located 
on that portion of Red river which proved to be in 
Arkansas, and hence a total loss to him. Before 
that discovery, however, he established a farm and 
placed cattle on it. He also purchased a steam- 
boat and was the first person to pass such a vessel 
through and above the raft on Red river. He be- 
came also interested with Gen. Arthur Wavell, 
an Englishman, in a proposed colony farther up 
that stream ; but from various causes the enter- 
prise was not carried forward. Milam was almost 
idolized by the few people scattered on both sides of 
that stream. Of those most dearly attached to him 
were that sturdy old patriot, Collin McKinney, his 
wife and children, some of whom were then grown. 

About 1826 Milam secured in his own right a 
grant to found a colony between the Colorado 
and Guadalupe rivers, bounded on the south by 
the old San Antonio and Nacogdoches road, and 
extending up each river a distance of forty-five 
miles. This territory now includes all of Hays 
and Blanco counties, the east part of Comal, the 
upper part of Caldwell, the northwest quarter of 
Bastrop and the west half of Travis. He appo Jited 
Maj. .James Kerr, the Surveyor-general of De- 
Witt's Colony, as his agent and attorney, in fact to 
manage the affairs of his proposed colony. The 
original power of attorney, drawn and witnessed 
by David G. Burnet, dated in January, 1827, in 
old San Felipe, and signed " Ben R. Milam," is a 
souvenir now in my possession. But before mat- 
ters progressed very far Milam sold his franchise 
to Baring Brothers, London. They totally failed 
to carry out the enterprise. 

For three or four years prior to the opening 
of 1835, Milam remained on Red river. In that 
time the people became greatly alarmed in that 
section in regard to their land matters and the 



true boundary line between Texas (or Mexico) 
and the United States. They appealed to Col. 
Milam to intercede for them with the State govern- 
ment of Coahuila and Texas at Monclova. He 
could not resist. Early in 1835, alone on horse- 
back, he started through the wilderness with a 
little dried beef and parched meal, to travel about 
seven hundred miles, trusting to his rifle for further 
supplies of food. He made the trip, passing only 
through San Antonio from Red River to the Rio 
Grande. He found Governor Augustine Viesca 
anxious to do all in his power in behalf of Milam 
and his constituents ; but revolution was in the 
air. Santa Anna had just given a death blow to 
the constitutional government on the plain of 
Zacatecas, and the fiat had gone forth for the 
overthrow of the State government at Monclova. 
Time rapidly passed. Governor Viesca, with 
Milam and Dr. John Cameron, undertook to 
escape into Texas. They were seized and impris- 
oned. One by one they escaped and reached 
Texas, Milam being the first to do so. On the 
night of October 9th, 1835, he passed round 
Goliad and fell into the road east of the town. 
Hearing the approach of men on horseback, he 
secreted himself in brush by the road side. As 
the party came opposite him he heard American 
voices and called : — 

"Men! who are you?" 

" We are volunteers, marching upon Goliad ; who 
are you? " 

" I am Ben Milam, escaping from prison in 
Mexico! " 

"God bless you, Col. Milam! we thought they 
had killed you. All Texas will shout in joy at 
your escape! Mount one of our horses and help 
us take Goliad ! " 

" Indeed I will, boys, and already feel repaid for 
all my sufferings ! " 

He soon realized that he was in the presence of 
Capt. George M. Colliiisworih and fift3'-two volun- 
teers from the lower Colorado, Lavaca and Navidad. 

Noiselessly they approached the unsuspecting 
fortress, a barricaded stone church, and, at the 
pre-arranged signal, burst in. In five minutes they 
were in full possession, with three Mexicans dead 
and all the others prisoners, while Samuel McCul- 
loch, fearfully shot in the shoulder, was the only 
casualty among the assailants ; and on the 21st of 
April, 1886, fifty-one and a half years later, he 
was a guest of Col. W. W. Leake, at the semi- 
centennial reunion of the Texas veterans in Dallas. 

A few days later Col. Milam, as a private, joined 
the volunteers in their march upon San Antonio, 
then occupied by the Mexican General, Cos, with 



134 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



about eleven hundred men, afterwards increased to 
fifteen hundred. From the 27th of October, to the 
4th of December, varying in number from six hun- 
dred to eleven hundred men, first under Austin and 
then under Burleson, the volunteers had laid in a 
mile or so of San Antonio, without any attack upon 
the town. A brilliant victory was won b}' Bowie 
and Fannin, at the Mission of Concepcion at day- 
light on the 28th of October, before Austin's 
arrival with the main body ; and on the 26th of 
November, the day after Austin left, the Grass fight 
occurred, in which a detachment of the enemy 
were driven into the town with some loss ; but noth- 
ing decisive had occurred. First under Austin and 
next under Burleson propositions for storming the 
place had failed. Dissatisfaction arose and men 
came and went as they pleased. On the 4th of 
December, the force had fallen from eleven hun- 
dred to five or six hundred. On that daj' the last 
proposition had failed and great discontent pre- 
vailed. Milam became aroused and alarmed lest 
the entire encampment should disband and go 
home. He moved to and fro as a caged lion, till 
late in the day he stepped out in plain view of all 
and in a stentorian voice called out: — 

" Who will follow Ben Milam into San Antonio? 
Let all who will, form a line right here." 

In the twinkling of an eye three hundred men 
were in line. The plan was soon formed. During 
the night the entrance was made in two divisions, 
one led by Milam, the other by Francis W. John- 
son. Under a heavy fire they effected lodgments 
in rows of stone houses and then for five days tun- 
nelled from room to room. On the 8th, while 
crossing a back yard from one house to another, a 
ball pierced Milam's head and he fell dead. But 
his spirit survived. He had imparted it to his fol- 
lowers, who continued to press forward his plans, 
till on the 9th, after having been driven from the 
town into the Alamo, Cos raised a white flag. On 
the 10th he capitulated, verifying the genius, the 
courage and ability to command of the grand and 



glorious Milam, whose death was bewailed as a 
personal loss in every hamlet and cabin in Texas. 
In person Col. Milam was of commanding form — 
tall, muscular and well-proportioned, with a face, 
a countenance and manner that instantly won re- 
gard and confidence. None of the heroes of Texas 
was so universall3' loved. His intelligence in prac- 
tical affairs was of the highest order. Unambitious 
of official place, he was always and everywhere a 
leader, because of the unbounded confidence men, 
and women as well, had in his wisdom, his inflexi- 
ble honesty, his kindness and his courage. I never 
dwell on his character without emotions of grati- 
tude to God for giving Texas in her infancy and 
travail such an example of the highest and noblest 
illustration of American manhood. 

A DEFERRED MEMORIAL. 

In the General Council of the Provisional Gov- 
ernment, December 27th, 1835 (nineteen daj's 
after Milam's death), the honorable John J. Linn, 
member from Victoria, the official journal says: 
" Presented a resolution providing for the erection 
of a monument to the memory of Benjamin R, 
Milam, at San Antonio de Bexar, which was 
adopted ; and his excellency Governor Henry Smith, 
James Cockran, John Rice Jones, Gail Borden and 
John H. Money were appointed a central committee 
to carry into effect the objects of the resolution." 
(Journals of the Council, page 215, December 27, 
1835.) 

Mr. Linn died in Victoria on the 25th of Octo- 
ber, 1885, in his 88th year. Fifty-six years, less 
two months and two days, had passed since the 
adoption of his resolution and other years have 
been added to the past, and still there is no mon- 
ument to Milam. Some men have become million- 
aires in the town he won to liberty and a large 
number have become wealthy. Every man on that 
committee and every member of that council is 
dead, and still there is no monument to Milam! 
Will it for ever be tiius? God forbid! 



Rezin P. and James Bowie — The Bowie Family. 



An erroneous impression has ever prevailed in 
regard to the Bowie family-, in the belief that they 
sprang from Maryland. Such, until now, was my 
own impression ; but I am now in possession of per- 
fectly authentic facts to the contrarj'. Two of 



three Scotch brothers of the name did settle in 
Maryland and have a numerous posterity. But a 
third brother, at the same time, settled in South 
Carolina. His son, Rezin Bowie, born in South 
Carolina, was wounded and taken prisoner by the 




KKZIN P. BOWJK. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



135 



British. Wliile so held in Savannah, among other 
American ladies who bestowed kindness upon him, 
■was a lovely and pious young lady named Elve 
(sometimes written Elvy) Jones, of a large and 
educated family. In 1782 Rezin Bowie and this 
girl were married in Georgia and settled there. 
They became the parents of the Texas Bowies. 
Their first children, dying in infancy, were twin 
girls, Lavinia and Lavisia. David, a remarkably 
pious youth, died at the age of nineteen ; Sarah, 
who married Mr. Davis and died in Opelousas, La., 
in her first childbirth ; Mary, afterwards Mrs. 
Abram Bird, and John J., who died a few years ago 
in Issequana County, Miss. These six were born 
in Georgia. The parents then removed to Elliott's 
Springs, Tennessee, where, on the 8th of September, 
1793, the distinguished Rezin Pleasants Bowie was 
born. Two years later, in 1795, James Bowie, 
martyr of the Alamo, was born at the same place, 
followed by Stephen, who became a planter on 
Bayou Boeuf, La., and Martha, who first married 
James Nugent, who was accidentally killed, and 
then Alexander B. Sterrett, who, it is claimed, was 
the first settler at Shreveport, La., where he was 
sheriff and was killed. He has grandchildren in 
Shreveport, named Goocb, and a widowed daughter, 
Mrs. Betlie Hull, whose only surviving child is her 
widowed daughter, Mrs. Reizette Bowie Donley. 
Presumably about 1802, Rezin Bowie, Sr. , removed 
from Elliott's Springs, Tenn., to Catahoula parish, 
Louisiana, thence to Bayou Teche, and finally to 
the district of Opelousas, where he died in 1819. 
His widow, nee Elve Jones, of Georgia, a woman 
noted for charity and deeply religious principles, 
died at the house of her son-in-law. Ales. P. Ster- 
rett, in 1837 or 1838, in Shreveport. Having thus 
sketched the family', we return to the two brothers, 
whose names are linked with that of Texas. 

Rezin P. Bowie, the elder of the two, at the 
Catholic Church in Natchitoches, La., in 1812, 
married Frances, daughter of Daniel Neville. 
They had five children, two of whom died in child- 
hood ; Martha A., died, aged twenty-one years, in 
New Orleans, in 1853; Matilda E., married Joseph 
H. Moore, and is a widow in New Orleans, residing 
with my friend, her estimable son, Mr. John S. 
Moore. Elve A., married Taylor Moore, and died 
in Claiborne County, Miss., in 1872. Rezin P. 
Bowie was three times a member of the legislature 
of Louisiana, and filled other positions besides his 
connection with Texas. He was an educated and 
accomplished gentleman and a fine orator. He, 
too, and not his brother James, was the designer of 
the famous hunting instrument known as the Bowie 
knife. He died in New Orleans, January 17, 1841. 



Col. James Bowie, on the 22d of April, 1831, in 
San Antonio de Bexar, Texas, married Maria 
Ursula, daughter of Don Juan Martin de Vere- 
mendi, Lieutenant-Governor of Coahuila and 
Texas. I have before me the " propter nuptias," 
authenticated by Jose Maria Salinas, the constitu- 
tional Alcalde, in which he settled upon his beauti- 
ful and lovely spouse the sum of fifteen thousand 
dollars, and in which his estate, in Texas and the 
United States, was shown to be worth $222,800. 
The instrument is witnessed by Jose Francisco 
Flores and Ygnacio Arocha. Two children blessed 
this union, but on a visit to Monclova, in Coahuila, 
in 1833, they and their young mother, as well as 
Governor Veremendi, died of cholera. It was to 
this quadruplicated atlliction that Bowie so patheti- 
cally referred in his wonderful outburst of eloquence 
before the Council of Texas, at San Felipe, in De- 
cember, 1832. 

These facts are authentic and meet the desires of 
many to know the true genealogy of the Bowie 
family. 

The character of Col. Bowie has been grossly 
misunderstood by the great mass of the American 
people — a misunderstanding as great as that be- 
tween a ruffian on the one hand and a high-toned, 
chivalrous gentleman on the other. In no conceiv- 
able sense was James Bowie a ruffian ; but, by 
titles as indisputable as those under which the 
people of Texas hold their homesteads, he was a 
high-toned, chivalrous and great-hearted gentle- 
man. He was one of several sons of moral, upright 
parents, his mother especially being an exemplar of 
Christian womanhood in her every-daj^ life, and 
never, in all the vicissitudes of life, did the heart 
of son more tenderly revere mother than did that 
of James Bowie, who died in the Alamo, as he had 
ever lived, a champion of liberty and free govern- 
ment. 

The Bowie family has long been conspicuous in 
Maryland, in politics and jurisprudence, occupying 
the highest social status. 

Many statements in regard to James Bowie 
which gained more or less currency through the 
press were purely imaginary. He was not, as so 
persistently repeated, the fabricator of the famed 
Bowie knife. Rezin P. Bowie, in a written state- 
ment after his brother's death, asserted positively 
that he, and not James, whittled the model of that 
knife, from which pattern a blacksmith made the 
knives for hunting purpose. In common with the 
general public I had entertained the contrary 
opinion and had so written of the matter until a 
few years since, when I met this statement. 

Prior to locating in Texas, the two brothers wto 



136 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



planters and traders. James first entered Texas 
with the view of locating, in 1824 —became a citizen 
in 1826 — Ijut did not wholly give up his home in 
Louisiana till 1828. He was fond of hunting and 
camp life, and became deeply interested in explora- 
tions for the discovery of gold and silver mines, 
devoting much time at intervals for several years to 
that search. 

The celebrated flght on a sand bar near Natchez, 
in 1828, vras the product of a feud in which oppos- 
ing factions agreed upon that mode of adjusting 
their difficulties. To that extent it was a duel in 
which a number were engaged on either side. 
Bowie fell from a wound and was unable to rise. 
His antagonist closed upon him, and, though pros- 
trate, Bowie, by the use of his knife, killed him. 
After a time he recovered and suffered no perma- 
nent disability. In the article before referred to 
Rezin P. Bowie asserts that this was the only duel 
in which he or his brother were ever engaged. On 
the contrary, on many occasions, Bowie interposed 
to prevent difficulties and to reconcile excited men 
for whom he entertained kindly regard. He was, 
to this extent, a peace-maker. 

Bowie's noted fight with the Indians, on the 2d of 
November, 1831, from an account furnished by 
Rezin P. Bowie, to a Philadelphia paper in 1832, has 
been described in almost every book on Texas. 
The account appears in this volume. 

Bowie arrived in Nacogdoches after the battle of 
August 2d, 1832, between the Americans and the 
Mexican garrison under Col. Jose de la Piedras. 
The latter retreated during the night on the road 
to the west. He was pursued and surrendered at 
the Angelina on the 4th. Bowie escorted the 
prisoners to San Antonio. 

Bowie, in 1832, commanded a small company 
into the Indian country to retaliate for their attack 
upon him. But the red men received information 
of his movement and fled as from a pestilence, 
declaring him to be a " fighting devil." In a tour 
of several hundred miles he never saw an Indian. 

Bowie joined the volunteer citizen soldiery at 
Gonzales in October, 183.5, and with Fannin com- 
manded an advance of ninety-two men, who, at the 
Mission of Concepcion, two miles below San 
Antonio, at daylight, on the 28th of October, were 
attacked by four hundred Mexicans, with two 
cannon. They occupied a fine position on the bank 
of the river, and after a short contest repulsed the 
enemy with heavy loss, on their part losing but one 
man, Richard Andrews. 

On the 26th of November Bowie commanded in 
the Grass Fight, on the west side of San Antonio 
end drove the enemy into the town. 



During tlie winter, pending the provisional gov- 
ernment, he desired a commission under which he 
could raise and command a regiment. Gen. Hous- 
ton estimated him as an able and safe commander 
and desired him in the field — indeed, assigned 
him, for the moment, to an important position. 
Bowie repaired to the seat of government and 
applied to the legislative council for the authority 
desired. That body was torn by faction and 
delayed action. Bowie became impatient. Tired 
of waiting, he suddenly appeared at the bar of the 
council and essayed to speak. " Order! Order! " 
rang through the hall, while Bowie stood erect, hat 
in hand, the personification of splendid manhood 
and fierce determination. The air was full of 
revolution — Bowie the idol of a majority of the 
people. A crisis was at hand. The presiding 
officer quickly spoke, suggesting that Col. Bowie — 
so long tried, distinguished and courageous — be 
heard. The council, grasping the situation, invited 
him to speak. 

He was a splendid specimen of manhood — six 
feet and one inch high, straight as an arrow, of 
full but not surplus flesh, fair complexion, fine 
mouth, well-chiseled features and keen blue eyes — 
with grace and dignity in every movement. So 
far as known this was his first and last public 
speech. 

Stepping inside the railing, still hat in hand, 
with a graceful and dignified bow, he addressed 
himself to the president and council, for nearly an 
hour, in a vein of pathos, irony, invective and 
fiery eloquence, that astonished and enraptured 
his oldest and most intimate friends. He reviewed 
the salient points of his life, hurled from him with 
indignation every floating allegation affecting his 
character as a man of peace and honor — admitted 
that he was an unlettered man of the Southwest, 
and his lot had been cast in a day and among a 
people rendered necessarily, from political and 
material causes, more or less independent of law ; 
but brave, generous and infiuitely scorning every 
species of meanness and duplicity ; that he had 
honorably cast his lot with Texas for honorable 
and patriotic purposes; that he had ever neglected 
his own affairs to serve the country in the hour gf 
danger; had betrayed no man, deceived no man, 
wronged no man, and had never had a difficulty in 
the country, unless to protect the weak from the 
strong and evil-intentioned. That, yielding to the 
dictates of his own heart, he had taken to his 
bosom as a wife a true and lovely woman of a 
different race, the daughter of a distinguished 
" Coahuil-Texano ; " yet, as a thief in the night, 
death had invaded his little paradise and taken his 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



137 



father-in-law, his wife anil his little jewels, given 
to Lim by the God his pious mother had taught 
him to reverence and to love as " Him who doeth 
all things well," and chasteneth those he loveth ; 
and now, standing as a monument of Omnipotent 
mercy, alone of all his blood in Texas, all he asked 
of his country was the privilege, under its legis, of 
serving it in the ileld, where his name might be 
honorably associated with the brave and the true 
in rescuing this fair and lovely land from the grasp 
of a remorseless military despotism. 

The effect was magical. Not an indecorous or 
undignified word fell from his lips — not an un- 
graceful movement or gesture — but there he 
stood, before the astonished council and specta- 
tors, the living exemplification of a natural orator. 

He tarried not, but left, satisfied that in the more 
perfect organization of the government he would 
receive generous consideration, and returned to 
San Antonio, soon to be immured in a sick room — 
a dark, little, cell-shaped room in the Alamo — and 
there, after a siege of thirteen da3's, to be perhaps 
the last of the hundred and eighty-three martyrs to 
yield up his life for his country. 

It was never my fortune to meet Col. Bowie, but 
I e-jjoyed close associations, in youth and early 
manhood, with many good men, who knew him 
long and well. Their universal testimony was that 
he was one of nature's noblemen, infiexible in 
honor, scorning double-dealing and trickery — a 
sincere and frank friend, kind and gentle in in- 
tercourse, liberal and generous, loving peace and 
holding in almost idolatry woman in her purity. 
He tolerated nowhere, even among the rudest men, 
anything derogatory to the female sex, holding 
them as "but a little lower than the angels." In 
the presence of woman he was a model of dignity, 
deference and kindness, as if the better elements 
of his nature were led captive at the shrine of true 
womanhood. But, when aroused under a sense of 
wrong, and far more so for a friend than for him- 
self, "he was fearful to look upon," and a dan- 
gerous man to the wrong-doer. In 1834 Capt.Wm. 
Y. Lacey spent eight months in the wilderness with 
him, and in after years wrote me saying: "He 
was not in the habit of using profane language and 
never used an indecent or vulgar word during the 
eight months I passed with him in the wilder- 
ness." 

I could multiply testimonials to his great worth, 
including the exalted opinion of Henry Clay, but 
space forbids. Many interesting incidents are 
omitted. 

One estimate, however, is added. Capt. Wm. 
G. Hunt wrote some years ago tiiat he first met 



Col. Bowie and his wife (then en route to Louis- 
iana) at a party given them on the Colorado, on 
Christmas day, 1831 ; that " Mrs. Bowie was a 
beautiful Castilian lady, and won all hearts by 
her sweet manners. Bowie seemed supremely 
happy with and devoted to her, more like a kind 
and tender lover than the rough backwoodsman 
he has since been represented to be." 

Is it not a shame that such a man, by the merest 
fiction and love of the marvelous, should, for half 
a century after his glorious death, be held in the 
popular mind of his country as at least a quasi- 
desperado — brave, truly, but a rough, coarse man, 
given to broils and affrays? The children of 
Texas, at least, should know his true character, 
and, in some important aspects, emulate it. By 
doing so they will make better men than by swal- 
lowing much of the sensational literature now cor- 
rupting the youth of the land. No boy taking 
Bowie as a model will ever become an undutiful 
son, a faithless husband, a brutal father, a treach- 
erous friend or an unpatriotic citizen. 

P. S. After the foregoing had been widely 
published. North and South, an attache of the 
Philadelphia Press sought to revive and wonder- 
fully add to the old slanders of desperadoism, by 
publishing a real or pretended interview with as 
vile an impostor as ever appeared in historic 
matters, attaching to the name of Bowie crimes and 
acts never before heard of. 

Some years ago the Philadelphia Times pub- 
lished a tissue of falsehoods about the campaign 
and battle of San Jacinto by a pretended partici- 
pant, who had never been in that section, but was 
really a reformed gambler. I exposed the fraud in 
a courteous letter to the Times, which it refused 
to publish. 

When the interview hereafter referred to appeared 
in the Philadelphia Press, on the 3d of October, a 
venerable and noble citizen of that citj' sent me a 
copy and urged that I should send him an exposure 
of its falsehoods, saying he would have it published 
in the Times. 

I did so promptly, but it was not published. 

Under conspicuous head lines appeared the inter- 
view in question in regard to the Alamo, Bowie, 
etc. Of the impostor the interviewer says: — 

" In 1814 Samuel G. Bastian was born in this 
city, at the southwest corner of Front and Spruce 
streets. When he was ten years of age his father, 
who was a gunsmith, removed to Alexandria, in 
Louisiana, and to-day, after an absence of sixty- 
three years, the son revisits his birthplace, a stal- 
wart man despite his seventy-seven years. His 
career has been a most eventful one. He is with- 



138 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



out doubt the onlj- surviving American who wit- 
nessed the fall of the Alamo in the Texian revolu- 
tion of 183G, and his account of it will show of how 
little worth is jjopular opinion as material for 
history. ' ' 

" 'When I lived at Alexandria,' says Bastian, 
' it was a frontier town and the abiding-place of 
many of the worst ruffians in the Southwest. 
Prominent among these was Bowie. He devoted 
himself to forging land titles, and it is amusing to 
me to read accounts of his life, in which he is 
spoken of as a high-toned Southern gentleman and 
a patriot who died for the cause of Texian inde- 
pendence. He has come down to these times as the 
inventor of the Bowie knife, but my recollection is 
this: Bowie had sold a German, named Kaufman, 
a forged land title. Mr. Dalton, the United States 
land registrar, refused to record it, Kaufman 
threatened to prosecute Bowie and was promptl}' 
stabbed to death for his presumption. In a suit at 
law shortly after, the United States district judge 
complained of the endless litigation over land 
claims, and one of the attorneys answered sai'casti- 
cally, ' that Bowie's knife was the speediest and 
surest way of settling trouble about such disputes,' 
and this, I believe, is the story of Bowie's connec- 
tion with the historic knife.' " 

In the days referred to the brothers Eezin P. 
and James Bowie were quiet planters on Bayou 
Lafourche, 124 miles from Alexandria, and rarely 
in that place. This man's age was, according to 
his own statement, then ranging from ten to sixteen 
years. His statements about land titles, murders 
and the Bowie knife, are notoriously false. At the 
time he became sixteen. Col. James Bowie, from 
being a casual, became a permanent citizen of 
Texas, married the lovely and accomplished daugh- 
ter of Governor Veramendi, of San Antonio, and 
until the death of herself and two children was a 
model and devoted husband and father. A happier 
couple, by the testimony of all who knew them, 
never lived. 

Of the Alamo in 1836 the impostor says: " I 
was in the Alamo in February. There was a bitter 
feeling between the partisans of Travis and Bowie, 
the latter being the choice of the rougher party in 
the garrison. Fortunately Bowie was prostrated 
by pneumonia and could not act. When Santa 
Anna appeared before the place most of the garrison 
were drunk, and had the Mexicans made a rush the 
contest would have been short. Travis did his 
best and at once sent off couriers to Colonel Fan- 
nin, at Gonzales, to hurry up reinforcements. I 
was one of these couriers, and fortunately I knew 



the country well and spoke Spanish like a native, 
so I had no trouble. On the 1st of March I 
met a party of thirty volunteers from Gonzales 
on the way to the Alamo and concluded to 
return with them. When near the fort we were 
discovered and fired on by the Mexican troops. 
Most of the party got through; but I and three 
others had to take to the chaparral to save our 
lives. One of the party was a Spanish Creole from 
New Orleans. He went into the town and brought 
us intelligence. We were about three hundred 
yards from the fort concealed by brush, which 
extended north for twenty miles. I could see the 
enemy's operations perfectly." 

After the fall, March 6th, he says : " Disguising 
mj'self, and in company with Rigault, the Creole, we 
stole into the town. Everj'thing was in confusion. 
In front of the fort the Mexican dead covered the 
ground, but the scene inside the fort was awful." 
The idea of the fellow being concealed as stated, 
with thousands of Mexican troops camping on the 
ground, is in any and every sense preposterous ; 
but when we consider that at that time there was 
no chaparral or thicket as stated by him, nor for 
miles in that direction, it was absolutely impossi- 
ble. Moreover, neither he nor any one else was 
cut off from the Gonzales band. There were 
thirt3'-two of them, and every one of them died in 
the Alamo. He falsifies about bearing an express 
to Fannin at Gonzales. Fannin was at Goliad, a 
hundred miles nearer the coast, with a wilderness 
and no road between them. 

Here is another sample of his gifts. After 
claiming to have spent some time in the Alamo — 
long enough to see the dead — he says : — 

" We now thought it time to look after ourselves, 
and made for the chaparral, where our companions 
were. We had nearl}' reached the wood when a 
mounted lancer overtook us. Rigault awaited and 
shot him dead, and so we made our escape. Our 
good fortune did not end here, for we had to make 
a detour to reach Gonzales and learned in time that 
the place was invested, and so were spared the fate 
of the garrison, for they and their commander. 
Colonel Fannin, were massacred by the Mexicans." 
Gen. Houston did not leave Gonzales till seven 
and a half days after this man claims to have 
started for that place. Fannin had not been there. 
The place was never invested. The Mexicans did 
not arrive till seven da3's after Houston left. 

The fame of Bowie as a soldier, a patriot, a gen- 
tleman, and as a husband and father, will pass 
from father to son and mother to daughter, so long 
as honor, justice and truth abide in Texas. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



139 



Maj. James Kerr, the First Pioneer in Southwestern Texas. 



Many noble pioneers who have wrought for tbe 
settlement and civilization of Texas sleep in their 
graves never to be resurrected in memory except 
at the bar of God, with the welcome, " Well done, 
thou good and faithful servant." Some left 
kindred or friends to assert their merits and shield 
their reputations in the record of the history of 
their times. Many did not. There has been a 
tendency to concentrate the entire honor and the 
glory of settling Texas — with some, on one man — 
with others on a handful of men. The truth is, 
that near the same time half a dozen Americans 
conceived substantially the same idea, among 
whom stand the names of Moses Austin and Green 
DeWitt of Missouri, Robert Leftwich of Tennessee 
and several others. To the Americans of the first 
quarter of this century, while Texas was a terjxt 
incognita in fact, it was a paradise in the imagina- 
tion of many. Its beauties and fertility had been 
portrayed by traders and trappers and the adven- 
turers under Toledo, in 1812-1.3. Moses Austin 
received his right to introduce American immi- 
grants just before the final fall of Spanish power in 
1821. He returned home, sickened and died. 
His son assumed his responsibilities and was ac- 
corded his privileges, the whole being finally 
perfected on the 14th April, 1823. From this 
(begun in 1821) sprang the first American colony 
of Texas. The applications of DeWitt and others, 
almost simultaneously made, were delayed on 
account of the rapidly changing phases of political 
events in Mexico, till the spring of 1825, although 
DeWitt' s grant was promised contemporaneously 
with that of Austin. DeWitt, assured of success, 
did not await the final consummation by the newly 
organized government of Coahuila and Texas, but 
proceeded to his home in Missouri to perfect ar- 
rangements for the settlement of his colony, through 
which ran the beautiful mountain rivers, Guadalupe 
and San Marcos, while the limpid Lavaca formed 
its eastern boundary. Yet he was again present 
at the final consummation of his plan in April, 1825. 
De Witt, in Missouri, secured the co-operation 
of James Kerr, then a member of the senate of 
that State, who became the suveyor-general of the 
colony, its first settler, and for a time its chief 
manager. Mr. Kerr was born near Danville, Ky., 
September 24, 1790, removed with his father to 
St. Charles County, Missouri, in 1808, was a 
gallant soldier in the war of 1812-15 — a lieuten- 



ant under Capt. Nathan Boone — had been sheriff 
of St. Charles County, a representative in the 
legislature and then a senator. He had a wife, 
three little children and eight or ten favorite negro 
servants. With these he arrived at the mouth of 
the Brazos in February, 1825. Before the first of 
July his wife and two of his little children had 
died — the first in a camp, the others on the road- 
side. During July he reached the present site of 
Gonzales, accompanied by five or six single men 
and his servants. He erected cabins, laid out the 
town site as the capital of the future colony and 
began the survey of its lands. On the 1st or 2d 
day of July, 1826, in his absence, Indians attacked 
his houses in the temporary absence of most of 
the inmates, killed one man and severely wounded 
another, robbed the establishment and then retired. 
Thereupon Maj. Kerr removed nearer the coast, 
to the Lavaca river, in what is now Jackson Countj-, 
but continued his labors as surveyor of De Wilt's 
colony, and subsequently, also, as surveyor of the 
Mexican colony of De Leon, next below on the 
Guadalupe. To his laborious duties, in January, 
1827, were added the entire superintendence of the 
affairs of Col. Ben. R. Milam, in his proposed 
Southwestern colony. 

From 1825 till 1832, Maj. Kerr's house was 
the headquarters of Americanism in Southwest 
Texas. Austin's colony on the one side, and De 
Witt's and De Leon's on the other, slowly grew, 
and he stood in all that time, and for several years 
later, as a wise counsellor to the people. When 
the quasi-revolution of 1832 occurred, he was 
elected a delegate to that first deliberative body 
that ever assembled in Texas, at San Felipe, 
October 1, 1832, and was on several of its com- 
mittees. That body of about fift}'-eight repre- 
sentative men, so strangely overlooked by the 
historians of Texas, laid the predicate for all that 
followed in 1833-35-36, and caused more sensa- 
tion in Mexico than did the better known conven- 
tion of 1833, which did little more than amplify the 
labors of the first assembly. 

Maj. Kerr, however, was a member of the 
second convention which met at San Felipe on the 
first of March, 1833, and was an influential mem- 
ber in full accord with its general scope and 
design. He presided, in July, 1835, at the first 
primary meeting in Texas, on the Navidad river, 
which declared in favor of independence. 



140 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



He was elected to the third convention, or gen- 
eral consultation, which met at San Felipe, Novem- 
ber 3d, 1835, and formed a provisional government, 
with Henry Smith as Governor, and a legislative 
council. Being then on the campaign in wiiich the 
battle of Lipantitlan was fought, on the Nueces, he 
failed to reach the first assembly, but served about 
two months in the council, rendering valuable ser- 
vice to the country. 

On the first of February, 1836, he was elected to 
the convention which declared the independence of 
Texas, but his name is not appended to that docu- 
ment for the reason that the approach of the 
Mexican army compelled him to flee east with his 
family and neighbors, and rendered it impossible 
for him to reach Washington in time to participate 
in that grave and solemn act. But rightfully his 
name belongs there. 

Returning to his desolated home after the battle 
of San Jacinto, he stood as a pillar of strength in 
the organization of the country under the Republic. 
It may be truly said that no man in the western 
half of Texas, from 1825 to 1840, and especially 
during the stormy period of the revolution, exerted 
a greater influence for good as a wise, conservative 
counsellor. His sound judgment, tried experience. 



fine intelligence and candor, fitted him in a rare 
degree for such a field of usefulness. 

In 1838 he was elected to the last Congress that 
assembled at Houston and was the author, in whole 
or in part, of several of the wisest laws Texas ever 
enacted. From that time till his death, on the 23d of 
December, 1850, he held no official position but con- 
tinued to exert a healthy influence on public affairs. 

Nothing has been said of his perils and narrow 
escapes from hostile savages during the twelve years 
he was almost constantly exposed to their attacks. 
Many of them possess romantic interest and evince 
his courage and sagacity in a remarkable degree. 

While no dazzling splendor adorns his career, it 
is clothed from beginning to end with evidences of 
usefulness and unselfish patriotism, presenting those 
attributes without which in its chief actors Texas 
could not have been populated and reclaimed with 
the feeble means used in the achievement of that 
great work. His name is perpetuated in that of 
the beautiful county of Kerr, named, as the crea- 
tive act says, " in honor of James Kerr, the first 
American settler on the Guadalupe river." His 
only surviving son, Thomas R. Kerr, resides in 
Southwest Texas, and a number of his grand- 
children live in South Texas. 



Col. William S. Fisher, the Hero of Mier. 



In the revolutionary days of Texas there were 
three men of prominence bearing the name of 
Fisher. The first and the earliest immigrant to the 
country was Samuel Rhoads Fisher, of Matagorda. 
He was a native of Philadelphia, and a man of edu- 
cation, who came about 1830. He was a leader in 
local affairs, holding municipal position, and the 
husband and father of one of the most intelligent 
and refined families in a community distinguished 
for refinement and intelligence. Capt. Rhoads 
Fisher of Austin is the junior of his two sons. He 
represented Matagorda in the convention of 1836, 
and signed the Declaration of Independence ; and 
on the installation of Gen. Houston as President of 
the Republic in October, 1836, he appointed Mr. 
Fisher Secretary of the Navy. In 1838 he lost his 
life in an unfortunate personal difficulty, greatly 
lamented by the country. His memory was 
honored by the high character of his famil}'. 

John Fisher was a native of Richmond, Virginia, 



and came to Gonzales, Texas, in 1833 or 1834. He 
was a man of education, ability and sterling char- 
acter, and was also a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, but died soon afterwards. 

William S. Fisher, the subject of this chapter, 
was a brother of John and, like himself, a native of 
Virginia. He was also a man of finished education 
and remarkable intelligence and one of the tallest 
men in the country. As a conversationalist he was 
captivating, ever governed b}' a keen sense of pro- 
priety and respect for others — hence a man com- 
manding esteem wherever he appeared. His first 
experience as a soldier was in the fight with the 
Indians on the San Marcos, in the spring of 1835 — 
sixteen men against the seventy Indians who had 
murdered and robbed the French traders west of 
Gonzales, in which the Indians were repulsed, with 
a loss of nine warriors. 

His first appearance in public life was as a mem- 
ber of the first revoluntionary convention (com- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



141 



monly called the Consultation) iu November, 1835. 
He was also a volunteer in the first resistance to 
the Mexicans at Gonzales and in the march upon 
San Antonio in October. 

In the campaign of 183G, he was early in the 
field, and commanded one of the most gallant com- 
panies on the field of San Jacinto, in which he won 
the admiration of his comrades. He remained in 
the army till late in the year, when he was called 
into the Cabinet of President Houston to succeed 
(ien. Rusk as Secretary of War, thereby becoming 
a colleague of Governor Henry Smith, Stephen F. 
Austin and S. Rhoads Fisher in the same Cabinet, 
soon to announce the death of Austin in the follow- 
ing order: — 

" War Department, Coldmbia, Tex. 

"December 27, 1836. 

"The father of Texas is no more. The first 
pioneer of the wilderness has departed. Gen. 
Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State, expired this 
day at half-past 12 o'clock, at Columbia. 

" As a testimony of respect to his high standing, 
undeviating moral rectitude, and as a mark of the 
nation's gratitude for his untiring zeal and invalu- 
able services, all officers, civil and military, are 
requested to wear crape on the right arm for the 
space of thirty days. All officers commanding 
posts, garrisons or detachments will, so soon as 
information is received of the melancholy event, 
cause twent3'-three guns to be fired, with an inter- 
val of five minutes between each, and also have the 
garrison and regimental colors hung with black 
during the space of mourning for the illustrious 
dead. 

" By order of the President. 

" Wm. S. Fisher, 

Secretary of War." 

The services of Col. Fisher were such that when 
provision was made for a regular army by the Con- 
gress of 1838-9, he was made Lieutenant- Colonel 
of the only permanent regiment, of which the vet- 
eran Burleson was made Colonel. In this capacity 
he commanded the troops engaged in the Council 
House fight with the Comanches, on the 19th of 
March, 1840, and rendered other important ser- 
vices to the frontier ; but in the summer of 1840 
he resigned to become a Colonel in the Mexican 
Revolutionary or Federalist army in the short-lived 
Republic of the Rio Grande. But the betrayal of 
Jordan and his command at Saltillo, in October of 
the same year, followed by the latter's successful 
retreat to the Rio Grande — an achievement which 
has been likened to that of Xenophou — was fol- 



lowed by the disbandment of the Federal forces and 
the triumph of centralism, upon which Col. Fisher 
and his three hundred Amercian followers returned 
to Texas. 

His next appearance was as a Captain in the 
Somervell expedition to the Rio Grande in the 
autumn of 1842. The history of that campaign is 
more or less familiar to the public. There were 
seven hundred men. From Laredo two hundred 
of them, under Capts. Jerome B. and E. S. C. 
Robertson, returned home. At the mouth of the 
Salado river, opposite Guerrero, another division 
occurred. Two hundred of the men (of whom I 
was one) returned home with and under the orders 
of Gen. Somervell. The remaining three hundred 
reorganized into a regiment and elected Col. 
Fisher as their commander. They moved down 
the river, crossed over and entered Mier, three 
miles west of it, on the Arroyo Alcantra, leaving 
forty of their number as a guard on the east bank 
of the river. They entered the town at twilight on 
the 25th of December, amid a blaze of cannon and 
small arms, in the hands of twenty-seven hundred 
Mexicans, commanded by Gen. Pedro de Ampudia, 
and for nineteen hours fought one of the most 
desperate battles in American annals — fought till 
they had killed and wounded more than double 
their own number, and till their ammunition was so 
far exhausted as to render further resistance hope- 
less. Then they capitulated, to become the famed 
Mier prisoners, or " the Prisoners of Perote ; " 
to rise upon their guard in the interior of Mexico 
and escape to the mountains — there to wander 
without food or water till their tongues were 
swollen and their strength exhausted, to become an 
easy prey to their pursuers — then to be marched 
back to the scene of their rescue, at the hacienda 
of Salado, and there, under the order of Santa 
Anna, each one blind folded, to draw in the lottery 
of Life or Death, from a covered jar in which 
were seventeen black and a hundred and fifty-three 
white beans. Every black bean drawn consigned 
the drawer to death — one-tenth of the whole to 
be shot for an act which commanded the admira- 
tion of every true soldier in Europe and America, 
not omitting those in Mexico, for Gen. Mexia 
refused to execute the inhuman edict and resigned 
his commission. But another took his place and 
those seventeen men were murdered. 

The entire imprisonment of the survivors (some 
of whom being in advance, were not in the rescue 
and therefore not in the drawing) covered a 
period of twenty-two months. They were then re- 
leased and reached home about the close of 1844. 

In 1845 Col. Fisher married a lady of great 



142 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



worth, but soon afterwards died in Galveston. 
Neither he nor his brother John left a child to bear 
his name, but the county of Fisher is understood 
to be a common memorial to them and S. Rhoads 
Fisher. 



There was a fourth man of the name — George 
Fisher — who figured in Texas before, during and 
after the revolution, chiefly in the capacity of clerk 
and translator, but be was a Greek and died in 
California. 



Maj. Richard Roman. 



Was born in Fayette County, Ky., in 1810, 
migrated to Illinois in 1831, and was an officer in 
the Black Hawk war of 1832. In December, 183.5, 
he landed at Velasco, Texas, and joined Gen. 
Houston, as Captain of a company, on the Col- 
orado, during the retreat from Gonzales to San 
Jacinto, and performed gallant service in that 
battle. He was next aide-de-camp to Gen. Rusk, 
while he was in command of the army on the San 
Antonio and Guadulupe. He settled in Victoria 
and several times represented that county in the 
Texian Congress ; also frequently serving in expe- 
ditions against the Indians. 

By the Congress of 1839-40 he was elected one 
of the three members composing the traveling 
board of commissioners for all the country west of 
the Brazos river, for the detection of fraudulent 
land certificates by a personal examination of the 
records of each County Court and hearing proof, 
a high compliment to both his capacity and integ- 
rit}'. He was a senator in the last years of the 
Republic and participated in all the legislation con- 
nected with annexation to the United States. 

In 1846 he entered the Mexican war as a private 
soldier in the celebrated scouting company of 
Capt. Ben McCulloch, in which were a number of 
men of high character at that time and numerous 



others who subsequently won more or less distinc- 
tion. In this respect it is doubtful if a more 
remarkable company for talent ever served under 
the Stars and Stripes. But Private Roman, at the 
instance of Gen. (then U. S. Senator) Rusk was 
soon appointed by President Polk, Commissary of 
Subsistence, with the rank of Major. As such he 
was in the battle of Monterey, in September, 1846, 
and Buena Vista in February, 1847. The Amer- 
ican army evacuated Mexico in June, 1848, and 
early in 1849 Maj. Roman started to California. 
Following the admission of that State into the Union 
in 1850, he was elected for the two first terms, 
State Treasurer, and then came very near being 
nominated by the dominant party for Governor. 
By President Buchanan he was appointed Appraiser 
General of Merchandise on the Pacific coast. 
About 1863 he became severely palsied and so deaf 
as to receive communication from others only 
through writing. Never having married, his last 
years were made pleasant in the family of a loving 
relative in San Francisco till his death in 1877. 
He was a man of ability, firmness, fidelity in every 
trust and strong in his attachments and, unlike 
man}' men of such characteristics, without bitter- 
ness or prejudice. The name of "Dick" Roman 
is cherished wherever it was known in Texas. 




IlEXRY ROSENBURG. 



HENRY ROSENBERG, 

GALVESTON. 



Grotius and Vattel, among the earliest and most 
erudite of modern writers upon international law, 
who from the pandects of Justinian, the maritime 
code of Louis XIV, the laws of Oleron and the Han- 
seatic League and other sources, with wonderful 
brilliancy of genius and depth of philosophy, laid 
the foundation of that science which now regulates 
the intercourse of the community of nations, en- 
riched their pages by illustrations drawn from the 
history of many peoples, and from none more than 
from that of the people of Switzerland, to which 
they turned for the most striking examples of 
fidelity to treaty obligations, jealous defense of 
national honor, humanity, magnanimity and cour- 
age. 

Vattel declares that for more than three centuries 
prior to his time, Switzerland, although surrounded 
by nations almost constantly at war and eager for 
the acquisition of new territory, had preserved her 
independence, and enjoyed the confidence and 
respect of her neighbors. It is related that in the 
olden time, fifteen hundred Swiss, acting as the 
advance guard of a French army, came suddenly 
upon the full force of the opposing Austrians ; and, 
disdaining to retreat, although overwhelmingly out- 
numbered, charged into the midst of the enemy 
and, no re-inforcements coming up, perished, all 
save one man, who saved his life by flight and was 
subsequently driven from his native canton to die 
a despised wanderer in a foreign land. 

Who does not remember the story of Martha 
Glar? Her country invaded and the men to defend 
it few in number, she called upon the women to 
arm and strike with them for the liberties of Swit- 
zerland and, later, fell sword in hand with her hus- 
band, sons, daughters, and granddaughters upon a 
bard contested field. Famous for their valor and 
love of freedom, the Swiss are no less renowned for 
their kindliness, justice and simple and unaffected 
piety. Of this race was the subject of this memoir. 

While his native land may well be proud of such 
a son, she cannot alone lay claim to him. The 
best years of his ripened manhood were spent in 
Texas. Such men are true citizens of the world 



and the memory of worthy deeds that they leave 
behind them is the heritage and common property 
of mankind. Deeply attached to the institutions 
of the United States and to the people of Texas 
and of Galveston especially, he never ceased to 
love the land of his birth and his friends of long 
ago. 

" There is a land, of every land the pride, 

Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside; 
There is a spot of earth supremely blest, 
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest. 

" ' Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found? ' 
Art thou a man? — a patriot? — look around! 
O! thou Shalt find, where'er thy footsteps roam 
That land thy country and that spot thy home! " 

With this love of country was coupled a venera- 
tion for the great and good of all climes. As will 
be seen further on in this brief sketch of his life, 
he has paid the most substantial tribute that has 
yet been paid to the men who fought for Texas 
independence, an act peculiarly fitting, as there is 
a bond of common brotherhood that binds together 
the hearts of the sons of Switzerland and the 
defenders of liberty in all lands and that neither 
time nor distance can affect. 

Broad-minded, generous and true-hearted — a 
genuine lover of his kind — the memorj' of Henry 
Rosenberg is dear to the people of Texas. His 
name will forever be associated with the history of 
the city of Galveston, a city in which he spent more 
than fifty of the most active and useful years of his 
life. He was born at Bilten, Canton Glarus, 
Switzerland, June 22, 1824. His early educational 
advantages were restricted. He was apprenticed 
when a boy and learned a trade which he followed 
until past eighteen years of age, when he came to 
America with one of his countrymen, John Hessley, 
reaching Galveston in February, 184.3. He was 
afterwards associated with Mr. Hessley in the mer- 
cantile business, which he enlarged and carried on 
for about thirty years, during which time he laid 
the foundation for the fortune which he afterwards 
accumulated. His latter years were devoted chieflv 

(143) 



144 



INDIAN WAIiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



to bis banking interests, wliicli were founded in 1874 
upon tlae organization of tlie Galveston Banli & Trust 
Co., an incorporated institution of wliieli he was 
one of tiie originators and wliich be bought out in 
1882 and replaced with the Rosenberg Banlc, of 
which he was thereafter sole owner. Early in his 
career be began investing his means in Galveston 
city property, and, later, in other real estate, im- 
proved and unimproved, elsewhere in Texas and, as 
a consequence, in time became the owner of a large 
amount of realty, which, gradually appreciating in 
value, contributed materially to the increase of his 
wealth. Mr. Rosenberg was prominently identified 
with many of the important enterprises and under- 
takings which served to build up and promote the 
growth of Galveston. 

Prominent among these: — 

The First National Bank — of which he was one 
of the organizers and for many years the vice- 
president ; The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Rail- 
way, — of which he was one of the organizers, 
president from 1875 to and including 1878 (during 
which period the first fifty miles of the road were 
constructed), and of whose board of directors he 
was an active member for ten years thereafter ; 
the Galveston Wharf Company, ^ — -of which he 
was a director for a long term of years, and for 
three years vice-president, and the Galveston City 
Railway Companj', of which he was president in 
1871. He was tendered re-election to the last 
named position but declined to accept that honor 
as other important business interests demanded his 
attention. He was an active and influential mem- 
ber of the board of aldermen of the city of Gal- 
veston in 1871-72 and again in 1885-87. As a 
result of bis industry, strict application to business 
and superior practical sagacity, aided by circum- 
stances, be succeeded in amassing a fortune of 
about 81,200,000.00. He contributed to and 
took stock in nearly every worthy enterprise. He 
was keenly alive to the interests and especially 
proud of the city of bis adoption, manifesting 
a deep concern in everything relating to its wel- 
fare. 

Mr. Rosenberg was long known among his more 
intimate acquaintances as a man of generosity 
and great kindness of heart, though be often times 
appeared otherwise to strangers. " Henry Rosen- 
berg," says an old and prominent citizen of Gal- 
veston, " was one of the best men I ever knew. 
He was pure, truthful, upright and just. He was 
strict in business and demanded honesty in others. 
He despised frauds and shams. 

" In fact, he was cordial and companionable and 
full of good nature in his social life. In the ordi- 



nary business relations, he was exact and just, 
but, impatient and aggressive when subjected to 
unfair, unjust or unreasonable treatment, or de- 
mands, from others. His superb gift to the chil- 
dren of Galveston, the Rosenberg Free School 
Building, erected in 1888, seating 1,000 pupils, 
bis donation to Eaton Memorial Chapel of Trinity 
Church in that city and his erection of a church in 
his native village in Switzerland attested his interest 
in the cause of education and Christianity and are 
the best remembered of bis more important acts of 
benevolence in which the public shared a knowledge 
before his death. It was not, however, until after 
his death and the provisions of bis will became 
generally known, that bis character was fully ap- 
preciated." After bequeathing to his surviving 
widow, relatives and friends $450,000.00, he left 
the remainder, about two-thirds, of bis entire for- 
tune, to educational and charitable purposes, the 
bulk of it going to the people of Galveston. After 
remembering bis native place with two bequests, 
one of 830,000.00 and the other of $50,000.00, be 
made provision for the city of Galveston as fol- 
lows: The Island City Protestant Orphans' Home, 
$30,000 ; Grace Church parish (Protestant Episco- 
pal), $30,000; Ladies' Aid Society of the German 
Lutheran Church, $10,000; for a Women's Home, 
$30,000; the Young Men's Christian Association, 
$G5,000 ; for a monument to the memory of the 
heroes of the Texas Revolution of 1835-6, $50,- 
000 ; for drinking fountains for man and beast, 
$30,000 ; and the residue of his estate to the 
erection and equipment of a great free public 
librarj'. 

The following extract from the residuary clause 
in his will providing a large sum for a public librarj-, 
is pertinent in the latter connection: "In making 
this bequest I desire to express in practical form 
my affection for the city of my adoption and for the 
people among whom I have lived for many years, 
trusting that it will aid their intellectual and moral 
development and be a source of pleasure and profit 
to them and their children and their children's 
children." The wisdom exercised by him in his 
bequests is no less worthy of admiration than their 
munificence. 

Mr. Rosenberg's death occurred May 12tb, 18'J3. 
Every appropriate mark of respect was shown to 
his memory in Galveston and bis death was taken 
notice of generally' by the press throughout the 
State. Now that he has laid aside bis earthly bur- 
dens he has left behind him on earth the imperish- 
able memory of worthy deeds. 

No marble monument, stately monolith or princely 
sarcophagus can add to the merits of such a man. 




MRS. HENRY ROSENBURG. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



145 



The Galveston Netvs of May iStli, 1893, contained 
the following editorial: — 

" Early yesterday morning tiie earthly career of 
Heury Rosenberg closed after a painful illness. In 
his death Galveston has lost a worthy and re- 
spected citizen. Elsewhere will be found a sketch 
of his public life and actions, but the Neios desires, 
besides this, to briefly add its testimony to the 
private virtues and charitable excellence of this 
good man who has gone to his reward. In the 
donation of the school which bears his name, to the 
3'outh of Galveston, Mr. Rosenberg associated 
himself with the city's best interests. He did not 
leave this act to be performed after he himself had 
passed away and was himself done with the world's 
means and the world's ways, but in the vigor of his 
own manhood and from means of his own acquiring 
he saw erected and established an institution that 
promises to generations yet unborn the opportunities 
of education perhaps denied himself. 

" It was not ostentation upon the part of Henry 
Rosenberg that prompted the act. He was not an 
ostentatious man. On many an occasion, known 
to the writer, Henry Rosenberg's purse was placed 
at the disposal of the needy, but always upon the 
principle that his left hand should not know what 
bis right hand was doing. Upon an especially large 
donation to a worthy object some years ago the 
writer requested of Mr. Rosenberg permission to 
make known the fact through the columns of the 
Neios. 'No;' said Mr. Rosenberg, 'you will 
offend me if you do. Whatever I do in this way I 
do because I like to do it, but it would be no source 
of satisfaction to me to find it paraded before the 
public' Such was the man. * « * Peace to 
his ashes wherever they may rest." 

As the news of his death spread over the city it 
was followed by a wave of universal sorrow that 
embraced in its sweep the entire population. The 
remains laid in state at the Rosenberg Free School 
building, where they were viewed by thousands who 
loved him well. Impressive funeral services were 
held in Assembly Hall. The remains were taken 
from Assembly Hall to Grace Church, where the 
beautiful and impressive funeral service of the 
Episcopal Church was read by the rector, Rev. J. 
R. Carter, after which the body was temporarily 
deposited in Payne vault in the cemetery at Gal- 
veston, to await removal to Baltimore, Md. Mr. 
Rosenberg had been consul for Switzerland at Gal- 
veston for more than thirty years, and at the time 
of his death was first dean of the consular corps. A 
message of condolence was received from the Swiss 
minister at Washington and the consular corps met, 
passed suitable resolutions and paid the last tribute 



of respect to the memory of their friend and col- 
league. 

The vestry of Grace Episcopal Church, of 
which for many years he had been a mem- 
ber, City Council, School Board, board of 
trustees of the Rosenberg Free School, and 
other civil bodies, took similar action and a 
great mass meeting (presided over by some of 
the most distinguished men in Texas), assembled 
in response to a proclamation issued by the mayor 
of the city to listen to suitable speeches and pass 
appropriate resolutions. At this meeting was read 
the following poem: — 

IN IIOXOK OF IIEXRV ROSENBERG. 

" The freightage of the surf is many kind. 

Both wreck and treasure ride the crested wave; 
And ever as it frets its force away 

Against unyielding shores, it builds the strand 
For men to walk upon and trade and thrive. 

There, bleaching lie, the shells of myriad life 
That throbbed but briefly in a stifling sea 

And perished. And some, untimely cast ashore, 
Lie festering upon the sun-kissed sands, 

Abhorred and pestilent; wliile some are ripe 
To death and but repose in welcome rest; 

And some are puny pygmies, sprawling prone, 
And rudely crushed into forgetfulness 

By hurrying heels of eager, searching crowds, 
And some are of larger growth and stand erect, 

Majestic emblems of a giant kind, 
Impacted in the sands of time; behold, 

Nor wind, nor tide, nor jostling jealousy 
Can shake their adamantine base — unmoved 

Of all the mutable that throng the earth. 

" And there are those, who, in their speeding day, 

While youth aud strength lent opportunity, 
With frugal husbandry, wrought hard and fast 

To garner yellow wealth in honest bins. 
And when the sun shone golden in the West 

And shadows deepened to the coming night, 
They looked upon their stores and smiled to think 

That Power now was minister to Wish, 
And straightway loosed the locks and smote the bars 

That old and young and mind and soul and beast 
Might share the bleasings of a fruitful life. 

And they live on. Along the pebbled way, 
That stretches from the utmost to the end, 

They mark the certain progress of mankind 
And guide us up to Godlier destinies." 

"The remains of Henry Rosenberg, the Texas 
philanthropist," saj's the Baltimore Sun of June 
1st, 1893, " were consigned to their final resting 
place in Loudon Park Cemetery j'esterday after- 
noon. The body was brought to Baltimore from 
Galveston, of which city the deceased was an hon- 
ored citizen. The funeral services held there were 
elaborate, the whole city testifying to the esteem in 
which he was held. * * * The pall-bearers were 



146 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Judge David Fowler, George French, Howell Gris- 
wold, Richard G. Macgill, Jervis Spencer, Dr. Guy 
Hollj'day, John Fowler and Patrick H. Macgill. 
Among those present were Chas C. Tuvel, secretary 
of the Swiss legation at Washington, representing 
the Swiss government ; William Nichols, of Galves- 
ton ; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cokelet, of New York, 
who had been close friends of Mr. Rosenberg for 
more than forty years ; Dr. Chas. Macgill, of 
Catonsville ; Miss Rouskulp, of Hagerstown ; Mrs. 
Howell Griswold ; Mrs. Dr. Gibson ; Miss West ; 
Miss Bettie Mason Barnes ; Mr. and Mrs. George 
Gibson ; Mrs. Drewry, of Virginia ; Davidge Mac- 
gill, of Virginia; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gary; Miss 
Fowler ; the Misses Carter, of Catonsville ; Miss L. 
R. Spencer; Mrs. George French, Col. Robert 
Smith, and others." 

Hundreds of editorial notices appeared in lead- 
ing newspapers throughout the country. The fol- 
lowing extracts are made from a few that appeared 
in Texas papers : — 

Galveston News: "Trite reflections upon the 
lives and ends of such men have little force beyond 
the circle of their immediate friends, but, many 
will draw a serious lesson from that of the de- 
ceased. * * * He was one of several who 
accumulated large fortunes in Galveston and were 
not spoiled by their possessions nor estranged from 
those who had been less successful by the disparity 
in their circumstances. He was regarded with 
tender veneration by young and old, rich and 
poor. A stranger on the Market street car line 
micht have frequently observed a ruddy-faced and 
cheery old gentleman getting on or off at Thirteenth 
street, and on the outgoing trip the motorman 
would generally bring the car to a stop on the near 
side, though the rule would have taken it to the 
other side. This was quietly done for Mr. Rosen- 
berg, who always had .a smile for the laborer and 
the poor. Coming down town in the morning he 
was constantly nodding to his friends." 

Waco Day-Glohe : " It was reserved for a Tex- 
ian by adoption, a citizen who was born on foreign 
soil, to make the first real practical move towards 
honoring the memory of the fathers of Texas 
liberty. In his will the late Henry Rosenberg, 
of Galveston, born in Switzerland, bequeathed 
$50,000 for the erection of an appropriate and 
enduring memorial in honor of the heroes of the 
Texas revolution. It may also be remarked that 
this foreign-born citizen placed himself at the head 
of the all too small list of Texas philanthro- 
pists. * * * In the disposition of the accumu- 
lations of his lifetime Mr. Rosenberg dealt out his 
benefactions with an impartial hand. He seems 



to have lost sight of creed or race. A profound 
desire to benefit the human family was the ideal he 
strove to reach and so sound was his judgment, so 
broad and generous his impulses, that the money 
he has left will bless his fellowmen through cen- 
turies to come." 

Hempstead News: "His name will go down to 
after times as one of the best and noblest men of 
his day. Oh! if there were more like him, this 
world would be a better world." 

Surviving him he left a widow, but no children. 
He had been twice married ^ — marrj'ing first, June 
11th, 1851, Miss Letitia Cooper, then of Galveston, 
but a native of Virginia. This estimable ladj' died 
June 4th, 1888, and November lolh, 1889, he 
married Miss Mollie R. Macgill, daughter of Dr. 
Charles Macgill. She was born at Hagerstown, 
Md., February 28th, 1839. At the time of 
Miss Macgill's birth Mr. Rosenberg's first wife 
was visiting the family of Dr. Macgill and in- 
duced the doctor to promise the child to her 
and afterwards made several offers to adopt her, 
which, however, were not accepted, as the parents 
would not agree to part with her entirely even to 
please so dear a friend. In September, 1856, Mr. 
Rosenberg brought Miss Macgill to Texas, where 
she remained eleven months as a guest of Mrs. 
Rosenberg. In the fall of 1860 Mrs. Rosenberg 
again sent for Miss Macgill, who arrived in Galves- 
ton in September expecting to remain two years, 
but returned to her parents in April, 1861, on 
account of the war, and remained with them until 
the close of the struggle. Returning to Galveston 
in March, 1866, she joined the family permanently 
and, Mrs. Rosenberg, becoming an invalid, Miss 
Macgill, who reciprocated the deep affection she 
felt for her, assumed full management of the house- 
hold and continued her tender ministrations until 
Mrs. Rosenberg's last illness, and was present at 
her bedside when she quietly fell " asleep in Jesus." 

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg, with Miss Macgill, 
paid annual visits to Miss Macgill's parents in 
Richmond, Va. Miss Macgill's niece. Miss Minnie 
Diewry, of Virginia, was with her during the 
latter part of Mrs. Rosenberg's illness. The two 
remained with Mr. Rosenberg, traveling during the 
summer, and in the fall Miss Macgill and niece re- 
turned with him to Galveston, where they remained 
until the following July and then with him visited 
Miss Macgill's mother in Richmond and from there 
went to the Springs and New York Citj-, returning 
to Richmond in the fall, where Mr. Rosenberg and 
Miss Macgill were united in marriage November 
13lh, 1889, at Grace Episcopal Church by Rev. 
Hartly Carmichael of St. Paul's Church, assisted by 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



147 



Rev. H. Melville Jackson of Grace Church, present 
assistant Bishop of Alabama. Dr. Charles Macgill 
was a native of Baltimore, Md. His grandfather 
on the maternal side was Thomas Jennings, who filled 
the position of King's Attorney under the Colonial 
government of Maryland, and on the paternal side, 
Rev. James Macgill, of Perth, Scotland, who settled 
in Maryland in 1728 and was the first rector of 
Queen Caroline Parish, Elkridge, Anne Arundel 
County, Md. Dr. Macgill served as full surgeon 
in the Confederate army during the war between 
the States ; and was one of President Jefferson 
Davis' family physicians. Dr. Macgill died in 
Chesterfield County, Va., May 5th, 1881. Mrs. 
Rosenberg's mother, now eighty-eight years of 
age, lives with her at Galveston. Of Mrs. Rosen- 
berg's brothers, Wm. D. enlisted at Palestine, 
Texas, in Companj' A., Second Cavalry, and, after the 
battle of Sharpsburg, was transferred to the First 
Maryland Cavalry, Company C, and died in 
Baltimore, Md., August 25, 1890; Davidge en- 
listed in the First Maryland Cavalry, Company C, 
under Col. Brown in 1861, and served throughout 
the war. Dr. Chas. G. VV. Macgill was a surgeon 
in Stonewall Jackson's brigade and .James enlisted 
in the Confederate arm}' at sixteen years of age 
and served in the same commands with his brother 
Wm. D. until the close of hostilities. Dr. Chas. 
G. W. Macgill and James Macgill surrendered with 
the troops in Virginia as did their father Dr. Chas. 
Macgill ; but Wm. D. and Davidge Macgill did not 
surrender until April 20, 1865, as they managed to 
get through the Federal lines and tried to make 
their way to Johnston, who surrendered before they 
reached him. A reader of the Birmingham Age- 
Hercdd, living at Childersburg, Ala., in an interest- 
ing and lengthy communication to that paper, 
under date of October 11, 1890, contributes the 
following: — 

"In your issue of the 7th inst., under the 
heading ' Some Persons of Prominence,' you 
kindly give space to eulogizing Dr. Macgill and 
familj', formerly of Hagerstowu, Md., and later of 
Richmond, Va. , but more especially of Mrs. Helen 
E. Swan, from the announcement of her death, 
which occurred on the 22d of September last, at 
the home of her brother-in-law, Dr. S. A. Drewry 
in Richmond. 

" Among other things, you give prominence to 
their many intellectual, physical and social graces, 
together with their political prominence. * * * 
Now it may be that you ' reckoned better than 
you knew ' and that you did not know that 
there were some ex-Confederates who were con- 
stant readers of your valuable paper and in 



your immediate vicinity who have special cause to 
honor and remember this illustrious and patriotic 
family. I allude particularly to Capt. John 
('Piney,') Oden, Company, K., Tenth Alabama 
Regiment, Confederate Volunteers, who was severely 
and, at the time, thought by his comrades to be 
mortally wounded, on Wednesday, September 17th, 
1862, at Sharpsburg, receiving a wound fourteen 
inches long, reaching the whole length of the thigh, 
from which he has been a permanent cripple and 
great sufferer ever since. Besides he received at 
the same time a painful wound in the left side from 
a piece of bomb-shell. * * * He lay upon the 
battle-field in that helpless condition for twenty-six 
hours. When all other efforts for removal failed, 
he made some Masonic characters upon a piece of 
paper and requested that they be carried to the 
general in command of the Federal army, he being 
then within the Federal lines. Very soon six men 
came for him with an improvised litter, an old 
army blanket. They made a slip gap in the fence, 
near which he lay, and ran across the hill to a field 
hospital with him upon the litter, which was more 
than once punctured with balls from his friends' 
guns, they not understanding what was going on. 
He was finally removed to the Hagerstown, Md., 
courthouse, which had been converted into a Federal 
hospital. * * * Here he first met and learned 
to love and honor the name of Macgill and the 
members of the family, for the daughters that were 
then at home came to the hospital and inquired 
especially if there were any Confederate soldiers 
among the wounded there. Capt. Oden being 
pointed out, they began immediately to beseech, in 
view of his condition, that he be paroled and they 
be allowed to carry him to their private dwelling, 
which request, at their earnest and importunate 
solicitation, was granted. * * * y^j- gj^ 
months the members of the family, including Dr. 
Chas. Macgill, Jr., who was then at home, contin- 
ued their ministrations. * * * At one time the 
femoral artery sloughed in two and Capt. Oden's 
life was despaired of, but every physical, and even 
spiritual, aid was rendered him. Finally he rallied 
and recovered, and lived many years thereafter to 
call them blessed. Capt. Oden often said that he 
was especially indebted to Miss Mollie Macgill, 
now Mrs. Rosenberg, of Galveston, and named a 
daughter Mollie Macgill Oden in honor and grate- 
ful remembrance of her. The intimacy and friend- 
ship between the Macgill and Oden families has 
been kept up ever since the war by correspondence 
and interchange of visits. * * * " 

Capt. Oden died in Odena, Talledega County, 
Ala., May 23, 1895. All this particularity of detail 



148 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



has been entered into to show that all that could be 
said in praise of the Macgill family is well deserved 
and that indeed, thousands of ex-Confederates 
have cause to remember them kindly, generally, and 
some especially. 

Through an interview published in the Macon, 
Ga., Daily Telegraph, of June 24th, 1894, Mr. 
Chester Pearce, a leading citizen and politician of 
Georgia, adds his quota of grateful recollections to 
that of Capt. Oden. Mr. Pearce took part in the 
battle of Sharpsburg as a soldier in the Eighteenth 
Georgia, Hood's Texas Brigade; was shot entirely 
through the body with a minnie ball ; laid on the 
field many hours, and was finally carried to 
Hagerstown, Md., nine miles distant, where he 
was placed in tlie hospital at the courthouse. 
Here the doctors declined to dress his wound, 
saj'ing that it was useless as death would soon 
come to relieve him of his suffering. For two 
days he lingered in this miserable condition with- 
out nourishment, no one even showing him the 
kindness to bathe his face and hands. Then a 
committee of ladies visited the hospital, among 
them the daughters of Dr. Macgill. 

"These daughters of Dr. Macgill," says the 
interviewer, " ministering angels indeed, gave 
guarantee bond for tiie return of the young sol- 
dier, should he recover, and took him to their 
elegant and palatial home. Here for the first 
time he received medical attention. Dr. Chas. 
Macgill, Jr., taking him in charge and dressing 
his wounds. Miss Mollie Macgill, a beautiful 
young lady, became his nurse. In two months' 
time he was sufficiently recovered to go to Haiti- 
more, the military post. Here Mr. James Carroll, 
a friend of Southern soldiers, gave guarantee bond 
for his safe-keeping and he was finally exchanged. 
He rejoined the Confederate army, took part in the 
murderous charge of Round Top — at the battle of 
Gettysburg ; later was again captured by the Fed- 
erals and was sent by them to Fort Delaware ; made 
his escape, but was retaken and carried to Fort 
Henry, where he was thrown into a dungeon with 
the vilest of criminals and remained until exchanged. 
He then a<j;aiu hurried to the front antl fought in 



the lines until he surrendered with the other soldiers 
of Gen. Lee's army at Appomatox. * * * In 
the course of j'ears. Miss Mollie Macgill, who had 
so tenderly nursed back to life the boy-soldier, 
married a Mr. Rosenberg, a wealthy banker of Gal- 
veston, Texas. There she met Mr. and Mrs. Dan 
Henderson, of Camilla, Ga., and told them the 
story of the young soldier she had nursed, and re- 
quested them to discover his whereabouts, if 
possil)le. 

"Not long since Mr. Henderson read in the 
Macon Telegraph, tiiat a Chester Pearce was a can- 
didate for the legislature from Houston County. 
Mrs. Rosenberg wrote to the candidate to know if 
he could be the Chester Pearce whom she had 
known in Maryland, sending her kindest regards, 
and this was the letter that brought forth the ' war 
record ' of Chester Pearce, — this was the letter of 
which he so fondly spoke and that elicited from him 
expressions of grateful remembrance, worthy of the 
man and the kind friends who rescued him from an 
untimely grave.'" 

In peace and war, — through all the vicissi- 
tudes of time and circumstance, the Macgills 
have been the same true, generous and chivalric 
race. Mrs. Rosenberg's life has been spent in 
an earnest, Christian effort to do all the good within 
her power and to render all about her happy. She 
has been a memljer of the Episcopal Church since 
she was sixteen years of age. After her husband's 
death, when it became known that his remains were 
to find sepulture out of the State, she was petitioned 
by thousands of people to allow them to be interred 
in one of the public squares of Galveston. She, 
however, carried out the wish expressed by him in 
his lifetime and consigned them to earth in Loudon 
park cemetery in Baltimore, Md., where his first 
wife is buried and a costly monument now marks 
the spot. Mrs. Rosenberg is a lady of rare brill- 
iancy and strength of mind. Her husband was 
deeply attached to her. She was in full sympathy 
with all his acts of beneficence and in everj' way 
aided him to the full extent of her power in all his 
undertakings. No lady in Galveston is more gen- 
erally admired and beloved. 




John Sealy 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



149 



JOHN SEALY, 

GALVESTON. 



Tbe late lamented John Sealy, during many 
years a member of the famous banking house of 
Ball, Hutchings & Company, of Galveston, Texas, 
and an active promoter of the best interests of that 
city, was born in the great Wyoming Valley at 
Kingston, Luzerne County, Pa., October IS, 1822, 
and when fourteen years of age entered a country 
store as a clerk under an agreement to work for 
l)oardand clothes until twenty-one years of age and 
then receive as further payment SlOO.OOand an 
extra suit of clothing. When he had reached eight- 
een years of age his emplo3'er, although continu- 
ing merchandising, engaged in developing coal 
mines in addition thereto, and soon found that the 
young employee was competent to look after these 
outside interests and placed him in charge of them 
as general manager, which position he continued to 
fill, under the terras of agreement originally 
entered into as to remuneration for personal ser- 
vices, until he had attained his majority. He was 
then retained on a salary until twenty-four years 
of age, when he determined to cast his fortunes 
with the people of the State of Texas. He arrived 
in Galveston in 1846 with about seven hundred and 
fifty dollars, saved from his earnings, and suc- 
ceeded in securing employment as salesman in the 
house of Henry Hubbell & Co., who were at that 
time considered the leading dry goods merchants 
in the city. He continued in this position for 
about a year and during that time became ac- 
quainted with, and an intimate friend of Mr. 
.J. H. Hutchings, bookkeeper for the firm. Mr. 
Hutchings had also saved from his salary 
about seven hundred and fifty dollars. The two 
young men decided to combine their means and go 
into business upon their own account and with their 
joint capital of fifteen hundred dollars succeeded 
in purchasing from Hubbell & Company, who had 
the greatest confidence in their integrity and 
capacity, a stock of goods, valued at several thou- 
sand dollars, which they took to the town of Sabine 
Pass, Texas, where they opened a store in 1847, 
under the firm name of Hutchings & Seal3'. They 
soon won the confidence of the business community 
and built up a fine trade, which they rapidly ex- 
tended until they ranked as the leading merchants 
of the section. They remained in business at 
Sabine Pass, until 1854, when, having accumulated 
about $50,000.00, they deemed it advisable to 



close out there and change their base of f>peration9 
to some larger place. Accordingly they wound up 
their affairs at Sabine Pass, took a few months 
much needed rest, and moved to Galveston, where 
they formed a copartnership with Mr. George 
Ball, under the firm name of Ball, Hutchings & 
Company, and embarked in the general dry goods 
and commission business. The commission busi- 
ness was sold out in 1860 and the dry goods busi- 
ness in 1865, when the firm went regularly into the 
banking business. Two years later Mr. George 
Sealy was admitted to the copartnership, which 
continued with this personnel until the death of the 
subject of this sketch, Mr. John Sealy, August 
29th, 1884. Mr. John Sealy's widow, Mrs. 
Rebecca Sealy, has been allowed to retain the 
partnership interest of her late husband in the 
business up to the present time, 1806. 

Mr. Sealy was married to Miss Rebecca Davis 
of Bedford, Pa., in 1857. Two children, John and 
Jane Sealy, were born of this union. The son 
will succeed to his father's interest and become a 
full partner in the firm. Mr. Sealy was identified 
with every important public enterprise inaugurated 
in Galveston during his residence in that city and 
was instrumental in originating many of them. 

From the beginning he had a deep and abiding 
faith in the continued growth and prosperity of the 
city of his adoption and inspired all who came in con- 
tact with him with like confidence. He was an officer, 
or director, in nearly every corporation chartered 
and doing business in Galveston, by reason of his 
well recognized financial ability and the large stock 
interests that he held. At the time of his death he 
was the wealthiest man in Galveston, owning among 
other property a lauded estate sufficiently large to 
form a good sized principality. Among other gen- 
erous bequests in his last will and testament he 
set aside a sum of money for the erection of a char- 
ity hospital which has since been erected at a cost 
of §75,000.00 and been of great benefit to the suf- 
fering poor of the State, as people from all parts of 
Texas are admitted free of charge. He did not 
wait until he no longer had a use for the things of 
this world to put his wealth to good purpose. His 
life was a long record of worthy deeds and silent 
benefactions. As .between himself and others, 
whether friends or enemies, he kept the scales of 
justice evenly balanced. No man could ever say 



150 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



that he bad treated him unfairly. He was incapa- 
ble of a little, mean or unworthy action. 

He started in the race of life penniless and with- 
out friends, other than those he had won by his 
energy, truthfulness, faithful discharge of duty, 
adherence to correct principles and purity of 
thought, speech and living. He resisted and over- 
came many temptations and encountered and sur- 
mounted many obstacles, following alwa3's with 
undeviating fidelity the lode-star of duty. His 
career in all essential respects was identical with 
that of bis brother, Mr. George Sealy, a biography 
of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The 
following is from the Galveston News of Sundaj', 
August 31, 1884: — 

" To say that the news of the death of Mr. John 
Sealy touched the whole community with a deep thrill 
of sorrow yesterday, but poorly conveys the idea of 
the sense of the community upon the sudden taking 
away of one of its most prominent members. The 
flags upon the Santa Fe general office, Custom- 
House, Cotton Exchange, Galveston News building, 
British, German, Russian, Norwegian and Austrian 
consular ofHces, engine houses. Artillery Hall, Tur- 
ner Hall, Beach Hotel, Mallory and Morgan ofHces, 
Hendley, Reymershoffer, Blum Block, Oppenheimer 
& Co.'s, Kauffman & Runge, Marwitz, and a num- 
ber of other buildings, not now remembered, were 
placed at half-mast in honor of the memory of Mr. 
Sealy. An hour before the time set for the funeral, 
clouds gathered heavily in the north, and the pros- 
pect of a storm prevented many from attending the 
funeral services, but, as it was, there were hun- 
dreds present. The officers and employees of the 
Santa Fe road formed at the general office in a 
body and marched to the residence. A number of 
the members of Hook and Ladder Company No. 
1, were also present. 

"The floral tributes were numerous and beauti- 
ful, the casket being literally covered with choice 
flowers most artistically arranged. 

" At five o'clock, Rev. Dr. S. M. Bird, rector of 
Trinity Church, began the reading of the solemn 
and impressive service for the dead. Upon its con- 
clusion he delivered the following beautiful and 
touching comment upon the good man gone: — 

" ' Words of eulogy flow almost spontaneously as 
we stand amidst the funereal tributes to excellence 
and worth. 

" ' We have to restrain, rather than encourage, 
the natural instincts of affection which inspire the 
coronation of a successful and generous life. 

" ' We look into the calm, dead face of our friend 
and brother and read there all the story of amia- 
bility, frankness and honor, and as we recall the 



outlines of a life so suddenly closed, memory fully 
anticipates the epitaph which will be carved upon 
his tomb. We think of him as citizen, father, 
friend, neighbor, and each chapter unfolds its 
blending harmonies of goodness, purity and virtue. 
When one of the old Patrician leaders of Rome 
expired, it was the custom of the common grief 
for each associate and colleague to bring to his 
bier the eblematic tokens of the particular virtue 
which most impressed itself upon the offerer. 
One brought the laurels which crowned his brow 
with the badges of noble bearing and courtly pride; 
another placed in his dead hands, the white lilies 
of purity, commemorating a gentle life and unself- 
ish patriotism ; a third placed upon his shield the 
red rose of unsullied courage and iron purpose ; 
and thus, part by part, his catafalque was strewn 
with the silent symbols of worthiness and renown. 
I have thought if each one of ourselves could come 
from our reserve and give out from the respective 
treasures of our knowledge the impressions made 
by the long and useful life of our departed friend, 
the homage would be large indeed, for we would not 
cease until we had robed his casket in a funeral 
mantle, graceful as ever covered that of Roman 
senator or conscript father. To his public spirit 
and organizing industry our prosperous city is 
indebted for large and enduring elements of its 
permanency and present growth. Forecasting 
with unerring genius the future of Galveston, 
he conceived and carried out many of its in- 
stitutions which contribute to-daj' to its stability 
and wealth. Prompt with his judgment and good 
will, he promoted every interest which looked to the 
hapiiiness of the people and the increase of their 
fortunes. Generous oftentimes beyond his share, 
he led the way in the courses of liberality and im- 
provements. His business and untiring industry 
became a passion to him, which laid up its results 
in strong material success for himself and in large 
and generous returns for others. AVealth brings 
power and responsibility, and so to his native 
strength of purpose, we find in maturer j-ears this 
new gift added to his resources — a gift used so 
wisely that nearly every enterprise of public or 
municipal interest was unprojected until his name, 
his judgment, and his co-operation were first as- 
sured. This done, his fellow-citizens and fellow- 
capitalists were inspired by the one needed resolu- 
tion which almost invariabl}' leads up to such positive 
results as leava little to be desired. Responsibility, 
too, was fully appreciated, and so we find the strong 
and solid banking house, whose business he con- 
tributed so much to enlarge and strengthen, became 
identified directly and at once with every depart- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



15t 



ment of the city's life, and widely enough in the 
progress of the entire State. The founder of a 
city, who lays deeply those varied elements which 
make up the security of its wealth, the integrity of 
its credit and the happiness of its homes, must 
outrank in the hightest verdict every one of those 
who, with martial victories and trained warfare, 
destroy and pull down the habitations of man. A 
successful citizen is always a more interesting 
man than a conquering soldier, as the spirit 
of construction is always more large than the 
spirit which destroys. In the later days of 
his health and vigor many of his friends dis- 
covered a strong ph3'sical and personal resem- 
blance to the greatest soldier of the Northern 
armies. The likeness was remarkable, and yet we 
may be pardoned in rejoicing that our departed 
friend and brother possessed powers of worth and 
appliance of virtue so different and so much more 
laudable, that thej' will endure in their fruits of 
increase long after the ashes of smoking towns and 
the ruin of a people's industries have faded from 
the records which they so long disfigured. The 
commonwealth is made up of its citizens, and its 
best citizens are always the basis of its strength 
and the welcome prophecies of its fortunes. If we 
pass from his life as a citizen to his life as a man 
of business we discover similar distinguishing 
marks of excellence. One of the finest tributes I 
ever heard to a man of business was awarded to 
Mr. Sealy by his lifelong friend and partner at the 
latter's house on the occasion of a brilliant marriage, 
and the entire worthiness of the testimony was 
seen in the hearty sanction of the moment, and is 
echoed loudly by every one brought into commer- 
cial relations with him. Whether as banker, rail- 
road manager, president of a corporation, or a 
private in the ranks — the same straightforward- 
ness, integrity and painstaking, was the simple 
secret which made him everywhere trusted, and, 
most of all, by those whose dealings with him were 
intimate, mutual and constant. He enriched him- 
self never at the expense of others, while others 
were made partakers with him in all his successes 
and his fortunes. This is no small consideration in 
these days when men are ' making haste to get 
rich;' when, regardless of the social compact, 
careless of all moral restraint, impatient at the 
checks of conscience and defiant against every 
principle of virtue, they trample down all obstacles 
in the way of interest, until duty, honor and truth 
are outraged — wrecked in the rapid eagerness to 
achieve results — and high names and the highest 
places, and highest trusts are prost'tuted, drag- 
ged down in the financial scramble to the level 



of common fraud and unblushing crime. Here 
there is not a whisper of detraction or reproach. 
If large wealth rewarded his industry and toil, it 
was the normal issue of a large heart which refused 
all unjust and ungenerous methods. His hands 
are clean, even in death, because they never worked 
in the lower ventures of avarice and greed ; and so, 
too, his hands were liberal, with a liberality which 
was always his own and not another's. The mer- 
cantile spirit of the age was strong within him — 
too strong, for it overtaxed his time and his strength. 
In this mammon-loving countrj', I suppose his 
temptations were strong and keen, as only success- 
ful men can feel them ; but always they seemed 
dominated by a justice and discretion which led us 
all to recognize his calm superiority to passing 
inducements and a ' conscience void of offense.' 
More than twelve years continuously I have been 
his neighbor. It is needless to say that in him I 
always felt that I had a neighbor ; yea, more, a 
friend, a counselor and confidant. His pleasing 
manners and cheerful bearing made him accessible 
to a fault. One was reassured at the outset, and 
invited to the freest confidence. More than once I 
have felt drawn to his side in my moments of doubt, 
and depended upon him in my moments of hesita- 
tion, and always I have met just what I required 
and in the way that I wanted it. To my church he 
gave a constant support, to my work an open hand, 
and to myself a generous and unswerving friend- 
ship. I may not intrude upon the inner circle of 
his retired home, where he has been a father, a 
husband, a brother — where his coming has been 
always as the coming of the genial ligljt which 
falls upon the flowers, where his intercourse 
has been of that quiet and considerate careful- 
ness which made blessings fall like sunbeams 
upon every member of his family. Yesterday 
the light of his house went down in thick 
darkness. The shadows of eventide, coming with 
the closing hours of his life, fell like a pall of night 
upon all his home. A strong brother's arm is no 
more within reach, and the strong voice of gentle 
love, his children will wonder why they can no 
longer hear. Home to him was his atmosphere, 
his paradise. Rarely could he be drawn from its 
charmed circle. Only affairs of urgent business 
and necessity could tempt him abroa;!. This led 
some to think him retiring and reserved, but his 
home was his own creation, and the ideal of his 
earthly life, made lovely by his own good heart and 
stamped anew every day with his genial and kindly 
nature. In this home the tears are falling fast, as 
they will flow long. In this home hearts are 
aching with strange and new sorrows, which come 



152 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



but once in a lifetime. Anil so, dear fiientls, 
we gather here to join our weeping with those who 
weep, to pour into these stricken souls the unction 
of our kindliest sympathy and to unite our praise 
to God, heart and spirit, over one who excelled in 
virtue. The morning is not far off, when all this 
' thick darkness ' will disajipear from this home 
and from all other homes of human woe and be- 



reavement; the morning when Christ our Lord 
will open the graves of the blessed dead and reveal 
to us in fuller measure the one hope which now 
sup|)orts us all, the almighty love of our Father, 
out of which all human goodness comes, the tender 
mercy of the Son, which to know is eternal life 
indeed, and the consolation of the spirit of truth 
which the world cannot understand.' " 



JOHN H. HUTCHINGS, 

GALVESTON. 



The business world has its marks no less brilliant 
and distinct than those which characterize the emi- 
nence of what are called the learned professions, 
made by men who have borne the banners of 
progress along the pathways of moral, social and 
material development; men who, free from all sub- 
serviency to popular whims and popular delusions, 
bed their footprints in the practical affairs and 
utilities of life, and know nothing of the influences 
prevailing in the race for political or professional 
distinction. Theirs is a school of self-denial, of 
patience, firmness of purpose, and above all, an 
unswerving integrity, and the suppression of those 
passions which promote the icinis fatuii of ambition 
and fame. It is here that individual capacity and 
action are made the tests of true merit and true 
manhood ; and it is in this school that true benevo- 
lence, practical philanthropy, and an enlightened 
self-interest coincide in the various business and 
social relations of husband, father, neighbor and 
citizen. Endowed with excellence in all tliese rela- 
tions, the subject of this sketch planted his foot- 
steps in the pioneer paths of the commerce of a 
great State, and led the advance in the development 
of the prosperous city of his home and love. 

John IL Hutchings, of Galveston, one of the 
oldest and wealthiest business men of Texas, and 
one of the most prominent and best-known bankers 
of the South, was born in North Carolina, on the 
2d of February, 1822. His early educational 
advantages were very limited, and were, indeed, 
confined to a desultory attendance, as opportunities 
permitted, at a common country school, in which 
reading, writing, and the elements of arithmetic 
only were taught; and at the age of thirteen or 
fourteen, he bade farewell to the school-room and 



liegan mercantile pursuits, as clerk in a dry goods 
store. 

On attaining the age of maturity he found him- 
self prepared for the battle of business life ; 
and his ambitious spirit and enterprising nature 
prompted him to seek more promising fields and 
more extended opportunities, and he removed to 
the city of New Orleans, but soon extended his 
adventure to the Republic of Texas and, in the 
winter of 1845, settled in the city of Galveston. 

In December, 1847, he removed to Sabine, and 
formed a copartnership in mercantile business with 
the late John Sealy, which continued as long as Mr. 
Sealy lived. The}' were very successful in their 
business at Sabine; and, having accumulated a 
considerable fortune at that place, they returned, 
in 1854, to Galveston, which Mr. Hutchings during 
all that time had considered his home. Here they 
formed a copartnership with the late George Ball, 
under the well-known firm name of Ball, Hutchings 
& Co , which has continued to the present time. 
This firm was originally devoted to a mixed dry 
goods and commission business ; but in a year or 
two they abandoned the dry goods trade and turned 
their attention entirely to a combined commission 
and banking business, in which they were, from the 
beginning, eminently successful. 

When, in 1861, the port of Galveston was block- 
aded by the Federal fleets, the firm retired to Hous- 
ton, and having established their house at that 
place, engaged actively and extensively in the im- 
portation of arms and other war materials into the 
State, and became successful blockade runners. 
They exported in this way large and frequent 
shipments of cotton, and in turn imported large 
quantities of military stores much needed by the 




J. H }iUTCHINGS 



lyfDlAI^ WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



1.53 



Confedeiate Slates government. As tbe coast of 
Texas was closel}' blockaded, goods of all kinds 
soon became scarce in the State, and one of tbe 
first importations made by tlie firm was a cargo of 
fifty thousand pairs of cotton and wool cards, 
which thej' brought in under a contract with the 
State, to enable the people of Texas to manufacture 
tlieir own clothing. These were introduced by way 
of Mexico, through which country they continued 
to make large shipments of cotton during the con- 
tinuance of the blockade, while at the same time 
thc3' employed foreign vessels to run war material 
into the harbor of Galveston. In all of this they 
were eminently successful, and Mr. Hutcbings is 
still proud of the fact that, through the energy and 
daring enterprise of the firm, vessels were, at the 
close of the war, arriving at Galveston with arms 
and munitions, and departing, laden with cotton, 
on every change or dark of the moon, with almost 
the regularity of mail steamers. 

In 1865 the firm returned to Galveston and re- 
sumed the banking business in the same building 
which they had erected in 1855, and which they have 
now occupied for thirty-seven years ; but Mr. 
Hatchings still cherishes the kindest feelings for 
the people of Houston, with whom he lived so hap- 
pily and prosperously during the dark days of the 
Civil War. Soon after their return to Galveston 
thej' admitted as a partner Blr. George Sealy, who 
was a brother of Mr. John Sealy, and had long 
been in their service. The firm name, however, 
remained unchanged. In March, 188i, Mr. George 
Ball died, and in the following August Mr. John 
Sealy died, leaving Mr. Mulchings and Mr. George 
Sealy the only surviving members of the firm, and 
they have continued the banking and excrhange 
business under the same firm name until the present 
time, and their rating for wealth and credit in bank- 
ing circles is perhaps as high as that of any other 
banking house in the world. 

The old building, which, in simple strength, so 
long and faithfully abided by the fortunes of the 
firm, has just been replaced by another, con- 
structed b3' Mr. Hutchings specially for their use 
and having every feature of safety, comfort and 
convenience suggested by the long conduct of the 
banking business. This structure is the best 
equipped and most thoroughly appointed bank 
building in the South. 

It is one of the handsomest buildings on the 
strand. 

In addition to being one of the two managers of 
this great banking house, Mr. Hutchings has occu- 
pied, and still holds, many important and responsi- 
ble business positions. His sound judgment, his 



solid integrity, his far-seeing enterprise, his great 
activity, his superb business qualities, and remark- 
able success in all his undertakings, have caused 
his name and services to be almost indispensable in 
a leading connection with everj' important enter- 
prise of Galveston. He was for a long time presi- 
dent of the Galveston Wharf Company and it 
was during his presidency of this association 
that a compromise was effected with the city, which 
settled long disputed claims as to the title of the 
wharf propertj'. In consideration of the value of 
his services in negotiating this settlement, the com- 
pany presented him with a handsome service of 
silver. The McAlpine survey of the wharf was 
also made during the same time, and improvements 
were begun which have created valuable property 
for the company, and given a spacious and beauti- 
ful front to the city. He was the first president, 
after the war, of the Galveston Gas Company, and 
has continued ever since to be one of its directors, 
and is now its president. He has long been a 
director of the Southern Press Manufacturing Com- 
pany of Galveston, and is at this time its president. 
He was for some time a director of the Galveston 
City Company, and is now the president of that 
company. He was appointed by Judge E. P. Hill, 
the Confederate States Judge for Texas, a Commis- 
sioner of the Confederate Slates Court, which he 
held as long as the Confederate States were in exist- 
ence, and still preserves his commission from Judge 
Hill and values it very highly. He was also one of 
tbe original directors of the Gulf, Colorado and 
Santa Fe Railroad Company, also of the Galveston 
Oil Mills Company, of tbe Land and Loan Com- 
pany, and also of the Galveston, Houston and Hen- 
derson Railway Companj', and of the Galveston 
Insurance Company. In 1859-60 be was an alder- 
man of tbe tsity of Galveston, and negotiated the 
bonds for the first bridge built over the bay. He 
was the author of the plan for raising money to 
open the inner bar in Galveston harbor, and 
drafted the ordinance of June 25, 1869, which 
put his plan into successful execution, He was 
tbe originator and chief promoter of the estab- 
lishment of the splendid line of steamers plying 
between Galveston and New York, so well known 
as tbe Mallory line, and now incorporated as tbe 
New York and Texas Steamship Company, and be 
is one of the five directors of this company. He 
accomplished this splendid enterprise bj' inducing 
tbe Galveston Wharf Company, of which he was 
president, to take a fourth interest in tbe four first 
steamers built for tbe line, by taking stock himself 
and inducing his partners to do likewise ; and the 
present firm still owns a large interest in tbe line. 



154 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



He and bis partner, John Sealy, formed a company 
and built the Factor's Cotton Press, but the com- 
pany was soon afterwards merged into the Southern 
Cotton Press and Manufacturing Company, the 
suggestion and accompHsbment of wliich was the 
work of Mr. Ilutchings, and his associates, appre- 
ciating his sliill, industry, and ability in the adjust- 
ment of that matter, presented him with a gold 
watch and chain of the most costly kind, which he 
prizes highly and wears daily. 

It is said of Mr. Hatchings that in all these 
varied and exacting business relations, with their 
multitudinous demands upon his time and energy, 
he has never been known to fail in an appointment ; 
and he has maintained this course throughout a 
lifetime of hard work, extending through more than 
fifty years. He early found his task, and has 
faithfully stood to it. There has been no time in 
such a life for idle dreams. To him all true work 
has been held sacred — as wide as the earth, with 
its summit in heaven; and if genius be, as has been 
said by one, " an immense capacity for taking 
pains; " or, as said by another, " a great capacity 
for discipline," in either character we find it in 
an eminent degree in the life of Mr. Hatchings. 
Being asked by the author the measure of his suc- 
cess, and the qualities and conditions to which he 
chiefly attributed it, he answered promptly: " Suc- 
cess in life depends much upon honesty, sobriety, 
industry, economy, and a disposition to promote 
the best interests of the community in which one 
lives. This disposition is always observed and 
appreciated ; and the measure of a man's success 
depends much upon the kindly disposition of his 
neighbors towards him. Success in life consists 
not so much in making money as in being use- 
ful ; and the man who has been the most useful 
in his day and generation is the most successful 
man." 

The life uf Mr. Hutchings grandly illustrates-his 
views of usefulness and success. Few men have 
taken the lead in so many enterprises that pro- 
moted the interests of the communities in which 
they lived ; and he has always faithfully discharged 
every duty which devolved upon him, laboring at 
all times for the public good, as well as for the 
interests and welfare of those who were directly 
concerned in his undertakings or affected by them ; 
and amid all the advantages and opportunities 
afforded by his official positions, he has never 
speculated upon his knowledge, his power, or his 
influence. 



He has strong faith in the future of Galveston 
as a great commercial city, and in the illimitable 
growth and prosperity of Texas. For nearly 
twenty years, he has taken a warm and active 
interest in every project for deepening the channel 
over Galveston bar, as being not onl}' of the 
greatest importance to the welfare of the city, 
but of the whole State. 

During all this time, while so busily engaged in 
enterprises of a public character, he has not failed 
to attend with equal minuteness and promptitude 
to his private affairs. Earl}^ and late he has 
always been found at his bank during business 
hours, and is still found there at the proper time. 
He believes strongly in the old adage, that it is 
better to wear awa^' than to rust away. 

While Mr. Hutchings, like all long-disciplined 
and successful business men, is stern and strict 
in his business habits, in social life he is 
kind, courteous, and genial. He is devoted 
to his family and warmly attached to his friends, 
and kind to all who have dealings with him. 
He was married in Galveston on the 18lh of 
June, 1856, to Miss Minnie Knox, a lady of supe- 
rior refinement and excellence of character, who 
was the niece of Robert Blills, at that time the head 
of the then well-known banking house of R. & D. 
G. Mills. They have reared a large and interest- 
ing family of children. Their third daughter was 
married a few years since to Mr. John W. Harris, 
an excellent young man, and a son of the late 
Judge John W. Harris, a distinguished pioneer of 
the Texas bar. 

Mr. Hutchings has a marked fondness for tlie 
beauties of nature, and claims great skill in the 
transplanting and nurture of trees. He has 
beautified his home in Galveston with an enchant- 
ing verdure of live oaks, flowers, and shrubbery ; 
and a visit to his hospitable mansion will well repay 
those who have a taste for the combined embellish- 
ments of art and nature. 

And yet the crowning virtue of the life and char- 
acter of Mr. Hutchings is his deep-founded faith 
in the precepts and promises of Christianity. He 
has long been a devout communicant of the Episco- 
pal Church ; and he considers spiritual attainment 
and a Christian life far above all earthly possfs- 
sions and worldly successes — the golden crown of 
a successful life, of which all other qualifications 
are but parts. He is a liberal supporter of the 
church, and wears upon the brow of age the 
chaplet of many noble charities and benefactions. 




M^'- JH.HUTCHINGS 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



155 



GEORGE BALL, 



GALVESTON. 



It has often struck me that the real is the most 
unreal. David Copperfleld was a more real person- 
age and will longer exercise an influence in shaping 
the course of human lives and ultimate human des- 
tinies than many of the persons who are living and 
have actually lived. The ordinary human life, 
except in so far as it concerns the individual 
soul and affects those with which it mediately 
or immediately comes in contact, is void of 
lasting effect. As to itself, it passes away like a 
sh.adow and is remembered no more. But there 
have been lives whose influence will extend to 
remotest time and of these was the life of the sub- 
ject of this memoir, Mr. George Ball. 

It is doubtful if there ever was an intrinsically 
noble man who did not have a noble mother, and it 
is doubtful if any man ever accomplished much 
worthy of commemoration, who was not sustained 
and cheered by the companionship and counsel of a 
noble wife. Mr. Ball possessed both and few men 
have done more to entitle themselves to an honorable 
place upon the pages of the State's history. 

He was born May 9th, 1817, at Gausevoort, 
Saratoga County, N. Y., where he resided until 
twelve years of age, when he went to live with 
his uncle, George Hoyt, at Albany, in that 
Stale. He learned the trade of silversmith and 
jevreler from his uncle and was indebted to him also 
for most excellent training in business affairs. On 
reaching his majority, he set out to seek a location 
for himself, traveling extensively through the 
Western and Southern States, and finally set 
tling for a time in Shreveport, La. There he 
came to hear a great deal of Texas, and being 
influenced by favorable reports, at last decided to 
try his fortunes in the then infant republic. 
Returning to New York, he formed a copartner- 
ship with his brother Albert, and, procuring a stock 
of general merchandise and lumber sufficient to 
erect a small store house, embarked for Galveston, 
and arrived there in the fall of 1839, during the 
disastrous epidemic of yellow fever that prevailed 
that year. Nothing daunted by the gloomy sur- 
roundings that environed him, he landed his cargo 
and, leasing a lot on Tremont street, between 
Mechanics and Market streets, proceeded to erect 
his building and open his business. His brother 
joined him the following year, and their business 
proving successful, they moved to the vicinity of 



Strand and Twenty-second streets, at that time 
much nearer to the center of trade than the first 
site selected. After a few years this firm was dis- 
solved, Albert entering the clothing business and 
George continuing that of dry goods. 

In 18.54, Mr. Ball disposed of his mercantile 
interests and, associating himself with John H. 
Hutchings and John Sealy, formed the firm of Ball, 
Hatchings & Co., for banking and commission pur- 
poses. As senior member of this firm, Mr. Ball 
showed himself to be a man of good ability. Under 
his management it soon took rank among the first 
in the city and eventually became the first In the 
State. During the four years of the late war (from 
1861 to 18G5) this firm transacted an extensive 
business with Europe in the interests of the Con- 
federate government through Mexico and after- 
wards, in 1873, tided over that year of panic and 
failure. Ball, Hutchings & Co., met all demands 
and, by integrity and business skill, have met and 
weathered all subsequent financial storms that have 
wrecked so many business concerns and are now 
one of the most famous banking houses that the 
United States can boast. From the first Mr. 
Ball manifested his belief in the future of Gal- 
veston and took great interest in everything per- 
taining to its welfare. There were very few enter- 
prises started in the city in which he was not 
one of the foremost workers. To a number of cor- 
porations and scores of private undertakings, he 
was a stanch friend and valued contributor. He 
early saw the advantages that Galveston possessed 
as a shipping point and advocated and promoted 
the adoption of all measures that tended to the de- 
velopment of the transportation interests of the 
city. He took the first $10,000.00 worth of stock 
in the Mallory Steamship Company on its organiza- 
tion. On April 19, 1843, Mr. Ball married Miss 
Sarah Catherine Perry, a native of Newport, R. I., 
and a daughter of Capt. James Perry, who set 
tied at Galveston in 1839. Capt. Perry was con- 
nected with the Custom House in early days and 
was for many years a respected citizen of Galves- 
ton. Of this union six children were born, but two 
of whom survive : Mrs. Nellie League of Galveston 
and Frank Merriam Ball. Mr. Ball sought no pub- 
lic oflSce, his family and business occupying all cf 
his time and attention. He was a man of quiet 
tastes and retired habits, known for his great kind- 



156 



lAWfAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ncss of heart aud tiisposilioii to be helpful to others. 
He came tobe the possessor of much wealth, which, 
liowever, he sought to use in such a manner as to 
accomplish the most good for himself and his fellow- 
men. The year preceding his death, he donated 
fifty thousand dollars for the erection of a building 
in Galveston for public school purposes, lo which 
donation, while the building was in course of con- 
struction, he added $20,000.00 more. This build- 
ing was barely finished when his life drew to a 
close, at 1 : 15 o'clock on the morning of March 
13, 1884. 

The following letter of acknowledgment was 
addressed to him by the trustees of the city public 
free schools, through their secretary: — 

" Office ok Supeuin-tendent, ( 
" Galvestox, Texas, June Oth, 1883. ) 

" George Ball, Esq., Galveston, Texas: 

" Dear Sir — I have the honor to inform 3-ou that 
at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of 
the Public Free Schools of the city of Galveston, 
held June 7th, 1883, Col. W. B. Denson offered 
the following resolution, which was adopted by a 
unanimous vote, viz. : — 

" ' Resolved, by the Board of Trustees, that we 
have received notification of the generous and mag- 
nificent donation of our fellow-townsman, George 
Ball, in donating $50,000.00 to be used in the 
erection of a public school building in the citj' of 
Galveston, and, as the representatives of the pub- 
lic free schools of this city, we tender him our 
sincere and profound gratitude and we bespeak for 
this broad philanthropy of Mr. Ball the commenda- 
tion of a grateful people.' 

" I have the honor to further inform you that at 
the same meeting of the Board of School Trustees, 
on motion of Col. Denson, the action of the City 
Council in leaving the construction of the building 
aforesaid to your direction and supervision was 
indorsed bj' the Board. 

" Respectfully yours, 

" Foster Rose, Secy." 

His will provided funds in trust, for other char- 
ites, the chief of which was a fund of §50,000,00 
to hid the poor of the city. Mr. Ball was buried 
March 4th, 1884, with all the honors a grateful 
people could confer upon the memory of one so 
universally mourned. 

The following is an extract from an editorial that 
appeared in the columns of the Galveston Daily 
News oi the morning of March 15th, 1884:^ 

" In all the histor}' of Galveston there has never 
been a more spontaneous and frevent manifestation 



of sorrow at the death of a member of the commun- 
ity than that which was given yesterday upon the 
funeral of Mr. George Ball. The city wore a 
Sunday-like appearance and, except that the scores 
of flags that were at half-mast told their own story 
of the sorrow of the community, a comer to the 
city would have wondered at the quiet that pre- 
vailed. At 12 o'clock the Cotton Exchange and 
banks closed for the day, and between that hour 
and three o'clock a large number of stores closed 
their doors. During the day numeroivs tender gifts 
of flowers were sent to the residence, many of 
them elegant and elaborate. Among the handsome 
floral tributes each district school sent a gift, while 
the children of the Grammar scliool contributed a 
number of beautiful crosses, crowns and wreaths 
into which were wrought the initials G. B. Very 
handsome and artistic floral offerings were sent by 
Mrs. Kopperl, Mrs. Adoue, Mrs. George Sealy, 
Capt. Bolger, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. AVillis, Mrs. A. 
G. Mills, Miss Sorley, the Ladies Aid Societj^ and 
Miss Garley. One of the tenderest tributes was 
brought by a little girl, who went to the door of the 
residence and offered a little cross, saying, ' Please 
put this on the colHu ; it is the best I could do.' 
The little giver can rest assured that her offering 
of love was given a place upon the casket. The 
funeral services were held at three o'clock, but long 
before that hour citizens of high and low estate, 
old and young, white and black, had begun to 
gather at the residence. The body, inclosed in a 
handsome casket, rested in the drawing room, where 
it was viewed by hundreds. Those who knew Mr. 
Ball in life, could not help noting the naturalness 
which marked the features in death. The face 
wore a look of calm, placid rest, as though Mr. 
Ball had ' wrapped the mantle of his couch about 
him and laid down to pleasant dreams.' 

"The funeral services, which were held at the 
bouse, were conducted by the Reverend Mr. Scott, 
of the Presbj'terian Church. After reading, b}' 
special request, the beautiful and impressive service 
of the Episcopal Church, Mr. Scott continued and 
said : — 

" ' It needs not, dear friends, that I speak with 
you to-day of him who is no longer with us, nor 
would it be consonant with the feelings and wishes 
of those most dearly' concerned that I should do 
so. The deepest aud truest grief alwa3fs courts 
silence and retirement. His life was spent in your 
midst; his record is bef )re you, as a man, 
a citizen, a philanthropist, a benefactor, he 
is known to you all ; and I see in this vast throng, 
here assembled, representing all classes and 
orders among us, a clear evidence that our whole 




-ajV.-H S.C Kos---oet5 KT 



George Ball_ 



INDIAX WAh\S AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



157 



ciU', in all ber borders, sits to-day under tlie shadow 
of a common grief. The aged and the young, the 
little children of our homes, whose friend he was — 
arc gathered, notonl}' under an impulse of sympathy 
with those who have been so sorely bereaved, but 
under a sense of personal sorrow and loss. And 
now, while our hearts are touched and attentive, 
maj' I not, as God's servant, entreat you to lay to 
heart this admonition ' in the midst of life we are 
in death ' and ask you to receive God's tender over- 
tures of grace and salvation, so that when your 
summons comes to go it may find you in perfect 
charity with man, at peace with God, in the enjoy- 
ment of ' a reasonable religious and holy hope ' the 
result of a life spent with the constant intention to 
follow the course mapped out by the divine Savior 
of the world. And let us bear upon the arm of our 
powerful sympathy those whose grief and sorrow 
are to-day so great, endeavoring to draw from that 
great well of comfort to the bereaved, those con- 
solations which a merciful God gives to the broken 
heart.' 

"Mr. Scott then read sundry appropriate and con- 
solatory scriptures, quoting in conclusion Elliott's 
beautiful lines: — 

" My God and Father while I stray 

Far from my home in life's rough way, 
O, help me from my heart to say: 
Thy will be done. 

" Let but my fainting heart be blest 

With Thy sweet spirit for its guest; 
My God, to Thee I leave the rest; 
Thy will be done. 

" Renew my will from day to day, 

Blend it with Thine, and take away 
All that makes it hard to say 
Thy will be done. 

" Then when on earth I breathe no more, 
That prayer, oft mixed with tears before, 
I'll sing upon a happy shore, 
Thy Will be done. 

"The casket was, upon the conclusion of the 
services at the residence, taken in charge by the 
pall-bearers — Mr. Rosenberg, Judge Ballinger,Mr. 
John Sealy, Mr. George Sealy, Mr. J. H. Hutchings, 
Mr. Waters S. Davis, Mr. A. J. Walker, Capt. A. N. 
Sawyer, Mr. James Sorley, Capt. Chas. Fowler, Capt. 
Bolger and Capt. Lufkin — and conveyed to the 
hearse. The procession formed with the following 
societies in the lead in the order named and repre- 
sented by the numbers stated: — 

" Screwmen's Benevolent Association, 195 men; 
Longshoremen's Association, 65 : Longshoremen's 
Benevolent Union, 40 ; Fire Department, 70 ; Gal- 
veston Typographical Union, 00; Employees of the 



Mallory Steamship Company, 60 ; Bricklayers As- 
sociation, 40; G. C. P. E. B. and P. Association, 
60; Franklin Assembly, K. of L., 25; Pioneer 
Assembly, K. of L., 35; Trades' Assembly, 32; 
Pressmen's Union, 10; 

" Next came the employees of the bank, on foot ; 
then the pall-bearers in carriages. The hearse 
followed, and after it the family and friends. 
There were eighty-three f-arriages in the procession, 
which extended over a mile and a quarter on Broad- 
way. 

"The procession on its way to the cemetery 
passed the Ball School building, which was draped 
in mourning. While the funeral cortege was pass- 
ing through the streets the bells of St. Mary's 
Cathedral, Trinity Church and St. John's church 
were tolled. The streets were lined with people 
along the whole route and at the cemetery the 
street was crowded with old and young. The 
flags of the societies, all draped in mourning, were 
stationed in a square around the grave. The casket 
was lowered into its final resting-place, a feelincr 
prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Scott, and the floral 
offerings were deposited in the grave, and the 
tributes were ended. 

"While most of the children of the Grammar 
school were busily engaged in making the floral 
tributes placed by them on the casket, several of 
them passed resolutions of respect to the memory of 
Mr. Ball. After the committee had finished their 
work they collected all the pupils in one room, read 
the resolutions to them and they were unanimously 
adopted. They are as follows: — 

" ' Whereas, God having taken from us our friend 
and benefactor, Mr. George Ball, we the children 
of the Grammar school, as the immediate recipients 
of his kindness, offer the following resolutions : — 

" ' 1. We heartily sympathize with the family in the 
act of Providence, which has deprived them of a 
kind husband and father and us of a true friend. 

" ' 2. We, the children to whom he has endeared 
himself by this, the crowning work of his life, can 
only regret that it was not the will of God that he 
should live to see its completion, and our daily 
efforts to show our appreciation of the benefits he 
has placed within our reach. 

"'3. That his name shall be forever cherished 
among us as that of one to whom it will be said: 
' Well done thou good and faithful servant.' 

" '4. That a copy of these resolutions be pre- 
sented to the bereaved family, and published in the 
Galveston papers. 

" ' Lewis Sorlev. 
" ' (Ninth Grade) Grammar.' 

"'Fannie A. Stephenson, Maud F. Royston, 



158 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Waters S. Davis, Jr. (Ninth Grade) ; Anna M. 
Swain, Virginia M. Sanford, Mamie Boyd (Eighth 
Grade) ; Maggie A. Maher, Marie Foeke, Sebas- 
tian Tinslej, Harry Martin (Seventh Grade).' " 

Elsewhere in the News of the same issue appeared 
the following: "To-day all that was mortal of a 
man whose memory will be cherished as long as the 
city stands, will be consigned to the tomb to be 
seen no more foi-ever in the city in which he was an 
important member for more than forty years. Re- 
tiring and quiet in his tastes and habits, his name 
was yet as familiar as that of the city itself, and 
the notoriety which he shunned was supplanted by 
the substantial respect and friendship of the peo- 
ple, who admired his virtues and integrit}' of char- 
acter and felt the benefits of his designs and far- 
reaching public spirit and charily. In the presence 
of the chaste and severe simplicity of such a char- 
acter the ordinary forms of praise are out of place, 
and only those who know perfectly — and none 
knew more than partially — the beneficent acts 
which he performed under a cold demeanor or con- 
cealed even from the beneficiaries, can realize to a 
fair extent the admirable equipoise of his character. 
As a man of business, he was as methodical and 
regular as a machine. In his charities, he would, 
if possible, have been so, but in the impossibility 
of discriminating in all demands upon it, he doubt- 
less erred in being too liberal rather than too rigid. 
The great commercial house of which he was the 
senior member has doubtless given far more for 
religious and charitable purposes and aided more 
in enterprises for the public good than any other in 
Texas. There is probably not one among the many 
churches of Galveston which has not been aided by 
them. Hospitals and asj'lums for the orphan and 
aftlictedhave been equally remembered, while steam- 
ships and railroads have been greatly aided by their 
ample means. Mr. Ball himself was the reputed 
owner of about one-eighth interest in the famous 
New York and Galveston Line of steamships. The 
house of which he was a senior member was doubt- 
less the main instrument in making the Santa Fe 
Railroad, what it has proved, the most important 
element of its kind in the prosperity of Galveston. 
Hotels and city railroads have received important 
aid at their hands, and no enterprise for the benefit 
of the city has asked help from the firm in vain, 
while the business men of the city, whether mer- 
chants or mechanics, have often been sustained and 
encour.iged by the house. It would be hard to 
name a worthy object needing aid which has not 
received it at their hands. But, besides this, Mr. 
Ball's private charities are known to have been 
large though even his nearest friends do not know 



their extent. He studiously concealed many of 
them. Even the crowning gift that became public 
before his death was made to take effect during his 
life with much reluctance, because he dreaded the 
talk and notoriety it would cause. It is under- 
stood that he had last year or before made pro- 
vision by will for the appropriation of $100,- 
000.00 out of his estate to provide a home for aged 
women, but on reflection he concluded to give half 
of the amount for the erection of the public school 
building which is now arising as a fitting monument 
to his fame, which is destined to rise higher after 
his long and useful life has ended. * * * Though 
a strictly business man and supposed to look mainly 
to profitable results, he loved a good name better 
than riches, and would have preferred any pecuniary 
loss to a tarnished reputation or any violence to his 
own conscience. * * * Mr. Ball's was in every 
sense of the word a remarkable and admirable 
character. Indeed he may have been taken as the 
type of the ideal business man. Of a fine and im- 
pressive personal appearance, with a massive and 
well-shaped head and keen, yet kindly eyes, his 
outward appearance rightly indicated his mental 
and moral qualities. It has been said by good 
judges, themselves able business men, that, in their 
opinion, Mr. George Ball was the most sagacious 
business man in the State and, perhaps, in the 
South. He was possessed of an eminently con- 
servative turn of mind, of a sharp insight into men 
and affairs, and, when occasion demanded it, he 
acted promptly and decisively. The admirable 
blending of these two qualities, caution and decision 
of character, gave him the kej' to that success which 
he invariably commanded. 

" By a wise management of his affairs, Mr. Ball 
acquired a large estate. 

" No man will ever know the amount of unosten- 
tatious beneficence that is surely credited to this 
self-poised but truly modest and kind-hearted 
man. * * * He ever and conscientiously de- 
clined election to public office. His life was 
wholly occupied by his business and his family, 
and, dying, he left no enemies, no animosities, no 
heart-burnings behind him. His self-reliant and 
yet retiring disposition shaded him, as it were, 
from public notoriety, but those who knew him well 
will not think it at all extravagant when we say 
that he possessed abilities that would have enabled 
him to fill any position in the country with dis- 
tinction. And that as a symmetrical character 
and an upright man we do not know of his 
superior." 

It is a hard struggle to fight one's way to finan- 
cial independence and harder still to achieve that 




■^^ Sarah C. Ball. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



159 



independence and at the same time maintain a 
philanthropic interest in the welfare of others, even 
those who are contemporaneous, and almost im- 
possible as regards posterity ; yet, Mr. Ball was 
one of the few wlio succeeded in spite of all 
obstacles, and, notwithstanding the manj' chilling 
influences that every successful man must en- 
counter, entertained a genuine love for his fellow- 
men and a deep interest in the future welfare of 
his country and his kind. He did not care for 
money in itself, but simply for the power it gave 
him for good. His benefactions were many and 
continuous, but perhaps the most permanently 
beneficial was the donation for the public school 
building in Galveston. In a free country where 
every citizen is intrusted with the privilege and 
invested with the duties of suffrage the question of 
popular education, above all others, is the most 
vitally important, for the reason that the sole hope 
of constitutional freedom and good government 



must ever rest upon tlie intelligence of the citizen. 
It is almost impossible to estimate the ultimate 
value of this donation, equally notable for the 
wisdom and enlightened and noble spirit that 
inspired it — ^ a donation worthy of all praise and 
of emulation. It is sufficient to say that it is 
fraught with blessings to the State. In every 
walk of life be was a potential factor. He left his 
impress deep upon the times in which he lived. 
Subsequent to Mr. Ball's death, Mrs. Ball had 
the school building beautifully remodeled and a 
handsome mansard roof put on it, at an additional 
cost of $40,000.00, and spent $10,000.00 more in 
suitably furnishing it. She was one of the organiz- 
ers of the First Presbyterian Church established in 
Galveston and is the only survivor of those whose 
names appear upon the first roll. A cultured, 
gracious and exceptionally talented lady, she is 
one of the brightest ornaments of the refined 
society of the Oleander City. 



GEORGE SEALY, 

GALVESTON. 



George Sealy, than whom no other man in Texas 
has contributed more to the development of the 
commerce of the State of Texas or to the develop- 
ment of its general resources, and than whom in 
this commonwealth there is none who has made a 
deeper impress on the times in which he lives, was 
born in the famous Wyoming Valley, Luzerne 
Co., Pa., on the 9th day of January, 1835. 
His parents, Eobert and Mary (McCarty) Sealy, 
were born in Cork, Ireland. They were married 
and came to America in the year 1818. His father 
was one of eight children — four sons and four 
daughters. Quite a large family estate was owned 
in Ireland, but it was entailed and his father, being 
the fourth son, receivedonly what the eldest brother 
was willing to concede to him. This, however, at 
the time of Robert Sealy's marriage, amounted to 
several thousand dollars, which he brought with him 
to America. He had also learned a trade (which 
was customary at that time), to fall back on if nec- 
essary. The trade that he selected was that of a 
locksmith. It was well that he learned a trade, for 
he found it useful in later life. He settled down 
in Pennsylvania but engaged in no active business, 
content, apparently, to live on his capital, instead 



of endeavoring to increase it. As his capital de- 
creased his family increased and, as time rolled on, 
he became the father of ten children — eight daugh- 
ters and two sons. Next to the oldest child came 
his son John and next to the last, the subject of 
this memoir, George Sealy. His family having 
thus grown and his money gone, he applied himself, 
from necessity, with energy and patience to the 
trade he had learned in his younger days, in order 
to earn a support for himself, wife and children. 
When reduced to this condition he ceased all cor- 
respondence with his family in Ireland and his 
older brother, supposing him dead, and having no 
male offspring of his own, broke the entail, and gave 
the property to his nephew. This put an end to all 
Robert Sealy's claims to the estate. 

These facts are mentioned to show that he had 
apparently little desire for the acquisition of 
wealth. He dieii in 1855, when sixty-six years 
of age. All that he left to his children was 
a name as an honest man and a reputation as a 
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. 
His wife was also a member of the same church and 
a most devout Christian woman. Her influence 
over the children was much more effective in mold- 



160 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ing their after lives than that of the father. Her 
constant prayers and advice to them was to be 
industrious, economical, honest, and truthful. 
Example and precept were all she had to give 
them. 

Very early in life the subject of this memoir 
felt the necessity of caring for himself and experi- 
enced an ambition to, at some future time, become 
independent. He attended common schools until 
twelve years of age, and then undertook to take 
care of himself. His first earnings were gained by 
working for ten cents per day and his board, his 
employment being to sit on the end of a plow beam 
to hold the point of the plow in the ground when- 
ever the plowman had to cross gravel beds. He 
would walk from one streak of gravel to another 
and mount the end of the plow beam until it 
was passed. He next worked on a farm for five 
dollars per month and board and went to school 
three months during the winter season, working 
during these three months, nights and mornings, 
for his board. The three following years he 
worked in a country store, selling goods, sweeping 
out and keeping books nine months in the year at 
five dollars per month, and the other three months 
attending the Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, 
Pa., working mornings and evenings for his board. 
When eighteen years of age the Lackawana and 
Bloomsburg Railroad was built into the Wyoming 
valley — the first railroad to enter the great coal 
valley of the Wyoming— and he accepted the posi- 
tion of station agent at Kingston and held it until 
he was twenty-two years of age. At that time his 
salary had been increased to fifty dollars per 
month and he had saved eleven hundred dollars. 
In the si)ring of 1857 he decided to come to Texas, 
and, to better his chances for a posit'on in a busi- 
ness house, went to Pittsburg, Pa., and took a 
course in a commercial college. 

After graduating there he took one hundred dol- 
lars of his money to pay his expenses to Texas and 
left one thousand with his mother for her use in 
case of necessity, or for the use of his unmarried 
sisters. He reached Galveston in November, 1857, 
during the great panic of that year, with $25 in his 
pocket. His ambition, as already stated, was to 
become financially independent, and this ambition 
could only be accomplished by hard work and 
economizing in every way. His idea was that any 
boy or young man, with good health and with no 
one but himself to care for, could save enough of 
his earnings to eventually become independent of 
others, but to thus succeed he must deprive him- 
self of what might be considered the luxuries of 
tobacco, cigars and liquors of all kinds, simplj', if 



for no other reason, because of expense. He spent 
no money on these articles until late in life. His 
advice to all young men has been never to decline 
work on account of the salary offered, and never to 
abandon a situation unless another is offered at an 
increased salary. A living should be the first con- 
sideration of every poor boy or man, and if his 
services are valuable, his present employers will 
testify their appreciation of that fact by offering 
him proper compensation therefor, or others will 
discover his qualities and engage his services. 

On his arrival in Galveston in November, 1857, 
he offered his services to Ball, Hatchings & Com- 
pany, with the understanding that he would work 
one year and accept such salary, if any, as they 
might determine upon. 

His duties during the first year included those 
of shipping clerk, opening the office, sweeping out 
the store and any other work at which he could 
make himself useful. He neglected no opportunity 
to gain all the knowledge he could of the busi- 
ness. He made it his business to volunteer to do 
the work of any of the clerks who were sick, or 
were allowed a vacation. In this way he soon 
became competent to fill any position in the office. 
To perform this extra labor he would commence 
work at six o'clock in the morning and often 
remain at his post until as late as eleven o'clock 
at night. His willingness to work and eagerness to 
make himself competent and valuable constituted 
the basis of his after success. "The great 
error," he has often said, "that young men 
make, is being content to perform the only duties 
they are paid for, and having no ambition to 
advance themselves through the means of extra 
labor for which they get no pay. As a result, 
they are not competent to fill higher positions and 
they, perforce, go through life receiving small 
salaries and doing as little work as the}' possibly 
can." 

His salary was advanced from year to year, but 
without an}' demand on his part. During the year 
1859 he was offered a partnersliip in a large 
grocery house, which was being considered liy him, 
when Mr. George Ball heard of the offer and said 
to him that the firm of Ball, Hutchings & Co., 
would not allow him to leave their employ and 
that all he had to do was to name a salary that 
would be satisfactory and it would be cheerfully 
given. A satisfactory arrangement was made and 
the partnership in the grocery business abandoned. 
Mr. Sealy's first vote was cast for John C. Free- 
mont for President of the United States in 1856. 
He was opposed to the extension of slavery into 
new territory, but recognized the constitutional 




Y.rii ':'■:'/ H ?-- C Koe 



GEOPGE SEALY 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



101 



right of the then existing slave States to own 
negroes as property ; not because he approved or 
was in favor of the system of slavery, but because 
it was the acknowledged law of the land and only 
by war or by purchase of the negroes by the general 
government could that law be rightfully abrogated. 
War came and slavery was abolisiied. The election 
of Mr. Lincoln as President of the United States in 
18G0 brought about the secession of the Southern 
States. The question then came up in the mind of 
Mr. Sealy, what was his duty to himself? He 
decided tliat, as he came to Texas to make it his 
home, he would obey the laws of the State of Texas 
and take his chances with the other people of the 
State, even in war, although he was opposed to 
secession. He continued his connection with Ball, 
Hutchings & Co., but it became necessary in 1862 
for him to join some military organization or be 
subject to conscription. He accordingly enlisted 
as a volunteer in the independent company of 
cavalry organized by the late Col. H. B. Andrews 
as one of its original members. Mr. Sealy says he 
has always entertained a high opinion of the military 
qualities of Col. Andrews, as the Colonel's inde- 
pendent eompan}' was attached to perhaps eight or 
ten battalions or regiments during the war; the 
Colonel had a kind heart and was always willing to 
allow his company to be attached for the time being 
to a battalion to create the office of Major for some 
military friend of his deserving the position, or to 
be attached to a number of companies to form a 
regiment so as to make a Colonel of a friend of his. 
It, however, never reported to an}' Major or Colonel 
to complete the organization and thus saw no active 
service. 

The company, as a matter of fact, was composed 
of such valuable material that the members were 
all detailed for the discharge of special and im- 
portant duties, and the Colonel could never get his 
men together in time to perfect a battalion or regi- 
mental organization. The result was that the war 
lid not last long enough to give the Colonel an 
opportunity to lead his men to the front for targets. 
They all survived the war and have been gratefu' 
for the strategy exhibited by him during the war 
for the purpose of securing their comfort and safety. 
Mr. Sealy enlisted for three years, as the law 
required in 1862. Being opposed to secession he 
was consistent in not accepting anything in the way 
of pay from the Confederacy for his services as 
a soldier and lived at his own expense. He was 
detailed to serve in the office of Gen. Slaughter, 
commanding the Western Division of Texas, at 
Brownsville, and in 1865 performed the last official 
service that was rendered the Confederacy, signing 



the parole, under official authority', of the soldiers 
of the lost cause who surrendered at Brownsville on 
the Rio Grande — the last to lay down their arms. 
He served his full three years without pay, but not 
without honor, as he was repeatedly offered higher 
positions which he declined. The position he took, 
from necessity, was that of a private, and he would 
not do himself the injustice to accept, voluntarily, 
any higher position, as he had promised himself to 
comply simply with the existing laws of the land 
and this he did faithfully. During the years 
from 1862 to 1865 he was also representing Ball, 
Hutchings & Co., at Blatamoros, Mexico, in 
receiving and shipping cotton from Texas to 
Liverpool and cotton-cards from Europe. Ball, 
Hutchings & Co. had a contract with the State of 
Texas to deliver 20,000 pairs of cotton cards. A 
part of the consideration was, that they were 
granted by the State the privilege of exporting a 
certain number of bales of cotton free from anj' in- 
terference on the part of the Confederate officers. 
The war ended in May, 1865, and, after the army 
at Brownsville was disbanded, Mr. Sealy signed his 
own parole, having been authorized so to do, took 
passage on a government transport and went to Gal- 
veston. The city was still under the domination of 
the Federal military authorities. Business was 
allowed to go on unimpeded and Ball, Hutchings & 
Companj' opened their office again as bankers. 

This firm was established in the year 1855 and 
was composed at that time of Geo. Ball, John H. 
Hutchings and John Sealy. It is not necessary to 
say anything of the members individually here, as 
suitable biographical notices are to be found upon 
other pages of this volume. When the firm was 
established their business was that of wholesale dry 
goods and commission merchants. In 1860 they 
sold out thefr dry goods business and continued the 
cotton commission business. It was during this 
year, 18G0, that the subject of this memoir con- 
ceived the idea of adding banking to the business 
of the firm on his own responsibility ; demonstrated 
the propriety and advantage of the step, had blanks 
printed and distributed among the members of the 
local business community and, in a short time there- 
after, put into successful operation a regular bank- 
ing business. From that time forward the firm of 
Ball, Hutchings & Company became known as 
bankers as well as commission merchants. It can 
be truthfully said that the firm never solicited 
patronage. That which came to it came voluntarily. 
The firm has enjoyed from its beginning to the 
present time an unbroken reputation for liberality 
and fair dealing. In the year 1865 Mr. George 
Sealy became interested in the business, being 



162 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEliS OF TEXAS. 



allowed a percentage of the profits, and in 1867 
became a full partner and has since so remained, 
having active management of the banking depart- 
ment. Mr. Sealy has ever been a public spirited 
citizen. He, and all the members of his firm, have 
been called upon to lead in nearly every public 
enterprise inaugurated in Galveston. It has fre- 
quently been said that if Ball, Hutchings & Co. 
declined to subscribe to any public enterprise, it 
would necessarily fail. Consequently, Mr. Sealy 
has always been expected to take an active part in 
and use his influence for the promotion of such 
movements. In 1873 the Gulf, Colorado & Santa 
Fe Railway Co. was chartered and in 1877 about 
fifty miles of road had been built, or rather, track 
had been laid that distance, but the company had 
no rolling stock, as there was no business on the 
road. It extended into Fort Bend County, but the 
company had neither money nor credit to extend 
the line further, and the work therefore ceased. 
Galveston County had contributed five hundred 
thousand dollars, and its citizens had contributed 
about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 
stock of the company-, and this amount (seven hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars) bad been expended 
on the road. There was great depression in Gal- 
veston on account of discriminations in railroad 
rates, and in 1878, Mr. Sealy, seeing the great 
necessity of protecting the interests of Galveston 
merchants by further extending the Gulf, Col- 
orado & Santa Fe road, by his unaided efforts 
organized a syndicate to purchase and extend the 
line into the interior. This movement was suc- 
cessful. The line was extended wholly b}' the 
capital and credit of Galveston people, mainly 
through the influence of Mr. Sealy and the other 
members of the firm of Ball, Hutchings & Co. 
By 1886 the road was built to Fort Worth, to San 
Angelo and to Dallas, about seven hundred miles, 
when Mr. Sealy, seeing the necessity of making a 
connection with some system through which to 
reach the great Northwest, entered into negotia- 
tions with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Co. 
to make an exchange of Gulf, Colorado & Santa 
Fe stock on a basis satisfactory to both parties, 
and the result of this action upon his part was 
that the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Co. completed 
its road to Paris, Texas, to a connection with the St. 
Louis & San Francisco road and to Purcell, I. T., 
to a connection with the Atchison Company, making 
a total of 1058 miles of Gulf, Colorado & Santa 
Fe road. Mr. Sealy remained president of the 
company until this mileage was completed and 
the management was transferred to the Atchison 
Company. 



The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe road is the 
only road in Texas that has not at some 
time been sold out to satisfy creditors or placed 
in the hands of receivers. Its finances were 
managed entirely by Mr. Sealy and his bank- 
ing firm. Every contract entered into by it was 
carried out to the letter and the contractors 
promptly paid in cash all amounts due them. 
These facts are mentioned to show that Mr. Sealy 
is entitled to be considered an able manager and 
financier. For the sake of history, we might men- 
tion that in the contract for the transfer, or ex- 
change of stock of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa 
Fe Co., to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Co., 
involving about twenty-five million dollars, includ- 
ing stock and bonds, it was agreed by him for the 
stockholders of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Co. 
that the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe should be de- 
livered to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Co. 
free from floating indebtedrtess after the completion 
of its line of road. Owing to bad crops and con- 
sequent bad business, when the Gulf, Colorado 
& Santa Fe mileage was completed the road was 
not free from floating debt (debts due outside of 
its bonded indebtedness), and Mr. Sealy so reported 
to the Atchison Companj'. The Atchison Com- 
pany, having every confidence in him, left the 
matter entirely in his hands for adjustment. The 
difference was made out bj' him and he submitted 
the accounts to the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
stockholders and asked them to pay an assessment 
amounting to only .5 per cent on the stock to make 
up the deficiency. This was freely paid by all of 
the honest stockholders. A few, however, refused, 
claiming that they could not be legally compelled 
to pay on the ground that the constitution of the 
State of Texas prohibits the consolidation with 
railroad companies outside of Texas. Mr. Seal^' 
said that the debt was honestly due and, for him- 
self, he never looked for a legal loophole to get out 
of an honorable business transaction. The few, 
however, whose names we will not mention, whom 
he designated in public correspondence at the time 
as " Colonels " did not pa}' their assessments and, 
in order to comply with the contract he had made 
with the Atchison Company', he proposed to pay 
what was due from the "Colonels" himself, but 
the Atchison Company declined to permit him to 
do so, because of this legally unsettled constitu- 
tional question. In this transaction alone, Mr. 
Sealy could have made a million of dollars, but he 
acted in good faith as president of the Gulf, Col- 
orado & Santa Fe, and every stockholder, large and 
small, received the same for their stock that he 
did. When he had the contract signed, in his 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



icr. 



hands, he could have purchased the stock of the 
"Colonels" at a much less price than they re- 
ceived, but he was not made of their kind of 
material, and was content to deal fairly with 
his fellow-stockholders. The correspondence 
that took place at the time would be interest- 
ing [reading, but we have not space to intro- 
duce it here. Mr. Sealy is president of the 
Texas Guarantee and Trust Company, vice-presi- 
dent of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Ey. Co., 
treasurer of the Galveston Cotton Exchange, Gal- 
veston Rope and Twine Co., Galveston Free School 
Board, Galveston Maritime Association, Galveston 
Protestant Orphans' Home and Galveston J^vening 
Tribune Publishing Co. ; a director in the Galves- 
ton Wharf Co., Galveston Gas Co., Southern Kan- 
sas & Texas Ry. Co., Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Ry. Co., Galveston Cotton & Woolen Mills Co., 
Galveston Cotton Exchange, Galveston Maritime 
Association, Texas Land & Loan Co., Rembert 
Roller Compress Co., Southern Cotton Compress 
Co., Blueflelds Banana Co., Galveston Agency 
of the Galveston Meat Exporting Co., and the 
Galveston Electric Light Co. He has never had 
a desire for public office. Being urgently solic- 
ited, he did, however, allow his name to go be- 
fore the people of Galveston in the year 1872, as a 
candidate for alderman and was elected to and 
filled that position. During his term he advocated 
and secured the introduction of reforms that were 
valuable to the cit}'. When he entered the council, 
city scrip was selling at fifty cents on the dollar. 
This was caused largelj' by the fact of there being no 
limitation to the expenditure of money in any 
department of the city government. He saw the 
necessit}' of ascertaining the probable revenue for 
the coming year and of setting aside for the several 
departments of the government a certain propor- 
tion of the estimated revenues and confining ex- 
penditures to the estimated resources for that 
period. He also advocated the passage of an ordi- 
nance providing that the mayor should bo subjected 
to a penalty for signing any draft on the treasurer 
of the city, when there was no mone^' in the hands 
of the treasurer to cover it. Necessary ordinances 
were accordingly enacted. These salutary reforms 
accomplished, the credit of the city was restored, 
and its affairs thereafter conducted on a cash 
basis. These reforms have since been generally 
adopted in other cities in the State. Mr. Sealy 
realizes that politics and business do not har- 
monize. He has frequently been called upon to 
allow his name to be presented for congressman, but 
has always declined. Had he consented, no doubt 
he would have been nominated and elected. His 



name has also been frequently mentioned as a busi- 
ness candidate for the position of Governor of 
Texas. He is well known to all classes, rich and 
poor, black and white, young and old. It has 
been a rule of bis life to recognize manhood in the 
boy as well as the man, and he speaks pleasantly 
to all, irrespective of their position as regards 
color, wealth, or education. It has been reported 
that on one occasion, when passing through a city 
in Texas, a man engaged in a profitable business 
stopped Mr. Sealy in the street and, extending his 
hand, said: "You do not know me now, but I 
want to shake your hand. I well remember that 
when I was a boy in Galveston, serving as collector 
for a wholesale house and earning only a few dol- 
lars per month, you always spoke to me in passing 
and I always felt better after meeting j^ou. It 
made me think better of myself, and I know that 
your kindljr recognition had a good influence over 
me, as I believed that you considered me a boy of 
character or you would not have spoken to me." 

Kindness costs nothing, and it often exercises a 
good and lasting influence. There is no envy in 
Mr. Sealy's nature. He rejoices in the success of 
his competitors and during times of panic and dis- 
tress has frequently helped them with his means 
and advice to escape failure. He contributes to all 
classes of charities, because it is his pleasure to d& 
so. He has acted upon the principle that it is 
" more blessed to give than to receive." 

Mr. Sealy was married to Miss Magnolia Willis, 
the daughter of P. J. Willis, of the great commer- 
cial house of P. J. Willis & Bros., of Galvestou, 
in 1875. The}' have eight children, viz. : — 

Margaret, Ella, George, Caroline, Rebecca, 
Marj', Robert and William. 

Mr. Sealy is not fond of display or notoriety. 
He did, however, in order to gratify the desire of 
his wife and children and to show his great confi- 
dence in the future prosperity' of Galveston, con- 
sent to erect an elegant residence, perhaps the most 
expensive in the State. It has been said that its 
cost amounted to two hundred and fiftj' thousand 
dollars. 

Mr. Sealy's firm. Ball, Hutchings & Co., perhaps 
the wealthiest banking firm in the South, have been 
most liberal bankers. They have been successful 
and could afford to sustain occasional losses. 
Their losses, however, have been nearly all in- 
curred in trying to help some one to build up a 
business in the interest of Galveston and the State 
of Texas. From experience and observation Mr. 
Sealy has concluded that, as statistics prove but 
three men out of every one hundred succeed in 
making more than a living, it is very riskj' to ad- 



164 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



vance money to any one who has not proved him- 
self competent to accumulate something beyond 
his expenses from year to year, however small his 
capital may be at the outset. It has been said 
that "success is the only measure of merit." 
This truism applies not only to the making, or 
accumulating of property but to all professions, 
arts and sciences as well. Success is not a matter 
of chance, the few exceptions noted by common 
experience proving rather than militating against 
the rule. 

Show me your man who occupies a high and 
useful place among his fellows and is adding to 
the happiness and prosperity of the community 
and country in which he lives and, nine times out 
of ten, I will show you a man who has made his 
own way, and that, too, against all manner of 
opposition, to the eminence, independence and 
usefulness of his present station. The life of no 
man who has made the world better or wiser by 
living, or liaving lived, or who has added to the 
comfort of his fellow-beings, or has set an example 
worthy of emulation, ever has been or ever can be a 
failure. To really fail is to fail in all these things. 

There are men in Texas to-daj- whose lives are 
like salt leavening the mass ; whose lives are full 
of wholesome lessons to the young; men whose 
deeds have been prolific of good to the common- 
wealth ; men who have helped to lay broad and 
deep the foundations of the State's greatness. 
The development of natural resources and the 



march of natural progress along all lines during 
the past thirty years is without parallel in any other 
period of time of thrice its length in the annals of 
human liistory. This has been particularly marked 
in the South since the war. She now no longer 
mainly boasts of her statesmen and soldiers, but 
that, from her best brain and purpose she has 
evolved a race of able financiers and city builders. 
Many railroads now traverse her hills and plains 
and valleys, rich argosies ride at anchor in her 
ports, furnaces glow deep red in her valleys, the 
whirr of ever-increasing spindles makes music in 
her cities and a tide of hardy, industrious immi- 
grants is flowing into her waste places. Texas has 
not been behind her sister States in the march of 
industrial and commercial progress. A change 
has been wrought that the most sanguine little 
dreamed of in those sad days that followed after 
the close of the war. The men who have been 
leading workers in the bringing about of this won- 
derful increase of wealth, unfolding of resources 
and general development, are worthy of all praise. 
They have made history — some of its brightest 
pages. The enduring monuments that they have 
erected are stately cities, great transportation lines 
and churches, school houses and industrial enter- 
prises. 

One of the foremost of this band has been the 
subject of this memoir, whose financial skill, 
energy, liberality, patriotic purpose and con- 
structive genius have done much for Texas. 



HENRY J. LUTCHER, 



ORANGE. 



Henry J. Lutcher, one of the wealthiest saw-mill 
operators in the United Slates and one of the most 
widely known citizens of Texas, was born in 
Williamsport., Pa., on the 4th of November, 1836. 

His parents, Lewis and Barbara Lutcher, natives 
of Germanj^, came to America in 182C and located 
in Williamsport, where they passed the remaining 
years of their lives. The mother died in 1883 and 
the father nine days later, leaving but little 
propertj'. 

The subject of this memoir was early thrown 
upon his own resources. In 1857, he began busi- 
ness upon his own account as a farmer and butcher 
and continued in these pursuits for five years, dur- 



ing which time he cleared about $15,000.00. He 
then associated himself with John Waltman, under 
the firm name of Lutcher & Waltman, and engaged 
in the lumber business at Williamsport. At the 
expiration of two years he induced his copartner 
to sell his interest to G. Bedell Moore, who has 
since been Mr. Lutcher's business associate, under 
the firm name of Lutcher & Moore. Mr. Lutcher 
while operating the mill at Williamsport, Pa. , bought 
a large number of cattle which he shipped to that 
place over the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad and 
sold to local butchers. His profits from this source 
amounted to about $50,000.00. In 1870 he visited 
Texas for the purpose of prospecting for timbered 





.JoLrjTClHEK 






Emi^byWEfiathti: BaLynM Y 



L^oJJoLQJTTC&aiEK. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



165 



lands. He first traveled through the country lying 
along the banks of the Neches as far up as Bevil- 
port. He then traveled along the west side of the 
Sabine to Burr's ferry, crossed the river there and 
came down the east bank to Orange, penetrating 
through the finest belt of long-leaf pine timber 
that he had ever seen. He and his partner at 
once invested largely in these lands and put up a 
mammoth saw-mill at Orange. In 1889 they also 
built at Lutcher, La., one of the largest and best 
appointed saw-mills in the United States. Seven 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars were expended 
on this mill before it paid them a dollar. The two 
mills cut 200,000 feet of logs a day and average an 
output of sixty million feet of lumber annually, 
which meets with a ready sale. These invest- 
ments have increased in value until Mr. Lutcher 
is now several times a millionaire. Messrs. 
Lutcher & Moore maintained lumber yards for a 
number of years at various points throughout the 
State, but finally discontinued them and now do a 
strictly wholesale business. They ran the mill 
at Wiliiamsport, Pa., until about eight j'ears 
ago, since which time they have confined their 
attention to their Texas and Louisiana interests. 
Mr. Lutcher says he knows that Orange and Beau- 
mont, Texas, and Lake Charles, La., have the 
best and most extensive saw-mill plants in the 
world. The improved methods that he has intro- 
duced in the operation of his properties have been 
adopted by other mill owners and have been largely 
influential in building up the lumber industry in 
Texas and Louisiana to its present enormous pro- 
portions. The mills at Orange (an attractive and 
thriving town of forty-five hundred people) payout 
upwards of $100,000 per month for labor, alone. 

Mr. Lutcher was united in marriage to Miss 
Frances Ann Robinson, daughter of David Robin- 
son, Esq., of Wiliiamsport, Pa., January 23, 
1858, and has two children, Mariam, wife of W. 
A. Stark, Esq., and Carrie Launa, wife of Dr. E. 
W. Brown ; both living at Orange. He early mani- 
fested a taste for reading and although his business 
interests have required close attention, has found 
time to thoroughly familiarize himself with the 
works of the best writers and thinkers of Europe 
and America, in ancient and modern times, in the 
domains of science, art, philosophj', history, litera- 
ture, sociology and political economy'. The study 
of the ethnic character, political institutions and 
history of the various peoples who have figured on 
the world's great stage of action, from the dim day- 
dawn of the race to the present time, has been a 
source of deep and absorbing interest to him. 
Seated in his cosy library at night, when the 



business cares of the day are laid aside, he has 
found it a pleasure to follow the rise and fall 
of the Grecian republics, to trace step by step 
the evolution of the Roman republic and its 
progress through days of unexampled glory 
to its final decay and the rise and decline of the 
Roman Empire built upon its ruins, to follow the 
growth and development of the British cocstitution 
and to study our own institutions. There are few 
public men in this country who have such an ac- 
curate knowledge of the events that preceded the 
American revolution, who are so familiar with the 
history of parties, who have acquired a truer in- 
sight into the Federal constitution or who better 
understand the purpose, scope and genius of our 
free institutions. Of a singularly clear and un- 
clouded mentality, he fully comprehends and 
aopreciates the gravity of the problems that the 
people will be called upon to solve in the days that 
are moving toward us from the unknown future — 
riddles propounded by the sphinx of destin}' and 
that must be answered rightly to avoid disaster. 
He is neither an optimist nor pessimist, but appre- 
hends facts as thej' exist and looks forward with 
the prevision that comes of a wide-extended knowl- 
edge of the past. Like many other of our ablest 
thinkers, he appreciates the necessity for reforms 
in many directions, the checking of the processes 
of corruption now at work in many departments of 
our national. State and municipal life, and for the 
rekindling of the fires of true patriotism that have 
lost much of the glow and warmth of earlier years. 
There was' a time when the very existence of this, 
the greatest of all republics, exercised a potential 
influence upon the destinies of older States and 
acted as a beacon to guide liberty-loving men along 
the path to freer institutions. Then such a monu- 
ment as Bartholdi's statue " Liberty P^nlighten- 
ing the World " would have been truly representa- 
tive of the spirit and mission of our country, but 
can this be truly said to-day, when we begin to 
hear of " upper," " middle," and " lower classes," 
when there has been a general and wide-spread 
departure from the plain republican simplicity of 
the fathers, when the burdens of government are 
borne by the many and the benefits enjoyed by the 
very few, when we are threatened with a pluto- 
cratic aristocracy in which money and not merit is 
to decide the rank and standing of those within its 
pale, and when the press can no longer be consid- 
ered the secure palladium of the people's liberties! 
No one man can hope to avert the evils that threaten 
to undermine national life, for that must be the work 
of many patient, toiling minds, drawing their inspira- 
tion from an unselfish love for their country and 



106 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



for their fellow-men, yet each man capacitated for 
the task can point out the defects that he has dis- 
covered and suggest the remedies that he deems 
sufficient to repair them. Mr. Lutcher has done 
much thinking along this line and has been solicited 
by the editors of several of the leading magazines 
of the country to prepare a series of articles for 
publication in their periodicals, and will probably 
accede to their request during the coming j^ear. 
Thoroughly familiar with his subject, an elegant 
and trenchant writer, possessed of a mind stored 
with the "spoils of time," these productions will 
be looked for with interest and will doubtless cause 
something more than a ripple in the world of con- 
temporaneous thought. Mr. Lutcher has a large 
and carefully selected library and one of his great- 
est home-pleasures is to spend the evening hours 
with his books. He agrees with Ruskin, who said 
that it seemed strange to him that a man would 
fritter awaj' his time in idle conversation, when, by 
going to the shelves of his book-case, he could talk 
with the great and good of all ages, with Plato and 
Socrates, with Plutarch and Marcus Aurelius — the 
kings and princes in the realm of letters. 

He is an indefatigable worker, every hour having 
its appointed duties. He says that he owes much 
of his success in life to the aid given him by his wife 



and that as they have journeyed down the stream of 
time she has " steered him clear of many a danger- 
ous snag." She is thoroughly convei'sant with his 
business affairs and he consults her judgment in all 
matters of importance. Their palatial home covers 
a beautiful site of four acres on the west bank of 
the Sabine, overlooking that stream, and here they 
dispense a royal hospitality to their numerous 
friends in Texas and other States. Mr. Lutcher has 
taken a deep interest and been a pot-ent factor in 
the development of the Texas coast country. 
Every worthy enterprise has found in him a liberal 
supporter. He has been a power for good in 
Southern Texas. His is a strong, magnetic per- 
sonality that would make itself felt in any assem- 
blage, however distinguished, or in any field of 
effort. He is an ardent Democrat, but with his 
father was bitterly opposed to the late war. He 
believes that it was brought on by scheming and 
reckless demagogues, indifferent to the long train of 
miseries they heaped upon their distracted country. 
In the prime of a vigorous mental and physical 
manhood and approaching the meridian of an un- 
usually successful and brilliant career as a financier, 
and full of plans for the future, his influence will 
be strongly felt in the future growth and develop- 
ment of his adopted State. 



JAMES H. RAYMOND. 



AUSTIN. 



The present, with all that belongs to it, is the 
outgrowth and summing up of the entire past. Its 
meaning to be comprehended must be interpreted 
by the past. 

To the young it is the border-line that separates 
them from the land of promise in which they are to 
be the dominant factors in the fight for mastery ; 
to the old the Pisgah height from which they gaze 
backward over the past through which they have 
journeyed, and forward to the future in which 
others will continue the work they have begun. 

The Texas of to-day is far different from the 
Texas of the days of the Republic. There have 
been many changes and transformations since the 
first rifle shot of the Revolution was fired in 1835. 
Many men of remarkable genius have trod its soil 
and toiled with hand and brain and voice and pen 
(0 shape its destinies and direct the commonwealth 



along the upward course which it h!is pursued to 
its present proud position among the States of the 
American Union. 

The leaders in the work of pioneer settlement, 
the daring spirits who fomented and led the 
pre- revolutionary movements, the heroes and 
martyrs of the struggle for independence, the 
presidents and cabinet oflficers of the da3's of the 
Republic and the men who laid the foundation of 
our State institutions have nearly all passed away. 

The only surviving Treasurer of the Republic of 
Texas is the subject of this sketch, Mr. James H. 
Raymond, now a resident of the city of Austin, 
with whose prosperity he has been identified for 
many years and where he has rounded out a career 
as a financier that, in point of success and brill- 
iancy, is paralleled by that of few other men in 
the State. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



167 



James Harvey Raymond was bora the 30tli 
day of June, 1817, in Washington County, New 
York. He was named after Dr. Harvey, the re- 
nowned religious and metaphysical writer. 

William Raymond, father of the subject of this 
biographical sketch, was born in Connecticut, and 
<lied in Genesee County, New York, in 1847, 
having located there in 1825. He was a merchant 
trader, and was well and favorably known in the 
community where he resided. He married Mary 
Kellogg, daughter of Justin Kellogg, one of the 
native farmers of Connecticut. She was an exem- 
plary wife and mother, remarkable for all those 
qualities of mind and heart which shine with 
undimmed brilliancy around the domestic hearth, 
and to her is the son indebted for the practical 
habits of his life. The greater portion of his early 
life was passed in Genesee County, New York, 
upon a farm, where he was inured to hard labor, 
enjoying no other educational advantages than 
were afforded by the ordinary country schools, 
which he was only permitted to attend at intervals. 
In 1832, being then but fifteen years old, he aban- 
doned his home and the State of his nativity, and 
came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, and at Newport 
across the Ohio river in Kentuckj', he was engaged 
in clerking until 1836. In that year he returned 
to New York and clerked at Batavia until 1839, 
when he determined to emigrate. Texas was 
selected as the objective point, and his plans were 
immediately put into execution. 

He started, but on the way stopped at Natchez, 
Miss., where he remained a short time, proceeding 
from thence to Woodville, Wilkinson County, 
Miss. Here he passed nearly a year stud3nng 
and practicing the rudiments of surveying with 
the intention of following that occupation on his 
arrival in Texas. In July, 1840, he landed in 
Galveston and proceeded thence to Houston, from 
which place he went on foot to Franklin, in Robert- 
son County. Here he was employed as Deputy 
Surveyor to accompany an expedition to the upper 
Brazos country. However, in a few days, and 
after all necessary preparations were nearly com- 
pleted, hostile Indians approached the locality and 
the contemplated expedition was abandoned, much 
to his chagrin. In October following he went 
to Austin in company with Geo. W. Hill, after- 
ward Secretary of War under President Houston, 
but at that time a member of the Congress of the 
Republic of Texas. On his arrival at Austin he 
was made Journal Clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives of the Fourth Congress. In April, 
1841, Gen. Lamar, who was then President 
of the Republic, appointed him Acting Treas- 



urer, the duties of which office he discharged 
with fidelity and marked ability. In November, 
1841, he was elected by the Fifth Congress Chief 
Clerk of the House of Representatives and iu 
this office he was retained by continued annual 
elections until 1845, when the Republic ceased its 
existence and Texas became a member of the Fed- 
eral Union. In 1842 he served as a soldier in 
the expedition organized to repel the Vasquez and 
WoU invasions, and in 1844 was appointed Treas- 
urer by Gen. Houston, and discharged the duties 
of that office in connection with his other offices. 
In 1845 he was secretary of the convention that 
framed the first State constitution and in February, 
J 846, was elected chief clerk of the House of Rep- 
resentatives of the legislature convened after the 
admission of Texas into the Union as a State. He 
served but a few days, when he resigned and was 
elected State Treasurer, the first Treasurer of the 
State of Texas. To this office he was continually 
chosen by annual election until November, 1858. 
Two years afterward he began banking at Austin 
as a member of the banking house of John W. 
Swisher & Company, which, iu 1861, changed its 
name to Raj^mond & Swisher, and in 1868 to Ray- 
mond & Whites. In June, 1876, Mr. Frank Hamil- 
ton and James R. Johnson purchased the interest 
of Mr. Whites, and since that time the business 
has been conducted under the firm name and style 
of James H. Raymond & Company. The State 
Agricultural and Mechanical College was erected 
under the supervision of a commission of which he 
was a member. As a member of this commission 
and in other official positions of minor importance 
that he has since held from time to time, he has 
discharged the duties intrusted to him in a most 
satisfactory manner. 

In 1843 he was married in Washington, Texas, 
to Miss Margaret Johnston, then recentlj- from 
Troy, Ohio. 

His political connections have been those of the 
dominant party in the South and marked bj' firm- 
ness and consistency and a fearless advocacy. He 
has never been blind to the political wants of his 
section. 

In developing the great resources of Texas he 
has performed an important part. In religion he 
is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
and has been one of the wardens of Austin Church 
for fifteen years. 

The most attractive scenes with which nature de- 
lights the eye owe their charm to the effects of 
light and shade. It would be impossible even for 
an Angelo to give expression to the visions that flit 
across the horizon of his soul if he employed only 



168 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



pigments that were bright. Virtue and honor and 
courage would be but idle names if there were no 
temptations to evil, no allurements to draw the un- 
wary from the path of rectitude, and no dangers 
arose on the waj'. Human life would loseitsbeauty, 
its pathos and its purpose but for the trials that 
accompany it. Sad it is to note those who fall, but 
deep and lasting and full of usefulness are the 
lessons taught by the lives of those who guide 
their course by the pole-star of duty and perform 
the tasks that Providence allots them. 

Mr. Raymond has lived be3'ond three score 
years and ten. He has been a moving spirit in 



some of the most stirring scenes that have trans- 
pired upon the continent and the intimate associate 
not only of such men of an earlier day, as Houston, 
but of those who have succeeded them as pilots of 
the ship of State. If has fallen to his fortune to, 
in a quiet way, perform many valuable public ser- 
vices. He has done his duty, as he saw it, faith- 
fully under all circumstances, and now, in the quiet 
evening of his life and in the enjoyment of the 
financial independence that has come to him as 
the reward of the labors of former years, he enjoys 
the confidence and sincere esteem of the people of 
Texas. 



MOSES AUSTIN BRYAN, 



BRENHAM. 



The life and labors of this well remembered 
patriot, honored citizen and faithful public servant, 
were such as to entitle his name to a place upon 
some of the brightest of the und3'ing pages of his 
country's history. He was born at Bryan's Mines 
on the banks of the Hazel Run, a branch of the 
Tar Blue river, in St. Genevieve County, in the 
then territory of Missouri, on the 25th day of Sep- 
tember, 1817. 

He was the third son of James and Emily Mar- 
garet (Austin) Bryan. His father, a merchant and 
also a miner and smelter of lead ore at Hazel Run, 
died at Herculaneum, on the Mississippi river, 
twentj'-five miles below St. Louis, in 1823. 

Mrs. Bryan married in 1824 James F. Perry, a 
merchant at Potosi, Washington County, ]\Io., a 
town laid off by her father, Moses Austin, when the 
territory belonged to Spain. Young Bryan at- 
tended school at Potosi until eleven j-ears of age 
and was then employed as a clerk in Perry & 
Hunter's store about a year when the firm deter- 
mined to move to Texas. He accompanied W. W. 
Hunter with the goods down the Mississippi river 
to New Orleans, and January 3, 1831, the schooner 
Maria, upon which he was a passenger, entered 
the mouth of the Brazos, and three daj^s later he 
put foot upon Texas soil at the town of Brazoria 
and proceeded with Mr. Hunter to San Felipe de 
Austin, reaching that place January 10, 1831. In 
three or four weeks Perry & Hunter's store was 
opened and Bryan worked in it as a clerk during 
1831, selling goods to pioneers, hunters and Lipan 



and Carancahua Indians. In June of that year he 
boarded with "Uncle Jimmy" and "Aunt 
Betsey " AVhitesides, who were among the settlers 
of Stephen F. Austin's first colony. Col. Ira Ran- 
dolph Lewis, with his wife and two daughters, 
Cora and Stella, arrived in San Felipe at this time 
and boarded at the same house. Cora Lewis was 
then an infant. In after years, when she reached 
lovely womanhood, she became Blaj. Biyan's wife. 
Stephen F. Austin was absent from San Felipe 
when young Bryan arrived. When he returned, 
the latter, who had not seen him for more than 
ten years, called upon him at the house of Samuel 
M. Williams, who was Secretary of Austin's colony, 
and was cordially received. 

Stephen F. Austin was then a member of the leg- 
islature of Coahuila and Texas and invited his 
nephew to accompany him, as his private secretary, 
to the city of Saltillo, capital of the provinces. 
The offer was accepted and, after an interesting 
journey through a country then almost entirely un- 
inhabited, they arrived at Saltillo, reaching their 
destination about the first of April, 1832. In June 
the legislature adjourned until fall and Austin left 
for Matamoros to see Gen. Terran, commander 
of the military district including the Eastern States 
bordering on the Rio Grande. While leisurely 
prosecuting this journey he heard of the troubles 
occurring in Texas and that Gen. Mexia had been 
sent with four armed vessels and troops to the 
mouth of the Brazos to quell the outbreak. He 
therefore hastened forward with the utmost dis- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



169 



patch, joined Mexia and went with him to Texas, 
leaving bis horses, mules and traveling equipage 
with Mr. Bedell, expecting to return in the 
autumn and attend the session of the legisla- 
ture. However, he found the political waters so 
stirred by the battles of Anahuac and Velasco be- 
tween the colonists and Mexican soldiers, that he 
concluded to remain, and wrote to his nephew that 
Mr. Bedell and three or four friends would take 
goods to the State fair at Saltillo to be held on the 
10th of September, the anniversary of the declara- 
tion of Mexican independence, and he could return 
with them to Blatamoros, where Mr. Bedell would 
give him the horses, mules and baggage and furnish 
a trusty Mexican to pilot the way to San Felipe. 

On approaching Goliad, the Mexican heard the 
people talk of the battles of Anahuac and Velasco 
and refused to proceed further. The alcalde of 
the town, however, furnished a guide for the re- 
mainder of the journey. On reaching his destina- 
tion Bryan at once visited his mother o,t her home 
on Chocolate Bayou. In December, 1832, bis step- 
father moved the family to Peach Point, ten miles 
below Brazoria, where Mrs. Perry, Maj. Bryan's 
sister-in-law, now resides. 

After visiting his mother, Maj. Bryan returned 
to San Felipe, where he re-entered Perry & Hunter's 
store. He clerked for them until 1833 and then 
clerked for Perry & Somervell. In 1835 be was a 
clerk in the land-office of Austin's colony and when 
Austin, in August, 1835, returned to Texas, after 
his long imprisonment in Mexico, and was made 
chairman of the Central Committee of Safety at 
San Felipe, served with Gail Borden, as Austin's 
secretary. In September of the same year Maj. 
Bryan participated in the attack upon Thompson's 
Mexican warship the Carreo. He was also among 
the first to respond to the call to arms that fol- 
lowed the battle of Gonzales (the Texas Lexing- 
ton) between the colonists and Mexican troops, the 
latter led by Ugartechea, who, following instruc- 
tions from Santa Anna, had demanded a cannon 
which bad been given to the people of Gonzales 
and they had refused to surrender. When Austin 
was elected General of the patriot forces Bryan 
went with him to San Antonio in the capacity of 
private secretary, and after Austin left on a mis- 
sion to the United States, remained with the army 
and took part in the storming and capture of San 
Antonio under Johnson and Milam. He was after- 
ward more or less intimately associated witb Austin 
as his private secretary until that remarkable man's 
death, which occurred on the 27tb of December, 
1836, at Columbia, in Brazoria County, and owned 
the sword that Austin wore while commander of 



the Texian army. Maj. Bryan, as a spectator, 
and as secretary of Lieutenant-Governor and Act- 
ing Governor Robinson, was at the meeting of the 
plenary convention that assembled at Washington 
on the Brazos, in March, 1836, and was present 
when the committee reported a declaration of in- 
dependence, and it was voted on and adopted. As 
a sergeant in Capt. Mosley Baker's Company, he 
was with Gen. Sam Houston (often acting as his 
interpreter) on the retreat from Gonzales to the 
San Jacinto river. While on this march be was 
ordered by Capt. Baker (who acted under instruc- 
tions from headquarters) to burn the town of San 
Felipe. The order was the result of an erroneous 
report, made by scouts, that the enemy were close 
at hand and about to enter the place. Bryan asked 
to be excused, on the ground that he felt a natural 
repugnance to having any share in putting the torch 
to the first town built in the wilderness by bis uncle. 
He was relieved from the necessity of performing 
this unpleasant duty and the town of San Felipe de 
Austin was destroyed by other bands. At last the 
fateful day (April 21, 1836) arrived that was to 
decide the future destinies of Texas. Although 
Maj. Bryan was almost prostrated witb fever be 
insisted upon taking part with his company in the 
charge of Burleson's regiment made at ever memor- 
able San Jacinto, and behaved witb distinguished 
gallantry. Three boles were shot through bis coat 
before the regiment carried the breast-works by 
storm. After victory bad been won, be did what 
he could to check the indiscriminate slaughter of 
Mexicans that followed, but the memory of the 
massacres at the Alamo and Goliad was fresh in 
the minds of the Texas soldiers and bis noble 
efforts were in vain. He was present when Santa 
Anna was brought before Gen. Houston b}' Col. 
Hockley and Maj. Ben Fort Smith, who had taken 
charge of the prisoner soon after he bad been 
brought in by the scouts, Sylvester and Matthews. 
Col. Hockley said: "General Houston, here is 
Santa Anna." Brj'an was perhaps the only mem- 
ber of the party who understood Santa Anna's reply. 

Gen. Santa Anna said in Spanish: " Yo sole 
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Presidente de 
Mexico, commandante in jefe del exercito de 
operaciones y me pongo a la disposicions del vali- 
antes General Houston guiro ser tatado comodeber 
seren general quando es prisoners de guerra." 

His speech in English was: " I am Antonio 
Lopez de Santa Anna, President of Mexico, com- 
mander-in-chief of the army of operations, and I 
put myself at the disposition of the brave General 
Houston. I wish to be treated as a general should 
be when a prisoner of war." 



170 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



At the close of this speech Gen. Houston rose 
up on his right arm (he was then suffering from a 
wound received the day before, a ball having 
passed through the bones of his right leg three 
inches above the ankle joint) and replied: "Ah! 
ah, indeed! General Santa Anna! Happy to see 
you. General. Take a seat, take a seat," moving 
his hand toward an old tool-chest near by. 

In the subsequent interview Col. Almonte acted 
as interpreter. Santa Anna made a proposition to 
issue an order for Gen. Filisola to leave Texas 
with the troops under his command. Gen. Rusk 
replied that, his chief being a prisoner, Filisola 
would not obey the order. Santa Anna replied 
that such was the attachment of the officers and 
soldiers of the army to him, they would da any- 
thing that he told them to do. Gen. Rusk then 
said: " Col. Almonte, tell Santa Anna to order 
Filisola and ami}' to surrender as prisoners of 
war." 

Santa Anna replied that he was but a single Mex- 
ican, but would do nothing that would be a dis- 
grace to him or his nation and they could do with 
him as they would. He said that he was willing to 
issue an order to Fdisola to leave Texas. It was 
finally decided that he should do so, the order was 
issued and a body of mounted Texians, commanded 
for a time by Col. Burleson and afterwards by Gen. 
Thomas Rusk, followed close upon Filisola's rear 
and saw that the mandate was promptly obeyed. 
Upon this service Maj. Bryan accompanied Gen. 
Rusk as a member of his staff, in which capacity 
he rendered valuable assistance as Spanish inter- 
preter. The command reached Goliad June 1, 
183G, and two days thereafter gave Christian bur- 
ial to the charred remains of the men who were 
massacred with Fannin at that place on the 27th of 
the preceding March, by order of Santa Anna. 
Geu. Rusk, standing at the edge of the pit, began 
an address, but was so overcome by emotion that 
he could not finish it. It was a most affecting and 
solemn ceremony-. 

At this time Maj. Bryan became the bearer of 
dispatches from Gen. Rusk to the Spanish General, 
Andrada, demanding the surrender of all prisoners 
held by him, a demand that was promptly acceded 
to. A few days later a Mexican courier arrived at Gen. 
Rusk's headquarters with a letter from two Texas 
colonels, Karnes and Teel, prisoners at Matamoros, 
stating that the Mexicans were assembling a large 
army under Gen. Urrea for the purpose of Invading 
Texas. The letter was concealed in the cane han- 
dle of the courier's quirt and was translated by 
Maj. Bryan. A copy was sent to President Bur- 
net, who at once (June 23, 1836), issued a proc- 



lamation calling upon the people to hold themselves 
in readiness to respond to a call to arms. 

Santa Anna, called upon to make good his 
pledges, stirred up, through his friends in Mexico, 
a revolutionar}' movement that effectually prevented 
Urrea from carrying his plans for the invasion of 
Texas into execution. 

In January, 1839, Maj. Bryan was appointed 
Secretary of the Texas legation at Washington, D. 
C, by President Mirabeau B. Lamar, and served as 
such for a number of months. Dr. Anson Jones 
was the Texian minister to the United States at the 
time. 

In February, 1840, Maj. Bryan married Miss 
Adeline Lamothe, daughter of Polycarp Lamothe, 
a prominent planter of Rapides parish, Louisiana. 
In 1842, as first lieutenant of a company organized 
at Brazoria, he participated in the Rio Grande 
expedition commanded by Gen. Somervell, that 
resulted in bringing to an inglorious close the 
attempt made by the Mexican general, Adrian 
Woll, to invade and find a foothoUl in Texas. 
After passing through the thrilling experiences 
connected with tliis expedition, Maj. Brj'an de- 
voted himself to looking after his plantations in 
Brazoria and Washington counties. In May, 1854, 
Mrs. Bryan died, and in November, 1856, he mar- 
ried Miss Cora Lewis, daughter of Col. Ira Ran- 
dolph Lewis, an eminent lawyer, who served with 
distinction during the trying times of the Texas 
revolution. In 1863, Maj. Bryan, fearing an inva- 
sion of the coast-country by the Federals, removed 
his family to Independence, Washington County, 
which place became his permanent residence. 

At the beginning of the war between the States 
he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private 
soldier in the Third Regiment of Texas State troops, 
and was elected Major of his regiment. Upon the 
organization of the reserve corps he was elected 
Major of the First Regiment, and served as such in 
Texas until the close of hostilities, making an 
excellent record as a soldier and officer. He, 
with a few others, was the founder of the Texas 
Veterans' Association, organized in May, 1873. 
He was elected and served as its seeretarj' until 
April, 1886, when he resigned the position and 
nominated as his successor his friend. Col. Stephen 
H. Darden, who was duly elected. Maj. Bryan 
was one of the Association's chief promoters and 
leading spirits. He devoted for several years 
a large share of his time to correspondence with 
its members, gathering a mass of valuable historical 
data and papers now in the hands of his son, Hon. 
Beauregard Bryan, of Brenham. This matter will 
be of great service to the future historian. 



TNDIAX WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



171 



Maj. Bryan served for a time as a member of 
the Commissioner's Court of Brazoria County', was 
active in the building of the Columbia Tap Rail- 
road and was at all times an energetic worker in the 
cause of higher education. He served for twenty 
years as trustee of Baylor University, then located 
at Independence, and donated largelj' to its sup- 
port, being a warm friend of its founder, Judge 
Baylor. He has done mucji for the upbuilding of 
his section and the State at large, every worthy 
enterprise receiving his encouragement and sup- 
port. He was a member of the celebrated tax- 
payers convention which met in Austin in 1871, 
representing Washington CountJ^ He was one of 
the committee of five who were appointed to notify 
Governor E. J. Davis of the acts of the conven- 
tion. 

In religion he was an Episcopalian and in politics 
always a Democrat, attending as a delegate all the 
State and county Democratic conventions up to the 
year 1880. Maj. Bryan died at the home of his 
son (Hon. Beauregard Bryan) in Brenham, March 
IG, 1895, after a brief illness. He left five chil- 
dren: James, Beauregard, L. R., S. J., and Austin 
Bryan, who were present at his bedside during his 
last moments. His wife had died June 9th, 1889. 
As the wires conveyed the intelligence of his 
death to all parts of the State, the public heart was 
stirred as it could have been stirred by few events, 
for all realized that a father in Israel had passed 
away, that a man whose life connected the present 
with all that is brightest and best and most glori- 
ous in the past history of the commonwealth had 
journeyed " across the narrow isthmus that divides 
the sea of life from the ocean of eternity that lies 
beyond." 

The Twenty-fourth legislature was then in session 
and, on the 19th of March, out of respect to the 
distinguished dead, passed by unanimous votes the 
following resolutions: — 

Senate Resolution, offered by Senator Dickson : — 

" Whereas, One of our most distinguished and 
honored citizens and patriotic gentlemen has been 
called from our midst in the death of the late Bloses 
Austin Bryan and. 



" Whereas, In his death we recognize the fact 
that the State of Texas has sustained a loss of one 
whose true and honored name has become of great 
pride and held in highest esteem by all citizens of 
Texas, therefore be it. 

" Resolved, That the Senate of the Twenty-fourth 
legislature of Texas do hold in sacred memory his 
good name and patriotism, and do extend to his 
beloved children and relatives their heartfelt S3'm- 
pathies and condolence in this their hour of deepest 
sorrow and distress." 

House Resolution, offered by Giddings and 
Rogers : — 

" Whereas, We have learned with deep regret of 
the death of Moses Austin Bryan, of Brenham, on 
Saturda}', March IGth last, and 

" Whereas, In him we lose another of those grand 
old heroes, who by their valor, patriotism and 
devotion to the principles of liberty, achieved the 
independence of Texas and left it as a princely 
heritage to posterity, therefore be it 

" Resolved, First. That while we realize that 
there is no escape from the relentless hand of Time 
and recognize that he had passed the allotted age of 
man, and had rounded out a long life of devotion 
to our loved State, yet it is with feelings of pro- 
found sorrow that we see him taken from our midst. 
Second. That we extend to his sorrowing relatives 
and friends our sincere sympathy for the great 
personal loss they have sustained." 

The remains were interred in the cemetery at 
Independence, Washington County, Te.xas, and 
were followed to their last resting-place by the 
largest funeral cortege known in the history of 
that place. The people, without distinction, united 
in paj'ing tribute to the memory of the fearless 
soldier, stainless citizen, and blameless patriot, 
who had lived among them through so many years, 
and been such a faithful neighbor and friend, and 
who, as he passed among them, had scattered all 
about his path of life seeds of kindness, that, 
sprung into life from the soil in which they fell, 
and filled with the incense of heaven's own flowers 
the tranquil evening hours of his departing day. 



172 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



IRA RANDOLPH LEWIS. 



The subject of this sketch, Ira Randolph Lewis, 
was one of the patriots, who, as an associate of 
Austin, Houston, Travis and their compeers, severed 
Texas from Mexico by tlie revolution of 1835-183G. 
He was a prominent and distinguished lawyer and 
political actor in those times. He was a delegate 
from and represented the Municipality of Matagorda 
in the convention of 1833, the first ever called by the 
people of Texas, and of which Stephen F. Austin 
was president and Frank W. Johnson secretary. 

This convention set forth the grievances of the 
colonists in Texas of Anglo-American origin, in a 
paper of unparalleled strength, prepared by David 
G. Burnet, and addressed to the Mexican govern- 
ment. S. F. Austin, W. H. Wharton and J. B. 
Miller were commissioned by the convention to pre- 
sent this paper to the government of Mexico at the 
city of Mexico. Wharton and Miller refused to go 
and encounter the dangers incident to such a mis- 
sion, but Austin undertook the necessary task. His 
imprisonment and sufferings in a Mexican dungeon 
are matters familiar to every student of Texas 
history. 

Again, in the consultation of 1835, Matagorda sent 
Mr. Lewis to represent it, together with R. R. 
Royal. What was done by these conventions is a 
part of the history of Texas and the reader is 
referred to volume one of Brown's History of 
Texas, which gives in full the proceedings of both 
conventions. 

He was again honored by being chosen a mem- 
ber of the General Executive Council, consisting of 
two members from each county, or municipality 
as they were then called. The object of this coun- 
cil was to assist the executive, Governor Smith, in 
conducting the affairs of the Provisional Govern- 
ment. 

While performing his duties in the Executive 
Council in February, 1836, Governor Henry Smith 
commissioned T. J. Chambers, wiih rank as Gen- 
eral, to go to the United States and enlist volun- 
teer soldiers and raise funds to aid Texas in her 
struggle with Mexico. Chambers appointed Lewis 
on his staff with rank of Colonel and, with Cham- 
bers' indorsement and Governor Smith's written 
permission, he left the council in the latter part of 
February, 183G, and proceeded at once to the 
United States. 

Col. Lewis, in his capacity as Commissioner for 
Texas, actively canvassed in rapid succession the 



towns and cities most accessible to him in those 
days of the ox-cart, stage coach and river steamer. 
But for this absence he would have participated in 
the battle of San Jacinto. 

On his return to Texas he made an official report 
to the President of the Republic, who was Gen. 
Sam Houston. The report is as follows : — 

" To the President of the Republic of Texas: 

" In obedience to official duty and for the fur- 
ther purpose of announcing to the proper author- 
ities, for what otherwise might appear a wanton 
absence from the country of my adoption during 
her greatest difficulties, while in the United States 
for the last ten months, I beg leave to communicate 
the following information and report, which your 
Excellency will be pleased to receive and transmit 
to the officer of the proper department where it 
belongs. 

"On the 9th day of January, of the present 
year, the then existing government of this Re- 
public passed a law authorizing T. J. Chambers, 
Esq., to raise, arm, equip and command a division 
as an auxiliary army for the defense of the cause 
of Texas ; the particulars of which will more fully 
appear by reference to said law, a copy of which is 
herewitli transmitted and made a part of the report, 
being marked No. 1 ; the original is on file in the 
archives of this government. 

"After Gen. Chambers was commissioned and 
instructed to go to the United States to procure 
men and means to constitute his division, and put 
it in motion and serve in Texas, he offered me 
an office on his staff as paymaster of said division, 
which I accepted and was immediately com- 
missioned by the proper executive of this govern- 
ment, a copy of which commission is here attached 
and marked No. 2 ; a proper record of the original 
is to be found in the war office. 

" At the time I received m}' appointment, which 
was in February last, and from all the information 
then obtained, the enemy was expected to appear 
in the months of May or June last, and as the corps 
was to be raised in the United States, I received an 
order from Gen. Chambers to repair forthwith 
with him to the United States to aid and assist in 
procuring the men and means necessar}' to place the 
division in Texas for service as speedily as possi- 
ble ; and in obedience to which order, I set out 
from San Felipe for the United States for the object 




IKA LEWIS. 



INDIJX WAJiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



173 



mentioned in the order, a copy of which is here 
attaelied, marijed No. 3. 

" On the da}- of leaving San Felipe the news, or 
nnuor, from the interior, gave information that tlie 
enemy was in motion about Saltillo, and might be 
expected in April and sooner than had been antici- 
pated, which prompted a more speedy action on our 
part, with a view of throwing aid into the country 
in time to be of use in the first contest, but nothing 
is more common than disappointment, for when we 
readied Natchez the news had reached there in 
authentic shape that Santa Anna had besieged the 
Alamo at San Antonio about the first of March and 
in a few daj^s the melancholy news arrived that the 
garrison had fallen, and all its gallant defenders 
had been put to the sword. 

"Gen. Chambers and myself immediately com- 
municated with the most respectable and influential 
citizens of that place and explained the situation 
and unhappy condition of our country. In a short 
time the most enthusiastic feeling was found to 
prevail there — and large meetings were held by the 
inhabitants to manifest this feeling, and offer aid 
to suffering Texas. And at that time (in the mouth 
of March last) I had the high gratification to learn 
from Judge Quitman and Gen. F. Huston that they 
would visit Texas, and enlist in her war ; and men 
of their influence, wealth and distinction, I knew 
would induce much etficient aid from Mississippi. 
At Natchez I received further orders to proceed 
forthwith to the eastern country to explain the 
cause of the war, the situation of our country, and 
obtain men and means for her aid ; which order is 
here attached in copy, marked No. 4. 

" In obedience to said order, I set out on the first 
of' April last for Louisville, where I arrived on the 
12th of that month. When I made known the object 
of ray visit, and consulted with many of the lead- 
ing gentlemen of that place, as to the best course 
to pursue, I found the best of feeling prevailing 
for our cause and in a few days amass meeting vvas 
called, which I had the honor, by invitation, to 
address on behalf of Texas, and had the pleasure 
to have the most generous responses made to the 
call for aid. By unremitting efforts I procured to 
be raised and dispatched. Col. C. L. Harrison's 
Louisville Battalion, the van of which, was Capt. 
Wiggonton's company of near one hundred men, 
and the balance soon followed, being aided to do 
so by the munificence of the generous citizens of 
that city. From there I proceeded to Lexington, 
by invitation to meet a State convention then being 
held in that place. 

" To the convention and inhabitants of Lexington 
and the surrounding country, I proclaimed tiie 



cause of Texas, their condition and want of aid in 
a public address. Here I remained for two weeks 
making constant exertion for our cause and having 
man\' meetings upon the subject, which resulted in 
a display of the most generous and noble sympathy 
and friendship in our favor and, ultimately, the 
raising and dispatching of the Lexington Battalion 
of about three hundred men, and the money for 
their outfit and transportation to New Orleans, fur- 
nished by the generous donations of the high-minded 
and chivalrous inhabitants of that city and its 
vicinity. From Lexington I proceeded to Cincinnati, 
where I made known my oljjects, and, by the aid of 
the most influential gentlemen of that place, a ver}' 
large meeting was convened, which I addressed in 
favor of our cause ; which resulted in the raising 
of a fine company of about eighty men, who were 
furnished with an excellent outfit and means for 
transportation as far as New Orleans, by the dona- 
tions of the well-tried friends of our cause in that 
great metropolis. In all of these four named 
places I had the good fortune to be aided by ad- 
visory committees, composed of gentlemen of dif- 
ferent places, of the first standing and influence ; 
and the different corps were raised and dispatched 
and the means procured by superintending com- 
mittees for that purpose in each place, appointed 
by the citizens of the same, who procured the 
means by donations and also disbursed the same 
for the purix)se of purchasing the supplies and out- 
fits for the different corps and if any surplus re- 
mained, the respective committees paid over the 
same to the persons who took command of the 
different detachments. 

" This course was adopted and pursued by my 
own request and suggestion, to secure the influence 
of the committees, and secure as far as possible 
entire satisfaction. All this was done and the most 
of the different corps had set out for Texas during 
this period, when the melancholy news was daily 
reaching the United States of the fall of the Alamo 
the massacre of Fannin, of Ward and of King, and 
that Santa Anna was passing triumphantly over the 
country, burning and devastating as he went and 
that he was in a short time to be looked for on the 
banks of the Sabine. It was not until late in Ma}' 
last that the news arrived in that part of the United 
States, in such a shape as to be believed, of the 
glorious battle of the San Jacinto, and the capture 
of the monster, Santa Anna, or as his own vanity 
induced him to call himself, " the Napoleon of the 
West." Many delays necessarily took place from 
the confused and distorted statements concerning 
this country, which frequently got into circulation 
there, and much time was lost and operations had 



174 



TXDIAX WAJfS AXD PIOXEERS OF TEXAS. 



to be dela3'ed in order to obtain counter-informa- 
tion to correct them, but every effort was made to 
get our men on as rapidly as possible, and I gave 
written information of all done, to Gen. Chambers at 
Nashville, where he was stationed, and to President 
Burnet, through the Texas agent in New Orleans, 
and as fast and in the order in which I progressed, 
but I am surprised to find that nothing exists in the 
archives of this government to show that I have 
done anything or communicated any information to 
this government. 

" My own communications may have shared the 
fate and miscarriages of those of Messrs. Carson 
and Hamilton, who I am fully sensible addressed 
the government frequently and from different parts 
of the United States, for I saw their letters ; but, 
like myself, 1 am told, not a word has been heard 
from them. 

" Shortly after my effort before the public in 
Cincinnati, I fell sick and was confined with a fever 
and painful illness for near a month. During this 
time I received orders to proceed to Pittsburg, to 
purchase some cannon, and from there to Phila- 
delphia and New York and, if practicable, to effect 
a loan on the credit of Texas for fifty thousand 
dollars to complete the outfit of the division then 
being raised, which order is herewith submitted in 
a true copy and marked No. 5. 

'• In obedience to the last named order, I set 
out from Cincinnati on the first of JuHie, that being 
as soon as I could travel, or information from this 
country would authorize it ; passing by Pittsburg 
but found that no cannon could be procured at that 
time, inasmuch as the only foundry which made 
them had a large contract on hand for the United 
States, and would not make any others before fall. 
From there I proceeded to Washington City on my 
way to the East, and for the purpose of learning 
the disposition of that government in relation to 
Texas ; thinking at the same time that such infor- 
mation might be wanting, on my attempting the 
loan I wished to make, and my anticipations proved 
true. In Washington I found our commissioners, 
Messrs. Hamilton and Childress, making every 
possible exertion for our cause, and with happy 
effect, Gen. Austin, Wm. H. Wharton and Dr. 
Archer, the former commissioners, then being on 
their way home, and all as I found having produced 
by their able efforts impressions of the most en- 
couraging character in favor of our cause. From 
there I proceeded to New York, by way of Balti- 
more and Pliiladelphia. There I made propositions 
for the money I wanted, and with the aid and under 
the auspices of S. Swartwout, Esq., and James 
Treat, Esq., two of the most noble and devoted 



friends that Texas ever had, or ever will have, I 
was told that the money could be had if the gov- 
ernment of the United States would recognize our 
independence, or take action upon the subject, 
which would be tantamount thereto, or manifest 
a favoral)le disposition ; and at this point did 
my negotiation for a loan cease for a time. Also 
one other proposed loan of another commissioner, 
Mr. R. Hamilton, for five hundred thousand 
dollars, and which had been set in operation by the 
first commissioners with a heavy banking house of 
that city. During this suspension I was advised 
by some friends of Texas to return to Washington 
City, and see what was likely to be done there, 
which I did, and had the gratification of meeting 
our Secretary of State, Col. S. P. Carson, there, 
but in bad health, notwithstanding which he gave 
great aid and assistance to the cause of Texas, and 
much credit is due him for the successful passage 
of the favorable resolution in the Congress of the 
United States concerning Texas. From Washing- 
ton, Messrs. Carson, Hamilton, Childress, and 
myself went up to New York, for the purpose of 
concluding, if possible, the two loans which had 
been proposed previously. In a short time after 
we reached there, and as everything was assuming 
a highly favorable aspect in relation to our busi- 
ness, there appeared in public prints that famous 
proclamation of his Excellency, President Burnet, 
denouncing, without distinction, all agents and com- 
missioners then in the United States and announc- 
ing that Mr. T. Toby was the only Texas agent. 
The same mail which announced his appointment, 
also brought the intelligence of the failure of 
Messrs. Tobj' & Bro. ; all of which was well 
calculated to produce what followed, namely, that 
state of confusion and distrust in the public mind 
which prevailed in the United States, after conclu- 
sion of the late administration of Burnet, and a 
loss to Texas at that time, of more than half a 
million of dollars, which aid she was on the eve of 
obtaining. 

"Immediately on seeing the proclamation, be- 
fore alluded to, we withdrew all propositions for 
money and made no further exertions of that 
nature. In a short time after this, which was about 
the latter part of July last, I set out for the South 
on my way home, and met Gen. Chambers at Cin- 
cinnati, to whom I communicated the result of my 
mission and who I found had sacrificed a large 
portion of his private fortune to advance the cause 
and aid the country. I found there that another 
famous proclamation of his E.xcellency President 
Burnet, had issued that no more volunteers were 
wanted from the United States, which I found had 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



no 



produced great confusion and dissatisfaction in 
that country, particularly to those (and there were 
many within m}' knowledge) who had prepared and 
determined to emigrate to Texas, from " the dark 
and bloody ground " of our existence, and when 
to everj' rational mind it was supposed the war 
would be prosecuted with vigor. 

" But in a short time after the proclamation, last 
alluded to, other threatened invasions by the Mex- 
icans became imminent, and produced another 
proclamation calling on the generous and S3'mpa- 
thizing of the world to come to the aid of suffering 
Texas, but then it was too late in the season, as the 
people of the North were afraid to come South until 
fall. 

" General Chambers made and was still making, 
preparations to bring on a fine band of gallant 
emigrants (in addition to those already in this 
countrj'), who were to start in a short time after 
Messrs. Wilson and Postlethwaite's return from 
Texas. 

" I think their slanderous publications destroyed 
all these efforts and for a time turned the tide of feel- 
ing against Texas. On the first of September, I left 
Louisville on my way home, but unfortunately was 
taken sick on the river, and after I reached Natchez 
was confined for near a month. After my recov- 
ery I had some private business which detained me 
for a short time, and news of an unfavorable char- 
acter after that was concluded, I proceeded home- 
wards, and arrived at this place on the eighth of 
this month. 

" The last service I did for the cause of Texas 
was in Natchez, when I aided the quarter-master 
general, at his request, in selling land scrip, and 
assisted in obtaining some fiftj' thousand dollars for 
the government to purchase provisions for the army ; 
and that of refuting the pamphlet publication con- 
taining the calumnies against Texas of Messrs. 
Wilson and Postlethwaite. I had the pleasure of see- 
ing before 1 left the United States, that the highest 
friendly feeling was again up for Texas and perfect 
confidence was displayed throughout that country, 
on the receipt of the news of the election of the 
hero of San Jacinto to the presidencj', and the 
appointment of his able Cabinet, and the policies of 
the same. 

" The present Congress I contracted no debt for, 
or on account of this government, nor made it re- 
sponsible for one thing. 

"The foregoing services herein related I per- 
formed at my own expense, and free of charge to 
the government in any manner whatever. 

" By my absence I left exposed and unprotected 
all m}- property and effects on earth ; also my office, 



papers and books of all kinds (professional and 
private), which were all destroyed and thereby 
leaving me damaged, with others (and worse than 
the}', for most of them saved their papers at least), 
to a large amount of property and effects, and worse 
than all, subjected to incalculable difficulties and 
confusion, by the loss of my books and papers. 

"The foregoing is faithfully submitted to your 
Excellency and a candid world, to show the cause 
of my absence from the country at a time when I 
should have rejoiced to have marched with your 
Excellency and all my countrymen in arms, and 
perhaps gained some of the brilliant honors by 
many achieved, or died with the immortal slain. 
And the same is submitted to account for the delays 
and disappointments before explained. 

" In the foregoing report I have discharged a 
conscientious duty, in giving a plain and candid 
expose, but not as full as I would have given had 
it been required or compatible with official obliga- 
tion, and of this I shall content myself as in all 
other matters of my life with a quiet and approving 
conscience, knowing that I have faithfully and 
honorably discharged my duty to my country. 

" I have the honor to be, with high regard, 

" Your obedient and humble servant, 

"I. R. Lewis. 

"Columbia, December 12th, 18.36." 

"P. S. For the high and generous feeling of 
kindness and sympathy, which I found prevailing 
in Kentucky for our cause, the highest credit is due 
our distinguished fellow-citizens. Gen. S. F. Austin 
and Dr. B. T. Archer, two of our first commission- 
ers, but a short time previously had passed through 
that country on their waj' East and who, by their 
zealous and able efforts, had prepared the public 
mind in the happiest manner to respond promptly 
and generously to any call which might be made in 
behalf of Texas, and made my efforts more profit- 
able than I could have otherwise anticipated. 

" In New York I had the pleasure of meeting one 
of the last commissioners sent out bj' President 
Burnet, viz., our distinguished and worth\' fellow- 
citizen, James Collinsworlh, just as I was on the 
eve of leaving that city." 

Col. Lewis also served as a volunteer in the cam- 
paign of 1842 against the invasion by Woll of 
Texas. 

After the overthrow of Mexican rule in Texas, 
Col. Lewis busied himself with his profession, 
practicing principall}' in the counties of Matagorda, 
Brazoria, Fort Bend and Wharton, until he acquired 
considerable property, when he retired from the 



176 



TNDTAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



practice to plantations purchased by liim and com- 
menced farming witli negro slaves. 

Tliough proficient in law and literature, Col. 
Lewis discovered that he was not cut out for a 
planter and, after meeting reverses, abandoned 
farming and returned to the practice, in which he 
continued until his death, which occurred at the 
home of his son-in-law, Maj. Moses Austin Bryan, 
at Independence, in August, 1867. 

The antecedents and family history of this public 
servant and distinguished citizen are clearly traced 
and well known, as he left behind him all his private 
and public papers and correspondence, which are 
numerous and carefully preserved ; all of which is 
in the possession of his descendants living in Texas, 
hereafter noted. These papers, if ever published, 
will throw much light on what are now obscure 
places in Texas history, during the most trj-ing 
period. Col. Lewis was born in Virginia, Septem- 
ber 25th, 1800. His mother was a Miss Randolph, 
of the Virginia family of that name, and his father 
was a physician. Doctor Jacob Lewis, who was 
born the 13th day of October, 1767, in Somerset 
Count}', State of New Jersey, and lived to a ripe 
old age, dying in 1852 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the then 
place of his residence. 

The father of Dr. Lewis was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, serving under Washington in 
repelling the invasion of New Jersey and New York 
by the British. 

While in the Continental patriot army he con- 
tracted camp fever and died. 

The autoliiography of Dr. Lewis, speaking of 
the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, relates 
the following incident: — 

"After peace was proclaimed, the fourth day of 
Ja]y was appointed as a day to be set apart for 
thanksgiving and rejoicing. The plains where 
Soraerville now stands, in Somerset County, New 
Jersey, was the place of meeting. The largest 
collection of people I think I ever saw was collected 
there to congratulate each other on the happy event 
of gaining our independence. A circle formed, and 
Gen. Frelingliuyson, on his war horse, rode in the 
center and gave us a truly patriotic lecture ; spoke 
much on our ease and comfort, and that the form 
of our government would be that of a Republic ; 
and further went on and explained the meaning of 
a Republican form of government, viz., that our 
legislators would be bound to act for the good of 
the nation, not local or sectional." 

The Lewis family are of French Huguenot 
descent, tracing their ancestry directly back to 
the flight of the Huguenots from France after the 
revocation of the Edict of Nantes, A. D. 1688. 



Fleeing from religious persecution in France, the 
ancestors of Col. Lewis settled first in Holland, 
then removed to Wales and then to America in 
about the year 1700. 

The Lewis family were of that baud of French 
Huguenots that history records as settling in little 
squads in the States of New Jersey, Delaware, 
Maryland and South Carolina. 

In the year 1802, Dr. Lewis, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, removed to the then Terri- 
tory of Ohio, a part of Virginia, which was created 
a State out of Virginia in February, 1803. 

He settled in. the town of Hamilton, or rather 
what became the city of Hamilton, Ohio. Here he 
practiced his profession and prospered until the 
war of 1812 came on with Great Britain, called the 
second war of independence. He enlisted in this 
war against the oppression of the British, as his 
father had done before him in the Revolution. By 
virtue of his profession he was appointed surgeon's 
mate, or assistant surgeon, in the First Regiment, 
Third Detachment, Ohio militia, on the 13th day of 
Februar}', 1813, and served throughout the war. 

Col. I. R. Lewis was educated by his father. Dr. 
.Jacob Lewis, in the best schools of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and grew up and was reared to be a highly 
accomplished young man. Choosing the law as his 
profession, he entered upon its study under the 
greatest advantages and auspices, being under 
Nicholas Longworth, the great Ohio lawyer. His 
father had planned for him a quiet and prosperous 
career, as a Cincinnati lawyer, starting as he did as 
a protege of Longworth and associate and compan- 
ion of Thomas Corwin, who became so famous as a 
lawyer and statesman. 

Just after coming of age, he married, in 1822, 
Miss Eliza Julia Hunt. Miss Hunt was a native of 
Mississippi, born in Natchez, November 23d, 1802, 
and was left an orphan at an early age. Miss 
Hunt's uncle, Jesse Hunt, took her to Kentucky, 
where the Hunt family came from, and from there 
she was sent to be educated in the schools of 
Cincinnati and met young Lewis. As soon as 
married and in control of his wife's property, 
which consisted of large landed estates and slaves, 
the self-reliant and venturesome spirit of his ances- 
tors cropped out and, to the dismay and chagrin of 
his father and friends. Col. Ira Lewis announced 
that he had quit law and would move to Mississippi 
and take charge of his wife's propertj' and become 
a jjlanter with slaves. Residing in and near Nat- 
chez, Col. Lewis operated his plantation, dispens- 
ing a generous and refined Southern hospitalit}'. 

After several 3-ears residence in Mississippi, he 
sold out and purchased a plantation near Baton 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



177 



Rouge and Donaldson, La., and continued to live 
there until tbe year 1830, when he concluded to go 
to Austin's Colony in the then Mexican Province of 
Texas. He had heard of Texas from persons he 
had met in New Orleans when visiting that place to 
purchase supplies for his plantation. Visiting 
Texas in 1830, he satisfied himself that it was tiie 
coming empire of the Southwest and, returning to 
the United States, sold out his interests in Louisi- 
ana and embarked his family in a sailing vessel in 
May, 1831, bound out of New Orleans for Texas. 
Passage by sea proved stormy and disastrous, re- 
sulting in the wrecking of the vessel off the coast 
of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis with their four 
children, all girls, were saved in the boats and, after 
undergoing terrible hardships for several days at 
sea, tossed about at tbe mercy of the waves, they 
were landed near the town of Matagorda, in Mata- 
gorda County, on the coast of Texas, tlien a part 
of Austin's Colony. Everything was lost in the 
wreck. All that was left was on their shivering 
bodies. Relics and mementoes, as well as furniture 
and wearing apparel, luxuries and necessaries of 
life, were all swallowed up in the Gulf of Mexico. 

With hospitality, cliaracteristic of life in a new 
country, the people of Matagorda took into their 
arms the Lewis family and provided for them until 
they procured a home. This crushing blow well- 
nigh crazed Mrs. Lewis and she implored her hus- 
band to return to tlie United States, but he insisted 
on remaining. As soon as the means could be pro- 
cured it was determined that San Felipe de Austin, 
the seat of government of Austin's Colony, was 
the proper place to settle and practice his profes- 
sion of law. 

A writer of the period between 1831 and 1833, 
speaking of the people of San Felipe de Austin, 
under the head of " Early Days in Texas," says: 
"San Felipe was established by S. F. Austin, in 
1824, on the Brazos, and was named by Governor 
Garcia as the capital of Austin's Colony. It was 
the first Anglo-American town established in Texas. 
Stephen F. Austin, the empresario, and Samuel M. 
Williams, his secretary, lived here. Here was kept 
the land office ; here met the Ayuntamiento, the 
colonists to designate their lands, an ' to receive 
their titles, and strangers who visited the country ; 
here resided the prominent lawyers of the colonists 
of Austin, among whom were W. B. Travis, W. H. 
Jack, Ira R. Lewis, T. J. Chambers, Luke Lesas- 
sier, Thomas M. Duke, Hosea League, Robert M. 
Williamson (three-legged Willie) and others. The 
society of San Felipe at that day was good. The 
colonists were required by Austin to bring with 
them from their former places of residence, certifi- 



cates of good character. By printed notices they 
were informed if they failed in this, their applica- 
tion to be received as colonists would be rejected. 
San Felipe could boast of elegant, refined and 
beautiful women, as well as noble and cultured 
men. Mrs. Ira R. Lewis, Mrs. James F. Perry 
(the sister of S. F. Austin), Mrs. W. H. Jack, Mrs. 
Nancy McKinney, Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Peyton 
(sister of Bailey Peyton), Mrs. Parmer and others, 
from their personal attractions, lovely womanly 
character, would command attention and admira- 
tion anywhere. Here was established the first 
Sunday school, the first newspa^ier and the first 
Masonic Lodge in Texas. Here assembled the 
representative men to consult and plan for the 
weal of Texas, and it so continued until it was 
destroyed by fire on the approach of the Mexican 
army, under Santa Anna, in 183G. But for this 
destruction it would have, in all probahilit}', have 
been selected as the capital of the Republic of 
Texas." 

After practicing his profession for several years 
at San Felipe, Col. Lewis returned to Matagorda, 
which place became for many years his permanent 
place of residence. 

Mrs. I. R. Lewis died Januaryllth, 1887, at the 
residence of her son-in-law, Maj. M. A. Bryan, 
and was interred in the family cemetery at Inde- 
pendence, Texas. 

Colonel and Mrs. Lewis had four children, all 
girls, viz., Laura, born in 1824, at Natchez; Louisa, 
born near Baton Rouge, La., in December, 1825, 
Cora and Stella, born in Baton Rouge, La., in the 
years, respectiv^ely, 1828 and 1830. 

Laura married at Matagorda, Texas, Dr. A. F. 
Axson and was the mother of three children, viz., 
Lewis, Clinton J. and B. Palmer, all born in New 
Orleans. Louisa married Hon. Geo. Hancock of 
Austin, Texas, and was the mother of one child, 
viz., Lewis, born in Austin, Texas. Cora married 
Moses Austin Bryan of Brazoria, November 3d, 
185G, and was the mother of six children, to wit. 
Gum M., who died at the age of two years, in 
Brazoria ; Stella Louisa, who died at the age of four 
years, at Independence; Lewis Randolph, born 
October 2d, 1858; Beauregard, born January Ifith, 
1862; Austin Y., born December 20th, 1863; 
Stonewall Jackson, born February 2d, 1866. Of 
these children the first four were born in Brazoria 
County, Texas, on their father's plantation on 
Oyster creek, called " Retire." The last two 
were born near Independence on their father's 
plantation. Stella married Maj. Hal. G. Runnels, 
of Harris County, Texas, an only son of Governor 
Hiram G. Runnels and cousin of Governor Hardin 



178 



INDIAN WARS AND FIONEEES OF TEXAS. 



R. Runnels, and was the mother of two children, 
Sue and Harry G. Stella died near Independence, 
Texas. Laura died in September, 1876, in New 
Orleans, La., the place of her residence, and was 



interred in Metarie Cemetery in that city. Cora 
died June 9th, 1889, in Bienham, Texas, and is 
interred in the family cemetery at Independence, 
Texas. 



CHARLES FOWLER, 

GALVESTON. 



The late lamented Capt. Charles Fowler, of 
Galveston, was born in Guilford, Connecticut, in 
1824 ; went to sea at the age of fourteen, was mas- 
ter of a ship at twent^'-one and followed that 
vocation until 18iiG, when he became agent for the 
Morgan line of steamers at Galveston, which posi- 
tion he held from that time until the time of his 
death, a period of twenty-five years. 

He came to Galveston in 1847 as captain of the 
brig, Mary. Three years later he returned to Con- 
necticut and was married at Stratford to Miss Mary 
J. Booth, daughter of Isaac Patterson Booth. 

Upon the commencement of hostilities between 
the States he entered the naval branch of the Con- 
federate service ; at the famous engagement at 
Sabine Pass participated in the capture of the 
enemy's fleet and was subsequently made prisoner 
and detained until the close of the war. On 
returning to Galveston he was made captain of one 
of the Morgan ships, from which position he was 
transferred to the Galveston agency. Though 
never aspiring to political preferment, he was elected 
an alderman of Galveston as far back as 1873, 
afterwards frequently served in that capacity and 
at the time of his death, March 17th, 1891, was a 
member of the board, having served continuously 
since 1885. His last tenure of office began under 
a system of municipal reform and his discharge of 
duty was so accei)table to the people at large that 
they insisted again and again upon his standing for 
election. As alderman (from 1885 to 1891) he. 
always held the position of honor as chairman of 
the committee on finance and positions on all other 
leading committees. He was, in fact, recognized 
as intellectually and, in a business way, the strong- 
est man in the council, and his straightforwardness, 
integrity and devotion to duty easil}' entitled him 
to this position. 

Though not a civil engineer by profession he was 
a man possessed of strong and valuable practical 
ideas ui)on matters of engineering, and in 1868, 



took charge of the work of deepening the water on 
the inner bar, on which there was a depth of eight 
feet of water at high tide, all vessels being subject 
to a pilotage of $3.00 per foot besides the $4.00 per 
foot over the outer bar. In 1869, as president of 
the board of pilot commissioners, he handed in a 
report, showing a depth of fifteen feet over the in- 
ner bar, and recommended the abolition of pilotage 
over same, a recommendation that was followed 
forthwith. Through his long and intimate acquaint- 
ance with municipal affairs and all classes of the 
people, no man was better qualified to serve the 
people of Galveston and foster the best interests of 
the city. He was often urged to accept the mayor- 
alty but declined to become a candidate for the 
honor. Physically he was a noble specimen of 
manhood. He possessed in full measure solid public 
and domestic virtues. His wife and three children 
survive him, viz., a married daughter, Mrs. A. 
Bornefeld ; a son, Charles Fowler, Jr., and a 
younger daughter, Miss Louise. In reporting the 
fact of his death, the Galveston Netvsof March 18th, 
1891, contained the following: " The friends and 
acquaintances of Capt. Charles Fowler, and their 
number in Galveston is legion, have for the past two 
days been hourly anticipating his death. Some ten 
days ago he was taken to his bed with a chill to which 
no particular importance was attached, but as days 
passed his malady grew more complicated, finally 
developing into a serious kidney complication, 
resulting in a fatal case of uremic poisoning. He 
died last night at 8-30 o'clock, and in his death 
no ordinary man passed away. Few citizens 
have died in Galveston who were more universally 
respected and esteemed by all classes, or whose 
death will be more universally regretted. Since it 
has been known that death was inevitable the 
inquiry upon every lip upon the street has been in 
regard to Capt. Fowler's condition and if any evi- 
dence was wanting as to his popularity, it was 
clearly demonstrated by all classes of citizens over 




CHARLES FOWLER. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



179 



his critical condition. Those of liigU and low station, 
rich and poor, dis|)layed an abiding sorrow at the 
announcement tliat the life-tide of Charles Fowler 
was ebbing away and that his death was but a 
question of a few short hours. The universal 
sentiment expressed was that ' in the death of 
Charles Fowler Galveston will lose one of her best 
and noblest citizens,' and when the sad ncvs came 
last night that all was over it fell like a pall upon 
the busy streets." 

That paper said editorially: "The mortal re- 
mains of Capt. Charles Fowler were yesterday con- 
signed to the earth, whence they came. In the 
death of Capt. Fowler this city has lost one of her 
best and most useful citizens. * * * Trained 
to the sea, with its dangers and vicissitudes, he was 
ever ready in emergency and always manl}' and 
brave in act. Yet how loving and kindly in all the 
relations of life. To the general public he dis- 
charged his full duty — to his immediate family all 
that mortal man could do. The tribute paid to his 
memory yesterday by the citizens of Galveston was 
worthy of his character. Among the many who 
accompanied his remains to their last resting-place 
were those of every degree and station in life — the 
professional man, the merchant, the civic authority 
and official, the laborer, the domestic. It was not 
an outpouring of popular curiosity, but a real trib- 
ute to worth and manhood. The man who worked 
for his daily wages upon the docks was as sincerely 
grief-stricken as the man of wealth who may have 
considered Capt. Fowler his more Immediate com- 
panion or his coadjutor in public affairs. The 
tribute was beautiful in itself and pleasant to think 
over, because it demonstrates that human nature 
has a fine touch of grandeur after all in its recogni- 
tion and appreciation of the manly virtues. The 
spotless integrity and loving kindness of Charles 
Fowler's nature drew from the hearts of the people 
of Galveston yesterday as fine a poem as ever poet 
penned." 

At a called meeting of the city council held 
March 20th, 1891, Mayor R. L. Fulton submitted a 
message in which he pronounced an eloquent eulo- 
gium upon the deceased, and upon motion that 
body adopted the following resolutions: — 

" Whereas, Galveston has just lost by death one 
of her most eminent, patriotic and distinguished 
citizens in the person of Capt. Charles Fowler, who 



for a great number of years has been prominently 
identified with the city government as alderman, 
member of the Board of Health, chairman of the 
Committee on Finance and Revenue, and member 
of many other useful committees, where at all times 
he manifested the utmost zeal for the public welfare, 
great ability as a financier, enterprise, energy, a 
spirit of progress in keeping with the times, and a 
moral and physical courage which enabled him to 
stamp his convictions on his associates and thus 
give to the city of his love the full benefit of his 
wise counsels, legislative and executive ability and 
patriotism ; and 

"Whereas, He never hesitated to expend his 
time, energy and great abilities for the benefit of his 
fellow citizens ; tlierefore, l)e it 

"Resolved, By the city council of the city of 
Galveston, that on no more melancholy and regret- 
table an occasion was this council ever before 
convened. 

" Resolved, Further, That on Saturday, the 21st 
inst., the day of his interment, as a mark of 
respect, all the city offices be closed ; that the 
different branches or departments of the city 
government attend the funeral; that the city hall 
and council chamber be draped in appropriate 
emblems of mourning and respect for the loss of 
this good and useful private citizen and public 
officer. Be it also 

" Resolved, That his chair in the municipal cham- 
ber be left unoccupied during the remainder of the 
municipal term, this council pledging itself to his 
constituents the same careful attention to their 
interests, and that these resolutions be spread upon 
the minutes and copies be furnished the members 
of his immediate family, and that the daily papers 
be requested to publish same. Be it also 

" Resolved, That this council does hereby request 
the business houses of this city to close during the 
funeral to-morrow, Saturday, March 21sl." 

Who would not lead such a life of modest use- 
fulness ? Who would not leave such a memory 
behind him when he passes from the scenes of life? 
Tiie cynic and the idler may well draw lessons of 
profit from this brief chronicle and those who seek 
for happiness, if not honor, in dubious ways, 
should lay speedily to heart the truth that: " It is 
only noble to be good," and that there is no haj)pi- 
ness aside from duty. 



180 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



R. W. LOUGHERY, 



MARSHALL. 



In this brief memoir it is the intention of the 
author to present an outline of the main incidents 
in the career of a man who, for many j'ears, figured 
prominently upon the scene of action in this Stale, 
and whose memory, though his form has been con- 
Bigned to earth, which at last must receive us all, 
is still revered by many of the older people of this 
State, who either knew him personally or by 
reputation. 

His was a truly noble character. He was so 
slow to think evil of others and unselfish, he failed 
to ask for, and often refused to accept, the rewards 
that his services had richly earned, and that, at the 
time, would have been freely accorded hira, but 
which later, when he greatly needed substantial 
recognition by his party, was denied him under a 
system of politics that leads those in power to be- 
stow their favors not as rewards of merit, but with 
an eye-single to personal aggrandizement — to pre- 
fer an obscure crossroads politician, who can com- 
mand one vote in the State convention, to an old 
veteran, who has grown gray in the service of his 
country. He saved the frail barques of many politi- 
cians from disaster and built up the political fortunes 
of several men who have since held high positions in 
the councils of the nation, but sought no honors 
for himself, when (for instance, within a few years 
after the overthrow of the Military Commission at 
Jefferson) he could have secured any office within 
the gift of the people of Texas. 

These traits were a part of his mental and 
spiritual make-up and bore fruit that, while it did 
not embitter (for nothing could embitter) saddened 
the later years of his life, until at last he sank into 
the welcome grave. 

He was ambitious, not to secure political pre- 
ferment, social position, influence or other reward, 
or to gratify personal vanity by parading the fact 
that he was patriotic, true, honorable, pious, 
kindly, generous and charitable; but, ambitious 
alone to possess, cultivate and practice those vir- 
tues. The pathetic appealed to him as it does to 
few men. He wept with those who mourned and 
rejoiced with those who rejoiced. He was above all 
petty jealousj^ He not only saw but applauded 
the merits of others, and cheered them on in efforts 
that led to distinction. He never permitted a case 
of suffering to go unrelieved, that it was in his 
power to relieve, and he never turned a tramp or 



other beggar from his door. When the world cried ^ 
"Crucify!" he was ever found on the side of 
mercy. He never deserted his friends, but was- 
quick to fly to their defense when they appealed to 
him, or when he saw that they needed his aid, and 
as a result, there are thousands who remember him 
and sincerely mourn his loss. He never failed to 
inspire the respect even of his political enemies. 
He had the rare faculty of doing the right thing at 
the right time, and was a consummate master of the 
higher tactics of political warfare. He was an in- 
domitable and trusted defender of right, and never 
failed to be the first to throw himself squarely into 
the breach in time of public danger. He was 
physically and morally intrepid. He was quick to 
espouse every worthy cause, and advocate it with 
might and main. He was not only kind and benev- 
olent to men and women, both great and small, 
rich and poor, black and white ; but, to God's 
creatures, the lower animals, not one of whom he 
ever injured, or permitted to be injured in his 
presence, without reproof. He turned, instinctively, 
to the defense of the weak and defenseless. He 
never did an intentional wrong, and never com- 
mitted a wrong unintentionally through error aris- 
ing from mistake of judgment or misrepresentation 
of facts that he did not sorel3' repent, and imme- 
diately seek to atone for. He never sacrificed 
principle to exjjediency. 

It may be said truthfully of him that he was the 
"Father of Texas Democracj'." "When he estab- 
lished his newspaper at Marshall in 1849 (three 
years after Texas was admitted to the Union) the 
two great parties in the United States (Whigs and 
Democrats) had no representative local organiza- 
tions in Texas. Seeing the confusion that prevailed 
and deprecating the practice of conducting cam- 
paigns merely on personal and local issues, he, for 
six years, zealously taught, through the columns of 
his paper, the tenets of Democratic faith, as to 
which there were many misconceptions (men run- 
ning for office who claimed to be Democrats, and 
who did not understand or believe in the first 
principles of Democracj') and sought to bring 
about party alignments, which he at last suc- 
ceeded in doing, as the State convention of 185» 
was tiie result of his labors and the labor of those 
who aided him in the work. While he believed in 
that concerted action in political matters, which car^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



181 



alone be secured through perfect party organiza- 
tions, he was of too manly and independent a spirit 
and too clear-headed and wise a man to erect party 
into a fetich, to be bowed down before and wor- 
shiped. He did not hesitate to criticise platforms, 
candidates and officials — from the highest to the 
lowest — when he deemed such criticism necessary 
to the good of the country or party. He believed 
in the great cardinal principles upon which rests 
the school of political economy that claimed his 
allegiance. If party leaders violated those princi- 
ples he sought, as far as his influence extended, to 
whip them back into line. If his views upon public 
questions were not accepted and enunciated in the 
platform utterances of his party, he did not cease 
to advocate their adoption, neither did he quit his 
party, for, with the author of Lacon, he believed 
"that the violation of correct principles offers no 
excuse for their abandonment," and was sure that 
the Democratic masses would in time force their 
leaders to adopt the correct course and retrace the 
false and dangerous steps that were being taken. 
He believed that if the principles enunciated by Mr. 
Jefferson, Calhoun and their associates were prac- 
tically applied to the administration of our national 
and State affairs, we would have one of the most 
enduring, freest and happiest governments that it 
is possible for human genius to construct and human 
patri(jtism and wisdom sustain. Part}', with him, 
was merely a necessary means to a desirable end — 
good government and constitutional integrity and 
freedom — and he combated every movement, ut- 
terance, or nomination that promised to impair its 
strength or usefulness. 

He was devoted to the Democratic flag with a 
devotion akin to that of a veteran for his flag. His 
was a bold aggressive personality, fitted for times 
of storm and struggle. 

Comparatively earlj' in his career it was charged 
that Hon. Lewis T. Wigfall wrote the editorials for 
the Texas Republican, but this piece of malicious 
whispering was soon forever silenced, as he and 
Wigfall became engaged in a newspaper controversj% 
in which Wigfall was placed liors de combat. 

He was born in Nashville, Tenn., February 2, 
1820, and was educated at St. Joseph's College at 
Bardstown, Ky., to which place his parents, Robert 
and Sarah Ann Loughery (from the north of Ire- 
land) removed during his infancy. At ten years 
of age he was left an orphan and not long after 
entered a printing office, where he learned the 
trade. 

News of the revolution in progress in Texas — 
the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad and the 
victory won at the battle of San Jacinto — fired him 



with a desire to join the patriot army and strike a blow 
for liberty and, although but sixteen years of age, he 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there joined a military 
company and started with it for Texas. A frail, 
delicate lad, he was taken sick en route to New 
Orleans and was left in that city, where he remained 
a year and a half, and then went to Monroe, La., 
where he remained until 1846, part of the time con- 
ducting an influential newspaper, and then again 
went to New Orleans. On the 11th of February, 
1841, he married, at Monroe, Miss Sarah Jane Bal- 
lew, an estimable young lady, the daughter of a 
leading pioneer settler in Ouachita parish. In 
1847, he removed to Texas and during that year 
edited a paper at Jefferson. He spent 1848 in 
traveling over the State, often traversing solitudes 
of forest and prairie for days together. He said 
in after life that some of the most pleasant hours 
that he ever spent were in the wilderness in silent 
and solitary meditation as he rode along, far from 
the haunts of men. 

In May, 1849, he and Judge Trenton J. Patillo 
established the Texas Republican at Marshall, one 
of the most famous newspapers ever published in 
Texas, and certainly the most wide!}' influential and 
by far the ablest conducted in the State before the 
war. The paper was named the Texas Republican 
in honor of the party which advocated the adoption 
of the American constitution. Judge Patillo sold 
his interest to his son, Mr. Frank Patillo, in 1850, 
and in 1851 Col. Loughery obtained sole control 
of the paper by purchase, and conducted it alone 
until August, 1869. The flies of the Texas Repub- 
lican were purchased a few years since by the State 
of Texas, and are now preserved in the archives of 
the State Department of Insurance, Statistics and 
History. Before the war this paper was the recog- 
nized organ of the Democratic party in Texas. It 
led the hosts in every contest. The fiery Know- 
Nothing campaign of 1855 gave full scope for the 
exercise of his varied abilities. The Know-Nothing 
party was a secret, oath-bound organization, hostile 
to Catholicism and opposed to immigrants from for- 
eign lands acquiring right of citizenship in this 
country. Largely, if not mainly, through the 
efforts of Col. Loughery, a Democratic Slate Con- 
vention was called (the first in the State), assembled, 
nominated candidates for State offices, and drew 
the Democracy up in regular arra}' to contest the 
State with the opposition. He was bitterly opposed 
to the methods and tenets of the Know-Nothing 
party. 

The following incident is illustrative of the temper 
of the times. Hon. Pendleton Murrah, afterwards 
Governor of the State, was a candidate for Con- 



182 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



giess and opened his carapaigu at Marshall. It 
was impossible to estimate the strength of the 
Know-Nothing party, as all its proceedings were 
held in secret. This strength was greatly underesti- 
mated by Miirrah and his friends. They believed 
that the excitement was of an ephemeral character 
and was confined to a few individuals who hoped 
to secure otHce by playing the roles of political 
agitators. Mr. Murrah assailed the leaders and 
principles of Know-Nothingism with all the vigor 
and venom of which he was capable, hoping to give 
the American party, so far as his district was con- 
cerned, its coup de grace. One of the leading 
citizens of the county arose and declared that the 
gentlemen who composed the American party had 
been insulted, and called upon all members of the 
party to follow him from the court room. There 
was a moment of breathless expectation, succeeded 
by the audience arising well-nigh en masse and 
moving toward the door. Soon Mr. Murrah and 
two or three friends alone remained. They wei'e 
dumbfounded. The scene they had witnessed was 
a revelation. They realized that there was no hope 
of Democratic success in the district and that the 
Know-Nothing party would sweep it. Mr. Murrah 
declared his intention to at once withdraw from 
the race. At this moment Col. Loughery stepped 
up to him and urged liim to continue the campaign 
and that with increased vigor, saying, among other 
things: "If you retire now in the face of the 
enemy, your political career will end to-day. 
Although defeat is cert;iin, stand up and fight, and 
when the Know-Notliing party is condemned by 
the sober second thought of the people, you will be 
remembered and honored." Mr. Murrah followed 
Col. Loughery's advice and was afterwards elected 
Governor. The campaign waxed hotter and hotter. 
The Texas liepuhlicun' s philippics, many of them 
unsurpassed by any written by the author of 
the letters of Junius or uttered by Sheridan or 
Burke, fell thicker and faster and party speakers 
flew swiftly from point to point haranguing the 
multitude, sometimes alone but more often in 
fierce joint debate. At last came the fateful day of 
election, a day of doom for the Know-Nothing 
party (but not for its spirit, for that unfortunately 
Is still alive) and of victory to the Democracy. 

The next momentous epoch in the history of Col. 
Loughery was that marked by the secession 
movement. As to the right of revolution, it is 
necessarilv inherent in every people. The time 
wlien it shall be exercised rests alone in their dis- 
cretion. The rigjjt of secession was of an entirely 
different nature. It was in the nature of tiiat right 
which a party claims when he witlidravvs from a 



contract, the terms of whicii have been violated or 
the consideration for which has been withdrawn, 
and identical with that which nations who are 
parties to a treaty of alliance, offensive and de- 
fensive, reserve to themselves (although the com- 
pact may in its terms provide for a perpetual 
union) to consider the treaty annulled when its 
terms are departed from or the connection no longer 
continues to be pleasant or profitable. AVithdrawal 
may, or may not, give offense and lead to a declara- 
tion of war. If it does lead to hostilities, the 
resulting struggle is one carried on by equals in 
whicli heavy artillery and big battalions will settle 
the fate of the quarrel. The question of moral 
right must be left to the decision of the public 
conscience of the world, or, if that conscience fails 
to assert itself at the time, to posterity and the 
impartial historians of a later period. At one time 
in the history' of the English race, the trial by 
battle was a part of legal procedure by which issues, 
both civil and criminal, were judicially determined. 
But in course of time men came to see that 
skill, strengtii and courage were the sole factors 
that controlled the issue of such contests and that 
wrong was as often successful as right. A.s a 
consequence the trial by battle fell gradually into 
disuse and at last became extinct and is now only 
rtmembered as a curious custom incident to the 
evolution of our system of jurisprudence. What 
has been said of the trial bj' battle may be said 
with equal truth of war and the fate of war. The 
fact that the Southern States were defeated, con- 
sequently, has no bearing upon the question of 
their right to secede. The States bound themselves 
together to secure certain benefits and to remain so 
associated so long as the connection proved desir- 
able. He believed that every essential guarantee 
contained in the constitution had been grosslj' vio- 
lated and tiiat tlie Southern States could no longer 
either expect peace or security to their rights, or 
any benefit whatever by continuing under the same 
governmental roof with the States north of Mason 
and Dixon's line. He was in favor of a [)eaceful 
withdrawal, if possible. 

During the progress of the war Col. Loughery 
opposed the passage of the conscript laws and the 
invasion of the jurisdiction of civil authority by 
military commanders. With all his powers of per- 
suasion he sought to keep up the waning hopes of 
the people as the months passed on into years. 
Knowing that many of the families of Confederate 
Soldiers then in the field were in need, he inaugu- 
rated a movement that resulted in a mass meeting 
at the Court House in Marshall, Texas, at which a 
committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



183 



money and provisions for the establishment of a 
depot of supplies, at which such families could ob- 
tain what tliey needed. He continued to publish 
his paper throughout the war, never missing an 
issue. The final result of the struggle did not un- 
nerve him as it did many other public men, some 
of whom, among the number the brilliant and 
lamented Pendleton Murrali, fled the country to 
find graves in alien lands. Those were dark days 
that followed the surrender, and the establishment 
of military rule. Some of those who boasted that 
they would submit to no indignities, not only tamely 
submitted but went entirely over to the Radicals, 
accepted office under them and seemed to delight 
in oppressing a defenseless people. This class 
found no mercy at his hands. His course was 
characterized by eminent good sense and was re- 
markable for its fearlessness. Owing to the stand 
that he took the iniquities that were perpetrated 
fell far short in atrocity to what thej' would other- 
wise have done, as he unhesitatingly not only venti- 
lated, but denounced what was going on and his 
palmers found their way to Washington. 

In April, 1867, he started the Jefferson Times 
(daily and weekly) and ran it in connection with 
his paper at Marshall. 

At this time a complete system of oppression and 
tyranny prevailed. An army of thieves were sent 
into the country, ostensibly to protect the negroes 
and to hunt up Confederate cotton and other 
alleged Confederate property. The Freedman's 
Bureau had its agents in every county. The jails 
were full of respectable people, charged with dis- 
loyalty or alleged crimes, on the complaints of 
mean whites or depraved negroes. Five military 
despotisms prevailed in the South. Governors were 
deposed, legislatures dispersed at the point of the 
bayonet and citizens disfranchised. The press 
was silenced and men were afraid to talk, but in 
many places they became bolder, until they did not 
see actual danger. 

Such was the case in Jefferson, in 1869, when a 
number of outraged citizens broke into the jail and 
shot to death a man named Smith (who had often 
threatened to have the town burned) and three 
negroes. These killings inflamed the Radicals. 
They cared nothing about Smith, whose conduct 
was about as offensive to them as to the people, 
but they seemed to rejoice at the opportunity this 
incident afforded to oppress a people that they 
hated. Col. Loughery, with both papers, attacked 
the military organization and the military commis- 
sion appointed to try the^e men and others incar- 
cerated at Jefferson, charged with alleged crimes. 
The commission prevailed for over six months, and 



with it a reign of terror. Men talked in bated 
whispers. A large number of men left the country 
to escape persecution. A stockade was erected on 
the west side of town, in which were imprisoned 
over fifty persons. Martial law prevailed, the writ 
of habeas corpus was suspended, and men were 
tried by army officers in time of profound peace, 
in plain, open violation of the constitution. His 
position during this period was one of great peril, 
as he reported the proceedings of, and boldly 
assailed, the commission and its acts from day to 
day. 

Col. Loughery's able and intrepid course resulted 
in the downfall of the commission, prevented the 
arrest of many persons, and the perpeti'ation of many 
outrageous acts that otherwise would have been 
committed, and preserved the lives and liberties of 
many of those confined in the stockade. With him 
at the head of the Times, the military authorities 
were compelled to restrain themselves, and think 
well before they acted. They ordered him several 
times to cease his strictures, but in each instance 
he sent back a bold defiance, and the following 
morning the Times appeare<l with editorials in keep- 
ing with those of former issues. He had three 
newspaper plants and all of his files destroyed by 
fire in Jefferson, but notwithstanding these great 
losses and heavy expense attendant upon the publi- 
cation of a dail3r newspaper in those days, he con- 
ducted the Times until , after which time he 

published and edited papers at Galveston and Jef- 
ferson, Texas, and Shreveport, La., and from 1877 
until 1880, edited the Marshall Herald, at Marshall, 
Texas, published by Mr. Howard Hamments. 
Some of the best work that he ever did was on the 
Herald. There was scarcely a paper in the State 
that did not quote from the Herald's editorial 
columns, and the editors of the State, as if by com- 
mon consent, united in referring to him on all 
occasions as the " Nestor of the Texas Press." 

From a very early period Col. Loughery strongly 
advocated the building of a trans-continental rail- 
way through Texas to the Pacific ocean, and while 
in New Orleans on one occasion was employed by 
Col. Faulk, the original projector of what is now the 
Texas and Pacific Railway, to write a series of 
articles for the Picayune in defense of the corpo- 
ration which Col. Faulk had then recently formed. 
Later he became one of the stockholders and direct- 
ors of the corporation. Throughout his life he felt 
an interest in the fortunes of the Texas and Pacific, 
and remained an earnest advocate of railway con- 
struction. Every' worthy enterprise found in him 
a staunch and zealous supporter. 

In 1887 he was appointed by President Cleveland 



184 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Consul for the United States at Acapulco, Mexico, 
and held the office until December 1st, 1890, 
making one of the best officers in the foreign ser- 
vice. He was often commended by the State 
Department, and his reports were copied by the 
leading commercial papers in Europe and America. 

Col. Loughery was undoubtedly one of the 
finest writers and clearest thinkers that the South 
has ever produced, and deserves to rank with 
Ritchie, Kendall and Prentice. It has been said 
that journalism has greatly improved in recent 
years. This is true with regard to the gathering 
and dissemination of news, but not true in anj" 
other particular. 

He was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Bowers 
near Nebo, Ky., November 23, 1853. His 
widow and four children, Robert W., Jr. (born 
of his first marriage), Augusta M., E. H., and 
Fannie L., survive him. He died at his home in 
Marshall, Texas, April 26, 1894, and was interred 
in the cemetery at that place. 

Mrs. E. M. Loughery was born in Christian 
County, Kentuckj', is the daughter of the late Mr. 
and Mrs. W. W. Bowers, is descended from two 
of the oldest and most distinguished families of the 
" Blue Grass State," was partly educated at Oak- 
land Institute, Jackson, Miss., came to Texas 
with her uncle, Judge Dudley S. Jennings, and 
remained some time afterward with her uncle, 
Gen. Thomas J. Jennings, well remembered as 
a lawyer, Attorney-general of Texas and citizen of 
Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Fort Worth. 
Mrs. Loughery is a lady of superior culture and 
attainments, and as a writer little inferior to her 
talented husband. During the days of the military 
commission at Jefferson, when Col. Loughery was 
threatened with incarceration in the stockade, it 
was understood that in case of his arrest, she was 
to assume editorial control of the Times, and con- 
tinue its strictures on the despotism that prevailed, 
a work, that had it become necessary, she would 
have been fully competent to perform. She has 
recently written and published in pamphlet form 
a memoir of the life, character and services of Col. 
Loughery that possesses superior literary merits 
and has met with favorable comment in the leading 
newspapers in the State. 

R. W. Loughery, Jr., was a soldier in the Con- 
federate Army during the four years of the war, 
carried the last dispatches into Arkansas Post, 
fought through the Tennessee and Georgia cam- 
paigns, was mentioned at the head of his regiment 
for conspicuous gallantrj' at Chickamauga and fol- 
lowed the flag until it was finally furled in North 
Carolina. He was a printer on the old Dallas 



Herald, and later on its successor, the Dallas News, 
until recently, and is still living in Dallas. 

Miss Augusta M. Loughery is one of the most 
accomplished ladies in Texas. E. H. Loughery 
edited newspapers at Jefferson, Texas, Shreve- 
port. La., Paris, Texas, Abilene, Texas, and 
Marshall, Texas, during the years from 1879 to 
1891 ; edited Daniell's Personnel of the Texas 
State Government (published in 1892), Col. John 
Henry Brown's two-volume history of Texas, and 
the present volume (Indian Wars and Pioneers of 
Texas) ; has gotten out numerous special news- 
paper editions in Texas, and has done various 
writing at sessions of the Texas State legislature 
during the past eleven or twelve years. Miss 
Fannie L. Loughery is an excellent writer, and a 
poetess of great promise. 

The following are three of the hundreds of 
notices that appeared in Texas papers concerning 
him : — 

" It is now definitely known that our townsman. 
Col. R. W. Loughery, the Nestor of the Texas 
press, has been appointed American Consul at 
Acapulco, Mexico. Col. Loughery's reputation as 
an able and fearless editor, as an honest and faith- 
ful Democrat, is beyond question, and nothing we 
might write could possibly add to his well-earned 
and well-deserved reputation. If Col. Loughery 
had done nothing more, his heroic, but perilous 
fight with the military in the days of reconstruction, 
when there was at Jefferson a military inquisition, 
and the man who opposed it imperiled both life and 
liberty, he would deserve the highest praise. As a 
staunch, tried and true Democrat of the Jeffersonian 
school, Col. Loughery is the peer of any and de- 
serves liberal recognition from the party. Texas 
owes him a large debt of gratitude and liberal 
material recognition for the work he has done in 
shaping her political fortunes when it cost much in 
peril and sacrifice to defend her rights and auton- 
omy against the combined power of Federal 
authority and hireling satraps. As a writer 
Col. Loughery is clear, incisive, strong, and 
few men are better posted in the political 
history of our national and Southern State politics, 
and few, if any, are better able to defend a Demo- 
cratic administration. As a consular representative 
of our country in Acapulco, Mexico, he will bring 
to his duties a mind well cultivated and a large 
experience in the duties of American citizenship 
and an accurate knowledge of the history of our 
government. The Colonel will wield a pen able and 
ready for any emergency in peace or war — a Dam- 
ascus blade that has never yet been sheathed in the 
presence of an enemy." — Marshall Messenger. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



185 



" In May, 1872, Col. Loughery was commissioned 
consul at Acapulco, Mexico, and at once assumed 
the duties of bis office. In that city be found a 
strong prejudice existing against Americans and 
particularly against Texas, the heritage of a bloody 
war and bis predecessors in office. His geniality 
and kind, courteous and business-like manner 
soon swept tbis away, and be succeeded in sup- 
planting the strong anti-American sentiment with 
admiration and respect for America and Amer- 
icans as strong. By untiring efforts be succeeded 
in giving his government far more information than 
it bad ever before been able to obtain from this 
portion of the Mexican republic. In fact, when be 
was recalled at the expiration of President Cleve- 
land's first term the relations between the United 
States and tbis important port and coaling station 
were in every way pleasant and the business of 
the consulate was in better condition than ever 
before." 

"The death of Col. Loughery at Marshall, 
April 2Gtb, 1894, was received here with deep regret 
and profound sorrow, and a pall of gloom hangs 
over his old home and around the scenes of his 
glorious works and accomplishments during the 
dark days of reconstruction. During those trying 
times be stood as a champion of civil liberty, and 
bold!}' defended the rights of the people against 
usurpation of the powers that were imposing a 
tyranny and rule that was abhorred bj' the civilized 
world. The military commission organized in a 
time of profound peace, and its inhuman practices, 
is a stigma upon the dominant party and a disgrace 
to the power that authorized and sanctioned its 
outrages. Every means to degrade and oppress 
the people were organized and run in conflict and 
opposition to the law and order that the best ele- 
ment here was anxious to prevail. A reign of 
terror was imposed, and our innocent people were 
incarcerated in a Bastile, and tried by a mock 
tribunal for crimes they never committed, to gratify 
a petty tyranny born and nutured in partisan spirit 
and sectional hatred. At the beginning of this 
stormy period Col. Loughery came to the rescue and 
nobly and gallantly wielded the pen and fought for 
principles and justice and boldly enunciated a law 
and rule to restore common rights and liberty, that 
the existing martial law bad stultified and sat upon 
with impunity. The desired effect was at last 
attained, and the commission was dissolved, and the 
civil law was permitted to assume its rightful func- 
tions and acknowledged superior to the military. 
The gratitude of our people for his efforts along 
this perilous line is a silent but eloquent tribute 



to the memory of Col. Lougberj'. He has gone to 
bis reward, and we join the craft in sincere sorrow, 
and mourn in common with the family of our 
esteemed old friend." — Jefferson Jimplicute. 

The following poem was written by Col. Loug- 
bery's youngest daughter, Miss Fannie L. Lough- 
ery : — 

SALEM ALEIKUM. 

Peace be to thy sacred dust. 

Cares of earth are ended ! 
Through life's long and weary day 

Grief and joy were blended. 

Blessed is that perfect rest, 

Free from pain and sorrow, 
Death's dark night alone can bring 

Sleep with no sad morrow. 

Memory's holy censer yields 

Fragrance sweet, forever. 
Home holds ties, to loving hearts, 

Parting can not sever. 

Kindly words and noble deeds 

Give thy life its beauty. 
Brave and patient to the last. 

Faithful to each duty. 

True as steel to every trust, 

Thy aims were selfish never. 
Good deeds live when thou art gone. 

Thy light shines brighter ever. 

Good fight fought, and life work o'er. 
Friends and loved ones round thee. 

Garnered like the full ripe ear. 
Length of days had crowned thee. 

Slowly faded like a leaf. 

Natural is thy slumber. 
Thou livest yet in many hearts. 

Thy friends no one can number. 

Good night, father, last farewell. 

Never we'll behold thee. 
May the sod rest light on thee, 

Gently earth enfold thee. 

" Pax vobiscum " (solemn words). 

Sadly death bereft us. 
Lonely is the hearth and home. 

Father, since you left us. 

Sheaves of love and peace are thine. 
No wrong thou dids't to any. 

May thy life's pure earnest zeal 
Strength impart to many. 



186 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



O. C. HARTLEY, 



GALVESTON. 



Oliver Cromwell Hartley was born in Bedford 
County, Penn., March 31st, 1823, where bis ances- 
tors, who emigrated from England, settled soon 
after the American Revolution; was educated at 
Franklin and Jlarshall College, from which he was 
graduated aud honored with the valedictory of his 
class in 1841 ; studied law in the office of Samuel 
M. Barclay, an eminent lawyer of Bedford, and at 
the age of twenty-one was admitted to the bar and 
began the practice of his profession. In 1845 he 
married Miss Susan C. Davis, of Bedford, and in 
1846 moved to Texas and located at Galveston. 
The Mexican war was then in progress, and, a call 
being made for volunteers to rescue the army of 
Gen. Taylor from its perilous position on the Rio 
Grande, Mr. Hartley volunteered as a private, 
and hastened with his company to the seat of hos- 
tilities which he reached soon after the battles of 
Palo Alto ami Resaca de laPalma had been fought, 
victories fur the American arms which enabled 
Gen. Taylor to assume the offensive and obviated 
any immediate need for the services of the rein- 
foi'cements which were at hand. 

On the organization of Col. Johnson's Regiment, 
Mr. Hartley was elected a Lieutenant in the com- 
pany from Galveston, which, being disbanded dur- 
ing the summer, he returned to the Island City and 
resumed the practice of law. The statutes of the 
State were at that time in much confusion as to 
arrangement and the members of the bar greatly 
felt tlie inconvenience occasioned by the want of a 
sufficient digest. Mr. Hartley prepared a synopti- 
cal index of tiie laws for his own use, which became 
the basis of his admiralde " Digest of the Texas 
Laws." This work was begun in 1848, and in the 
spring of 1850 was submitted to the legislature, 
which authorized the Governor to subscribe for 
fifteen hundred copies for the use of the State. 
His digest fully met the wants of the profession, 
and was justly regarded as a work of great merit 
and perfection. 

In 1851, lie was elected to represent Galveston 
County in the legislature and distinguished himself 
as a useful and efficient member. It was said of 
him tiiat " he was noted for the frankness and inde- 
pendence of his bearing and his refusal to enter 
into the intrigues and cabals by which legislation is 
so often controlled." 

While a member of the legislature he was 



api)ointed reporter of the decisions of the Supreme 
Court, and held that office until his death. His 
skill as a reporter was recognized as eminent. 
His analyses are accurate and thorough and his 
syllabi present a clear and concise exposition of 
the law. He was especially apt and felicitous in 
eliminating distinctive principles and establishing 
legal results from complicated relations and views 
arising from a combination of facts, and his efforts 
greatly aided in the development of the peculiar 
system of Texas jurisprudence. 

In February, 1854, he was appointed by the 
Governor one of the three commissioners author- 
ized by the legislature, " to prepare a code amend- 
ing, supplying, revising, digesting and arranging 
the Jaws of the State." The other members of the 
commission were John W. Harris and James Willie, 
and in their division of the labor, the preparation 
of a " Code of Civil Procedure " was assigned to 
Mr. Hartley. To this work he applied himself 
with great zeal, and with an ambition that the civil 
code of Texas should be superior to that of any 
other State in the Union; and as an adjunct to its 
value and merits he prepared a complete system of 
forms to be used in all civil proceedings ; but the 
State was not prepared to adopt a new civil code, 
and its publication was postponed. 

The assiduity with which he pursued his labors 
upon this work, and which was unremittedly ap- 
plied to his duties as court reporter and the de- 
mands of his profession, finally undermined a 
naturally robust and vigorous constitution. He 
became a martyr to his industry and ambition, and 
died of apo|)lcxy of the brain at his residence in 
the city of Galveston on the 13th of January, 
1859. 

Mr. Hartley was a thorough scholar. Possessed 
of a patient fondness for investigation and the 
acquisition of knowledge, he had from his earl}' 
youth devoted his life to its pursuit, and his mind 
was disciplined by a thoi'ough and systematic 
training, and expanded by constant intellectual 
nourishment. Before he left his native State he 
had attracted the attention of Judge Jeremiah 
Black, who was at that time Chief Justice of 
Pennsylvania, whose friendship he secured and 
retained. He had also won the interest and esteem 
of Mr. Buchanan, who gave him flattering testi- 
monials as a sesame to public confidence in Texas. 




ARTLE^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



187 



As a lawyer his philosophical turn of mind led him 
to closely investigate the relations of things, and 
to study their correct association ; hence his skill 
in anal3'sis was acute and his powers of compari- 
son of a high order. He was careful in the selec- 
tion of his premises, and when conscious of their 
correctness, his conclusions were deduced in a clear 
and logical train. He had accustomed himself to 
look at both sides of a question and, perceiving the 
proper line of attack, he was prepared to adopt 
the most effectual line of defense. 

Nothwithstanding his devotion to his profession, 
and his ambition to attain a higli position at the 
bar, Mr. Hartley took a deep interest in the politi- 
cal issues of his day, and sought to measure all 
doubtful questions by the authority of the constitu- 
tion. He was a good constitutional lawyer and his 
patriotism was kindled by a discussion of its inter- 
pretation and the merits of its provisions. He was 
exemplary in his private and social life. Reared 
hy a Christian mother, he was early guided into the 
walks of piety and at his death was a member of 
the Episcopal church. He v?as one of the few 
precocious youths whose after-lives realized the 
hopes of parental ambition and the promises of 
early years. 

He possessed a high sense of honor, and his con- 
duct was guided by an enlightened judgment and 



sensitive conscience. When the legislature author- 
ized the Governor to subscribe for his digest it pre- 
scribed that the binding should be " law calf " and 
when his publishers remonstrated against that kind 
of binding and suggested " law sheep," the usual 
material for such works, he insisted that it should be 
bound in tiie material designated by the legislature, 
though it was apparent that the requirement was the 
resulteitherof ignoranceorinadvertence. Inhispro- 
fessional intercourse he was characterized by fair- 
ness and candor; a temper rarely disturbed by pas- 
sion and a judgment never betrayed by impulse. 
The amenity of his manners and the unoblrusive- 
ness of his character, added to a native goodness of 
heart, endeared him to all and to none more than 
his brethren at the bar. 

He was greatly devoted to his family, and his 
home life was pure, simple and almost pathetic in 
its tenderness. Surviving him and residing at Gal- 
veston, Mr. Hartley left a widow and one daughter. 
His widow is still living, being now numliered 
among the old residents of that city. His daughter. 
Miss Jerian Black Hartley, died unmarried in 18SJ4. 
His only son died in infancy, so that there are no 
descendants now living of this pioneer lawyer, but 
his works will preserve his name and memory 
as long as there remains an annal of Texas 
jurisprudence. 



GEORGE CLARK, 

WACO, 



The history of Texas for the past quarter of a 
century could not be truthfully written without a 
resume of the career of Hon. George Clark. The 
memorable Prohibition campaign of 1887 is still 
fresh in the minds of the people. If a vote had 
been taken in the earlier part of the campaign, the 
pending amendment to the constitution prohibiting 
the manufacture or sale of malt, spirituous or vinous 
liquors in this State would have been adopted and, 
under the provisions of that amendment, laws 
would have been passed violative of the dearest 
and most sacred liberties of the peo|)le, domicil- 
iary visits inaugurated, and a system of espionage, 
spying and perjury established out of touch with 
this age and its civilization, necessarily tending to 
breed animosities that it would have required years 
to allay, and which, in fact, might never have been 



allayed. The indications were that the Prohibi- 
tionists would carry the State by storm. Politi- 
cians are never in finer feather than when they can 
parade themselves as fearless and unselfish leaders ; 
but, as a matter of fact, the majority of them are the 
most subservient of followers, sail-trimmers whose 
greatest anxiety is to catch favorable popular 
breezes with which to waft themselves into office 
and keep themselves there. They regard such a 
thing as personal sacrifice in the defense of 
opinions very much as a majority of men do 
suicide — as an act of insanity. This truth was 
never more vividly illustrated than during the prog- 
ress of the exciting contest referred to. One 
public man of prominence after another, thinking 
tiiat the amendment would be adopted, published 
open letters favoring it, although by doing 



188 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



so they abandoned the position they had 
previously' held. The larger number of lead- 
ers who had not taken this step sulked in their 
tents, or remained discreetly silent, wailing for the 
outcome. At this critical moment Judge Clark 
threw himself into (he breach, organized the anti- 
prohibition forces and in a short time had the oppo- 
sition on the run and begging quarter and, when 
the sun set upon the day of election, he had led the 
way to one of the most remarkable, signal and 
brilliant political victories ever won in any State of 
the American Union. The question was thoroughly 
argued and was decided upon its merits. He was 
the hero of the hour — the foremost and most dis- 
tinguished figure in the political arena in Texas, 
the idol of the people. If he had desired office, he 
could have gotten anything within the gift of the 
people, but he desired none. It was sufficient to 
him to enjoy the calm consciousness of having done 
his duty, without the expectation or desire of re- 
ceiving any reward whatever. Nor did he there- 
after consent to become a candidate until, as the 
champion of principles upon whose triumph he 
believed depended the prosperity of the country, 
he led the forloin-hope in the Clark-Hogg guber- 
natorial campaign of 1892 and conducted a cam- 
paign, which led to more temperate action upon 
the part of those in power than could otherwise 
have been expected. He is now the recognized 
leader in Texas in another great contest, that is 
being made in the interest of what he believes to be 
the maintenance of a sound financial system by 
the United States. His purity of jiurpose and his 
learning as a lawyer and exceptional ability as a 
statesman are generally recognized throughout 
Texas and throughout the country. 

He was born in Eutaw, Alabama, July 18, 1841. 
His father was James Blair Clark, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who was partially reared at Chilli- 
cothe, Ohio, when it was the capital of the State, 
and in the State of Kentucky by his uncle, Alex- 
ander Blair. His mother's maiden name was Mary 
Erwin. She was a native of Virginia and was reared 
and educated at Mount Sterling, Ky. James 
B. Clark and Mary Erwin were married at Mount 
Sterling in 1825, and at once emigrated to the State 
of Alabama, where tlie former rose to eminence at 
the bar and was for many years Chancellor of the 
Middle Division of that State. He died in 1873 and 
his wife in 18fi3. Nine children were born to them, 
seven sons and two daughters. George was the 
seventh son. He was educated in the private schools 
of his native place and entered the University of 
Alabama at Tuscaloosa in 1857. At the beginning 
of the war between the States in 1861 he left college 



and joined the Eleventh Alabama Regiment of In- 
fantry as a lieutenant and went with his command 
to Virginia ; in July of that year joined Gen. Joseph 
E. Johnston at Winchester; was with the army in 
its march across the mountains to a junction with 
Beauregard but arrived too late to participate in 
the first battle of Manassas ; was with the army in 
its advance toward Washington in the autumn of 
1861 ; went with his command to Yorktown in the 
spring of 1862 ; participated in the battles of Seven 
Pines, Gaines Mill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksliurg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania, Hanover, Cold Harbor, Peters- 
burg, the Mine, Reams' Station and many other 
hot affairs around Petersburg in 1864 and was on 
the retreat to Appomatox in April, 1865, but did 
not surrender, having joined a squad of cavalry 
which broke through Sheridan's line on the morning 
of the surrender. He was wounded at Gaines' 
Mill on June 27th, 1862, on the third day at Gettys- 
burg, in Pickett's charge, and again at Reams' 
Station on August 25th, 1864. 

After the close of the war he returned home and 
began the study of law under his father; was ad- 
mitted to the bar in October, 1866; removed to 
Texas in January, 1867, and located at Weatherford, 
in Parker County ; removed to Waco, his present 
home, in December, 1868 ; was a member of the 
vState Democratic Committee in 1872 ; was appointed 
Secretary of State in January, 1874 ; served as 
Attorney-General of the State from 1874 to 1876 ; 
served as one of the commissioners appointed to 
revise and codify the laws of Texas from 1877 to 
1879, and was one of the judges of the Court of 
Appeals in the years 1879 and 1880, since which 
time he has held no public office, but has devoted 
his attention to the practice of his profession at 
Waco. 

During his term as Attorney-General, apart from 
any criminal cases in which he represented the State 
on appeal, and which may be found in the Texas 
Reports, vols. 40 to 45 inclusive, he represented 
the State successfully in many civil causes, among 
others in Bledsoe v. The International Railway 
Co. (40 Tex, 537), 

Keuchler v. Wright, 40 Tex. 600, 

The Treasurer v. Wygall, 46 Tex. 447 , 
all involving great interests. His opinions on the 
bench may be found in the 7th, 8th and 9lh 
Court of Appeals Reports, among the more im- 
portant of which are: — 

Rothschild v. State, 7 Ct. of App. 519; 

Jennings v. State, 7 Ct. of App. 350 ; 

Hull V. State, 7 Ct. of App. 593 ; 

Alford V. State, 8 Ct. of App. 545 ; 




GEORGE CLARK. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



i8;> 



Kendall v. State, 8 Ct. of App. 569 ; 

Guffee V. State, 8 Ct. of App. 187 ; 

Albrecht v. State, 8 Ct. of App. 216. 
As a lawyer he represents important railway and 
commercial interests, and in a recent controversy 
between the United States and the State of Texas, 
in the Supreme Court, involving the title to Greer 
County, Texas, was of counsel for the State and 
participated in the argument. Few lawyers in the 
State enjoy as large and lucrative a law practice. 
He has long ranked among the ablest counselors in 
the United States. His services in connection 
with the codification of the statutes of the State 
were invaluable. It was the first work of the kind 
that was undertaken. The result of the labors of 
the commission were the Revised Statutes of 1879. 
The work was so thoroughly done, that, when the 
legislature provided a few years since for a revision 
of the laws of the State, the commissioners were 
instructed not to change the general arrangement, 
nor even the verbiage used by the former codifiers, 
where such action was not rendered imperative by 
later amendments to old, or the enactment of new, 
laws. No greater compliment could have been 



paid to Judge Clark and his colleagues. As 
Attorney-General and. as one of the judges of the 
Court of Appeals he fully sustained the high repu- 
tation with which he came to those positions. 
Before those important i)ublic offices were con- 
ferred upon him he had become well known to the 
people of Texas. In the dark days that followed 
the war between the States, he was an earnest 
worker for the re-establishment of honest, constitu- 
tional government, and took a prominent part in 
the great popular struggle that resulted in the 
overthrow of the Davis regime and the restoration 
of the control of the State to the citizens of Texas. 
As a soldier, public servant, lawyer and citizen, he 
has come fully up to every responsibility, and has 
responded to every duty. As a member of an honor- 
able profession, he has pursued it with zeal and 
has devoted to it the full strength of his mind. 
The people of Texas fully appreciate his high 
character and important services. They have a 
very warm spot in their heart of hearts for George 
Clark and will not forget what he has done until 
they grow to be grateful only for services they 
expect to receive. 



CHARLES S. WEST, 



AUSTIN. 



The State of South Carolina, in proportion to her 
limits and population, has contributed as much, if 
not more, towards developing and making the State 
of Texas what she is to-day, as any of her sister 
States. 

To the judiciary she has sent James Collinsworth, 
the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under 
the Republic ; Hon. Thomas J. Rusk, first Chief 
Justice of the Appellate Court under the State 
government and for so long a while her distin- 
guished United States Senator ; Hon. John Hemp- 
hill, who later filled the same position (from 1846 
to 1858) and who, like his predecessor. Gen. Rusk, 
represented his State in the United State Senate ; 
then there was Hon. A. S. Lipscomb, also the 
venerable and esteemed O. M. Roberts and Hon. 
Charles S. West, the subject of this sketch, all 
conspicuous examples of gallant sons of the 
" Palmetto State " who have adorned the bench of 
their adopted State of Texas. 

The father of Judge West, John Charles West, 



was a native of North Carolina, who at an early age 
emigrated to Camden, South Carolina, where he 
was teller in the old Camden Bank and for two 
terms sheriff of Kershaw district (now county). 
He was universally esteemed and respected. On 
his mother's side Judge West was connected with 
the Thorntons, Eccles, Copers, Clarks and other 
old South Carolina families. His mother, Nancy 
Clark Eccles, was a woman of more than ordinary 
culture and education and possessed literary ability 
of the higher order. 

In the fall of 184G young West left Jefferson 
College, Pennsylvania, and became a student of 
South Carolina College, then presided over b}' tlie 
celebrated orator, Hon. W. C. Preston. He gradu- 
ated therefrom in 1848. During the years 1849-50 
he was in very needy circumstances and for a living 
taught a small school for the Boykin family at 
their Pleasant Hill home, near Camden ; at the 
same time studied law under Hon. James Chestnut, 
afterwards a United States senator from South 



190 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Carolina, who became young West's personal 
and valued friend. Judge West received his 
license to practice law in South Carolina 
on the law and equity sides of the docket, 
respectively, the former May 13th, 1851, and the 
latter May 12th, 1852, and' began the practice 
at Camden, but with very moderate success. 
About the last of November, 1852, he left his 
native Slate and came to Texas, reaching the State 
November 2, of that year, and located at Austin, 
which was ever after his home. He reached Austin 
with but $7.50 in his pocket and that was bor- 
rowed money. In 1854 he formed a law-partner- 
ship with Col. H. P. Brewster. He was in 1855, 
when twenty-six years of age, elected to the 
legislature from the Austin district, and took a 
prominent part in the discussion of the issues of 
those days. In 1856 Hon. John Hancock and 
Judge West formed what was afterwards the well- 
known law firm of Hancock & West and did a 
large law business, handling heavy land litigation, 
railroad and other corporation cases. The firm 
continued up to and during the period of the late 
war and until 1882, when Judge West became an 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He was 
comparatively little in public life, eschewed politics 
and confined himself closely to his profession. He 
was for a short while Secretary of State, under 
Governor F. E. Lulibock. In the constitutional 
convention of 1875 he represented Travis and a 
number of adjoining counties, comprising one dis- 
trict, and served on important committees. Under 
the act approved July 28Lh, 187G, Governor Coke 
appointed Judge West as one of the five commis- 
sioners to revise the laws of the State and he was 
chosen chairman of the body. During the late 
war he served with distinction in the Adjutant- 
General's department, with the rank of Captain on 
the staff of Gen. P. O. Hebert and, later, on 
the staff of Gen. Magruder at the battle of 



Galveston and received special official mention for 
gallant conduct. During the latter years of the 
war he served on the staff of Gen. E. Kirby 
Smith and was witii him at Jenkin's Ferry on the 
Sabine river in Arkansas and with Gen. Wm. R. 
Scurry when that commander was killed in this 
battle. For gallantry in this battle, Capt. West 
was promoted to the rank of Major and was 
assigned to duty in the Trans-Mississippi depart- 
ment as Judge Advocate-General, whicli position 
he ably filled until the downfall of the Confed- 
eracy. He then returned to his law practice at 
Austin and in 1874 was admitted to the bar of the 
United States Supreme Court and argued before 
that body some ver3' heavy and important cases. 
In 1859 Judge West married Miss Florence R. 
Duval, daughter of Judge Thomas H. Duval, for 
many years United States District Judge for the 
Western District of Texas. 

Her grandfather was Hon. W. P. Duval, first 
Governor of Florida and the " Ralph Ringwood " 
of his friend Washington Irving's tales of Brace- 
bridge Hall. 

Mrs. West was an accomplished woman, a 
charming vocalist and an ornament to society. 
Judge West was not a member of any religious 
sect or order, but was a regular attendant of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church and filled before the 
late war the office of vestryman of St. David's 
Church at Austin, Texas. He was a generous and 
kind-hearted gentleman and a just judge. Owing 
to ill health he resigned his seat on the bench, 
September 24th, 1885. He died at his home in 
Austin, October 22, 1885. Mrs. West died No- 
vember 19th, 1881. They left three sons: Robt. 
G. West, an able lawyer of the Austin and Texas 
bar and member of the firm of Cochran & West ; 
Duval West, at present Assistant United States 
District Attorney for the Western District of Texas ; 
and William. 



WILLARD RICHARDSON, 

GALVESTON. 



Willard Ricliardson was a native of Massachu- 
setts, born in that State, June 24th, 1802. His 
father was Zacharia Richardson, a retired capitalist 
of Taunton, Mass. When fourteen years of age 
the subject of this memoir and a brother ran away 
from home in a spirit of boyish adventure, went 



South and landed at Charleston, S. C, in the midst 
of a yellow fever epidemic to which his brother 
speedily succumbed. Young Richardson shortly 
thereafter left the plague-stricken city and went to 
Newberry district, where he taught school in the 
hope of earning sufficient money to complete his 




WILLARD RICHARDSON. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



191 



educalion. His manly struggle to attain this 
worthy end attracted the attention and won for 
him the friendship of Judge O'Neill, wlio supplied 
him the means to complete his course in the State 
college at Columbia. 

He then accompanied Prof. Stafford to Tusca- 
loosa, Ala., as an assistant teacher, and devoted his 
first earnings to the reimbursement of his friend. 
Judge O'Neill, for whom he ever afterward cher- 
ished sentiments of the warmest gratitude and 
esteem. Emigrating to Texas, in 1837, he pro- 
ceeded to the West and employed himself in locat- 
ing and surveying lands. He afterwards went to 
Houston and established a school for young men. 
Some time there after. Dr. Francis Moore, editor of 
The Telegraph, who was regarded as one of the 
most finished newspaper writers then in the State, 
wished to spend a summer in the North and induced 
Mr. Richardson to assume editorial control of the 
paper. The versatility, force and literary excel- 
lence of his writings immediately attracted atten- 
tion, and probably the expression of public 
appreciation of his efforts had much to do with 
inducing him to adopt journalism as a profession. 
He bent every energy to the upbuilding of the 
paper and, prudent, cool and persevering, never 
lost faith in the future of the city and in the 
country nor in the ultimate success of his own 
efforts. He was not content to keep abreast of 
the times but sought to anticipate the general 
march of progress and development, and move in 
advance of others. As a result the News almost 
immediately became a power in the land, a position 
that it has ever since maintained. He took an 
active part both with his pen and b^^ liberal contri- 
butions from his private means, in aiding all worthy 
[Uiljlic enterprises from old times down to the era 
that inaugurated railroad building in Texas. He 
made a powerful effort through the columns of the 
News, devoting whole numbers and large extra edi- 
tions of the paper to that purpose to induce the 
adoption by the State of Texas of what was known 
as the " Galveston Plan," under which the State 
was asked to patronize a system of roads to diverge 
from the navigable waters of Galveston Ba^' into 
Eastern, Western and Central Texas. 

The plan was simple, comprehensive and practi- 
cable, but was not adopted by the legi:^lature and 
the State has since struggled on without a system 
and under many difficulties and distractions in the 
construction of roads by private companies with 
State aid and complications have resulted that 
threaten protracted and vexatious litigation and hot 
civil convulsions in the future. Diiven from Gal- 
veston in the year of 18G1-2 by the Federal forces 



he moved his extensive and valuable newspaper 
plant to Houston, where it was a short lime there- 
after entirely destro^'ed by fire. The establishment 
was then, as now, by far the most valuable in the 
State. It was wholly uninsured and there was no 
chance to replace it in full owing to the blockade ; 
but he met the heavy loss — probably $50,000 in 
the original outlay — with entire equanimity and 
immediately set to work to collect such material as 
was available ; resumed the publication of the 
paper and kept it up throughout the war, not 
returning to Galveston until 18(JC, after the fall 
of the Confederacy. During the war the News 
was eminently conservative and outspoken, though 
devoted to the Southern cause. He did not hesi- 
tate to denounce the establ shmentand enforcement 
of so-called martial law under pleas of military 
necessity, under which so many private rights were 
outraged and lawless acts perpetrated on both sides 
of the contest by those claiming to exercise military 
authority. It contained well-written and trencliant 
articles protesting against the arbitrary acts of both 
the Confederate congress and the military authori- 
ties at a time when one, whose devotion to the 
Southern cause was not so well established as that 
of Mr. Richardson, would not have dared to speak 
so freely. Nor did he feel bound, like so many 
editors of the day, to give only such news as was 
favorable to the South and represented her as 
triumphant, when in fact the clouds of adverse 
fortune were lowering upon her banners. 

He did nothing, however, to discourage any just 
hopes of his friends. The course that he pursued 
was to publish the facts as he received them. 
When the final collapse of the Confederacy came 
he was prepared for it and ready to render all the 
aid possible toward the political and material 
rehabilitation of the country. He neither yielded 
himself nor desired to see others yield to apathy and 
despair; but, both by precept and example, taught 
that the duty of the hour was to make a vigorous 
and united effort to repair the ravages of war by 
the development of the agricultural resources of 
the State, increasing transportation facilities, culti- 
vating commercial relations with the other Slates of 
the Union and stimulating immigration. 

Daring his long connection with the News, com- 
mencing as editor in 1843, and afterwards as sole 
proprietor or partner, Mr. Richardson presented a 
model of persistent application to business. With- 
out any ambition to figure in politics, caring noth- 
ing for ordinary amusements, he found suiflcient 
entertainment in the active pursuits of life and the 
literary labors his vocation involved. He was a 
hard worker, but he loved his work and for the 



192 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



most part was cheered by the successful results 
of his enterprise and foresight. Whenever he 
took a stand on any great public question he 
did so after mature deliberation and adhered to 
his views with consistency and firmness, apparently 
as little disturbed by adverse prospects as elated 
with success. His temperament and mental organ- 
ism were not such as characterize the partisan or 
popular politician. He was not capable of viewing 
a question wholly from one standpoint, but natur- 
ally considered it in all its bearings, and if he had 
prejudices and prepossessions that warped his 
judgment and influenced liis conclusions, they never 
appeared in anything that he said or wrote. He 
never indulged in the crimination and recrimina- 
tion so common to the press in times of political 
excitement, nor showed prejudice against a person 
or cause on personal grounds. Neither did he 
deal in vague generalities or exhibitions of feeling 
or sentiment. Palpable facts and the most direct 
and logical conclusions from them constituted the 
means which he employed to influence public 
opinion. Raised in the political school of Calhoun 
and deeply imbued with its principles, he held with 
constancy to the fixed political opinions of his 
younger years, firm in the belief that they were 
well founded and must, be ultimately vindicated 
or the government lose the vital elements of lib- 
erty. In his manner toward and intercourse with 
otliers Mr. Richardson was singularly modest and 
unobtrusive. With an abiding faith in the future 
of Galveston and Texas, he invested the proceeds 
of his business in property that grew in value with 
the development of the country and spent his 
money with a liberal hand in the erection of elegant 
and costly buildings. The first four-story brick 
building put up in Galveston was erected by him 
before the war for the office of the News. The 
opera house and stores connected with it, extend- 
ing to and adjoining the office of the Netvs, fol- 
lowed, involving investments which but few men 
would have ventured to make at that time, but 
which were all made with the cool calculation of 
the man of business, as well as the laudable pride 
of a man who had identified himself with the build- 
ing up of the city and was willing to stand or fail 
with it. He also made other valuable improve- 
ments in other parts of Galveston and contributed 
to almost every enterprise for the improvement of 
the city and its connection with the commerce of 
the interior. 

In former years he sometimes served as alderman 
and was once elected and served as mayor of Gal- 
veston, altliough he had not announced himself as 
a candidate. He declined to run for re-election. 



He frequently expressed repugnance to office hold- 
ing. He had no ambition to occupy a conspicuous 
position in the public eye, either living or dead, and 
placed little value upon ostentatious display, pre- 
ferring the solid and useful to that which is ornate 
and showy. With the increase of years and the 
pressure of business he gradually relaxed his edi- 
torial labors, having for some years prior to his 
death retired from any active management of the 
News. Though he found time afterwards to con- 
tribute to its columns, he had ceased to do so 
regularly for a long time and held no position in 
the division of the labors of the establishment. 

He took an active interest in the l)enevolent order 
of Odd Fellows, of which he was a life-long member 
and for which he exercised his pen even after he 
had ceased to labor on the columns of the News. 
At the session of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, held in April, 1874, it was resolved that the 
history of the order should be written and an appeal 
was made to members throughout the country for 
aid in the work. In accordance with a resolution 
then adopted by the Grand Lodge, Mr. Richardson 
received the following appointment through the 
Grand Master of Texas : — 

" Office of R. W. Geand Master, ) 

" R. W. Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. of the > 

" State of Texas. J 

"Waco, Texas, April 24th, 1874. 
" By virtue of the authority in me vested, and in 
compliance with the spirit and object of the en- 
closed copy of circular letter, I hereby nominate, 
constitute and appoint you Historiographer of our 
beloved order in the State of Texas. While you 
deservedly have the reputation of being the Nestor 
of journalism in this great and rapidly growing 
State, you are also esteemed properly by the 
brothers of this jurisdiction as the father of Odd 
Fellowship in Texas. No one in my knowledge is 
more imbued with the cardinal virtues, and has 
more interest in and zeal for our Order in Texas 
than yourself, and no one is better prepared to 
give accurately, thoroughly and attractively the 
rise, progress and rapid development of Odd 
Fellowship in Texas than yourself. Hoping that 
you will accept the appointment, and at once open 
correspondence with Brother Ridgeley, I am, fra- 
ternally yours, etc. 

" M. D. Herring, 

" Grand blaster." 

This labor of love Mr. Richardson, then seventy- 
two years of age, at once set out to accomplish, 
and the result in a short time was a handsome book 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of three hundred and fifty pages, giving a complete 
history of the Order in Texas, from tlie opening of 
the first lodge in Houston, on the 24th of July, 
1838, up to 1874, a period of thirty-sis years. 
He held almost every office known to the Order 
during his long connection with it and his name 
appears in the list of chief oflicers of the Grand 
Encampment of the State, as M. E. G. High 
Priest for more than one term. For several years 
successively preceding his death he was Grand 
Representative to the National Grand Lodge, and 
held that position at the time of his demise and 
looked forward with pleasure to the period of the 
Grand Reunion, which he was destined to never 
more attend. 

Time and space will not permit an examination 
of the printed archives of the order to trace bis 
varied work in its behalf and be left no personal 
records of himself in this or in any other respect, 
though he spoke freely of bis past life among his 
friends. He returned to South Carolina in 1849 
and June 6th of that year was united in marriage 
to Miss Louisa B. Murrell, to whom be had been 
engaged since early manhood. Mrs. Richardson 
is a daughter of James and Louisa (Sumpter) 
Murrell, at the time of her marriage residents of 
Sumpter, South Carolina, where she was born in 
1819. Her father was a planter. Gen. Thomas 
Sumpter, of revolutionary fame, was Mrs. Richard- 



son's maternal grandfather. The town of Sumpter 
and Fort Sumpter in Charleston Harbor were named 
for this distinguished military officer and citizen. 
He also was a planter. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richardson had one child, a 
daughter, now the wife of Dr. Henry P. Cooke, of 
Galveston. Dr. and Mrs. Cooke, have one son, 
Willard Richardson Cooke, born in Galveston, 
September 6th, 1888. 

Mrs. Richardson lives in retirement in the beau- 
tiful Oleander City by the sea surrounded by a 
wide circle of friends and in the enjoyment of the 
companionship of her daughter's family. 

Mr. Richardson died at his home in Galveston, 
July 26th, 1875. He was a man who had fixed 
plans and aims in life and, though he lived to work 
most of them out to successful results, it is known 
to his more immediate confidants that he hoped to 
crown the end of his career with a work that would 
have inured to the benefit of the people of Texas 
of after times and conferred enduring benefits on 
the city which had been the scene of his labors. 
His name deserves a place among those of the 
many illustrious men who have in this country 
adorned the profession of journalism. His char- 
acter embraced many of the elements of true 
greatness. He did much for the State of Texas 
and deserves grateful remembrance at the hands 
of her people. 



THE CARR FAMILY OF BRYAN, 

BRYAN. 



The Bryan branch of the Carr family in Texas 
dates back to the arrival of Allan Carr at the town 
of Old Washington, on the Brazos, in 1858. He 
came from Noxubee County, Mississippi, and 
brought with him a family of five children, the 
wife and mother having died in Mississippi. He 
remained at Old Washington but a short time, 
however, when, having purchased a farm on the 
river in Burleson County, about twelve miles north- 
west of Bryan, he settled there. 

He brought with him from Mississippi one hun- 
dred slaves, which he worked on his farm until 
affairs. State and national, became unsettled and 
then, in 1860, sold them (retaining only a few house 
servants) to a Mr. William Brewer, of Old Inde- 



pendence, in Washington County. Some of these 
slaves still live in and about Independence, Brenham 
and Bryan. 

Allan Carr was a native of North Carolina and 
was born in 1807. ^ 

He led an active life until his death at his home 
in Burleson County in 1861. He is remembered by 
old settlers as a man of excellent impulses, strong 
traits of character, and a good citizen. He was a 
life-long planter and raised cotton and corn with 
great success. 

His early ancestors were Scotch-Irish and his 
more immediate antecedents were directly traceable 
to the earliest colonists of old Virginia. 

He married Bliss Elizabeth Wooton, she being 



194 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



also of North Carolina birth. Of their children, 
tliree are now living in Texas: Robert W., Jennie, 
and Allan B. 

Robert W. is a resident of Bryan and for twelve 
years past treasurer of Brazos County. He was 
born on Tar River, Greene Couaty, North Carolina, 
October 2, 1831. When about six years of age his 
father located with the family at West Point, Miss. 
In 1850 young Carr went to California and followed 
mining throughout the then newly developing gold- 
dio-ffings. He passed through the most exciting 
period of those lively early days in the " Golden 
State." He remained in California until the break- 
ing out of the late war, when he returned to the 
South, coming via Panama, Aspinwall and New 
York to St. Louis, from which place he made his 
way into Arkansas, where he raised an independent 
company of cavalry and equipped the men with the 
best Sharp's rifles and six-shooting revolvers. With 
this company he ranged through that region of 
country and was with "Jeff." Thompson and his 
command at the battle of Black River and also later 
at Pocahontas, Missouri. 

At this point, receiving news from home of the 
dangerous illness of his father, he disbanded his 
company and returned to Texas. His father died 
at his Brazos valley farm, as before recited, and 
Capt. Carr joined Capt. Hargrove's scouting com- 
pany, which became a part of Hood's Brigade. 
Capt. Carr soon received a commission to raise a 
companj' of cavalry, which he did and was there- 
upon ordered bj' Gen. Magruder to fight the " Yan- 
kees " in the valley of the Rio Grande, which he 
most cheerfully and effectually did. 

The story of Capt. Carr's campaign on the Rio 
Grande river, properly written, would, in itself, make 
a fair-sized volume of more than ordinarj' interest. 

Capt. Carr remained in the vallej' until the close 
of the war and for a time commanded the post at 
Brownsville, which was the base of supplies from 
Mexico for the Confederate States. His companj' 
fought and won the last battle of the war at Pal- 
metto Ranch, about fifteen miles below Browns- 
ville, which took place some time after Gen. Lee 
had surrendered and hostilities had ceased. It 
should be stated, however, that Brownsville was so 
far distant from the seat of war and the means of 
communication so impaired that the official news of 
the cessation of hostilities had not reached them. 
Upon the receipt of the news, Capt. Carr returned 
to Texas and commenced merchandising at Milli- 
can and, also, pursued farming on the Brazos until 
18G7, when he went to Bryan and entered the cot- 
ton business, in which he has been engaged since 
about 1875. 



Since the 3'ear 1884 he has continuousl}' held the 
office of treasurer of Brazos County, having been 
elected from time to time with increased majorities 
over his opponents. 

Capt. Carr married in 18fi7 Mrs. M. E. Farinholt, 
whose maiden name was Mary E. Knowles. She 
was born in Arkansas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carr have had four daughters, two 
of whom are living, viz. : Mary E., who serves as 
his deputj- in the treasurer's office, and LillieE., 
who is the wife of Mr. John Davis, of Bryan. 

Jennie, the second of the family now living, is 
Mrs. T. C. Westbrook, of Hearne. 

Allan B., the j'oungest living member of this 
generation, is a resident of Bryan, where he has 
lived since about 1873. He was born August 27, 
1843, in Lowndes (since Clay) County, Miss., 
at the town of West Point, where his father was the 
first settler and erected the first buildings. Here 
young Carr spent his boyhood and youth and was 
about fifteen j'ears of age when he, with his father, 
came to Texas. Soon after the settlement of the 
family on their Brazos bottom-farm, the war broke 
out and he promptlj' joined the armj', in defense 
of the Confederate cause, as a member of the 
Second Texas Infantry, commanded by Col. (later 
Brigadier-General) John C. Moore, as a consequence 
of whose promotion. Col. W. P. Rogers took regi- 
mental command. Mr. Carr participated with his 
regiment in the well-known and bloody engagements 
at Shiloh, Farmington and luka, and was in the 
second battle of Corinth, where Col. Rogers fell in 
the heat of the struggle. Mr. Carr was at the time 
serving as Col. Rogers' orderly. Mr. Carr remained 
with the army until the final break-up and then 
returned to Burleson County and engaged in farm- 
ing (his father having died). He also conducted 
a ferrj' across the Brazos river at the old San 
Antonio crossing for about two j'ears, when he 
removed to Bryan, where he has since resided. 

Mr. Carr married in 1866 Miss Pandora Mosely, 
a daughter of Augustus Mosely (deceased), a 
pioneer of Burleson County (1857) and an exten- 
sive Brazos-bottom planter. Thej' have two sons, 
Charles O'Conor Carr, engaged in the insurance 
business, and Allan B. Carr, Jr., one of the most 
prosperous merchants at Bryan. 

Mr. Carr for twenty-two years past has, without 
intermission, held the office of secretary of the city 
of Bryan. 

His long continuance in office is evidence of the 
esteem in which he is held as a citizen and faithful 
official. Mr. Carr owns rural and city realty but 
his time is largely absorbed with his official duties. 

Others of the familv are deceased. Martha died 



TXDTAX WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



195 



in Mississippi, the wife of Win. McMuUen ; Eliza- 
beth (or Bettie) married T. P. Mills, was the 
mother of two daughters and a son, and died in 
Houston about 18G0. Titus came to Texas with 
his father, married and in 1870 died at Brj'an, 
leaving four children and a widow, who again 



married ; and William came to Texas with the 
family, married, and died in the United States 
mail service at Fort Worth about 1885, leaving 
one son, Westbrook. William had held a respon- 
sible position in the United States service for up- 
wards of twenty years. 



ALEXANDER GILMER, 

ORANGE. 



Was born September 7, 1829, in County 
Armagh, Ireland. His parents were George and 
Jane Gilmer, both of whom died in Ireland. 

He was educated in his native land, where he 
remained until seventeen years of age, when he 
came to America and located in Georgia, where he 
engaged in getting out shipmasts for ths French 
government, working under his brother, John, who 
was the contractor. He followed this employment 
fur three years, clearing about $700.00. He then 
worked under his brother in building a schooner 
and steamboat, putting all his earnings in the 
steamboat, the Swan, which was to ply on the 
Chattahoochie river. She was sunk during the 
second season, leaving him but ten cents when she 
went down, which he gave to a negro who blacked 
his boots. He then helped to build a schooner, the 
Altha Brooks, on the Chattahoochie river in Alabama 
and came out to Texas on her, lauding at Galves- 
ton, from which place he went to Orange to repair 
a schooner. This work completed, he took a con- 
tract with a man named Livingston to build a 
schooner, which they completed, and then helped to 
build another schooner, the Mary Ellen, 

This done, he formed a copartnership with Smith 
& Merriman and his cousin, George C. Gilmer, 
and built the Alex Moore, which was run between 
Orange and Galveston, and was employed in the 
Texas coast-wise trade. 

He and his cousin bought out Smith & Merri- 
man' s interest in the schooner and started a 
mercantile business at Orange, which they con- 
tinued about fifteen years, until George C. Gil- 
mer's death at Orange. 

Mr. George C. Gilmer bequeathed half his inter- 
est in the store, valued at about $10,000.00, to 
George Gilmer, a son of the subject of this notice. 
When twenty-seven years of age Mr. Alexander 



Gilmer was united in marriage to Miss Etta Read- 
ing, of Orange. No children by this marriage. 

His second marriage was to Miss C. C. Thomas, 
of Orange, in 1867. Nine children have been born 
to them, seven of whom are living, viz. : Laura, now 
Mrs. Dr. F. Hadra, of Orange ; Mattie, now Mrs. 
H. S. Filson, of Orange ; Effie, now Mrs. R. M. 
Williamson, of Waco ; Eliza, Cleora, Annie, and 
Ollie. Two sons died in infancy. 

Mr. Gilmer engaged in the saw-mill business in 
1866. He sustained a number of severe losses by 
fire, but in each instance by good management put 
his financial affairs on a better basis than they 
were before. 

One of his largest mills was built at Orange in 
1894. 

Just before his last loss by fire, he established 
lumber yards at Velasco ; bought one at Beeville 
(which he closed in 1895), bought one at Yoakum, 
one at Cuero, one at Runge, one at Karnes City, 
one at Victoria, and established one at Brazoria, 
which are valued at about $100,000.00. His mill 
property is valued at about $75,000.00. 

Mr. Gilmer's property interests now aggregate 
about $300,000.00. He had but $500.00 when he 
reached Texas. 

He was on the G. H. Bell, commanded by 
Charles Fowler, when the Morning Light was cap- 
tured in the battle of Sabine Pass, during the war 
between the States. 

Later he ran the blockade with a schooner loaded 
with cotton, commanded by Capt. Whiting, and 
made a successful trip to Balize, Honduras ; then 
made an equally successful trip from Columbia to 
the Rio Grande ; sold one cargo from Galveston at 
Havana; was captured at Sabine Pass, by the Hat- 
teras, which was sunk by the Alabama, the day 
after his boat was taken, and then chartered a brig 



196 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



at Jamaica and loaded her with coffee, sugar and 
lumber, and took the cargo to Laredo, from which 
place he sent it overland to Houston ; bought cotton 
in Laredo, for which he was offered forty cents per 
pound in gold, which he refused ; took the cotton to 
Matamoros and lost money. 

His partner in these ventures was Mr. M. A. 
Kopperl, of Galveston. 



Before and after the war Mr. Gilmer owned five 
schooners, coasting in the lumber trade. He lost 
four schooners, with two of which all of the crew 
perished. 

Mr. Gilmer is now, and has been for many years, 
one of the most influential citizens and leading busi- 
ness men of the section of the State in which he 
resides. 



WILLIAM HARRISON WESTFALL, M. D., 



BURNET. 



While there are few incidents of a sensational or 
even novel kind in the ordinary lives of professional 
men, there is yet in every successful career points 
of interest and an undercurrent of character well 
deserving of careful thought. However much 
men's lives may resemble one another each must 
differ from all others and preserve an identity truly 
its own. The life histor3' of the subject of this 
article, while it has many phases in common with 
others of his profession, yet discloses an energy, 
tact, mental endowments and discipline, and social 
qualities, which acting together as a motive power 
have enabled him to reach and successfully main- 
tain a position of respectability in his profession, 
and in the world of practical business, seldom 
attained by members of that profession, dis- 
tinguished as it is for men of intelligence and 
general merit. 

Dr. Westfall comes of good ancestry, not par- 
ticularly noted, but respectable, strong, sturdy 
Virginia stock, of Prussian extraction. He was 
born in the town of Buchanan, in what is now 
Upshur County, West Virginia, December IG, 
1822. He was reared in his native place, in the 
local schools of which he received his early mental 
training. Opportunities for a collegiate educa- 
tion were not open to him, but his energy, 
force of character and persistent industry helped 
in a great measure to neutralize this disadvan- 
tage, and, having determined on a professional 
career, he began preparation for it with sufHcient 
mental equipment. He attended the medical de- 
partment of the University of New York, in which 
institution and in the hospitals of that city he spent 
five years, enjoying the best advantages then open 
to students. He did not enter immediately on the 
practice of his profession after completing his edu- 



cation, but laid aside his purpose for a while, being 
induced to this by considerations which exercised a 
controlling influence on the careers of many others 
of his age. Those were the years in which the 
country was swept by the great gold fever which, 
breaking out in the wilds of California, spread to 
the remotest parts of this continent, and of civili- 
zation. Young Westfall was an early victim and 
the spring of 1850 found him well on the overland 
route towards the new El Dorado. He spent 
several months in the gold fields, leading the desul- 
tory life of a miner and adventurer. Then in the 
winter of 1851 he returned to " the States," stop- 
ping in Missouri. Up to this time his fund of 
experience was considerably larger than his fund 
of cash, hut he was not satisfied with either, and 
shortly afterward determined to try his fortunes in 
a speculative scheme with a bunch of cattle, which 
he undertook with some assistance to drive to the 
diggings in California. That drive, one of the 
earliest in the history of the country, was an 
undertaking, the magnitude and hazard of 
which the average reader of this day can have but 
little conception. The distance covered was 
over 2,000 miles and the route lay through an 
utterly desert and wilderness country infested 
by savage Indians and subject to the perils 
of storm, famine and flood. That it was accom- 
plished witiiout serious mishap is to be wondered at, 
but so it was, and, what is more, it turned outprof- 
itably to those who were concerned in it. Dr. 
Westfall remained in California on this trip till the 
fall of 1853 when, in a better financial condition, he 
returned to Missouri. He now felt that it was 
time for him to take up his profession and, settling 
at Clinton in Henry Count3% that State, he formed 
a partnership with Dr. G. Y. Salmon, a well-known 




^;^,M„WESTr[F^LL, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



197 



and com))etent pbj'sician, anil, entered on his pro- 
fessional labors. November 20, 1853, he married 
Miss Mar3- A. Bates, of Clinton, whose parents, 
Asaph W. and Sarah Bates, originallj' from Ken- 
tucky, had settled in Henry County in pioneer 
days, where Mrs. Westfall had been born and 
reared. 

After four j-ears' residence in Missouri Dr. 
Westfall concluded to come to Texas, moving in 
1857 to Austin, where he resumed the practice of 
his profession, later purchasing land in Williamson 
County, in the vicinity of Liberty Hill, which he 
improved as a ranah. When the war came on he 
transferred his residence from Austin to his ranch, 
the returns from which, supplementing the income 
from his profession, enabled him to support his 
family during the period of hostilities. He was 
exempt from military service by reason of his pro- 
fession ; but, as a physician and citizen, he rendered 
the cause of the Confederacy the best service in 
his power, giving it the weight of his personal 
influence and attending the families of the soldiers 
in the fleld, free of charge. 

In 1872, Dr. Westfall was elected to the lower 
branch of the State Legislature from Williamson 
County and served as a member of the Thirteenth 
Gieneral Assembly. This was a new field for him 
but one in which his energy and talents enabled him 
to acquit himself with credit. It will be remem- 
bered that the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth 
Legislatures were those which had so much to do 
with shaping the policy of the State with respect 
to schools, public funds and railways. Among the 
general laws passed by the Thirteenth Legislature to 
which he gave his support were those creating a 
public school system and setting apart one-half of 
the public domain for the support and maintenance 
of the same ; the law providing for the better secu- 
rity of the public funds ; the law regulating the 
assessment and collection of taxes, and the law to 
protect the agricultural .interests of the State by 
providing adequate punishment for those guiltj' of 
destroying gates and fences or committing other 
trespasses, in which last act there was a hint of the 
possible conditions which actually arose ten years 
later and culminated in the celebrated fence-cutting 
troubles. The special laws passed by the Thirteenth 
Legislature, in which he took considerable interest, 
favoring some and opposing others as seemed to 
him proper at the time, were those incorporating 
railway, canal and ship channel companies, incor- 
porating and extending the corporate powers of 
towns and cities, and those establishing by charter 
real estate, building, savings and banking concerns, 
private educational institutions and benevolent 



associations, more than 200 acts of this character 
being passed by that Legislature. The Thirteenth 
was distinctively the Legislature which gave practi- 
cal direction to the re-awakened energies of the 
people after the war and prepared the way for the 
era of prosperity which followed. 

From the lower house Dr. Westfall went to the 
upper by election in the fall of 1873, being chosen 
from the senatorial district composed of Travis, 
Williamson, Buruet, Lampasas, San Saba, Llano and 
Blanco. During his term of service in the Four- 
teenth General Assembly he pursued the same line 
of conduct previously marked out, entering, if 
anything, more actively into the work of legislation 
because by that time he had become better ac- 
quainted with the necessities and wishes of the 
people, and more familiar with legislative methods 
and proceedings. There were some important 
amendments to the school law passed by that Legis- 
lature, which as a member of tlie Committee on 
Education, he was in a position to materially aid. 
But during this, as at the previous silting, the rail- 
roads came in for most of the time of the law- 
makers. It was during the second session of the 
Fourteenth Legislature that the act was passed 
giving to the International & Great Northern Rail- 
road Company, in lieu of the $10,000 per mile bonds 
theretofore granted, twenty sections of land for each 
mile of road constructed and exempting the lands 
so donated and all of the property of the original 
company from taxation for a period of twentj'-flve 
years. This was in the nature of a compromise 
and was regarded by many as a good settlement 
for the State as well as being just and equitable 
towards the railroad. At the outset Dr. Westfall 
opposed it, being in favor of the bond subsidy. 
But when it became known that such a subsidy 
would not meet the approval of the then Governor 
and believing that the best interests of the people 
demanded a settlement of the question he, as a 
member of the committee appointed to formulate a 
bill that would receive the Governor's approval, sup- 
ported this measure in accordance with his pledge 
to stand by the action of a majority of the com- 
mittee. 

This Legislature aho did itself the honor of voting 
increased pensions to the surviving veterans of the 
revolution by which Texas was separated from 
Mexico, including the Santa Fe and Mier prisoners, 
the survivors of the company of Capt. Dawson, 
who was massacred near San Antonio in 1842, the 
survivors of those who were captured at San 
Antonio in 1842 and imprisoned at Perote and the 
survivors of Deaf Smith's Spy Company. And it 
also made legal holidays of the second of March 



198 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



(Texas Independence Day) and the twenty-first of 
April (San Jacinto Day), both of which patriotic 
measures received the Doctor's cordial support. 

With the expiration of his term as senator Dr. 
Westfall gave up public affairs altogether and 
turned his attention strictly to his professional and 
business interests, which by that time had assumed 
very gratifying proportions, gradually placing him 
in a position where he could find wider fields for 
active and profitable employment. He had moved 
from Williamson County to Austin in 1S7G. From 
Austin he moved to Burnet in 1879, having made 
investments in the latter place which necessitated 
this step. For a year or so after going to Burnet 
he was interested in the mercantile and exchange 
business there ; but, disposing of his mercantile in- 
terest later, he engaged in the banking business, 
associating with himself for this purpose his son- 
in-law, W. H. Hotchkiss, the bank, a private insti- 
tution, being opened under the firm name of W. II. 
Westfall & Co. In 1883 it was converted into a 
national bank and conducted as such for ten years, 
at the end of which time it was denationalized and 
again became a private institution, and so continues 
under the old firm name. The denationalization 
was resolved on and effected purely as a matter of 
expedience and from a conviction that the old sys- 
tem was the better adapted to existing conditions, 
both systems having been given a fair trial. The 
career of the bank under the national system had 
been reasonably satisfactory to the stockholders 
and eminently so to the Federal authorities, the 
latter fact being evidenced both by repeated expres- 
sions from the department and by the fact, of 
seldom occurrence, that the Comptroller of the Cur- 
rency accepted the statements of the oflScers of the 
bank as to its condition and granted the stock- 
holders a release without the formality of an inves- 
tigation. This bank with the changes here indi- 
cated is the only one the town of Burnet has ever 
had and it has been an important factor in the 
town's and county's financial and business affairs. 
Its treatment of its patrons has always been fair 
and reasonable and its liberality in this respect 
together with its well-known conservative course in 
all things has served to entrench it in the confidence 
and good will of the people generally. It is 
worthy of note that the bank voluntarilj' reduced 
its rate of interest before the Legislature took action 
on that question. 

Dr. Westfall has invested more or less in outside 
enterprises and has made considerable money by 
his investments. He is largel}' interested in the 
South Heights addition to San Antonio and in real 
estate in Utah, owning fourteen houses and lots in 



Salt Lake City and some irrigated properties in 
near-by counties. It may be added that his in- 
vestments have been made entirely out of his indi- 
vidual means, and only when he has had means 
which he felt he could safely use for such purposes, 
his unalterable habit having been never to touch 
a dollar of other people's money intrusted to 
him. 

An active man of business, with a keen percep- 
tion of the commercial value of things. Dr. West- 
fall was among the first to direct attention to the 
great wealth locked up in the stone measures of 
Burnet County and he was a staunch advocate of 
the claims of that stone for building purposes long 
before experts had passed favorably upon it or its 
usefulness had been demonstrated b}' actual trial. 
When the commissioners were hunting over the 
State for material for the new capitol he put him- 
self in communication with them, invited them to 
Burnet County to inspect its resources, and person- 
ally accompanied them in their travels, assisting 
them in their investigations, confident that such 
investigations, if fully and fairly made, would 
result in the adoption of Burnet County stone for 
the great work in hand. As is known, however, 
the matter of selecting material for the building 
was held in abeyance for some time and it was not 
until the value of the product of Granite Mountain 
had been thoroughly demonstrated and Dr. West- 
fall and his associates, Col. N. L. Norton and Mr. 
George W. Lacy, had offered to give to the State 
all the stone needed, that it was decided to con- 
struct the building of this material. The capitol 
as a building speaks for itself. It also in some 
measure may be considered a monument to the 
wisdom, liberality and public spirit of those who 
furnished free of cost the handsome and enduring 
material out of which it is constructed. 

After having developed the quarries of Granite 
Mountain and shipped large quantities of the stone 
throughout the State, notably for the jetties at 
Galveston and the dam at Austin, the moun- 
tain was sold by its owners at a fair profit, 
but not until they had seen it through its entire 
period of probation and fixed it firmly in pul)- 
lic favor. With the development of this enterprise 
began Dr. Westfall's connection with the Austin 
& Northwestern Railroad, the latter being in 
reality an outgrowth of the former. He was one of 
the charter members of the road and for some time 
its vice-president. He is still its chief surgeon. 
All public enterprises — whatever will stimulate 
industry or in any way result in good to the com- 
munity — meet his cordial approbation and receive 
his prompt advocacy and assistance. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



190 



While Dr. Westfall has thus traveled far out of 
the beaten path of his profession he has never lost 
sight of its claims upon him nor ceased to feel an 
abiding interest in it. Confining his attention 
mainly to surger3', for which branch he has special 
inclination, he responds promptly to all calls for his 
services and follows up his duties in this connection 
with zeal and efficiency. He has served as pres- 
ident of the examining boards of the three judicial 
districts in which he has lived, and not only with 
the laity but with his medical brethren he stands 
among the first. 

Dr. Westfall is a zealous Mason, having been 



made a member of the order more than forty years 
ago. He belongs to Ben Hur Shrine and Colorado 
Commandery, both of Austin. 

A wife and widowed daughter constitute his 
family. Not the least of the many creditable 
things that can be truthfully said of him is that he 
makes grateful acknowledgment for what he is and 
what he has to the good wife, who, joining her for- 
tunes with his more than forty years ago, has 
shared in all his triumphs and reverses, counseling 
with him, applauding and encouraging his efforts, 
and rejoicing more than any one else in his 
success. 



THE COLE FAMILY. 



BRYAN. 



The permanent settlement of the late ven- 
erable Ransom Cole in Texas dates back to the 
year J 850, when he established himself in Cass 
County, in the eastern part of the State. He had 
lived, however, a short time during 1849, just over 
the State line in Western Louisiana. He was a 
native of South Carolina and was born in Edgefield 
district, that State, .June 11, 1800. The family 
history, so far as traceable, seems to be one of 
pioneer record. 

Daniel Cole, the father of Ransom Cole, was 
among the early settlers of Virginia and as that 
country became settled pushed on to the frontier 
of South Carolina, and later advanced with the 
progress of settlement into Georgia and later into 
Alaljama. Thus it was that Ransom Cole, born 
and reared in a then new country, became imbued 
with the genuine pioneer instinct and preferred and 
during bis active years lead a typical pioneer life. 
He had Texas in his mind long years before his 
final location in Cass County in 1850. ' Fifteen 
years prior to that date (1835) he explored the 
Brazos valley as far north as Waco springs and 
there selected lands which he purchased. 

Complications arose, however, touching land 
titles in that vicinity, covering the tract he had 
selected. The trouble very likely occurred with 
the Indians, as the Wacos were still at that time 
in almost absolute possession of the upper Brazos 
valley and held sway for several years later and 
relinquished their final hold not without contest and 
jeven bloodshed. 



Mr. Cole finally perfected his title to the land, 
but never lived thereon, preferring to remain at his 
Cass county home. 

Daniel Cole, a younger brother of Ransom, also 
came to Texas and located in Cass County in 1853. 
He there pursued farming and lived until his death, 
leaving a familj', some of whom still reside there. 

Ransom Cole early suffered the loss 6f his wife, 
Agatha (^ne<' Bostwick) Cole, December 1, 1854, in 
her forty-eighth }'ear. She was born in 1806. She 
was the mother of nine children and of these three 
sons settled at Bryan in the infancy of the thrifty 
count}' seat of Brazos County, and as merchants 
and esteemed citizens have become conspicuous in 
the business development and growth of the city, 
standing a=i they do at the head of its mercantile 
interests. The firm name of the house. Cole 
Brothers, has become a household word throughout 
the Brazos valley region. Ransom Cole remained 
on his Cass County estate until, advanced in years, 
he relinquished the cares of business to spend the 
declining j'cars of his life with his children at Bryan 
and vicinity and there died in the year 1887, at 
eighty-seven jears of age. He was favorably known 
as a man of quiet and unpretentious manners and a 
kind, warm heart. 

In view of the foregoing facts, space cannot be 
more becomingly utilized than to recite tlie follow- 
ing brief biographical facts touching the Bryan mem- 
bers of this pioneer family, all of whom have seen 
and taken an aggressive part in the growth of the 
richest and most [)romising valley country in Texas. 



200 



INDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Mason 1). Cole, the oldest of the famil}' of nine 
children, was born in Pike County, Alabama, on his 
father's farm, February 24, 1831. His boyhood 
was for the most part spent in Macon County, Ala- 
bama, and he there early engaged in agriculture 
until the removal of the family to Louisiana and 
soon after to Texas in 1849. He remained in Cass 
County, this State, until he became identified with 
the commissary department of the Confederate 
government, in which he served during 1864 and 
1865. He, in common with his fellow-countrymen, 
suffered severe losses in consequence of the war ; 
but, gathering up the remnants of his estate, he em- 
barked in merchandising at Douglassville, Texas, 
from 1865 to 1869, and in a measure repaired his 
fortunes. His two brothers preceded him to Bryan 
in 1867 and engaged in merchandising under the 
firm name of Cole, Dansby & Co. Mr. Cole 
came on, purchased Mr. Dansby's interest, and, 
with his brothers, established the firm of Cole 
Brothers, which dates its existence from 1869. 

Mr. Cole married, ia 1872, his present and third 
wife, Mrs. Mollie A. Covy, a widow lady, native of 
Georgia. Of the children born of this union, two 
sons survive, viz. : Houston and Jeff Cole. B3' a 
former marriage, Mr. Cole has a son, J. R. Cole, 
and a daughter, now Mrs. Simm Cooper, both resi- 
dents of Brjan. 

Mr. Cole devotes his time chiefly to the exten- 
sive (\xy goods interests of his firm. He has 
served fifteen years as trustee of the public schools 
and in the city council and was one of the original 
promoters of Bryan's public free school S3'stem. 

Jasper N. Cole, general manager of the business 
of the firm, was born in Macon County, Alabama, 
January 14, 1837, and, like his elder brother, lived 
on his father's farm until about fifteen years of age. 
Upon the opening of the war between the States in 
1861, he promptly enlisted as a private soldier in 
the Third Texas Cavalry, in Greer's Regiment, but 
"served for the most part under the regimental 
command of Col. Walter P. Lane. 

The record of the gallant Third Texas Cavalry, 
under the leadership at various times of such in- 
trepid and relentless fighters as Gens. Ben McCul- 



loch. Price, Bragg, and Joseph E. Johnston, is a 
part of the history of the great war waged in the 
interest of the Southern cause. Mr. Cole fought in 
the battles of Wilson Creek, Missouri ; Elk Horn, or 
Pea Ridge, Arkansas; Corinth, Mississippi; and 
those incident to all the great campaigns down to 
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and on down into Georgia. 
He returned to his home in Cass County after the 
war and in 1867 went to Bryan and embarked in 
merchandising in company' with a younger brother, 
Noah B. Cole, present junior member of the firm. 

Mr. Cole married, October 21, 1869, in Brazos 
County, Miss Nannie Walker, daugliter of James 
AValker, a pioneer of Brazos County. Nine chil- 
dren born of this marriage are living, viz. : Mattie, 
wife of Lemuel B. Hall, a well-known drug mer- 
chant of Bryan ; May, unmarried ; Ella, wife, W. S. 
Adams; Carl, Arrie, Alma, Nellie, Jasper, and 
Ransom. Two, Claud and Earl, are deceased. 

Mr. Cole is known in the financial circles of Texas 
as the president of the Merchants and Planters 
Bank of Brj-an since 1889. He is also president 
of the Bryan Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 

Noah B. Cole, the director of the hardware store 
of the firm, was born in Alabama, August 19, 1847, 
the j-oungest of nine children, and lived on his 
father's farm until 1864, when, at seventeen years 
of age, he joined Lane's Regiment, so well known in 
the history- of the late war as the First Texas 
Partisan Rangers, the services of which were con- 
fined chiefly to the Trans-Mississippi Department. 
He went through a lively Louisiana, Arkansas and 
Missouri campaign of about eighteen months and at 
the break-up returned home in August, 1865, un- 
scathed. He came with his elder brother, Jasper 
N. Cole, to Bryan, in 18G7, and engaged in business, 
the outcome of which is three flourishing stores at 
that place. 

He has been twice married, first in 1879, to Miss 
Mollie Rawles, who died December 5th, 1888, leav- 
ing one son, Robert E. Cole. Mr. Cole married, 
November 14, 1890, his second and present wife. 
Miss Lula Davies, a daughter of Dr. Wm. Davies, 
of Burleson Count}'. Two children have been born 
to them, viz. : NoahD., and Walter R. Cole. 



mDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



201 



E. M. PEASE, 

AUSTIN. 



We have selected for the subject of tliis memoir 
lion. Elislia Marshall Pease, a man who, in his day 
and generation, moved as a colossal figure upon 
the stage of action in Texas. 

His career covered the most momentous epochs 
in the history of the State, the Texas revolution, 
the days of the Republic, annexation, the war 
l)etween the States, and the era of reconstruction. 

A sufficient period of time has now elapsed since 
the happening of those events for the formation of 
a true estimate of his character and services, and 
to enable the historian, by a dispassionate con- 
sideration of the circumstances that surrounded 
him, to obtain an insigbt into the motives that 
prompted his public acts. 

He was born at Enfield, Conn., January 3, 1812, 
and enjoyed such educational advantages as were 
afforded by the schools of his native town and a 
short attendance at an academy at Westfleld, 
Mass. His parents were Lorain Thompson, and 
Sarah (Marshall), Pease. 

At the age of fourteen he was placed in a coun- 
try store where he remained three years. From 
tliat time until 1834, he was a clerk at the post 
office at Hartford. 

The greater part of the year 1834 was spent in 
traveling in the Northwestern States, and in the 
fall he went to New Orleans. In that citj' he met 
many persons from Texas, and, allured by the glow- 
ing accounts which they gave of the character and 
prospects of the country beyond the Sabine, de- 
termined to seek a home and fortune within its 
confines. Accordingly, in the month of Januar3', 
1835, he took passage on a sailing vessel, landed at 
the port of Velasco, and from thence made his way 
to the frontier settlements on the Colorado, and 
located at Mina, now the town of Bastrop, where 
he began the studj' of law in the office of Col. D. 
C. Barrett, who had but recently entered upon the 
practice of the profession. 

The times were not such, however, that a high- 
spirited and mettlesome young man could sit 
qiiietly in an office and pore over the musty pages 
of the law and, while he applied himself with such 
assiduity as was possible under the circumstances, 
his studies were interrupted and he made little 
progress therein until later and less stormy days. 
The people of Texas were smarting under a long 
train of injustices and oppressions inflicted upon 



them bj' the Mexican government and were threat- 
ened with the entire overthrow of their liberties. 
The affairs at Anahuac and Velasco, in 1832, which 
had resulted in the expulsion of Bradburn from the 
country, were fresh in memory and the capture of 
Anahuac by Travis and a few fearless followers was 
near at hand, conventions had been held at San 
Felipe in 1832 and 1833, askingfor reforms in many 
directions and the reforms had been denied and the 
complaints of the petitioners treated with haughty 
and indignant contempt. The remnant of the once 
powerful Liberal party in Mexico, that in time 
past had responded to the clarion calls of Hidalgo 
and Morelos, had made its last stand for the 
constitution and been irretrievably defeated upon 
the blood-soaked plains of Guadalupe and Zacatecas 
by the minions of Santa Anna, whose baleful star 
was then rising towards its zenith. A strong central 
despotism, inimical to the Anglo-American settlers 
of Texas, was no longer a danger threatened by 
the future, but an accomplished fact. To the 
dullest ear was distinctly audible the rum- 
blings of the approaching revolution. A crisis 
was upon the country. It was a time to try the 
stoutest hearts — for patriots to stand firm, cpun- 
sel resistance, and prepare for the impending 
struggle, and for the timid to talk in bated 
whispers and prate of compromise and peace, 
when there could be no compromise and peace with- 
out the dishonor of virtual slavery. On the one 
hand was arrayed the i)Owerful Mexican nation, 
numbering several millions of inhabitants and 
possessing an army and navy, well equipped and 
well officered ; on the other a small band of pio- 
neers, possessed of no resources and widely scat- 
tered over a vast expanse of hill and valley, plain 
and forest, and with no facilities for bringing about 
speedy concentration and concert of action. Such 
was the prospect that confronted the people of 
Texas. It was gloomy indeed. But there were 
those among the pioneers (and not a few) who had 
inbibed with their mother's milk detestation of in- 
justice and tyranny in all its forms and that love of 
liberty and those manly sentiments that in all ages 
have taught the brave to count danger and death as 
nothing when their rights, liberties or honor were 
invaded and could only be maintained by a 
resort to the sword. Descended from a race 
whose sons were among the first to respond 



202 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



to their country's call in 1776 and strike for 
the independence of the American Colonies, 
young Pease was among the most outspoken of 
those who precipitated the Texas revolution, 
and in a few months, was elected secretary of 
the Committee of Safety, formed by the people of 
Mina, the first of its kind organized in Texas. In 
the following September, when couriers from Gon- 
zales brought an appeal for armed assistance, he 
hurried to that place as a volunteer in the company 
commanded by Capt. R. M. Coleman, and had the 
honor to fire a shot in the first battle and to help 
win the first victory of the revolution. In a few 
weeks he was granted a furlough on account of 
sickness and in the latter part of November went 
to San Felipe, where he was elected one of the two 
secretaries of the first provisional government of 
Texas, in which position he remained until the 
government ad interim wa.s organized, under Presi- 
dent Burnet, March IS, 1836. 

While he was not a delegate to the convention 
that issued the declaration of Texas independence, 
he was present at its sessions, was chosen and 
served as one of its secretaries and helped to frame 
the special ordinance that created the government 
ad interim and the constitution for the republic 
adopted by it. The latter was formulated subject 
to ratification or rejection by the people as soon as 
an election could be held for that purpose. 

During the summer he served as chief clerk, first 
in the navy and then in the treasury department, 
and for a short time acted as Secretary of the Treas- 
ury upon the death of Secretary Hardeman. 

In November, when Gen. Sam Houston was 
President, he was appointed clerk of the Judiciary 
Committee of the House of Representatives, and 
while in that position drew up most of the laws 
organizing the courts, creating county offices and 
defining the duties of county officers ; also the fee- 
bill and criminal code. 

Upon the adjournment of Congress in Decem- 
ber he was tendered the office of Postmaster 
General by President Houston, but declined it and 
entered the office of Col. John A. Wharton at Bra- 
zoria, where he diligently applied himself to the 
study of law. He was admitted to the bar at the 
town of Washington, in April, 1837, but in June 
following was tendered by President Houston and 
accepted the office of Comptroller of Public Ac- 
counts, which he filled until December and then 
returned to Brazoria, where he formed a copart- 
nership with Col. Wharton and entered actively 
upon the practice of his profession. In 1838, John 
W. Harris became associated with them and after 
the death of Col. Wharton, which occurred a few 



months later, the firm of Harris & Pease continued 
for many years and became one of the most dis- 
tinguished in the State. During this period Mr. 
Pease served as District Attorney for a short time, 
and, after annexation in 1846, w;is elected from 
Brazoria County to the House of Representatives 
of the First State Legislature and was re-elected in 
1847 to the Second Legislature. 

These were exceedingly important sessions, as 
the building of the framework for a State govern- 
ment had to be done from the ground up and the 
future prosperity of the commonwealth and hap- 
piness of its people largely depended upon the 
wisdom or unwisdom displayed in the enactment 
of statutes and the formulation of lines of public 
policy for later administrations to follow or reject. 
Both branches of the legislature contained many 
men of commanding talents (Texas' brightest and 
best, among whom Mr. Pease moved as a recog- 
nized leader) and accomplished the arduous duties 
that devolved upon it in a manner creditable to the 
members and satisfactory to the people. 

During his terms of service in the House he drew 
up very nearly all the laws defining the jurisdiction 
of courts, aud, as chairman of the Judiciary Com- 
mittee in the Second Legislature, originated and 
pushed to enactment the probate laws of 1848. 

In 1849 he was elected to the Senate of the Third 
Legislature from the district composed of the 
counties of Brazoria and Galveston, and at the 
regular session of 1850 added to the laurels he had 
ahead}' won and still further endeared himself to 
a people not insensible to the merits of those who 
had not only shown themselves true patriots and 
devoted to the common cause in the darkest hour.s 
of the country's history, but capable in time of 
peace of guiding the ship of State. Being absent 
from Texas when Governor Bell called an extra ses- 
sion of the Legislature at a later period in 1850, he 
resigned and terminated his services as a lawmaker. 
Thereafter until 1853 he devoted himself to his 
law practice, but continued a prominent figure and 
potent factor in public life and indentified himself 
with all principal movements that gave promise of 
promoting the best interests of the country. 

With other leading men he early saw the neces- 
sity of railroads as a means of developing the vast 
territory of the State, deprived as it was of interior 
navigation except in neighborhoods not far remote 
from the coast and at Jefferson on the extreme 
Northeast, and advocated the construction of a 
transcontinental railway to the Pacific ocean. 
With Thomas J. Rusk, Gen. Sam Houston and 
others, he earnestly favored the building of what is 
now the Texas & Pacific Railroad, destined, after 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



203 



passing through many changes and many doubtful 
stages, and by the blending of many charters, to 
ultimate conslruclion and completion in 1881. 

Mr. Pease was not long suffered to remain in 
retirement. In 1853 he was elected Governor of 
Texas, as the successor of Governor Bell, and 
re-elected in 1855, Hardin R. Runnels being elected 
Lieutenant-Governor. That he was one of the 
ablest and purest Governors Texas has ever 
had, is the unanimous opinion of all who 
are conversant with the facts. His messages to 
the Legislature are model State papers, not only 
on account of the knowledge of the condition and 
needs of the country and the principles of civil 
government that they display, but for the wisdom 
of the recommendations that they contain and the 
elegance and perspicuity of their diction. During 
the four years that he filled the gubernatorial chair, 
alternate sections of land were set aside to promote 
the construction of railroads, and much of our 
earliest railroad legislation was enacted, lands were 
set apart for free school purposes, a nucleus for the 
present munificent school fund was formed, and a 
handsome appropriation was made for the establish- 
ment of a State university, for no man felt a deeper 
interest in popular education or more fully realized 
that the hope of constitutional freedom must ever 
rest upon the intelligence of the citizen ; a new 
State capitol and other public buildings were erected, 
and institutions for the insane, deaf and dumb, and 
blind were founded, and liberal appropriations made 
for their support. When his official life as Gov- 
enor began, the State tax was twenty cents on the 
one hundred dollars, and when his second term 
expired it was fifteen cents and the State was 
entirely free from debt. 

In 1854, there was introduced into Texas a secret, 
oath-bound, political organization, which became 
known as the Know-Nothing or American party. 
It transacted its business with closed doors and 
in the latter year put forth a full ticket for State 
oflSces. The principles of the new party were 
designed to place restrictions upon foreign immi- 
grants acquiring American citizenship, and to 
impose restraints and civil disabilities upon those 
professing the Catholic religion. Its methods, tenets 
and purposes were assailed by Governor Pease. 
A sturdy republican, he entertained an unconquer- 
able hostility to secret political organizations, 
believing that, while some excuse might be offered 
for their formation under the despotisms of the old 
world, none could be advanced for their existence 
here. He considered them, j)sr se, inimical and a 
menace to our free institutions. As to debarring 
worthy foreigners from tlie blessings and advan- 



tages attendant upon American citizenship, the 
idea to him was utterly repugnant. He remembered 
that our ancestors themselves were emigrees from 
Europe, that man}' men of foreign birth had fought 
in the Continental army and afterwards adorned 
the walks both of public and private life in the early 
days of the republic, that many such men emigrated 
from their distant homes to settle in the wilderness 
of Texas and that not a few had honorably borne 
arms in the struggle that won for Texas her inde- 
pendence, and he knew that men who would leave 
the land of their birth to escape tyranny and, in 
search of liberty, cross the stormy deep in the 
hope of bettering their conditions amid alien scenes 
and among a people to whose very language they 
were strangers, were made of stuff that fitted them 
for the patriotic discharge of the duties incident to 
self-government. His was not the spirit of the 
glutton, who, careless of the welfare of others, 
wishes all for himself, but that nobler spirit that 
led the fathers of 1776 to boast that they had estab- 
lished an asylum to which the oppressed of every 
land might turn with the assurance of safety and 
protection. As to religion, he believed that to be a 
matter of conscience that should rest between each 
man and his God and that should in no way be 
interfered with by private individuals or the State. 
He believed the action the Know-Nothing party 
contemplated taking against Catholics and foreign 
immigrants to be contrary to the history and tradi- 
tions of our government and the genius of our insti- 
tutions. So believing, he entered the campaign as 
the standard-bearer of the opposition, known as the 
Democratic party, but containing men of widely 
divergent views, and, after a spirited and exciting 
contest, was elected at the polls and entered upon 
his second term. 

The ticket put in the field by the Know-Nothing 
party contained the first nominations made by a 
political party in Texas. In fact, prior to 1855 
there were no party organizations, properly so 
called, in the State. 

Before the close of Governor Pease's second 
term, the whole country was stirred from center to 
circumference over questions that aroused the 
bitterest sectional feeling. Under the terms of the 
Missouri Compromise of 1820 and 1821, the terri- 
tories of Kansas and Nebraska when admitted 
would necessarily enter the Union as free States. 
In 1854, Senator Douglass, of Illinois, introduced 
in Congress what was known as the Kansas and 
Nebraska Bill (which became a law), in which it 
was declared that the Missouri Compromise — 
" Being inconsistent with the principles of non- 
intervention by Congress with slavery in the States 



204 



INDIAN WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and Territories, as recognized by tlie legislation of 
1850, commonly called the Compromise Measures, 
is hereby declared inoperative aud void, it being 
llie true intent and meaning of this act, not to leg- 
islate slavery into any Territory or State, nor to 
exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people there- 
of perfectl3' free to form and regulate their domestic 
institutions in their own way, subject only to the 
constitution of the United States." 

Mr. Douglass' measure of course carried with it 
the right of slave-owners to settle in Kansas and 
Nebraska with their slaves. The Eastern portion 
of Kansas was regarded by many as a desirable 
region in which to employ slave labor and many 
Southern people located in it. The conflicts and 
bloodshed that followed are familiar matters of 
iiistory. The passage of the act only served to in- 
tensify sectional hatred. Gen. Houston, Senator 
from Texas, voted against it for reasons which he 
elaborated and which met with the sanction of Gov- 
ernor Pease and others, who were firmly convinced 
that any attempt to establish slavery in that section 
would prove futile and only serve to widen the 
breach that separated the Southern and Northern 
States, which, if not healed, threatened armed con- 
flict and, probable dissolution of the Union. They 
were for pouring oil upon the troubled waters and 
not for still further agitating them. Gen. Houston 
offered himself as a candidate for the Governor- 
ship in ojjposition to Hardin R. Runnels, the sec- 
ond nominee of the Democratic organization, and, 
although he made a fine canvass, was supported by 
Governor Pease (the first nominee of that party and 
then occupying the Governor's chair) and had many 
devoted admirers and supporters, public sentiment 
was such that he was defeated, Runnels receiving a 
majority of over ten thousand votes. Such was 
the condition of affairs on the 21st of December, 
1857, when a change of administration took place. 
Two years later. Gen. Houston was elected to suc- 
ceed Runnels, but a great crisis was at hand. 
Threats were openly made that, if Mr. Lincoln was 
elected, the Southern States would withdraw from 
the Union and form a Confederacy of their own, 
threats that were afterwards carried into execution. 
Governor Pease opposed secession, aud, finding that 
his opposition was in vain, retired to private life. 

He was a delegate from Texas to the convention 
of Southern loyalists that met at Philadelphia in 
18GG and was elected one of the vice-presidents of 
that body. Later in the same year he was the can- 
didate of the Union party for the office of Governor 
of Texas, but was defeated b}' Hon. J. W. 
Throckmorton. In August, 18G7, he was appointed 
Provisional Governor of the Slate by Gen. Sheridan, 



but resigned before the end of the j'ear because he 
differed with the commanding general of the de- 
partment, Gen. J. J. Reynolds, as to the course 
that should be pursued in the reconstruction of the 
State. He represented the State in the Liberal 
Republican Convention of 1872 that assembled in 
Chicago and nominated Horace Greeley for the 
presidency. In later da3'S he attended various 
State and national Republican conventions and 
continued to act with the Republican party. 
Shortly after the war it was charged that he was 
an extremist, but, it is a fact well and gratefully 
remembered by the people of Texas that, when he 
saw during the administration of Governor Davis 
to what iniquities the extreme policy that was being 
pursued would lead, he opposed it and threw 
the great weight of his influence into the scales of 
conservatism. 

The stormy days before, during and after the 
war are gone and the waves of passion and preju- 
dice that beat so fiercely have subsided. The war 
was inevitable. Questions were settled by it that 
had long vexed the people and been a prolific 
source of discord and that could have been settled 
in no other way. Old social and commercial con- 
ditions were changed that could have been changed 
in no other way. Mutual confidence, respect and 
friendship were restored as they could have been 
restored in no other way, and a fraternal, and it is 
to be hoped, eternal. Union secured that could have 
been secured in no other way. Now we can enter 
into full sj'mpathy with those who could see neither 
safety nor profit in continuing to live under a com- 
pact of Union, every essential provision of which 
they believed to have been violated, and who de- 
termined to seek peace in a Confederation com- 
posed of friendly States with interests in common. 
We can also enter into full sj'mpathy with those who 
opposed the polic3' of secession. They thought that, 
if wrong had been done, it could be redressed within 
the Union — that the slavery and all other ques- 
tions could be settled there. Governor Pease aud 
others of undoubted patriotism looked upon the 
dissolution of the Union as the greatest calamity 
that could befall the countr3-. Upon the continu- 
ation of that Union he believed depended the 
destinies and future welfare of the race, for its 
fall, he well knew, would seal the doom of free 
institutions, which in a few years would perish from 
the earth. " Should the blood " said men of his 
party " shed upon the battle fields of the Revolution 
of 1776, be shed in vain? Should the labors of 
Washington and Jefferson and their compeers 
prove unavailing? A thousand times no! " They 
were right in their prognostications of the evils that 



INDIA y WAR.S AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



■205 



would inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union. 
They were wrong in the belief that the questions 
that divided the people could be settled peace- 
fully. From their standpoint they were right in 
opposing secession. It is fortunate, all now agree, 
that the attempt to secede was unsuccessful. It 
was, however, written in the book of fate that it 
should be made and fail. A stronger hand than 
man's controlled the course of events and brought 
about the beneficent results that have followed in 
their train. We admire the moral and physical 
courage that led men of both sides to brave ani- 
madversion, the loss of prestige and death itself in 
support of their opinions and principles that they 
believed to be correct. They were animated by 
that desire for the promotion of the general good 
and by that spirit of their fathers that led Pym 
and Hampden and Sidney to dare the block and the 
soldiers at Concord to fire upon the British reg- 
ulars. Let us strew flowers with impartial hand 
upon those whom death has gathered in its cold 
embrace and transmit their memories to posterity, 
freed from reproach and with imperishable assur- 
ances of our love and veneration for them. 

There was nothing of the time-serving spirit in 
Governor Pease's composition. He was incapable 
of allowing a desire for personal aggrandizement or 
for the promotion of any of his private interests to 
induce him to compromise with what he believed to 
be wrong. He stood for principles and, seeing 
that they were about to be violated, he could not 
remain silent and inactive. He had no superstitious 
reverence for majorities. He knew full well that 
majorities are often wrong and that the pages of 
history are stained and blurred all over by records 
of the mistakes they have made, and the crimes 
they have committed. The majority believed for 
centuries that the earth was flat and the center 
of the universe ; in witches and wizards and neci'o- 
mancy ; that it was impious to attempt by sanitary 
measures to stay the pestilence, which they consid- 
ered a divine visitation upon the people for their 
sins, and it was in accordance with the will of 
majorities that Christ was condemned to a shameful 
death upon the cross, the fires of persecution were 
kept ablaze at .Smithfield and Oxford, and many 
noble lives were sacrificed and much cruel wrong 
inflicted. He believed that the day had not yet 
. come when majorities were invested with the attri- 
butes of infallibility. If the majority was right, he 
cheerfully went with it. If he considered it in error, 
he as manfully opposed it, nor could he be com- 
pelled by any consideration to cease his opposition. 
Even his opponents at all times freely admitted his 
honesty of character and purpose. He retired from 
office enjoying the respect of all the people. 



In 187-1: he was tendered the otHce of Collector of 
the Port of Galveston by Secretary of the Interior 
Bristow, but declined it. 

In 1877 he retired from the active practice of law 
in which he had been engaged, except when em- 
ployed in the discharge of public duties, since 
1837. 

In 1879 he was tendered, without solicitation 
upon his part, the CoUectorship of the port of Gal- 
veston, and, this time, accepled,_it. This was his 
last public service. 

He was vice-president of the First National Bank 
of Austin, at the time of his death, which occurred 
at Lampasas Springs, Texas, August 26, 1883, where 
he had gone in search of health. Tj^ His remains were 
interred in the cemetery at^Auslin. 

Governor Pease became a Mason in 1839, joinino- 
St. John's Lodge, No. .5, at Columbia, Texas and took 
all the regular degrees. He was not a member of 
any religious organization, but attended the services 
of the Episcopal Church, the church in which he 
was reared. 

As a law3'er he had few equals in the State. His 
briefs were always clear, ,^fair and logical, and, 
while his patient research armed him at every point 
in a case, he never sought undue advantage. So 
fixed were these traits [that Chief Justice Wheeler 
once said that the statements of facts in his briefs 
were always so lucid andj'ust he could rely upon 
them without reference to the record. He was fre- 
quently consulted upon important public matters 
having a legal bearing, even after his retirement 
from practice, and always rendered such services 
without charge. 

Sincerity and candor" and an observance of the 
golden rule marked his intercourse with his fellow- 
men. Courtl}' in manner, kindly and genial, he 
enjoyed the affectionate regard of the circle of 
friends whom he admitted to his acquaintance. He 
had as much influence inframing the public policies 
and general laws of the State as any man who ever 
lived in Texas. lie was identified with the soil 
from the days antedating the revolution. It was 
his fortune to perform many important public ser- 
vices. His career covered the most momentous 
periods known to our history. He was the intimate 
friend and associate of such men as Wharton, 
Houston, Williamson, Rusk and Archer, and the 
leaders of thought of later days, and his name de- 
serves a place beside theirs upon the pages of the 
State's history. 

He was married in 1850 to Miss L. C. Niles, a 
daughter of Col. Richard Niles, of Windsor, Conn. 
This accomplished and most excellent lady and her 
only surviving daughter, live at the family seat 
near the city of Austin. 



206 



INDIAN ]]'AliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ISABELLA HADDON GORDON, 

CLARKSVILLE, 



One of Red River County's early settlers, a noble 
Christian woman who linked her name permanently 
with that of the county's history, was born August 
10th, 1805, in Montgomery County, Ky., and was a 
(laughter of Frank and Katie (Elliott) Hopkins, of 
Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather, Wm. Hop- 
kins, was from one of the New England States, and 
her maternal grandfather, James Elliott, was from 
Viririnia. Her maternal grandmother was Katie 
(Stewart) Elliott of Virginia. Her father was a 
leading and wealthy planter of Kentucky. He 
moved to Indiana the year of tlie battle of Tippe- 
canoe, carrying with him all his slaves, which he 
lost by some legal technicality. In 1823 he moved 
to Texas, settling at the mouth of i\li!l creek, which 
is now in Bowie County. At that time all the white 
settlers lived in neighborhoods within a mile of 
Red river, and it was ten years before there were 
any white settlements on the prairie. The subject 
of this sketch was married, April 18th, 1824, to 
John Hanks, a native of IvLMitucky, who died in 
1827. One child, Minerva, blessed this union, is 
still living and is the widow of Robert Graham. 
The subject of this notice was married the second 
time to James Clark, then a member of the Arkansas 
legislature and a son of Benjamin Clark, a native 
of Tennessee, who at the time lived in Arkansas, 
but moved soon after to Texas. To this union three 
children were born. The first, Frank H., born 
April 27th, 1830, attended law school at Lexing- 
ton, boarding with Chief Justice Marshall, and had 
the benefit of the advice and association of that 
eminent jurist. This bright son and promising 
lawyer died in 1856. The second son. Dr. Pat 
Clark, is a physician and resident of Red River 
County. The third and youngest son of this union 
is Capt. James Clark, a leading and representative 
citizen of Red River County. In the fall of 1832, 
when Mr. Clark was a resident of Jonesboro, a 
settlement on Red river. Gen. Sam Houston crossed 
the river with five companions and with one of them 
passed his first night in Texas at the house of the 
subject of this sketch, his four other companions 
being prepared to camp out. He remained with 
the then Mrs. Clark awaiting guides to take him to 
Nacogdoches, as at that time there were no roads. 
The whole party were gentlemanly in dress and 
conduct, contrary to a statement published as a 
matter of history, that they were intoxicated and 



disorderly ; the companions of Gen. Houston were 
white men and not Indians, as erroneously declared 
in the statement alluded to. James Clark died in 
1838 at the late home of his widow in Clarks- 
ville, Texas, which city is named in his honor. 
This husband and the second of her brothers were 
in the war of 183G, and fought for the independ- 
ence of Texas and it was through the instrument- 
ality of Mrs. Gordon, who at that time was Mrs. 
Clark, that a large number of recruits were col- 
lected and equipped at her expense and sent for- 
ward to aid in gaining the independence of the 
Lone Star Republic. The third husband of this 
lady was Dr. George Gordon, of Covington, Ky. 
John, their first son, died while discharging the 
duties of a soldier in the Confederate army. 
Belle was their second and Dick the third. Dr. 
Gordon served in the Confederate arm}' as assistant 
to her son (and his step-son) Dr. Pat Clark, who 
was surgeon of Gen. Lane's Regiment. Prior to 
the time of Mrs. Gordon's arrival in Texas, the 
prairies were inhabited by hostile Indians, but from 
about 1826 to 1836 settlements were made by 
several tribes of friendly Indians, Kicka|ioos, 
Delawares, and Shawnees, who were really a pro- 
tection to the whites. There was one Delaware 
chief who had lost a hand (he said in the battle of 
Tippecanoe), and there is a creek in the neighbor- 
hood that derives its name from him — "Cut- 
hand." Mrs. Gordon knew many of these Indians, 
as they came to trade with the white people. 
After the war of 1836, Texas made no provisions 
for these Indians, and they returned peacefully to 
their homes. The Shawnee chief was (tailed 
"Cow-leach," and lived on a prairie four miles 
from Clarksville, and it stdl bears his name. 
When our subject was first married, for one year 
she lived within a mile of a village inhabited by- 
friendly Choctaw Indians, and they were good 
neighbors. Her nearest white neighbor, a Mr. ■ 
Cullum, was four miles off. The white people at 
an early day were in constant dread of hostile 
Indians. There was a settlement of Caddos on the 
Sabine river, about one hundred and fifty miles 
distant, and one of them came and told Mrs. 
Gordon that the friendly Indians near had planned 
to kill the white people. This was a favorite 
trick of the Indians to get the white people to 
leave their homes so that the redskins could pillage. 



INDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



207 



On this occasion the men took the Indian and 
whipped him, the whipping taking place near the 
house of a Mr. Murphy. Just one year after 
a party of Caddos came, found Mr. Murphy alone 
with his sled to haul rails, and mending his 
fence. He had nothing to do with the whipping, 
but they killed him, took his scalp, and had a war 
dance over it at their village, as reported by a 
trader, who said it was done for revenge, which 
must have been the case, as they did not even take 
away the horse. Mrs. Murphy heard the gunshot 
and went to see what was the matter. The Indians 
were gone, but she found her husband's bod3'. 
She was entirely alone and carried water to wash the 
body, covered it and took the horse from the sled 
and rode two miles to her nearest neighbor to give 
the alarm. 

For the first year after Mrs. Gordon came to 
Texas, unless the vessels wei'e brought with them, 
the people had none but gourds. For some years 
all the cloth was made from cotton, the seeds 
picked out with the fingers, then spun and woven. 
In those daj's there were cotton pickings, but not 
like those of this day. In the long winter 
evenings people would meet at a house and pick 
out seeds. Then it was ready to spin for making 
cloth. 

The pioneers had no chairs, but made stools. 
Beds were made fast to the wall. For seven years 
Mrs. Gordon never saw a plank floor, as all floors 
were made of puncheons — that is, lumber hewn 
but of logs. For a number of years there were no 
wagons, and people moved in canoes. The men 
wore clothes made entirely of deer skins, the skins 
of deer and cattle being tanned in a trough. The 
nicest shoes were made of deer skins, and our sub- 



ject was married to Mr. Clark in a pair made by a 
shoemaker named Huey Shaw. 

The people had an abundance of food at an early 
date, deer and bear meat and fat wild turkeys 
being plentiful. The woods w§re full of bee trees. 
Bread was made by beating out the corn in a 
mortar. Later the pcoi)le had steel mills which 
they turned by hand. About once a year a keel- 
boat would be pushed up Red river with such sup- 
plies as sugar, flour and coffee. 

Mrs. Gordon still has relatives living in Ken- 
tucky and Indiana, among them the Hamiltons of 
Montgomery County, in the former State. Judge 
Elliott, who was killed at Frankfort, Ky., a few 
years ago, by Judge Buford, was a great-grand- 
nephew of her mother. 

Mrs. Gordon's name is synonymous with all 
that is good and charitable. The wealth which 
a beneficent Providence entrusted to her care 
was judiciously used for the relief and com- 
fort of her fellow-creatures. Her whole life was 
spent toward the advancement and good of her 
country and its population. For many years her 
life was not connected with any religious denom- 
ination, but her life and its example could have 
been followed to good purpose by many of those 
who claimed to have passed through the purifying 
fires of repentance. In 1864 she joined the Cath- 
olic Church, of which she was thereafter a devout 
and consistent member. 

The love for this good woman is shown by the 
numerous namesakes she has in the States of 
Arkansas and Texas. She gave land, lots and 
houses to many poor, but deserving, people. Hun- 
dreds reverence her memory. 

She died in June, 1895, and is buried at Clarksville. 



T. C. WESTBROOK, 



HEARNE. 



Capt. T. C. Westbrook, born at West Point, 
Mississippi, October 1st, 1842, of well-to-do and 
highly respected parents, representatives of the 
fine old Southern aristocracy of the halcyon days 
before the war, had the advantage in youth of care- 
ful training and thorough education, graduating 
with the rank of Captain from the Military Insti- 
tute, at Frankfort, Ky., when seventeen years of 
of age, and soon after came to Texas with his step- 



father, L. W. Carr, who located with his family on 
the rich alluvial lands of the Brazos river bottom 
near the town of Hearne, in Robertson County. 
Mr. Westbrook entered the Confederate arm}' iu 
the spring of 1862 as a soldier in Company B., en- 
listing for three years, or so long as the war might 
last, and was stationed with his command first on 
Galveston Island, then at Virginia Point, and then 
at Camp Speight, Texas, near Millican, where the 



i>08 



IXDIAN WAB,S AXD PIONEERS OE TEXA!S. 



Fifteenth Texas Infanti}' was organized, witLi J. W. 
Speight as its Colonel, and M. D. Herring, Captain, 
and the subject of this memoir Lieutenant of Com- 
pany B. The regiment was ordered to Arkansas, 
remained at Cam[) Daniels until 1862, readied 
Little Rock in October following, and did garrison 
duty at Camp Nelson and Camp Bayou Metre until 
shortly before the fall of Arkansas Post, when 
it was ordered to Fort Smith, and from thence 
through the Indian Territory, to Camp Kiamisha on 
Red river. In 1863 the Fifteenth, and the brigade 
of which it formed a part, were ordered to Louisiana 
to oppose, with the other troops under Gen. Tay- 
lor, the advance of Gen. Banks. The brigade was 
commanded by Gen. J. W. Speight, Sr. , Gen. 
King and Gen. Polignac, in the order named, 
and participated in the fights at Fordash, 
Bayou Bourdeau, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Marks- 
ville. Yellow Bayou, and numerous skirmishes 
and smaller engagements. Capt. Westbrook was 
slightly wounded at the battle of Mansfield. 
When mustered out of the service at Houston, 
Texas, after the final surrender of the Confederate 
forces, he held the rank of Captain and was acting 
Adjutant of his regiment. A friend, speaking of 
his bearing as a soldier, sa3-s : "In camp he was 
modest and unobtrusive, kind and jovial ; in the 
thickest and hottest of the raging battle, cooler 
than most men on dress-parade, prompt to act and 
utterly fearless. He enjoyed the respect and con- 
fidence of his men and brother and superior officers. 
Knowing bim as I did, I can truthfully say that he 
was as a friend as true and tried as tempered 
Damascus steel; as a soldier and patriot, as brave 
and devoted as any man who wore the gray." 

Returning to his home in Robertson Count)' he 
engaged in farming upon his own account. His 
possessions increased from j'ear to year until he 
took rank a.s one of the wealthiest planters in 
Texas. He was an idea!, practical farmer — one 
of the most successful in the State — and his large 
Brazos bottom plantations near Hearne, on which he 
continued to reside until his death, showed at all 
times the perfection of good management. He 
spared no expense in securing and enjo3-ing the 
good things of life. He and his beloved wife 
(formerly Mrs. Jennie Randle), to whom he was 
married December 4lh, 1878, dispensed a generous 
and wholesale hospitality at their palatial home to 
their many friends and the chance " stranger within 
their gates." It was his custom, assisted by his 
wife, to see that every one on his plantation, black 
or white, received each Christmas day some suitable 
present. He lived in the half patriarchal, half 
princel}' style of his ancestors and was a noble sur- 



vival of the high-souled, warm-hearted and chivalric 
gentlemen of a by-gone day. While exact in his 
business methods, his hand dispensed liberally to 
others of what it gathered. He sympathized with 
human suffering and sorrow and souglit when he 
could to relieve it, and few contributed so much to 
the support of the church. It was chiefly through 
his influence and exertions that the Hearne & 
Brazos Vallej' Railroad was constructed and put into 
successful operation. He was elected president of 
the company upon its organization and served in 
that capacity up to the time of his death, the road 
earning handsome dividends on the money in- 
vested, under his management. 

He manifested a lively interest in and was active 
in support of all worthy enterprises. He was a 
life-long Democrat and ardent advocate of clean, 
wholesome measures and always interested himself 
in helping elect good meii to office. He was a 
delegate to numerous county and State conventions 
and was more than once importuned to become a 
candidate for election to the legislature, but de- 
clined, having no desire for political honors and 
much preferring the quiet and peaceful home-life to 
which he was accustomed. In July, 1893, he suf- 
fered from a severe attack of la grippe from which 
he never fully recovered. He sought restoration to 
health by travel, sojourning for a time in Mexico, 
and visiting, among other places, San Antonio, Hot 
Springs and Wooten Wells. A month before the 
coming of the end he was taken to Mineral Wells 
and died there on the 17th of September, 1893, 
leaving a wife, a daughter of Mrs. Westbrook by 
her former marriage (Mrs. Monroe, Miller, of Aus- 
tin), two brothers (C. A. Westbrook, of Lorena, 
McLennan County, and M. L. Westbrook of 
Waco), a sister (Blrs. S. C. Beckman, of Hearne), 
a step-father, to whom he had been as a favorite 
sou ; two nieces and a nephew and many score of 
devoted friends to mourn his loss. The announce- 
ment of his death cast a shade of sorrow over the 
community of which he had been such a prominent, 
useful and honored citizen. The remains were con- 
veyed to Hearne in a special car and were followed 
to their last resting-place in Oakwood Cemeterj- by 
the largest funeral cortege known in the history of 
the town, many of those in attendance coming from 
a distance. So ended the career of a nol)le man. 
There is something peculiarly sad in the reflection 
that he was cut down in the full maturity of ripened 
manhood and when he was surrounded by all the 
endearments that render a continuance of life 
desirable. However, if ever man was ready for 
the summons, he was ready. To his devoted wife 
is left the consolation that through her example and 



r ai 





J. D. GIDDINGS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



209 



influence he was led to give liis lieart to Gotl and Mrs. Westbrook is a daughter of Allen Carr, who 

to the perfect day of a happy immortality and came to Texas in 1858 and settled in Burleson 

that a blessed reunion awaits them beyond the County, were he was for many years a prominent 

grave. citizen and she was reared. 



J. D. GIDDINGS, 

BRENHAM. 



Jabez Demming Giddings was one of eight sons 
of James Giddings, a farmer of Susquehanna 
County, Pa. 

James Giddings was descended from George 
Giddings, of Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England, 
a gentleman of property, who emigrated to America 
in 1635, settling in the town of Ipswich, Mass. 
James was born in Norwich, Conn., June 29th, 
1780. At an early age, he entered the merchant 
marine, rising to a captaincy, with full charge of 
cargo on attaining his majority. 

In consequence of a shipwreck off the Carolina 
coast in 1810, by which was destroyed the fruits of 
many years of daring adventure and successful 
trading, he abandoned the sea and settled on a 
farm in the then wilderness of Western Pennsyl- 
vania. 

He was a man of great firmness and bravery and 
of an adventurous spirit, qualities generously 
transmitted to his numerous progeny. 

The mother of J. D. Giddings was Susie Dem- 
ming, of Connecticut, whose ancestors were early 
immigrants from France, and who distinguished 
themselves, as did the descendants of George 
Giddings, by their loyalty to the fortunes of the 
American Colonies in the Revolutionary War. 

In 1835 Giles A. Giddings, an older brother of 
J. D. Giddings, came to Texas to select and sur- 
vey a tract of land for a colony, but finding the 
Texians engaged in a struggle with Mexico, joined 
the army of Gen. Houston, just previous to the 
battle of San Jacinto, and died from the effects of 
wounds received in that engagement. The night 
before the battle he wrote to his parents a letter 
worthy of copying in full as a model of literary 
excellence, but from which onl}' a few sentences 
will be quoted, as disclosing the patriotic courage 
and love of liberty which marks his family. 

"It is reported Houston will attack them, 
[Santa Anna's army] in the morning. What will 
be the result or fate of Texas is hid in the bowels of 



futurity. Yet I think we are engaged in the cause 
of justice and I hope the God of battles will pro- 
tect us. * * * I was born in the land of free- 
dom, and taught to lisp the name of liberty with 
my infant tongue and, rather than be driven out of 
the country or submit to be a slave, I will leave my 
bones to bleach on the plains of Texas. * * • 

"Be not alarmed about my safety. I am no 
better, and my life no dearer, than those who gained 
the liberty you enjoy." 

In 1838, Mr. J. D. Giddings, having completed 
bis educational course at the Cassanovia Institute, 
New York, came to Texas to settle the estate left 
by his brother and, being pleased with the coun- 
try, located in Washington County. For about 
two years after his arrival he taught school, study- 
ing law during his leisure moments. 

On a call for volunteers to avenge the raids of 
Vasquez and WoU and to rescue the prisoners held 
by the Mexicans, he promptly responded and re- 
mained with Gen. Somervell's army until it was 
officially disbanded, when he, with the great major- 
ity, returned home, thus escaping the slaughter at 
Mier. 

As a means of support during the prosecution of 
his legal studies, he sought the office of district 
clerk, was elected, and served four years. 

In 1844, he married Miss Ann M. Tarver, 
daughter of Edmund T. Tarver, a prominent farmer, 
who had moved to the State from Tennessee in 
1841. 

On the expiration of his term of office as district 
clerk, he was admitted to the bar, where he achieved 
signal success, though numbering among his com- 
petitors manj' of the greatest minds in the State. 

Of a genial disposition and possessing a wonder- 
fully retentive memory ; warmly sympathizing with 
the distressed and aiding the needy with kindlj' gen- 
erosity ; charitable to the faults of others, yet con- 
trolling himself by the strictest code of moral princi- 
ples, his acquaintance became extensive, and ties 



210 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of personal friendship, strong and lasting, were 
formed thus predisposing most juries to a favor- 
able consideration of any cause that be might ad- 
vocate. His intellectual processes were, however, 
distinctly logical and, though impressing his hearers 
with the sincerity of his own convictions l3y the 
earnestness of his manner, he yet appealed directly 
to their reason by a mastcrl}' marshaling of his 
facts and the cogency of his arguments. His 
energy was indomitable and patience tireless, no 
detail of a case being considered unworthy of at- 
tention. Tills completeness of preparation, com- 
bined with cautiousness in the enunciation of 
legal principles or iudicial rulings, gave him a mer- 
ited influence with the courts and the degree of 
confidence placed in his integrity and executive 
capacity is shown by the frequency of his name on 
the probate records as counselor or as the fiduciary 
agent of estates. Though thorough in the examina- 
tion of all questions, he was bold and progressive 
in the advocacy of measures conducive to the 
advancement of his town, county and State. 

He was thus among the first to perceive the bene- 
ficial possibilities of railroads and in 1856, in con- 
nection with his distinguished brother, Hon. D. C. 
Giddings, he assisted in the organization of a com- 
jjany for the purpose of constructing a railroad 
through Washington County and, to prevent the 
failure of the enter|)rise, the firm of J. D. and D. C. 
Giddings undertook the building of the road. 

The self-abnegation, bravery and constructive 
energy of the pioneer settlers of America has made 
their history pleasant reading to all and their 
example has fired the hearts of many struggling for 
the political advancement of their race, but the 
promoters of the first railroads built in America 
are entitled to well-nigh equal admiration, for they 
have shown equal ability, equal energy and equal 
courage in grappling with difficulties and have, too, 
frequently saciiSced the earnings of a lifetime in 
their efforts to advance their own and the material 
welfare of the country. Though the line built by 
J. D. and D. C. Giddings was but a short one, yet 
the troublous times during which the work was 
completed and the faithfulness with which they 
complied with all their obligations to Northern 
creditors, not only elevated them to the highest 
plane of business capacity, but laid the foundation 
of Brenham's present prosperit}\ 

Treasuring as a priceless jewel the liberty gained 
on the field of San Jacinto, Mr. Giddings took a 
lively interest in all political issues. His wide 



acquaintance, knowledge of human nature, and 
executive ability made him a party leader of ex- 
ceptional power, but his fondness for the pleasures 
of home and his aversion to the turmoil of public life 
restrained his political aspirations and he refused 
offers of office on all but one occasion. 

In 186G, when the disorganization consequent 
upon the cessation of the war between the States 
was most complete, when questions of vital impor- 
tance to the peace and happiness of his people were 
to be settled, and when many of our best men were 
dead or bowed down by discouragement, he accepted 
a seat in the legislature and served one term. 

He was a religious man. His God was his friend 
and counsellor. His Bible was the source of dailj' 
comfort and aid. 

The support of his church, her ordinances and 
ministers, was with him not only a duty but a posi- 
tive pleasure and, though sparing of time and 
means for personal indulgence, neither were too 
valuable for the advancement of religion or the 
cause of charit3\ This religious element in his 
nature enabled him not only to fully appreciate the 
sublime beauties of the Masonic ritual, but 
prompted his aspirations to positions of honor in 
the order and, as in his church he was elected to 
the highest honors possible to a laj'man, so he held 
the highest offices in the three grand divisions of 
Masonry. 

In 1878 he was thrown from bis buggy and, a 
few days afterwards, on the 2oth of June, died 
from internal injuries. 

In 1880, the old frame church (in which as 
superintendent of the Sunday school be ministered 
for over twenty years) was torn down and a band- 
some modern building erected on a more beautiful 
spot and dedicated as the "Giddings Memorial 
Church." 

With qualities pre-eminentl}' fitting him for 
political leadership, he sought onl}' the advancement 
of his friends and the good of bis country. A 
great lawyer and skilled in all the subtleties of his 
profession, he was a willing friend and a chivalrous 
opponent of youthful attorneys. 

Forgetful of self, but ever indulgent of others, 
a ready helper of those in need and denying ad- 
vice to none in distress, welcoming all with gen- 
erous hospitality, a devoted husband and father, a 
true friend and good citizen, be will ever be held 
in remembrance, by those who knew him best, 
as a noble specimen of God's greatest work — a 
Christian. 



INDIAN WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



211 



WILLIAM CROFT, 



CORSICANA. 



Judge William Cioft, long a distinguished figure 
in Texas and the oldest practicing attorney of the 
Navarro Couutj' bar, is a native of Mobile, Ala- 
bama, born February 9th, 1827. 

His parents, William and Annie Willard Croft, 
were natives, the father of England and the mother 
of Pennsylvania. His father was for a number of 
years a cotton commission merchant of New 
Orleans, where he died when the subject of this 
sketch was an infant. Judge William Croft, of 
whom we here "write, was reared in New Orleans 
and received his earlier education in the schools of 
that city, finishing at Louisville, Ky. He read 
law under the Hon. Isaac T. Preston, of New 
Orleans, then Attorney-General and afterwards 
Judge of the Supreme Court of Louisiana ; came to 
Texas in April, 1847, and was admitted to the bar 
on May 5th, 1848, at Richmond, Fort Bend 
County, before the Hon. Joseph C. Megginson, of 
the First Judicial District. He then entered the 
practice at Richmond and followed it in Fort Bend 
and adjoining counties until December, 1849, when 
he came to Navarro County and took up his resi- 
dence at Corsicana. He has since been a citizen 
of Corsicana and has been actively engaged in the 
practice of his profession at that place, except 
while in the Confederate army, a period of two and 
a half years. While the war was in progress there 
was little or no practice in the courts. The first 
session of the District Court, which Judge Croft 
attended in Navarro County, was the spring term of 
1850. The county having been organized in 1846, 
there had been only two or three terms held prior 
to that time and the machinery of the court had not 
yet been put in good working order. The presid- 
ing Judge was Hon. Bennett H. Martin. Judge 
Croft attended all the sittings of the District Court, 
as well as of the inferior courts, from 1850 up to 
the opening of the war, receiving his share of the 
business, both criminal and civil. He was young, 
vigorous, well-grounded in a knowledge of the law, 
skilled in the management of cases, and pursued 
his profession with enthusiasm. His success fol- 
lowed as a matter of course. For twenty-five 
years he never finally lost a criminal case and, con- 
sidering the great number of hard cases which he 
defended in those years, there is good reason for 
believing that manj- of the verdicts which he secured 
were rather compliments to his skill and eloquence 



than the result of sober reflection on the part of 
juries. When the war came on he responded to 
the call for volunteers, enlisting in Capt. B. D. 
McKie's Company, which was the second raised in 
the county, Bass's Regiment. He had been afflicted 
with a throat trouble for some time and the 
exposure, which active service in the field rendered 
unavoidable, brought on a bad case of bronchitis, 
which soon necessitated his retiring from active 
duty. He was honorably discharged on account of 
this disability. Returning home, he entered the 
Quarter-master's Department, where he remained 
until just before the surrender. After the war he 
attempted to resume the practice of his profession, 
at Corsicana ; but, on account of the unsettled 
condition of affairs there at that time, this was 
impossible. He accordingly moved to Houston, 
where the courts had not been disorganized and 
some show was still made of conducting public 
business according to established forms and usages. 
He practiced there and in the courts of that local- 
ity for about two years and a half and then returned 
lo Corsicana and took up the practice there, con- 
tinuing uninterruptedly there since. Judge Croft 
has devoted his entire life to his profession and his 
efforts have been rewarded with more than ordinary 
success. He had accumulated considerable prop- 
erty when the war came on, but it was swept away 
and he found himself, at the close, like thousands 
of others, empty-handed and confronted with new 
conditions which it was not easy to measure in all 
their relations, nor master when fully understood. 
But he survived it all and surveys the past as 
serenely now as if his whole life had been one long 
series of triumphs, thus displaying much philoso- 
phy and good sense. It would be hard to imagine 
a professional life better lived than his has been. 

Judge Croft has been twice married. In 1851 he 
married Miss Roxana Elliott, of Navarro County, 
who died within a few months. He married again 
in January, 1854, Miss Rebecca A. Lockhart, a 
daughter of Charles J. C. Lockhart, an early 
settler of the county. Two children now survive 
this union: Charles W., now his father's law part- 
ner, and Earnest T. , still in school. Earnest T. is 
an accomplished musician and is said by some of 
the most competent judges in the county to pos- 
sess musical talent of the highest order. This is 
already well cultivated and, with further develop- 



212 



INDIAN WAES AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ment in this delightful field of art, there is no tell- 
ing what he might accomplish. Judge Croft has 
been a Mason since 1850, being one of the first 
members initiated in the mother lodge of Navarro 
County. He took his first degree in company with 
A. Beaton, James M. Riggs and B. L. Ham, soon 
after the lodge was organized, Gen. E. H. Tarrant 



being the presiding officer. He is also a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and, in 
accordance with his means, a liberal contributor to 
all worthy purposes. He has never voted any other 
than the Democratic ticket. He has long been a 
prominent figure in his section of the State and at 
the bar of Texas. 



E. P. BECTON. M. D., 

SUPERINTENDENT STATE INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. 



The subject of this brief historical notice. Dr. 
Edwin Pinckney Becton is well known throughout 
the State as a pioneer Texian, leading physician 
and superintendent in charge of one of the State's 
most important eleemosynary' institutions. 

He was born in Gibson County, Tenn., June 
27, 1834, and came to Texas in 1841 with his 
parents, who settled at San Augustine, where he was 
early placed at school and acquired the rudiments 
of a good literary education. 

His father, Rev. John May Becton, was born in 
Craven County, North Carolina, Januarj' 8, 1806, 
and was a Presbyterian clergyman of the old 
school, much admired for his learning, piety and 
zeal. 

His mother's maiden name was Eleanor Emeline 
Sharp. She was a daughter of James Sharp, and 
is now (189G) living, at eighty-six years of age, at 
Fort Worth with Mr. J. J. Nunnallj', who married 
her granddaughter, Fannie. 

Rev. John May Becton's parents were Frederick 
Edwin and Fannie (May) Becton, who moved from 
Craven County, North Carolina, when he was a little 
past twelve months of age and located in Ruther- 
ford County, Tennessee. There he was given such 
school advantages as the county afforded, com- 
pleting his education at Pebble Hill Academj-, 
located on Stone's river. He began life as a 
farmer, married Miss Eleanor Emeline Sharp, 
January 9, 1827, and in 1831 moved to Gibson 
Count}', Tennessee. 

He was reared in the "Hard-Shell" Baptist 
faith ; in July, 1833, professed religion at a Metho- 
dist camp-meeting; during the year joined the 
old school Presbyterian church, and in 1835 was 
licensed to preach the gospel by the latter denom- 
ination. In April, 1841, he was ordained and in 
November of that year came to Texas and located 



at San Augustine, where he preached and taught 
school. In 1844 he moved to Nacogdoches County. 
He died at Church Hill, nine miles east of Hen- 
derson, in Rusk County, July 14, 1853. He was 
one of the early and most active pioneer clergymen 
of his church in Texas and it is believed organized 
more churches than any other member of the de- 
nomination in the State, among others the church 
at Douglass, in Nacogdoches County, in 1844 ; one 
in Henderson, in Rusk County, in 1845; one at 
Rusk in Cherokee County, in 1849, or 1850, and 
the church at Larissa, in Cherokee County, in 1849. 
At the same time he and the Rev. Daniel Baker 
organized the Palestine Presbyterian church, at 
Palestine, and organized alone the one at Gum 
Springs, Rusk County, in 1851, since known as the 
Danvilla church. 

He organized the Presbyterian church at Church 
Hill in 1852, at which place he died, as above 
mentioned. 

He is said by old people who knew him, to 
have been an elegant and fluent writer, and elo- 
quent speaker and pulpit orator. 

He was liberal and broad in his views, and, be- 
ing a leader in church affairs in those days, drew 
about him a large following and a wide circle of 
friends and supporters. He was associated in his 
work with such well-known pioneer clergymen as 
the Rev. Dr. Baker, Rev. Hugh Wilson, Rev. 
Peter Fullinwider, Rev. P. M. Warrener, and 
others of those who blazed the way for Presby- 
terianism in Texas. 

At his death he left three sons and one daughter, 
the latter of whom, Isabella, died in 1862. One 
son, Joseph S. Becton, was a gallant soldier in the 
Confederate army during the war between the 
States and finally lost his life at the skirmish at 
Spanish Fort, near Mobile, Ala., April 9, 1865, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



213 



the (lay of the final surrender of the Confederate 
forces. He enlisted from Rusk County at seven- 
teen years of age, and went to the front as a mem- 
ber of Thompson's Company, Lock's Regiment. 

John A. Becton, the second son, lives at Sulphur 
Springs, Texas, and the third son is Dr. E. P. 
Becton, the subject of this sketch. 

Dr. Becton was but little more than six years of 
age when his parents came to East Texas. He 
spent his boyhood in San Augustine, Nacogdoches, 
Cherokee and Rusk counties, attending the com- 
mon schools of that day, and took a partial course 
of study at Austin College, at Huntsville, Texas. 
He then determined to adopt the practice of medi- 
cine as a profession, and accordingly, entered the 
office of Dr. A. R. Hamilton, at New Danville, 
Texas (where the family had located), and Jan- 
uary, 1855, began a course of systematic reading 
and examinations preparatory to entering college. 
In the winter of 1855-6 he attended lectures at 
Nashville, Tenn., and at the close of the session 
went to Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he read in the 
office of James E. and Robert S. Wendel, physi- 
cians of prominence in that State, continuing his 
studies under those instructors until the opening of 
the next regular session of the University of Ten- 
nessee, when he entered the medical department of 
that institution of learning and took a full course 
of lectures. He graduated therefrom March 2, 
1857, carrying off the honors of his class, one of 
the prizes in anatom}-, for the highest standing in 
the department of anatomy. Dr. Becton com- 
menced the practice of medicine at New Danville, 
Texas, the year of his graduation. Later he 
attended medical lectures at the University of 
Louisville, Kentucky, 1874; at the University of 
Maryland, at Baltimore, 1879-80 ; at Tulane Uni- 
versity, Louisiana, 1886, and in 1891 at the Poly- 
clinic, in New York. He continued practice at 
New Danville, in Rusk County, from 1857 to April, 
1862, at which time he entered the Confederate 
army as a private soldier in dipt. J. A. Pegue's 
Company, Waterhouse's Regiment. He was 
appointed Assistant-surgeon of Fitzhugh's Regi- 
ment. McCuUoch's Brigade, Walker's Division, 
and was soon thereafter recommended for promo- 
tion by Chief Surgeon of Division Beall, examined by 
the Armj^ Medical Board, passed to the rank of Sur- 
geon, and assigned to duty with the Twenty-second 
Regiment of Texas Infantry', commanded bv his 
warm personal friend. Col. R. B. Hubbard (since 
Governor of Texas and United States Minister to 
Japan), and attached to Walker's Division. Dr. Bec- 
ton remained at his post of duty until the war was 
ended and then returned to Texas, and in February, 



1866, located at Tarrant, in Hopkins County, and 
resumed the practice of his profession. In March, 
1874, he moved from Tarrant to Sulphur Springs, 
in the same county, where he continued to reside 
until appointed to his present official position. 

Always a close and enthusiastic student of the 
science and practice of medicine and surgery, he 
has taken only that interest in matters outside his 
profession that good citizenship required. Some- 
what contrary to his tastes and wishes, he was, how- 
ever, chosen to represent his district in the House 
of the Twelfth Texas Legislature. He acquitted 
himself in that body in a manner highly acceptable 
to his large and intelligent constituency and that 
won for him a place among the ablest and most 
patriotic of his colleagues. 

Dr. Becton is known throughout the State as 
unalterably opposed to the liquor traffic and as a 
supporter of its suppression by constitutional and 
statutory prohibition. In the exciting State can- 
vass on that issue in 1887 he took the stump in 
favor of the prohibitory amendment to the State 
constitution then pending before the people and 
delivered a number of ringing addresses that will 
be long remembered and that are destined to bear 
good fruit in the future when the public conscience 
arouses itself to the necessity for adequate action 
upon this vitally important question. 

He is a staunch advocate of organization in 
medicine, is a member of the county and district 
societies where he resided, and of the State and 
national associations. As an evidence of the high 
regard in which he is held by his confreres in Texas, 
he was elected first vice-president of the Texas 
State Medical Association at its meeting at Belton, 
in 1884, and president at the subsequent meeting 
in the city of Houston, in April, 1885, and presided 
as such at the Dallas meeting the following year. 
That meeting marked a crisis in the life of the 
association. It was just before the Ninth Inter- 
national Medical Congress was to assemble in 
Washington City and the question came up on the 
adoption of a resolution, instructing the delegates 
to indorse and ratify the action of the American 
Medical Association at New Orleans, with reference 
to the exclusion of new-code men as delegates to 
the congress by appointment by the committee on 
organization. 

Pending a discussion of this resolution. Dr. 
Becton resigned the chair to the first vice-presi- 
dent and, coming upon the floor, made a speech 
strongly endorsing the resolution and favoring 
instructing the delegates. The report was adopted. 

His administration fell upon a stormy time in the 
history of medicine in this country. Sentiment 



214 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was somewhat divided in medical ranlis in Texas 
and great care and discretion were necessary in 
dealing with this question, to avoid alienating cer- 
tain members, and thus disrupting the cherished 
organization. Dr. Becton tooic a bold stand 
for ever preserving the purity and integrity 
of honorable, rational medicine, uncontarainated 
by affiliation with those who would break down 
all barriers and throw to the dogs the code of 
medical ethics, the "bulwark and palladium of 
the profession ; " and yet the meeting was con- 
ducted to a peaceful termination and all elements 
were harmonized. lu the course of his spetcli he 
said, among other things: " We are in the midst of 
the battle, and it is a grand sight to see the old 
regulars presenting a solid front, standing like a 
'stone- wall' against those who would break our 
ranks. » » * Doubtless there are some good 
and true men who honor the American Medical 
Association and live up to the code, who question 
the expediency of the action taken by the associa- 
tion at its meeting in New Orleans last year ; but, 
because of this, they are not willing to see it dis- 
membered. With these we have no quarrel, but 
are wilHng to meet them in a fraternal spirit, with 
the view to an honorable and amicable adjustment 
of the pending difficulty. But there are those who, 
tired of salutary and needful restraint, seize upon 
this as a pretext for destroying the association and 
trampling under their feet the Code of Ethics, 
thereby removing the last barrier between them- 
selves and medical quackery. * * * The Texas 
State Medical Association occupies a proud position 
before the medical world on this question. It has 
firmly planted itself upon the eternal principles of 
truth and justice and, strong in the consciousness 
of its own rectitude, fears not the consequences. 
It has flung its banner to the breeze, and upon its 
glittering folds is inscribed in letters of living light: 
' The perpetuity of the American Medical Asso- 
ciation ; the honor, dignity, purity of Ameri- 
can medicine ; for these we live, for these we 
labor.' * * * These must and, with the bless- 
ing of God, shall be preserved. Then let us con- 
tinue to stand together ; let us give our hearts and 
}aands to this great work, encircling the good and true 
of the profession in that chain of sympathy that binds 
us togethtr as one common brolherliood. Trusting 
to the justness of our cause and the sanction of a just 
God, let us have the courage to do our whole duty. 

" Courage, the highest gift, that scorus to beud 
To mean device for soiditi eud. 

Courage! An icdeptnrient f park from hiaven's bright 

throne, [aloue.' " 

By which the soul stands raised, triumphant, high, 



As an orator. Dr. Becton stands deservedly high 
and his voice is in frequent request, both in and 
out of the medical meetings. 

December 12, 1889, on the occasion of the 
burial of Jefferson Davis, when memorial services 
were held tliroughout the South, he was chosen by 
his fellow-citizens of Hopkins County to deliver 
the oration at tlie meeting held by them at Sulphur 
Springs, and this he did in athrillingly eloquent and 
touching manner . 

At the twentj'-fourth annual session of the Texas 
Medical Association held at Tyler, April 26th, 27th, 
and 28tli, 1892, he was called upon suddenly to de- 
liver the closing address at the memorial services 
held in honor of deceased members. Although he 
had no adequate time for preparation, his oration 
was pronounced a masterpiece, his references to 
the tragic death of Dr. Reeves calling tears to eveiy 
eye. Dr. Reeves had been superintendent of the 
State Insane Asylum at Austin and, without a 
moment's warning, had been shot down by an in- 
sane assassin. Dr. Becton's beloved wife had been 
recently removed from his side by the band of 
death. In the early part of his remarks he took 
occasion to say : ''To me this is a solemn hour; 
the afllictive hand of Providence has rested heavily 
upon me ; I know what sorrow is ; I know how to 
sympathize with those who are in trouble. One 
year ago four of our fellow-members were with us 
in the enjoyment of health, of happiness and of the 
privileges and pleasures that we this day enjoy. 
Now, they sweetly sleep beneath the shade of the 
trees on the other side of the river. Life's duty 
done, they have no more to do with the things of 
earth;" and then followed the address — one of 
the finest tributes ever paid before the association 
to departed worth. 

As a writer Dr. Becton is polished and forcible. 
He has made several contributions to current med- 
ical literature. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eliza 
Dickson, November 17th, 1857. She died in 1860 
leaving three children: Mrs. L. J. Wortham, Mrs. 
J. J. Nunnally and Dr. Joseph Becton. In 1867 
he married Mrs. Olivia L. Smith, widow of Dr. 
P. L. Smith. She died at Sulphur Springs in 1891, 
leaving three children : Mrs. Mary A. Chandler, 
since deceased, Mrs. EUie Y. McDanell, of Sulphur 
Springs, and E. B. Becton, Jr. She left by her 
former marriage two children, viz. : Mrs. Kate 
W. Garrett, wife of Dr. Garrett, of Sulphur Springs, 
and Mrs. Fannie Laura Sterling, wife of Dr. Stir- 
ling, of Sulphur Springs. 

Dr. Becton is a Presbyterian, a Mason and a 
member of the I. O. O. F. ; also a K. of P. In 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



215 



politics he is a stauiiuli and unwavering Demo- 
crat. 

In January, 1895, be was appointed, by Governor 
C. A. Culberson, superintendent of the State Institu- 
tion for the Blind, at Austin, Texas, a deserved 
honor that met with the hearty approbation of the 
medical profession and people of Texas. The 
board of trustees of the institution, under date of 
November 1, 1895, in transmitting his official report 
to the Governor, said: " The report of the superin- 
tendent of the Institution for the Blind for the year 
ending November 1, 1895, is so full and accurate 
that we deem it unnecessary to supplement it with 
any suggestions or recommendations. 

"The general health of the pupils has been ex- 
cellent for the past j'ear, better, perhaps, than in 
many j'ears, and the general management of Dr. 
Becton entirely satisfactory in all departments. He 
entered upon the discharge of his duties, January 
1, 1895, with a zeal and enthusiasm which he has 
steadily maintained ; and the good order, fine dis- 
cipline, and general progress and improvement of 
the institution have been such as to commend him 
and the institution to the continued favor of the 
people of Texas." 

One of the first matters that claimed his atten- 
tion upon taking charge of the Institution was to 
thoroughly systematize all the details of its manage- 
ment, dividing the work into departments, over 
which be placed competent heads, to whom he 
delegated sufficient power for the discharge cf their 
duties. He sought from the beginning to impress 
them with a proper sense of responsibility. He has 
met with their hearty co-operation. As a result, 
everything connected with the institution moves 
with the well-ordered regularity of clock-work. 
There is no friction or waste of energy and the 
highest state of efficiency has been attained in 
every department. The children regard him with 
the affection that they would a kind and beloved 
father. 

Tlie people of Texas have much to be proud of, 
but of nothing more than of the enlightened states- 
manship, wise foresight and tender human sym- 
pathy displayed by the founders of the common- 
wealth in making provision for the establishment 
and maintenance of such public benefactions as the 
State Institution for the Blind. 

The absence of no other one of the senses is so 
keenly felt as that of sight ; the deprivation of no 
other one, under ordinary circumstances, renders 
a person so helplessly and hopelessly dependent. 
Yet, thanks to the existence of this institution, the 
blind children of Texas are being taught useful 
trades, by means of which, when they leave its 



walls, they can take their places in the great army 
of bread-winners. Besides, they are receiving 
that culture that will enable them to participate 
with their fellows in some of the pleasures incident 
to higher mental and spiritual life. The delights 
of music are open to them and they are also fur- 
nished with the key to the golden treasure-house 
of literature. Thus, while it is denied to them to 
view the beauties of the visible universe, to note 
the changes vprought by nature with the progress 
of the seasons — to gaze upon the witchery of hill 
and wood and stream — yet, in being taught the 
science and art of the harmony of sound, they are 
taught that universal language of the soul that 
alone can give expsession to its highest longings 
and aspirations. They are being introduced to the 
thoughts of the great and good of all ages, in- 
structed in the principles of morality and religion, 
and taught the mysteries of the manual trades 
thought to be best suited to their natural capaci- 
ties. They will be sent out into the world 
patient, earnest, hopeful, useful men and women. 
It is a noble work that is being done. How 
deplorable would be their condition but for the 
existence and proper management of this institu- 
tion! 

No Governor of Texas, be it said to their credit, 
has ever been influenced by partisan motives, or 
by the desire for personal aggrandizement, in 
making appointments to the superintendency of 
the Institution for the Blind. Their purpose has 
been to select men of high standing in the medical 
fraternity, superior executive ability and that 
firmness of character, warmth of sympathy for 
others and purity of life that will insure the 
efficient discharge of the duties of the sacred trust 
confided to them. 

Dr. Becton is no stranger to the people of 
Texas. 'They expected much of him as the official 
head of this institution and he has not disappointed 
them. On the contrary he has come up fully to 
the measure of their expectations. 

The writer has visited many similar institutions 
and feels no hesitation in saying that the Texas 
Institution for the Blind, under the supervision of 
Dr. Becton, is one of the best of the kind in the 
country. He has, like every other worthy member 
of the medical profession who has been long en- 
gaged in practice, been the instrument under God 
for the accomplishment of much good ; but, at no 
time in the past have his efforts been employed in a 
worthier cause or to better advantage than since 
his appointment to his present position. He has 
brought to the work the most earnest predeliction^ 
of his nature and the best energies of his heart and 



216 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEE.S OF TEXAS. 



brain. What he has already succeeded in doing is 
a sufBcient earnest of what he will yet accomplish 
in the interest of the unfortunates committed to his 
charge. 



Although he is giving liis whole heart and all his 
energies to the management of the institution he 
gives a large measure of the credit of its success to 
his teachers. 



CARL HILMAR GUENTHER, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



As the pioneer history of Texas is being written 
and put into print the fact is being developed that 
the German Empire has contributed more of its 
bone, sinew, and brain to the settlement and de- 
velopment of the Lone Star State, than all of the 
other nations of the world combined. The Ger- 
mans were among the very (irst pioneers who made 
their way into the region of country known as West- 
ern and Southern Texas and as a rule they were 
plain, honest people without means, who were ac- 
customed to hardship and a rigid economy in ail of 
the affairs of life and were especially adapted to 
pioneering in a frontier country. The now vener- 
able Carl Hilmar Guenther, of San Antonio, is a 
fair type of the Texas pioneer, and a brief account 
of his career will, therefore, be of interest to the 
readers of this work. 

Mr. Guenther was born in the town of Weissen- 
fels, Prussia, March 19th, 182G. His father, Gott- 
fried Guenther, was a successful business man of 
tliat town, who, in early life, was a merchant and 
later owned lands and pursued the avocation of a 
farmer. He was a man of property and influence. 
Hilraar Guenther spent his boyhood and youth on 
his father's farm, received a liberal schooling and 
learned the business of scientific milling in all of 
its branches, which in those days not only involved 
the operation of a mill, but also the arts of planing 
and millwright. After learning his trade he held a 
responsible position as manager of the largest mill 
in the city of Zeitz, not far from his home. Upon 
the breaking out of the great German revolution of 
1848, not wishing to be involved therein, he em- 
barked from Bremen for New York City on a sailing 
vessel and reached his destination after a tedious 
voyage of about nine weeks. He remained in New 
York about one month, where he took up and pur- 
sued the work of a carpenter. He then went to the 
now old town of Racine, Wis., a port town on 
Lake Michigan. Wisconsin was then a new and 
unsettled State, Racine a small trading port, and 



the present great cities of Chicago and Milwaukee 
were but small frontier towns. At Racine Mr. 
Guenther was employed as a miller a portion of 
the time. There was not wheat enough raised in 
that section to keep this, a merchant mill, in 
operation more than three or four months in the 
year. He therefore worked as a carpenter and 
builder when not employed in his position 
of miller. He remained at Racine something 
over a year and then pushed on west to the 
Mississippi river and took a steamboat for New 
Orleans. Water in the river was low, however, 
and the boat stranded at Lake Providence, La. 
Here Mr. Guenther disembarked and took a con- 
tract for building a residence for one Mr. Green, of 
Green P. O., not far from Lake Providence. He 
completed his contract in due time, drew his money 
therefor and returned to New York, took out his 
papers of citizenship, and made a trip to the father- 
land to visit his parents. He remained at his home 
about three months and then, with the full consent 
and approval of his parents, returned to the United 
States to make his fortune and his future home. 
He landed this time at New Orleans where he pur- 
chased himself a full kit of carpenter's and mill- 
wright's tools and embarked for Texas, reaching 
the little gulf port of Indianola in January, 1852. 
While he had personally not much means, he had 
received assurances from his father that if he found 
a favorable opening for business in his line, the 
money would be furnished him to engage therein, 
and from Indianola he started on a prospecting tour. 
He drove with an ox-team from Indianola to San 
Antonio. Here for a time he worked as a carpenter 
and, not long thereafter purchased a horse and 
saddle and prospected for a business location at 
Fredericksburg, then a considerable settlement of 
German colonists. His coming to Fredericksburg 
was welcomed by the people of the colony and his 
proposition to build a mill met with much en- 
couragement and promises of support, as, up to 




JOHN STUNEIIAM. 



INDIA X WABX AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



217 



that time, the grinding of corn and wheat had all 
been done in small hand-mills at the homes of the 
settlers. Mr. Guenther located a water-power on 
Live Oak Creek about three miles from Fredericks- 
burg. He received means from home and erected 
the first saw mill and grist mill ever built in that 
section of country. 

In October, 1859, Mr. Guenther removed to San 
Antonio and developed two water-powers on the 
San Antonio river in the city. His first mill, now 
known as the Lower Mill, was a modest two-run mill 
which was propelled by an under shot water wheel. 
In 1866-7 he built a second mill on the San Antonio 
on Arsenal street and nearer to the business center 
of the city. This is known as the Guenther Upper 
Mill. As the country settled up the city grew and 
Mr. Guenther's business increased. The Upper 
Mill has been converted into a hominy mill and grist 
mill and the Lower Mill equipped as a full-fledged 
roller flouring mill. The capacity of both mills 
is now four hundred barrels. Mr. Guenther has 
ever been an enterprising business man, always up 
to and fully abreast of the times and alive to the 
growing demands of a progressive citj'. As he 
siicceded in business he invested his surplus in 
local business enterprises and San Antonio prop- 
erty. In 1870 he embarked in the manufacture of 



ice on a small scale, and later organized the South- 
ern Ice & Cold Storage Company, of which he is 
president, and the enterprise has developed into 
large proportions. 

Mr. Guenther married at Fredericksburg, in 
1855, Miss Dorethea Pape, a daughter of Mr. 
Fritz Pape, one of the first settlers of the Fred- 
ericksburg colony. She has proved a loving and 
faithful wife and mother, and a genuine helpmeet, 
sharing cheerfully in all of her husband's reverses 
and enjoying with him his final prosperity. 

Mr. and Mrs. Guenther have seven children. 
Mr. Guenther has afforded his family excellent 
school advantages. All are married and occupy 
honorable positions in society and business circles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Guenther live at their old home on 
Guenther street in the quietude of declining years, 
enjoying the fruits of honorable, successful and 
well-spent lives, and in the enjoyment of the 
society of their children, grandchildren, and a 
wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 

Mr. Guenther never cared to enter public life 
or took especial interest in politics, but has been 
essentially a business man, only taking such 
interest in matters affecting the welfare of his 
city, country and State, as good citizenship re- 
quired. 



THE STONEHAMS. 



OF GRIMES COUNTY. 



Bryant Stoneham, now in his eighty-eighth year, 
is the sole surviving representative of the first gen- 
eration of Stonehams that located on Grimes Prairie, 
in Grimes County, Texas. His grandfather, per- 
haps the first Stoneham that ever put foot on 
American soil, came over from England in colonial 
days, and settled in what is now Amherst County, 
Va. He had four sons, George, Henry, Bryant, 
and James, and two daughters. The oldest 
son, George, enlisted as a private in the war of 
1812 and was never heard of afterwards. His son, 
Henry, at the age of fourteen, ran avray from home 
to serve in the Revolutionary War; he served five 
years in this war and was wounded at the battle of 
Guildford's Court House. Henry afterwards mar- 
ried, in Amherst County, Jane Dillard, a native of 
Fredericksburg, Va., Bryant and James died in 



Hancock County, Ga., at the ages respectively of 
108 and 110 years. 

Henry Stoneham and his wife Jane (Dillard) 
Stoneham moved from Virginia to Georgia in the 
year 1801. There were born to them eight sons, 
viz. : George, Henry, John, William, James, Bryant, 
Erastus, and Joseph, and seven daughters, Mary, 
Susan, Jane, Eliza, Martha, Sophia, and Hester. 
Henry Stoneham, the father of these children, died in 
Hancock County, Ga., in 1815. His sons, tak- 
ing their widowed mother, drifted westward from 
Georgia, locating for a time in Alabama, but all 
ultimately locating in Grimes County, Texas, except 
Joseph, the second oldest, who died in Alabama, 
leaving a number of small children. The minor 
children of Joseph were brought to Texas by their 
uncle and guardian, George Stoneham. 



218 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Jane (Dillard) Stoiieham, died on Grimes Prairie, 
June 3d, 1858, beloved and respected by all who 
knew her, at the extreme age of 105 years. 

The Stonehams of this generation (the children 
of Henry and Jane Stonehara) and indeed for gen- 
erations back, were an exceptionally hardy people ; 
all owners of slaves, nevertheless hard workers 
themselves, the women manufacturing, by the crude 
means then known to Soulliern people, nearly all 
the cloth used for the household and the slaves. 
The men inured to much hardship, also actively 
participated in outdoor sports and grew to be splen- 
did examples of physical manhood. Their powers 
of endurance, capacity for labor, industry, perse- 
verance, integrity and manly deportment secured 
them wealth and the respect and admiration of 
their fellow-men, as well as accounted for their un- 
failing cheerfulness and abidirg hopefulness of dis- 
position, and their long and useful lives. The 
sterling integrity, industry, thrift, enterprise and 
hardiness of this generation of Stonehams may not 
improperly be said to have been largely inherited 
from their mother, for in her industry and enter- 
prise were realized King Lemuel's description of the 
ways of a virtuous woman; "She considercth a 
field and buyelh it; with the fruits of her hands 
she planteth a vineyard." 

Several of Henry and Jane (Dillard) Stoneham's 
children lived to a remarkable old age. Their son 
Henry, long to be remembered for his Christian 
character, his charity, his love for children and his 
exalted integrity, died in Grimes County at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-five years. Their daughter, 
Susan, never married, remarkable for her industry^ 
respected and loved for her noble character, died in 
Grimes County at the age of ninety-seven years. 
Another daughter, Mrs. Thos. J. Shackelford, died 
in Jackson County, Ga., in 1895, at ninety-one 
years of age. 

None of the sons of this generation of Stonehams 
are now living except Bryant, and none have left 
issue, to any extent, except Joseph. He married 
Rebecca Crowder near Milledgeville, Ga., after- 
ward moved to Alabama, and both he and his wife 
died in Conecuh County in that State in 1835, leav- 
ing six sons and two daughters. The two daugh- 
ters (Caroline and Martha) married in Alabama. 
The two youngest sons (William and Sebron) died 
in Alabama in boyhood. The remaining four boys, 
George, John, Henry, and Joe, are the minor chil- 
dren referred to as having been brought to Texas by 
their uncle and guardian, George Stoneham. 

John Stoneham, a son of Joseph Stoneham, and 
of the second generation of Stonehams that came 
to Texas, was born in Conecuh County, Ala., 



December 20, 1829. When a small boy he attended 
school at Evergreen, Ala. His uncles being slave 
owners, and desirous of obtaining richer and 
cheaper lands than could be readily procured in 
Alabama, left that State in 1845 and in preceding 
3'ears, taking him with them and his orphan broth- 
ers in 1845. Most of them made their way overland 
with wagons and teams and camp equipage enough 
to make the party comfortable. Those that came 
with the orphans arrived on Grimes Prairie in 1845. 
They found on Grimes Prairie and vicinity, upon 
their arrival there, the following well-known people : 
Judge Jesse Grimes, for whom Grimes County was 
named ; Mrs. Margaret Mclntyre and her two sons ; 
Franklin J. Greenwood and family; Maj. Pierson 
and family ; Gwyn Morrison and family ; Andrew 
and Edley Montgomery and their families. What 
an inviting prospect this section of country must 
have presented to the energetic and enterprising 
Stonehams ! Rich lands of marvelous productive 
cajiacity, well timbered and watered ; sleek cattle 
on every hillside and an abundance of game were 
all found there. Indeed this was a land flowing 
with milk and honey and after over half of a cen- 
tury of constant tillage these lands yield bountifully 
to the hand of industry. 

.John Stoneham and his orphan brothers, under 
the influences of pioneer life, grew to manhood on 
Grimes Prairie. Here they were sent by their 
guardian to such schools as from time to time the 
people of that sparsely settled country were enabled, 
in that primeval day to secure. Upon John at- 
taining to his majority, his guardian, who had 
judiciously managed his father's estate, placed him 
in possession of his portion. He at once invested 
in lands and began to follow farming, the vocation 
of his father. He was married to Evaline Green- 
wood, daughter of the venerable Franklin J. Green- 
wood, on the 20th of October, 1853. John Stone- 
ham and his brothers George, Henry, and Joe, 
served in different capacities on the Southern side 
in the late war. Joe was killed at the battle of 
Mansfield in Louisiana. He left a widow and four 
sons, all of whom are dead. George never mar- 
ried ; he died the 12th of July, 1874. Henry died in 
Milam County, Texas, leaving a f.amilyof girls and 
boys, most of whom are married and live in dif- 
ferent counties of the State. Since the war John 
Stoneham activelj' engaged in farming, and, to some 
extent, stock-raising, and, for about ten j-ears prior 
to his death, merchandised. He lived till his death 
in the vicinity of Grimes Prairie and during 
his lorg and useful life a large family of children 
grew up about him. By frugal and judicious 
management he acquired large bodies of valuable 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



•219 



land. As a citizen lie was liberal and public- 
spirited. Upon the building of the Gulf, Colorado, 
and Santa Fe Railway through Grimes County (in 
which he actively interested himself in a financial 
way, giving the project his hearty support) a 
station was built on lands he owned and named for 
him. 

The life of John Stoneham was characterized by 
a rigid simplicity. The sincerity and honesty of 
his deeds and words were transparent, and felt and 
appreciated by all worthy people that knew him. 
He was a devoted member of the Methodist church 
and gave liberally to churches and schools. The 
beautiful little church at Stonebara and the school 
at that place stand as monuments to his zeal for 



the cause of Him whose whole life was one of com- 
plete, loving self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. 
His unselfishness, integrity, good will for his 
fellow-man, his charities, and especially his loving 
self-sacrifice for his family, will ever cause his 
memory to be honored and revered and, above all, 
will it be sacredly enshrined in the hearts of his 
widow and children. He died at Stoneham, Texas, 
on August 3d, 1894, in his sixty-sixth year, and 
friends from far and near came to pay their last 
tribute of respect and love when he was laid to rest 
in the old burial grounds on Grimes Prairie. He 
left a widow and eight sons, who have inherited his 
estate. His sons are among the most thriving and 
respected citizens of Grimes County. 



J. B. POLLEY, 

FLORESVILLE. 



J. B. Policy, of Floresville, Wilson County, 
Texas, was born in Brazoria County, Texas, in 1840. 
His father, J. H. Policy, and his mother, Mary 
(Bailey) Polley, were natives respectively of New 
York and North Carolina. J. H. Polley left New 
York in 1818, made his way to St. Louis and there 
joined Moses Austin and made a trip to Texas in 
1819. Then, returning to St. Louis, he joined 
Stephen F. Austin as one of the original three hun- 
dred who came to Texas in 1821. Subsequently', 
he married Miss Mary Bailey, whose father, J. 
Britton Bailey, had settled on the Brazos river, op- 
posite Columbia, in the year 1821. The couple 
lived at the edge (d Bailey's Prairie until 1847 and 
then moved to the Cibolo, about thirty miles east 
of San Antonio — the husband dying in 1869 at the 
age of seventy-three, the wife dying in 1888 at 
the age of seventy-eight. Eleven children were 
born to them, of whotn J. B. Polley was the sixth. 

The subject of this sketch, J. B. Polley, gradu- 
ated at the Florence Wesleyan University at Flor- 
ence, Ala., in 1861, returning home just in time to 



avoid the blockade of the Texas coast. Enlisting 
in Company F., of the Fourth Texas, he served four 
years in Hood's Brigade, participating in most of 
the important battles in which that command was 
engaged. Wounded in the head during the first 
real battle, that of Gaines' Mill, he lost his right 
foot in the last real battle in which his regiment 
participated, on the Darbytown road near Rich- 
mond, October 7, 1864. 

Marrying Miss Matlie LeGette in 1866, Mr. 
Polley read law and was admitted to the bar in 1868, 
but did not begin its practice until 1876, when he 
moved to Floresville, the county seat of Wilson 
County. He was County Attorney in 1877 and 
1878, served as a member of the Sixteenth Legis- 
lature in 1879, and since has been engaged in the 
practice of his profession. 

His children are: Josephine Goldstein, the wife 
of E. M. Goldstein, of San Antonio, Texas ; Hortense 
Rudisill, the wife of L. O. Rudisill, of Fort Worlh, 
Texas ; Miss Mattie Polley, .Joseph H. and Jesse 
Polley, the latter born in 1881. 



220 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



THOMAS J. DEVINE, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



The lamented Judge Devine was born of Irish 
parentage, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 28th of 
February, 1820. His early opportunities for an 
education were liberal and in addition to his En- 
glish studies he acquired considerable proficiency 
in the Latin and French languages, but he was in 
early life thrown upon his own resources, and when 
but fifteen years of age emigrated to Florida and 
was there employed as clerk and salesman in a 
mercantile house at Tallahasse, but his aspiring 
genius found little congeniality in the mental re- 
straints^and fettering routine of a life of trade. 
The cravings^of Lis mind and the soaring flights of 
his youthful ambition impelled him to exertions to 
reach a more compatible sphere, and, in 1838, he 
began the study of law in the oflSce of Trexton 
Davis, a prominent lawyer of Woodville, Miss. 
In 1840 he went to Lexington, Ky., where he 
continued his studies and attended lectures in 
the law department of Transylvania University, 
from which he graduated in 1843 and in the same 
year obtained his license to practice from the 
Supreme Court of Kentucky. 

During that year he emigrated to Texas and 
located at La Grange, in Fayette County, and he 
soon thereafter removed to San Antonio, where he 
established himself in the practice of his profession 
and lived until his death in 1890. 

Judge Devine acquired a high reputation as an 
able and thorough lawyer. In 1844 he was elected 
City Attorney of San Antonio and held the office 
by successive re-elections until 1851, when he was 
elected District Judge of Bexar County. He was 
re-elected to the bench in 1856 and held the posi- 
tion until the outbreak of the war between the 
States. He was a leading member of the Texas 
secession convention in 18G1, and was a member of 
the committee of public safety, appointed to con- 
fer wi'"i Gen. Twiggs, the commander of the 
United ates troops in Texas, and demand the 
surrender f al the government arms, ammuni- 
tion and military stores and the immediate re- 
moval of the Federal troops from the State. 
This, in conjunction with two other gentlemen 
of the committee, he accomplished with the 
skill of a thorough diplomatist and received the 
commendation and thanks of the convention. 
Being an ardent devotee and supporter of the 
Southern cause and a lawyer of eminent ability, he 



was soon afterwards appointed Confederate States 
Judge for the Western District of Texas. The 
functions of this office, though necessarily limited 
in extent and application during the time of war, he 
performed with the utmost fidelity, and with a view 
to the importance of putting the machinery of the 
new court in proper motion. In 1863 his admirable 
qualities of statesmanship and knowledge of inter- 
national law were again called into requisition. At 
the request of Gen. E. Kirby Smith, he proceeded 
to the city of Mexico and succeeded in arranging 
amicably the threatened troubles between the 
Mexican and the Confederate States governments. 
In 1864 there was great dissatisfaction in Texas 
in consequence of the conscript law and the em- 
bargo laid by the Confederate government upon 
trade between Texas and Mexico, and serious 
troubles were threatening to arise between the gov- 
ernment of the State and the Confederacy, but the 
patriotism, ability and the pacific qualities of Judge 
Devine arrested all evil, and, having promptly 
repaired to Gen. Smith's headquarters in Arkansas, 
he arranged the whole matter satisfactorily to all 
parties involved. 

Thus, as a judge and peacemaker, this good man 
united in his person and in his official character the 
noblest qualities of a citizen and patriot and rend- 
ered his country the most valuable and the happiest 
of all services, the promotion of unity and concord 
and the direction of its energies against the common 
enemy. At the termination of the war he saw no 
hope for his country through the clouds that settled 
over it and he took up his abode in Mexico, but 
Texas was his home. To her he owed all that he 
was, or had been, and his heart was chained to her 
destin}-. He returned to San Antonio within a few 
months, but his known ability, prominence and in- 
fluence as a Southerner, drew about him the shafts 
of revenge and he was arrested by the Federal 
authorities and incarcerated at Fort Jackson at the 
mouth of the Mississippi and there confined during 
a period of about four months, after which he 
returned to San Antonio, quietly resumed the prac- 
tice of his profession, placidly awaited the abate- 
ment of the storm and watclied with anxious gaze 
the restoration of the social and political wreck 
which the war left in its pathway. 

In 1873 Judge Devine was appointed by Governor 
Coke an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of 




JUDGE T. J. DEVIXE. 



i- ■ 


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COL. W. B. AIKIN. 





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OKAXOE C. CONNER. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



221 



Texas. After a short but eminent career upon the 
bench, he found that the duties of the bar which he 
had so long cultivated and cherished were congenial 
to his tastes as well as far more remunerative, and in 
1875 he resigned and returned to his law practice at 
San Antonio, which, from that time until his death, 
he pursued with vigor and uninterrupted devotion. 
Judge Devine did not incline to politics or public 
life. Under protest from him, his friends in 1878 
made him a pi'ominent candidate for Governor of 
Texas and, aside from this, he never permitted his 
name to be used in connection with any political 
office. Judge Devine was regarded as one of the 
ablest lawyers of the Texas bar. He was a man of 
great intellectual vigor and superior mental en- 
dowments and, while he possessed much of the 
humorous vivacity and spontaneous repartee char- 
acteristic of his parentage and the race from which 
he sprung, candor and sincerity were the ruling 
traits of his character. He was patient and thorough 
in his investigations and an excellent legal coun- 



sellor. His uniform courtesy and mild disposition 
and his aptness on proper occasions to adorn with 
good-natured jest the dull and monotonous features 
of legal argument, rendered him an engaging ad- 
vocate and gave him great power before a jury. 
His oratory often rose to the highest standard of 
eloquence. As a judge his decisions were charac- 
terized by an independence of judgment and a 
freedom from the restraints of doubtful precedent 
that commended them to practitioners as the 
emanations of profound learning, thorough research 
and conscientious conviction. 

He held the scales of justice in even balance and 
no feature of wrong, however speciously attired, 
could disturb their equipoise. His judgments 
were fixed upon the firm basis of law and right. In 
private life Judge Devine possessed the noblest 
qualities. He was kind, charitable and public- 
spirited, and always ready to respond to every 
meritorious demand as a friend, a neighbor and a 
citizen. 



W. B. AlKIN, 

PARIS. 



Col. W. B. Aikin was born in Burke County, 
North Carolina, January 23, 1805. His father, 
John Aikin, a native of Ireland, came to America 
at the age of twenty-three years, was a farmer by 
occupation, and died in Mississippi in 1838. Col. 
Aikin's mother, Mrs. Anne Aikin, was a daughter 
of Samuel Aken, of Pennsylvania. She died Feb- 
ruary 5th, 1867. Her father lived to the mature 
age of one hundred and six years. 

The subject of this memoir left his native State 
in 1823 and went to Jefferson County, Ala., where 
he resided until 1831. He moved to Noxubee 
County, Miss., in that year, and in 1847 to Cass 
County, Texas, where he resided until 18G0, and 
then moved to Eed River County. In 1872 he 
made his home in Paris, Lamar County, Texas, and, 
until the time of his death, was prominently identi- 
fied with the commercial and social interests of that 
thriving little city. He was always largely engaged 
in agricultural pursuits and left a landed estate of 
about fifteen thousand acres of land situated in La- 
mar and Red River counties. Prior to his death he 
was vice-president of the Farmers and Merchants 
Bank of Paris, a director of the First National Bank 



of Jefferson, Texas, and president of the Lamar 
Ware House Company, of Paris. He was a con- 
sistent member of the M. E. Church, South, over 
fifty years, and took a great interest in church work. 

In March, 1827, he married Miss Araminta Flan- 
agan, of North Carolina. Four children were born 
of this union. Only two of these lived to maturity, 
Mrs. O. C. Connor, now living in Paris, Texas, 
and Mrs. W. B. Ward, who died in 1882, at Jeffer- 
son, Texas. 

In 1881 Col. Aikin founded what is now known 
as Aikin Institute, an educational institution that 
has since been given to the city. In 1892 he built 
and gave to the city of Paris the Aikin Charity 
Hospital at acostof $12,000. He was a liberal con- 
tributor to churches and charitable purposes, and in 
every way, to the full extent of his means and per- 
sonal influence, sought to promote the best interests 
of the community and country. He died at Paris, 
Texas, June 2, 1893, and was buried in Evergreen 
cemetery. One of the finest granite monuments 
ever erected in Texas now marks his grave ; a 
tribute to his memory prompted by the love of Mrs. 
O. C. Connor. 



222 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



J. J. GROOS, 



NEW BRAUNSFELS. 



The late Capt. Johann Jacob Groos, a man of 
fine intelligence and great strength of character, 
was well known throughout the State of Texas as 
one of her most respected and influential pioneers. 
He was a native of Germany, born at Offenbach, 
March 6, 1824 ; received good schooling and learned 
civil engineering. He came to America with a 
young wife and landed at Indianola as a member 
of the German Emigration Company's party, who 
were the pioneers of their day, and who did so 
much to open and develop the portion of the State 
of Texas in which they settled. He brought little 
with him to this country besides a stout heart, 
u strong constitution, a large stock of enterprise 
and grit, and a willing and ready helpmeet. He 
early took up surveying and had much to do with 
the location and surveying of lands in Comal, 
Bexar, Kendall and adjoining counties. He lived 
many years at New Braunfels where he held the 
office of county surveyor of Comal County. In 
the meantime he also engaged in farming. During 
the late war he served as Captain of Confederate 
militia, and in that capacity aided in checking 
Indian depredations on the frontier. From 1869 
to 1872 he kept the Guadalupe Hotel at New 
Braunfels and was a popular host. He was then 



elected Commissioner of the General Land Office 
of the State of Texas, in which position he served 
the people until his death, which occurred at 
Austin in 1878 in his fifty-fourth year. His wife 
died two 3'ears earlier, in 1870, at fifty-two years 
of age. Mr. and Mrs. Groos left seven children, 
all born in Texas. Otto, forty-eight years of age, 
the oldest living, is a banker, farmer and success- 
ful business man at Kyle, Texas. Herman is a 
farmer near Kj'le. Emma is the wife of Mr. 
George Sehnabel, and resides with her husband at 
Burnet. August, forty-two years of age, holds 
a position in the office of the State Comptroller of 
Public Accounts. William, forty years of age, is 
a farmer and stock-raiser at Munroe, Oregon. 
Martin E., thirly-flve j'ears of age, is chief clerk 
in the General Land Office of the State of Texas. 
Annie is the wife of Mr. Joseph Mayer, a well- 
known broker at San Antonio. 

During his entire career, Mr. Groos was noted 
for his excellent abilities, strict integrity, loyalty 
to his friends, and constancy, and was in every 
way a most exemplary citizen. He transmitted 
these excellent characteristics to his sons, all of 
whom have assumed places of honor and trust 
and have sustained the family name. 



ORANGE C. CONNOR, 



PARIS. 



Capt. O. C. Connor was born at Somerville, Ten- 
nessee, September Gth, 1829, attended the common 
schools of the country until nineteen years of age, 
and completed his education by a course at the 
Somerville Baptist College. His parents were 
Orange and Judith Connor, tlie former of whom 
died in Morris County, Texas, in 1859, and the lat- 
ter at the old family home in that county in 1879. 
After the suppression of the Irish rebellion of 1792 
by fire and sword the crown of England issued a 
proclamation lo the effect that all persons who had 
held commissions in the Irish patriot army should 
be hanged without trial. The grandfathers of both 



Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Connor had held such com- 
missions, but succeeded in avoiding the vigilance 
of the military commanders of the British army of 
occupation and effected their escape to America, 
and here their descendants have since resided and 
many of them risen to positions of prominence in 
the various walks of life. 

In 1849, Mr. Orange Connor moved to Texas 
with his family. He traveled overland by ox and 
mule teams, bringing about twenty-five slaves with 
him, and settled in Morris County, where he opened 
a farm and in time became one of the wealthiest 
farmers in the county. On the arrival of the family, 




J. J. GUO.SS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



223 



in Texas, the subject of this memoir secured a 
clerkship in a store at Daingerfield and remained in 
that place for nearly tliree years. In 1852 he mar- 
ried Miss Mary A. Aikin, daughter of Col. W. B. 
Aikin, then a resident of Cass County, Texas. 
After marrj'ing he moved to and engaged in farm- 
ing in Cass Count}', in which pursuit he continued 
until the beginning of the war between the States in 
18fil. He then enlisted in Company G., 19lh Texas 
Infantry, and was elected First Lieutenant of the 
companj'. He served with fidelity and courage 
throughout the struggle, a struggle that has no 
counterpart in the annals of human history. 
Among other engagements he participated in those 
at Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' Ferry, Perkins' 
Landing, Millican's Bend and the smaller fights in 
Louisiana incidental to the defeat of Banks' army 
and its being driven back to the lower part of that 
State. In 1864, he was assigned to the Quarter- 
master's department, in which he remained until 
the final surrender of the Confederate forces. 

When he returned home after the war he owned 
but little property, nevertheless he possessed 
enough to establish himself, in a small way as a 
merchant and farmer in Red River County, where 
he remained until 1870. In January of that year 
he moved to Paris, Texas, and followed merchan- 
dising there until 1877, when his stock, upon which 
he carried no insurance, was burned in the fire of 



that year that almost destroyed the town. After 
sustaining this serious loss he devoted his attention 
for a time exclusively to the management of his 
various farms, but later acquired a consiilerable 
interest in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Paris, 
and was elected president of that institution for 
two terms; but, owing to failing health, retired 
from that position, and is now vice-president of tlie 
bank. Capt. Connor is one of the largest land- 
holders in his section of the State. He is a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church, South, of thirty-three 
years standing. He has six children : W. A., now 
a farmer in Red River County ; E. S., a prominent 
lawyer at Paris; O. C, Jr., a cotton merchant and 
farmer at Paris ; Pearl, wife of John T. Dckson, 
a leading merchant of Paris ; Daisy, wife of P. J. 
Pierce, a cotton merchant of Paris ; and Erminia, 
wife of E. F. Bra}'-, a representative of the Brown 
Shoe Company, of St. Louis, resident at Paris. 

Siuce the war Capt. Connor has been uninter- 
ruptedly engaged in farming and has had as much 
as three thousand acres under cultivation at one 
time. 

He is in every respect a representative man and 
citizen, has been an active promoter of every enter- 
)3rise inaugurated for the benefit of his section, and 
enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, 
among whom he has spent the best years of an 
active and useful life. 



CELESTIN JAGOU, 



BROWNSVILLE. 



The subject of this brief memoir is one of the 
well-known and successful pioneers of the lower Rio 
Grande Valley and probably has done as much if 
not more, than any living pioneer to develop its 
resources. He is a native of France, born at Lass- 
cube, in the department of Basses Pyrenees. His 
father, John Jagou, was a respected citizen and 
property owner of that department. Young Jagou 
received a partial education in the school of the 
Christian Brotherhood in his native town and at 
aljout the age of twelve years, his services being 
needed at home, left school. 

Two years later he entered a liquor distilling 
establishment and learned the business. He was 
restless and ambitious to accomplish something in 
the world and, upon hearing the glowing reports 



current of the opportunities offered young men in 
the United States, embarked from his native land in 
1859, for New Orleans. There he remained until 
1862, and then made his way to Bagdad, Mexico, 
and very soon thereafter went to Matamoros, 
Mexico. Matamoros was at that time the best 
business point on the gulf coast, the depot for all 
the cotton shipments of the Southern States, and a 
city of about 100,000 people, which prosperous 
state of affairs continued during the Civil War onl}'. 
At Matamoros, young Jagou was engaged in the 
cotton-pressing business. When the war was ended, 
all lines of business at Matamoros declined and 
the people disappeared like the melting of the 
snow. 

In 1863, Mr. Jagou opened a store in Browns- 



224 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ville, Texas, where be sold fancy groceries and 
liquors and did a profitable business. In 1865, 
Brownsville was raided by Federal colored troops, 
who entered liis premises and carried off liis mer- 
chandise by wagon-loads. His loss was later par- 
tially made good by the United States Government. 
He also sustained heavy losses by the historic 
tornado of 1867, which demolished nearly one-half 
of the city of Brownsville, including Fort Brown. 
With his accustomed energy and undaunted 
determination, he continued in trade and, despite 
all misadventures, finally succeeded in laying the 
foundation for a competency. In 1868, Mr. Jagou 
married Miss Adolpliine Mailhe, a lady of New 
Orleans of French descent. 

Four children were born to them, viz. : Christine 
and Adolphe, who reside at home with their par- 
ents ; Michael, who lives near San Jose, California, 



and Albert, who had charge of Mr. Jagou's branch 
store at Laredo, Texas. Mrs. Jagou died in 1880 
and in 1881 Mr. Jagou married Miss Agathe 
Bourdet, of France. 

Mr. Jagou is an enterprising, pushing business 
man of tireless industry. Besides his large whole- 
sale and retail store in Brownsville, he has, as pre- 
viously stated, a branch store in Laredo. In 1879, 
he purchased the Esperanza ranch, on which he has 
the finest improvements and has demonstrated more 
than any other man what Texas soil and water, in 
the section in which he resides, will produce in the 
line of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. He had 
over 50,000 banana plants under the highest state 
of cultivation. He believes that with irrigation 
nearl}' all the tropical fruits can be profitably grown 
in the lower Rio Grande vallej'. Mr. Jagou's suc- 
cess in life is due entirely to his personal efforts. 



ALBERT MOVE, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



Came to the Republic of Texas in 1845. He was 
born in Germany in the city of Kassel, September 
19th, 1820. He was reared to farming, which as 
an occupation he pursued up to the time of his em- 
barkation for Texas as a member of the historic 
colony of Germans who came to the New World 
under the leadership of Prince Solms. Upon land- 
ing at Galveston, he, with others of the colony, pro- 
ceeded to Indianola, where they were, for want of 
transportation facilities, detained for about six 
months. He finally' made his way to San Antonio 
during that year (1845), where he opened the first 
saddler's shop established there. San Antonio 
was then a town of about six hundred people. Not a 
tradesman, he was, nevertheless, of a mechanical 
turn of mind, handy witii tools, and engaged in this 
business, because he was quick to perceive that 
such an establishment was needed and would pay. 
His shop was located on what is now Commerce 
street. He finally disposed of the business to ad- 
vantage, located in the suburbs near the city and 
engaged in raising vegetables. For seven years 
prior to 1861 he held the office of justice of the 
peace. That year he entered the Confederate army 
as Lieutenant of Company B. , Third Texas Infantry, 
commanded by Capt. Kampman, and upon the pro- 
motion of Capt. Kampman to a higher rank, suc- 
ceeded him as Captain of the company. He re- 



mained in the army two years. Returning home, he 
engaged first in the lumber business ; later served 
as su|)erintendent and architect forMaj. Kampman, 
who did an extensive business as a contractor and 
builder for many years ; filled this position for 
three or four years ; in 1866 engaged in the fire 
and life insurance business, which he followed until 
1893 and then retired from active business pur- 
suits. He married in Germany and was the father 
of nine children, four of whom are living: Otto, 
Wilhelmina, Emilie, and Edward. Otto, the oldest, 
was born in Germany, March 5, 1843; Wilhelmina, 
wife of Max Krakauer, was born in San Antonio, 
September 8, 1847, and has three sons and two 
daughters; Emilie, wife of Julius Piper, born No- 
vember 14, 1852, has four sons and three daughters, 
and Edward the youngest was born January 16, 
1855, and has one son and one daughter. All the 
children live in San Antonio. 

Otto Moye, the eldest, reoe-'ved a good common 
school education and for eighteen years was identi- 
fied, as salesmen, with one of San Antonio's whole- 
sale hardware houses. Edward married, October 
31, 1882, Miss Lillie, daughter of Louis Zork, who 
was the pioneer dry goods merchant of San Antonio. 
Mr. Edward Moye is a member of the well-known 
mercantile firm of Krakauer, Zork & Moye, of San 
Antonio. 




Errg^iy WT.Batfter. BKtj-nWV 



>^^-^L-£C3 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



225 



HON. JOHN CALDWELL, 

BASTROP. 



The Anglo-American settlement of Texas, tbe 
revolution tliat followed and the establishment of a 
separate republic and its merger into the sisterhood 
of States that compose the Union, offered unex- 
ampled opportunities for the exercise of the purest 
patriotism, the most intrepid bravery and the high- 
est mental endowments in the line of statecraft. 
Nor were the men wanting to fill the various roles 
required to meet the necessities of those stormy and 
trying days. 

Few States, formed in either ancient or modern 
times, can boast a galaxy of greater names, in the 
same period of time, than those which adorn the 
pages of the early history of Texas. 

The subject of this memoir, Hon. John Caldwell, 
moved among the leading spirits of his day. 

He came to Texas from North Alabama in 1831, 
as a member of a considerable company of people 
who came at the same time from the same localitj'. 

He brought with him a j'oung wife, whose maiden 
name was Lucinda Haynie, and settled on the 
Navidad, where he developed a farm and resided 
until 1834 when he removed to Bastrop County, 
ever after his home. He was born at Frankfort, 
Ky., December 10, 1802. was the oldest of six 
children and was sixteen years of age at the 
time of the death of his father, Mr. Adam Caldwell, 
which occurred at Nashville, Tenn., July 12, 
1819. The support of the family and the education 
of the younger children thereupon devolved upon 
him, and he met the responsibilities of the situation 
with that firmness and devotion to duty that were 
among his distinguishing characteristics in maturer 
years. 

The family after Mr. Adam Caldwell's death 
located and lived at Nashville, Tenn., for a number 
of years. 

Adam Caldwell was a professional man and his son 
doubtless inherited from him a love for books and 
study, for he applied himself with great diligence 
to the study of law while supporting the family and 
was admitted to the bar at Nashville, when twenty- 
one years of age. Subsequently the family moved 
from Tennessee to North Alabama and located at 
Tuscumbia. There John Caldwell lived and prac- 
ticed his profession with marked success until 
1831, the year that he came to Texas. He brought 
five slaves with him, one of whom, Melinda Pryor, 
is now living in Austin, Texas, at an advanced age. 



He at one time owned a large number of slaves. 
These he treated with uniform kindness, never 
selling one of them to any other master or inflicting 
upon them undue discipline. Upon coming to 
Texas he relinquished tbe practice of law and de- 
voted himself thereafter to agricultural pursuits. 

His home in Bastrop County was located on the 
Colorado river, about twelve miles from the present 
town of Bastrop (then known as Mina) where he 
engaged extensively in farming, developed a hand- 
some estate and reared his family'. 

The Caldwell mansion was known throughout 
Central and Western Texas as the " White House " 
and the home of one of Texas' most intelligent, 
courtly and chivalric gentlemen. Spacious in size 
and with hospitable doors always open, it was a 
popular stopping-place for men prominent in 
military and civil affairs. Here Houston, Hen- 
derson, Eusk, Williamson, Wharton, Archer, Bur- 
net and their compeers delighted to tarry over 
night when traveling through the country, and 
discuss issues pending before the people and con- 
sult the cool and reliable judgment of their 
esteemed host and friend. 

The present Caldwell family of four sons and 
two daughters were all born here and as they ad- 
vanced in years the " White House " was made the 
scene of many delightful social events. 

Col. Caldwell enjoyed the unbounded and uni- 
form confidence of the people of his locality and, 
as he became known, of the entire Republic and 
State as well. He was an active and prominent 
participant in the events that led up to the Texas 
revolution, was one of the first to respond to the 
call to arms that followed the affair at Gonzales, 
and was one of the most ardent of those who 
advocated the issuance of a declaration of inde- 
pendence. From the beginning he deprecated the 
policy of fighting for the restoration of the Mexican 
constitution of 1824, which Santa Anna had 
trampled in blood and dust and bayoneted to 
death on the plains of Zacatecas. He clearly per- 
ceived that the Anglo-Americans of Texas had 
nothing to expect from the Mexican government or 
people under any circumstances and that, even if 
with the co-operation of the Liberal party in 
Mexico Santa Anna could be overthrown, the 
Federal constitution of 1824 restored and Texas 
allowed a separate State government, the battle 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



for independence would untimately have to be 
fought. As matters stood, he knew that the 
Liberal party had been, or would be, crushed in 
Mexico, that Texas could look for no aid from 
that quarter, that volunteers from the United .States 
would be slow to join the Texian standard, if the 
fight was to be made merely for the rights of Texas 
as a Mexican State, and that the part of wisdom 
was to make a fight against Mexico like their heroic 
forefathers made against Great Britain — for 
absolute independence ; for liberty or for death. 
Some great men were opposed to the step, but the 
party to which he, Governor Smith, Wharton, 
Archer and others belonged prevailed, the declara- 
tion was issued, the battle of San Jacinto fought, 
and the independence of Texas secured. 

Wliile with the army on its retreat he was 
detailed by Gen. Houston to ride throiigh the 
country and give warning to the settlers of the 
approach of the three Mexican columns that were 
sweeping eastward under Santa Anna. Having 
placed his family in safety at Mina (Bastrop), where 
they remained until 1838, the Indians committing 
so many depredations after the war as to render it 
perilous to live outside the limits of the town, he 
set about the performance of the duty assigned him 
and, having accomplished it, hurried forward to 
join tlie arm}' under Gen. Houston and reached it 
the day after the battle of San Jacinto. It was 
alwaj's a source of regret to him that he was pre- 
vented by circumstances, over which he had no con- 
trol, from taking part in that great and glorious 
engagement. 

In September, 1838, he was elected to represent 
his district in the House of the Third Texas Con- 
gress (the first under Lamar's administration) and 
acquitted himself in a manner that fully sustained 
the high reputation he enjoyed, and added fresh 
laurels to those he had already won. 

The Congress assembled at Houston on the loth 
of November. 

In the Senate were Harvey Kendrick, of Mata- 
gorda; Edward Burleson, of Bastrop; William H. 
Wharton, of Brazoria; and in the House sucii men 
as John W. Bunton, Greenleaf Fisk (Col. Cald- 
well's associate from Bastrop), Jose Antonio 
Navarro, Cornelius Van Ness, John A. Wharton, 
Wm. Menefee, Holland Coffee, Moseley Baker, 
Isaac Parker, David S. Kaufman, John M. 
Hansford and John J. Lynn. 

It was a very important session. Laws were to 
be enacted to provide for a change from the civil to 
the common law (in compliance with an amend- 
ment to the constitution previously adopted), a 
stable currency was to be provided, steps were to 



be taken to lay the foundation for a free school sys- 
tem and to effectually check the hostile Indian 
tribes in East Texas and elsewhere and suppress 
Mexican brigandage on the southwestern border. 
All this and more was accomplished by that body 
or placed in process of accomplishment. A ranger 
force for frontier protection was created, a law 
passed for the permanent location of the seat of 
government, steps were taken to provide a more 
efficient navy, fifty leagues of land were set aside 
for a university and lands to each county for free 
school purposes; the land, judiciary and probate 
laws were improved, land grants were extended to 
encourage immigration and a score or more of other 
much needed and salutary laws enacted. 

The law providing for the permanent location of 
the seat of government was passed in January, 
1839. It was a question of deep interest and 
excited more or less sectional feeling. The wliole 
West and upper frontier wished it located as far in 
the interior as practicable in order that it miglit 
become the focus of frontier protection. Col. 
John Caldwell, of Bastrop, William Menefee, of 
Colorado, James Kerr, of Jackson, and Cornelius 
Van Ness, of Bexar, were the especial champions 
of the measure and Col. Caldwell is said to have 
afterwards pointed out to the commissioners, 
appointed under the law, the site on the Colorado 
selected by them, for the beautiful capital city of 
Austin. 

The next session of the Congress convened at the 
new capital in November, 1839. This he also at- 
tended. He took an active part in all the important 
debates and legislation of the session and in shap- 
ing the general lines of State policy that were then 
developed, many of which, notably those inaugurat- 
ing the policy of free popular education and of 
erecting and maintaining eleemosynary institutions, 
have since been very closely followed. 

Returning home, he was called upon more than 
once to help chastise hostile Indians and responded 
with that alacrity that was characteristic of the 
pioneers of that day. The Indian outrages in 1837 
and 1838 and in 1839 and 1840, incited by promises 
of help from Mexico, were appalling. The frontier 
was bleeding from savage fury, from San Antonio 
to Red river. 

On tlie 5th of August, 1840, a band of a thou- 
sand, composed of Comanches and Kiowas, but in- 
cluding also many lawless Mexicans and Indians 
from some of the more civilized tribes, passed down 
the country to Victoria. They committed many 
murders along the way, massacred several persons 
in sight of Victoria and, after making a feint on 
that town, proceeded to the village of Linnvllle, on 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



227 



Matagorda Baj', which tbey looted and then burned 
to the ground, massacring those of the inhabitants 
who failed to make good their escape in boats 
moored along the shore. The raiders then took up 
the line of march on tlieir return. The news 
spread like wildfire and pursuing parlies were 
organized, one of which was led by Col. Caldwell. 
A short distance from Victoria, twenty-five volun- 
teers came up with the Indians and had a skirmish ; 
but, with this exception, they managed to make 
their way unmolested to Plum creek, where, three 
miles southwest of the present town of Lock- 
hart, they were attacked on the 12th of August by a 
force of about one hundred and eighty men, com- 
manded by Gen. Felix Huston, Col. Ed. Burleson, 
Capts. Ward, Bird and others, and defeated with 

• considerable slaughter. This was one of the last 
of a series of bloody conflicts in Southern Texas, 
and was such a chastisement of the Comanches, that 
they remained comparatively quiet for a number 
of years thereafter. 

After the capture of San Antonio by the Mexicans 
under Gen. Adrian Woll, in 1842, Col. Caldwell 
hastily organized a regiment, composed of the com- 
panies of Capt. Childress, of Bastrop, and Capt. 
Cooke, of Austin, and hurried to the appointed ren- 
dezvous at the front where he joined the force 
(about 2,000 men) commanded by Col. Ed. Burle- 
son. In a few days Brig.-Gen. Somervell arrived 
on the ground and assumed command. .Scouts 
soon brought in information that the enemy, 
after holding San Antonio a few days, had rapidly 
retreated. Col. Caldwell remained with the troops 
as long as they were kept in the field. Later, he 
participated in the Somervell expedition, designed 
for a retaliatory invasion of Mexico, and, after the 
regular disbandment of Somervell's force on the 
Rio Grande, returned home. 

The extra session of the Ninth Congress that met 
at Washington on the Brazos on the 16th of June, 
18-15, gave its consent to the joint resolution of the 
Congress of the United States, providing for the 
annexation of Texas and to the convention of sixt}'- 
one delegates called by President Anson Jones, to 
meet at Austin, on the -tth of July and speak the 
voice of Texas on the main issue. Col. Caldwell 
was elected a delegate to this convention. It met 
at Austin on the day appointed and adjourned on the 
27th of August, after ratifying the terms of annex- 

. ation and framing a constitution for the proposed 
State, which was duly ratified by a vote of the peo- 
ple. The constitution of 1845 was one of the best 
that Texas has ever had. 

Col. Caldwell's knowledge of the philosophy and 
practice of law and the principles that underlie free 



government and his natural breadth of mind and 
philanthropic spirit, enabled him to render invalua- 
ble service in this body, and to leave the impress 
of his labors upon the organic law that it framed 
and submitted to the people. 

His next public service was as a member of the 
Texas Senate in 1857-8. Here he was intimately 
associated with George M. Paschal, Lewis T. Wig- 
fall, Jesse Grimes, Bob Taylor, Henry McCulioch, 
John M. Borroughs, M. D. K. Taylor, Lott, Stock- 
dale, and a host of other men of great and brilliant 
abilities then in the prime and hey-day of their 
fame and Col. Caldwell easily moved to the front 
among them as a man of unusual force of mind and 
undoubted purity of purpose. He exercised an in- 
fluence second to none in the committee rooms and 
on the floor of the Senate and played a prominent 
part in the important legislation enacted at that 
session. 

From this period the gathering clouds of sectional 
hatred, that shortly after the foundation of the 
government first began to rise above the horizon of 
the American Union, rapidly overcast the entire 
political sky and threatened a storm that would 
destroy the grand fabric that the fathers of 177G 
reared with the hope that it would endure to afford 
an asylum for the oppressed, serve as a model for 
pati'iots in other lands to aspire to, and bless man- 
kind through all coming ages. The South was an 
agricultural country. It considered that under the 
tariff laws in force it was being bled to enrich New 
England manufacturers. The Democratic party 
brought about the Louisiana and Florida purchases, 
forced the annexation of Texas and supported the 
Mexican war and carried it to a successful issue. 
One of the opponents of that war went so far as to 
say he hoped the soldiers of Santa Anna would wel- 
come our army " with bloody hands, and hosjjitable 
graves." Thus the Democratic party had extended 
the territory of the Union from ocean to ocean. 
The South was solidly Democratic and contended 
that its citizens should have the right to go into any 
of the territories of the United States with their 
slaves, which were recognized as property at the 
formation of and bj- the compact of Union. Then 
the fugutive slave laws were trampled under foot 
and men who went in pursuit of their slaves mob- 
bed. Conflicts in Kansas, the John Brown raid, 
and other events, tended to intensify public excite- 
ment on both sides of Mason and Dixon's line. 
Threats of secession grew louder and deeper and, 
when the news of the election of Mr. Lincoln 
swept over the country, it was attempted and both 
sides prepared for war — the North determined to 
prevent the extension of slavery, preserve the 



228 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Union at all hazards and trample what it considered 
the heresy of secession to death ; the South to retire 
from what it no longer considered a fraternal Union 
and seek that peace and securitj' under a separate 
government denied it within its limits. 

Col. Caldwell was present, as a spectator, at the 
meeting of the Secession Convention at Austin and 
used all of his great personal influence to prevent 
the framing of the ordinance providing for the 
withdrawal of Texas from the Union. He coincided 
with his friends, Gen. Sam Houston and Hon. 
James W. Throckmorton, on the want of necessity 
for and unwisdom of such a step. He saw nothing 
but disaster in store for the people, whether they 
lost or won in the coming struggle. He thought 
the South had suffered many wrongs, but his idea 
was to redress them within the Union. A greater 
than any human power, however, had decided the 
settlement of the questions involved (which could 
have been settled in no other way) by the fiery 
ordeal of war. The ordinance was passed and 
soon there rang out the call to arms. Deeply 
wrieved at the woes which he saw that his beloved 
country must suffer. Col. Caldwell, too feeble for 
active service himself, sent four of his gallant sons 
to the front to fight and, if need be, die, for the 
Confederate States. 

He also loaned the State or Texas a quarter of a 
million of dollars in gold to carry on the govern- 
ment, when the treasury was empty, and received 
bonds therefor. These bonds, owing to the down- 
fall of the Confederacy, became worthless and he 
never received a cent in return. 

It is unpleasant to dwell upon the war period 
and the period of reconstruction that followed it. 
Both passed. 

During the latter period, in 1866, when it was 
attempted to rehabilitate the State under the plan 
proposed by President Johnson, a Democratic con- 
vention assembled for the purpose of nominating 
candidates for State offices and a caucus-com- 
mittee, of which Hon. James W. Throckmorton 
was a member, called upon Col. Caldwell and 
formally requested him to accept the nomination 
for Governor, stating that he was considered the 
proper man to lead the way to the re-establishment 
of honest government in the State. Thanking them 
for the honor conferred, he declined to accede to 
their request and urged the nomination of his friend 
and associate in the Senate in 1857-8, Mr. Throck- 
morton. In accordance with this advice, Throck- 
morton was given the nomination and subsequently 
elected, only to be removed in a short time as an 
impediment to reconstruction, by Gen. Sheridan, 
military commander of the district, acting under 



authority of the illiberal reconstruction laws passed 
by Congress in opposition to Johnson's policy. 

Col. Caldwell retired to his home near Bastrop, 
where he spent in quietude the four remaining 
years of his life. There he peacefullj' breathed his 
last on the 22d day of October, 1870, surrounded 
by his sorrowing famih'. 

Death never gathered to its cold embrace a more 
devoted patriot or stilled the pulsations of a truer 
or more manly heart. His memorj' deserves ever 
to be revered by the people of Texas, whom he 
served in so many and such various capacities, and 
his name deserves a place on the pages of the 
State's history beside those of her bravest, and 
brightest and best, from the days that preceded 
the revolution down to those that witnessed the 
close of his useful and illustrious career. 

His beloved wife survived him for many years, 
dying December 30th, 1895, in the city of Austin, 
where she removed in the spring of 1871 to live 
with her children. She was born in Knoxville, 
Tenn., December 8th, 1809. She was a noble 
Christian lady, distinguished for every grace that 
endears to us the names of wife and mother. She 
was a daughter of Eev. John Haj-nie, one of the 
most famous and best remembered of the pioneer 
preachers of the M. E. Church, who made their 
way into the wilderness of Texas and blazed the 
way for other and later Christian workers. 

Rev. John Hayuie was born in Botetourt 
County, Va. , April 7, 1786, and married Elizabeth 
Brooks, May 23d, 1805. While he was young his 
family moved to East Tennessee, and located near 
Knoxville. In his twentieth 3'ear he married 
Elizabeth Brooks. In 1815 or 1816 he settled in 
the then village of Knoxville, where he carried on 
a successful mercantile business and labored for 
the establishment of Methodism. He spent about 
fifteen years at Knoxville and then removed to 
North Alabama, where he labored in the ministry 
until 1839, when he came to the Republic of Texas. 
He was admitted to the West Texas conference in 
1840 and assigned to Austin. This was his first 
year in the itineracy, although he had received 
license to preach as early as 1811. The Austin 
circuit, to which he was appointed, included the 
new capital city and the counties of Bastrop and 
Travis. Shortly after his arrival at Austin he was 
elected Chaplain of the Texas Congress, a position 
that he several times subsequently held. In 1846, 
Rev. Mr. Haynie was assigned to Corpus Christi 
and started for his field of labor, leaving his family 
at their home in Rutersville, Fayette County. At 
Goliad he was informed that it would be unsafe 
for him to proceed without a guard and Capt. 




iv'iir r Ljir-J i-vJ^iNiL 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



229 



Price, commanding a company of rangers, fur- 
nished him one. Corpus Christi was an army 
station and crowded with a floating population. It 
was ditHcult for liim to find board, lodging or a 
place to preach. He finally found a place to get 
his meals and, after considerable effort, he obtained 
permission to sleep in a store house on bags of 
shelled corn. Next he procured one of the theaters 
to preach in on Sunday, but at night there were 
theatrical performances held in the same room. 
Owing to the breaking out of the Mexican war and 



the removal of the army, the town was nearly de- 
populated and Mr. Haynie returned to^his home. 
He died at Rutersville, August 20, 1860. His 
wife, Elizabeth B., died October/ 4, 1863, at John 
Caldwell's, Bastrop County. 

Mrs. Caldwell was mother of eight children, viz. : 
Margaretta, deceased ; John Adam, deceased ; 
Mary, now Mrs. John H. Pope ; Charles G. ; 
Walter H. ; Lucinda P., widow of the late R. T. 
Hill; Oliver B., and Orlando, all occupj'ing 
honorable positions in life. 



MIFFLIN KENEDY, 

CORPUS CHRISTI. 



Capt. Mifflin Kenedy was born in Downingtown, 
Chester County, Pa., June 8, 1818. His parents 
were John Kenedy and Sarah (Starr) Kenedy, 
members of the Society of Friends. 

The ancestors of Capt. Kenedy's father emi- 
grated from Ireland to Maryland as members of 
Lord Baltimore's colony. They were Catholics, 
but in the course of the next century some of them 
embraced Protestantism. Capt. Kenedy's ances- 
try, on his mother's side, is traced back to a very 
remote period and boasts a long line of distin- 
guished men ; among the number, mitred prelates 
and paladins of chivalry, and last, those quiet 
heroes of peace, the Quakers, who dared and suf- 
fered all things for conscience sake. 

The branch from which he is descended appear 
in France, as Huguenots, early in the fifteenth 
century, and were compelled to worship in fear and 
seclusion in the forests and in the fastnesses and 
gorges of the Pyrenees. At some time between 
the massacre upon Saint Bartholomew's Day, in 
1572, and the promulgation of the Edict of Nantes 
by Henry of Navarre, in 1598, they escaped to 
England. After a residence of some time in Great 
Britain, they became Friends or Quakers, but they 
had not yet found an asylum, where they could 
worship the true God after the manner dictated by 
their own consciences. Here they were made the 
victims of hostile legislation, derided by a fanatical 
populace and imprisoned in filthy dungeons, until 
they looked toward the shores of America for 
relief. In 1683, Mrs. Kenedy's progenitors, 
George and Alice Maris, with their six children, 
sailed as members of William Penn's first colony. 



They settled at Springfield, twenty miles from 
Philadelphia, in what is now called Delaware 
County, Pa., and there many of their descend- 
ants yet reside. The old homestead, originally 
purchased from William Penn by George Maris, 
still remains in undivided succession in the Maria 
family. 

Capt. Kenedy's childhood was spent in the 
quietude of a Quaker home. He attended the 
common schools of the country, acquired the ele- 
ments of an English education, and was then, for 
three months, in 1833, a pupil at the boarding school 
of Jonathan Gause, afamous Quaker educator of the 
time. He taught school during the winter of 1833-4, 
after leaving the institution of Jonathan Gause, and 
in the spring of 183i (April 4) sailed on board the 
ship Star, at Philadelphia, as a boy before the mast. 
The vessel was bound for Calcutta and on the out- 
ward voyage touched at the Madeira Islands, Island 
of Ceylon, at Madras and other points of interest. 
When homeward bound, the vessel encountered a 
typhoon, or hurricane, in the Bay of Bengal, sprung 
a leak, and, after safely weathering the storm, put 
into the Isle of France, where she underwent neces- 
sary repairs. While on the Isle of France, Kenedy 
visited what are shown as the tombs of Paul and 
Virginia, at a little hamlet called Pamplemouses, 
high up on the side of the mountain, and also the 
port-hole in the rock, where it was Paul's custom 
to sit watching for the ship that would bring back 
Virginia. This pathetic story is familiar to nearly 
every one who is acquainted with French, English 
or Spanish literature. 

The Star soon resumed her voyage and, touching 



230 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



at St. Helena for water, arrived at her wharf in 
Philadelphia duiing the month of January, 1836. 

The voyage to Calcutta thoroughly cured him of 
his penchant for the sea. He returned to his home 
and for three months taught school at Coatsvilie, 
Chester County, Pa. While thus engaged he 
met an old friend of his family and a resident 
of that place, who had been out West and 
who told him that steamboating on the Ohio river 
offered fine opportunities for young men to get on 
in the world and promised to give him a letter of 
recommendation to a friend residing in Pittsburg, 
Pa., and largely interested in steamboats. Kenedy 
determined to take the advice proffered him, 
surrendered his school, procured the letter of 
recommendation and made his way to Pittsburg. 

Arriving at his destination in June, 1836, he 
delivered the letter and met with a kind reception 
and was told that an effort would be made to secure 
for him the first vacancy that occurred. In the 
meantime he realized that he must secure employ- 
ment by which he could earn funds sufficient to 
defray current expenses, and, accordingly, worked 
in a brick-yard until October 1, 1836, when he was 
notified that the position of clerk on a steamer had 
Ijeen secured for him. 

From that time until 1842 he ran on the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers as clerk — sometimes acting as 
(aptain. 

In 1842 he went to Alabama and during one 
season on the Alabama river served as clerk of the 
Champion, a boat running from Mobile to Mont- 
gomery. The Champion then proceeded to Apala- 
chicola, Florida, and ran on the Apalachie and 
Chattahoochie rivers until 1846. He retained his 
position as clerk during these years and, in the 
absence of the captain, acted as commander. 
While thus engaged in Florida, he met Capt. 
Richard King, then a river pilot and in after years 
his partner in steamboat operations on the Rio 
Grand and ranching in Southwest Texas. 

Every spring, from the year 1843 to 1846, the 
Champion was sent along the Gulf coast to New 
Orleans and from that point up the Mississippi 
and Ohio rivers to Pittsburg, where she was owned, 
to be repaired. In the early part of 1846, Capt. 
Kenedy was placed in charge of the boat and 
ordered to take her to Pittsburg, Pa., and reached 
his destination in April following. 

Upon his arrival at Pittsburg, lie met Maj. John 
Saunders, an engineer in the United States Army 
and a friend of his, who was sent there by Gen. 
Zaehary Taylor to obtain boats for the use of the 
army on the Rio Grande. He employed Capt. 
Kenedy to assist him in this work. Maj. Saun- 



ders purchased the Corvette, Colonel Cross, Major 
Brown, Whiteville and other boats for the service. 
Capt. Kenedy was made commander of the 
Corvette, and directed to proceetl to New Orleans 
and report to Col. T. F. Hunt, of the Quartermas- 
ter's Department, U. S. A. Col. Hunt confirmed 
the appointment of Capt. Kenedy and he thereupon 
enlisted for the war, as master, and was ordered to 
proceed with the Corvette to the mouth of the Rio 
Grande and report to Capt. E. A. Ogden, Assistant 
Quartermaster, U. S. A. One of the reasons for 
selecting him for this work was his experience in 
conducting light boats over the Gulf. 

He reached the station at tlie mouth of the Rio 
Grande June 17, 1846, and from that time until the 
close of the Mexican war transported troops and 
provisions to Matauioros, Rejnosa, Camargo and 
other points on the river. 

After the victory at Buena Vista and while mov- 
ing on Vera Cruz, Gen. Winfield Scott stopped 
at the mouth of the Rio Grande, desiring to go to 
Camargo and consult with Gen. Worth. Capt. 
Kenedy's vessel, the Corvette, was the best in the 
service and he was selected to take Gen. Scott and 
staff up the river. 

Capt. Richard King joined Capt. Kened3' in May, 
1847, and acted as pilot of the Corvette until the 
close of the war, in 1848. They were thoroughly 
experienced steamboatmen and rendered their 
country good service. Capt. Kenedy during his 
long experience as a steamboatman never met with 
an accident while in charge of a boat. 

At the end of the Mexican war, he and two 
other gentlemen (Mr. Samuel A. Belden and Capt. 
James Walworth) bought a large number of mules 
and wagons and a stock of merchandise aud started 
for the fair at San Juan, in the State of Jalisco. 
They did not succeed in reaching the fair, and sold 
their outfit at Zacatecas and returned to Matamoros, 
where they divided the proceeds of the trip and 
dissolved partnership. Capt. Kenedy immedi- 
ately purchased another stock of goods and, with 
his merchandise loaded on pack-mules, started for 
the interior of Mexico. Upon arriving at Monterej', 
he sold out and returned to Brownsville, reaching 
the latter place in the spring of 1850. 

Seeing the necessity for good boats on the Rio 
Grande, he then formed a partnership with Capt. 
Richard King, Capt. James O'Donnell and Mr. 
Charles Stillman, under the firm name of M. Kenedy 
& Company. The gentlemen associated themselves 
together for the purpose of building boats and run- 
ning them upon the Rio Grande and along the 
Gulf coast to Brazos Santiago. Capt. Kenedy 
proceeded at once to Pittsburg, Pa., and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



231 



built two boats, the Comanche and Grampus, 
vessels of 200 and 500 tons burden. He bought 
Capt. O'Donnell's interest in the business dur- 
ing the following two years and in 1865 the new 
firm of King, Kenedy & Company was formed, as 
Charles Stillman bad retired from the firm. These 
two firms, during their existence, built and pur- 
chased twenty-sis boats for the trade. In 1874 
the firm of King, Kenedy & Company dissolved and 
divided assets. 

Capt. Richard King established the Santa Ger- 
trudes ranch in Nueces County, Texas, in 1852, 
and Capt. Kenedj' bought a half interest in it 
December 6, 1860. They dissolved partnership in 
October, 1868, taking share and share alike of the 
cattle, horses and sheep. Capt. King, by agree- 
ment, retained Santa Gertrudes ranch. 

After the war between the States large bodies of 
thieves, marauders and outlaws remained on the 
frontier and committed such depredations on stock 
that Capt. Kenedj' and Capt. King saw that 
the only way to effectually protect their cattle 
interests was to fence and, in order that they might 
adopt this system, severed their business relations 
ill this connection. Capt. Kenedy purchased and 
inclosed the Laurelas ranch, situated in Nueces 
County and consisting of 132,000 acres. Capt. 
King also immediately made preparations to fence 
!ind soon closed his pastures. They were the 
first cattle-raisers in the State to inclose large 
bodies of land. Capt. Kenedy remained on the 
Laurelas ranch until he sold it, in 1882, to Under- 
wood, Clark & Company, of Kansas City, for $1, 100,- 
000 cash. At the time of the sale it contained 
•242,000 acres of land, all fenced; 50,000 head of 
cattle and 5,000 head of horses, mares and mules. 

Col. Uriah Lott projected the Corpus Christi, 
San Diego and Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad 
from Corpus Christi to Laredo, Texas (163 miles), 
in 1876. Col. Lott called Capt. Kenedy and 
Capt. King to his assistance and together they 
built the road and sold it In 1881 to the Mexican 
National Construction Company. 

In 1884 a number of citizens of San Antonio 
projected the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Rail- 
way, from San Antonio to Aransas Pass on the 
Gulf of Mexico, organized and made arrangements 
with Col. Uriah Lott (whom they elected presi- 
dent) to prosecute the work. Construction was 
commenced early in 1885, but languished for want 
of means after a few miles were built. Col. 
Lott called upon his friend, Capt. Kenedy, at 
Corpus Christi, in June, 1885, explained to him 
the situation, succeeded in interesting him in the 
enterprise and, as president of the company, con- 



tracted with him to build the road. Capt. 
Kenedy supplied the money and credit necessary 
for' the construction of the line and built 700 
miles of road which are now in operation. He also 
supplied a majority of the motive power and rolling 
stock for the road. 

The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway was 
constructed in a remarkably short time and with very 
little noise. It is the most remarkable road ever 
built in Texas, one of the most thoroughly 
equipped in the South, has opened up to settlement 
and commerce a magnificent section and has in- 
creased values in San Antonio and the country 
tributary to the road fully $100,000,000. 

After the sale of the Laurelas ranch Capt. 
Kenedy, in 1882, established the Kenedy Pasture 
Company, of which he was president and treasurer, 
and his son, Mr. John G. Kenedy, secretary and 
general manager. The company's land lies in 
Cameron Count}' and is thirty miles in length by 
twenty in breadth — truly a princely domain. 

At Brownsville, Texas, April 16, 1852, Capt. 
Kenedy married Mrs. Petra Vela de Vidal, of Mier, 
Mexico. To them were born six children, of 
whom only two are now living : John G. and Sarah 
Josephine (wife of Dr. A. E. Spohn, of Corpus 
Christi). 

Capt. Mifflin Kenedy had also an adopted 
daughter. Miss Carmen Morel! Kenedy, a native of 
Monterey, Mexico. 

Although Capt. Kenedy spent a large portion 
of his life on the Rio Grande frontier, and passed 
through the days when that section was infested 
with lawless and desperate men, he never had a 
serious difficulty. This was due partly to the fact 
that his courage was well known and recognized ; 
parti}' to the probity that marked all his business 
dealings, and partly to his cool and even tempera- 
ment. 

Capt. Mifflin Kenedy and Capt. Richard 
King made their way to the Rio Grande at a 
time when Southwest Texas was infested with 
Indians, Mexicans and men from the States who 
were a law unto themselves, or rather, who were 
without any law except that of force, and who sub- 
sisted upon the fruits of marauding expeditions. 
Neither life nor property were safe and the sturdy 
immigrant, in search of a peaceful home, turned to 
more inviting regions. 

From the close of the Mexican war they devoted 
their talents, means and much of their time to 
bringing about that reformation which eventuated 
in banishing from that part of Texas the despera- 
does, thieves and predatory savages that inhabited 
it. They shunned no danger in the defense of their 



232 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



neighbors' rights anil in upholding the cause of law 
and order. Texas owes them no small debt of 
gratitude. 

Capt. Kenedy died March 14, 189.5, at his home 



in Corpus Christi. His remains are interred at 
Brownsville, beside those of his beloved wife. 

His name is indissolubly connected with the his- 
tory and development of Texas. 



MRS. P. V. KENEDY, 

CORPUS CHRISTI. 



Mrs. Petra V. Kenedy was born in Mier, Mex- 
ico, June 29th, 1825. Her parents were Gregorio 
and Josefa (Resendez) Vidal. Her first marriage 
was to Louis Vidal in December, 1840, by whom 
she had six children, Louisa, Rosa, Adrian, Guada- 
lupe, Concepcion and Maria Vincenta. The Vidal 
family was originally from Athens, Greece, and 
removed first to Spain and thence to Mexico, where 
a number of its scions figured conspicuously and 
honorably in local history. Her uncle, Marin 
Resendez, was Catholic Bishop of Zacatecas, Mex- 
ico, and her father, Gregorio Vidal, was Provincial 
Governor under the Spanish crown of the territory 
lying between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers 
and had charge of all the Indian tribes in his 
province. He was killed by mistake, by a band of 
Indian warriors, under the chief Castro, in 1832, 
or 1833, at the Alamo ranch, in Texas. He was 
returning from one of his ranches (Beteno) and on 
his way to Mier to attend to important business 
matters, when he was killed. 

Three of his daughters, who accompanied him, 
were captured by the Indians. One was ransomed 
in San Antonio, another escaped from them about 



sixty miles from the Rio Grande and made her way 
to friends, and the third, Paulita, was never heard 
from, although an uncle searched for her among 
the Indians for fifteen or twenty years. 

The second marriage of our subject was at 
Brownsville, Texas, to Capt. M. Kenedy, April 
16th, 1852. Six children were born of this union : 
Thomas, James, John G., Sarah J., William and 
Phoebe Ann, of whom two only are now living: 
John G. Kennedy and Mrs. Sarah J. Spohn. 

Mrs. Petra V. Kennedy, died at Corpus Christi, 
March IG, 1885. Her remains were taken to 
Brownsville and laid in the family tomb. She was 
considered one of the handsomest women of her 
day. She was a woman of superior accomplish- 
ments and great natural intelligence and was highly 
respected for her womanly qualities. She possessed 
one characteristic for which she will ever be 
remembered in many a heart and home — her un- 
bounded charity. A friend of the poor and humble, 
none ever left her empty-handed, and she gave for 
the pure and unalloyed happiness she found in 
giving. She was a well-fitted help-meet to her 
husband and was a devoted wife and loving mother. 



JNO. G. KENEDY, 

CORPUS CHRISTI. 



Jno. G. Kenedy is a son of the late Capt. M. 
Kenedy, who was one of the wealthiest cattle rais- 
ers in Texas in his day ; the man to whose energj', 
clear-sightedness, public spirit, and liberality. 
Southwest Texas is indebted for the construction of 
the San Antonio and Aransas Pass and other lines 
of railway within its territory. The subject of this 



memoir was born in Brownsville, Texas, April 26, 
1856, attended a private school at Coatesville, 
Penn., where he remained four years, returned to 
Texas in 1867, and attended St. Joseph's College 
at Brownsville for nearlj- a year and then entered 
Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., where he was a 
student during the succeeding four years. He 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



233 



completed a commercial course in 1873, spent a 
few months at Lis home in Corpus Christi, and then 
went to New Orleans, where he accepted a position 
with Perliins, Swenson & Co., banljevs and commis- 
sion merchants. He remained with this firm for a 
year and a half, and then, in 1877, returned home. 
In April, 1877, he started on the cattle trail from 
Laurelas, his father's rancli, to Fort Dodge, Kan., 



owned GOO square miles of pasture lands, all under 
fence and supplied with windmills, tanks, and every 
modern convenience, and well stocked with cattle. 
In 1884, he became general manager and took entire 
charge of his father's ranch. This ranch has IGO 
miles of fencing, a water front on BafHns Bay, and 
Laguna Madre of sixty miles and fifty-one wind- 
mills, and is stocked with about 50,000 head of im- 




JNO. G. kenp:dy. 



accompanying 18,000 head of cattle. He remained 
two months at Fort Dodge, drove a herd of 2,000 
cattle to Ogalala, Neb., returned to Corpus Christi, 
worked for his father on the Laurelas ranch for 
six months and then wfent into the sheep business 
on his own account, in which he remained until 
1882, when he sold out to Lott and Nelson. After 
the sale of the Laurelas ranch, Mr. Kenedy became 
secretary of the Kenedy Pasture Company, which 



proved cattle, and 1,000 saddle horses, and employs 
seventy-five or eighty cow boys, and other helpers. 
Mr. Kenedy married Miss Maria Stella Turcotte, of 
New Orleans, January 30th, 1884, and has two 
children living: Jno. G. Kenedy, Jr., and Sarah 
Josephine Kenedy. Mrs. Kenedy is a daughter of 
the late Joseph Turcotte, a well-known merchant 
and prominent citizen of New Orleans. Mr. Jno. 
G. Kenedy has inherited the abilities of his father, 



■234 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



who fully appreciated his capacity. He will add 
largely to the princely estate which has come to him 
liy inheritance, and, no doubt, be as great a factor 



for good in Southwest Texas, in his day and gen- 
eration, as his father was in his and add new luster 
to the family name. 



JOHN MARKWARD, 



LAMPASAS. 



The German element in Texas has been a very 
important factor in the history of the State, and in 
addition to the colonies which are mentioned at 
some length in this work there are many individual 
instances of intelligent enterprise and good citizen- 
ship deserving of notice as illustrative of the 
character of the men and women of that race who 
have helped to settle the country, found its insti- 
tutions, give direction to its energies and standing 
to its society. One of this number is John Mark- 
ward, for the past forty years a resident of 
Lampasas, being one of the oldest citizens of that 
place. 

Mr. Markward is a native of Prussia, born in the 
jirovince of Pomerauia on the Baltic Sea, in the 5'ear 
1834. His boyhood and early youth were spent in 
his native place, in the schools of which he received 
what would, in this country, be the equivalent of a 
good high school education. At about the age of 
seventeen having heard a great deal of Texas 
through the different colonization enterprises then 
on foot in Germany, he determined to try his 
fortunes in the New World. He sailed from 
Bremen aboard the Diana, a vessel then exten- 
sively engaged in the transportation of emigrants, 
and landed at Indianola, this State, on the 2d of 
November, 1852. He came in company with a 
considerable number of his countrymen, perhaps 
150 or 200, none of whom, however, he knew, and 
not having come out as a member of any colony he 
immediately' struck out for himself, going from 
Indianola to Gonzales. At Gonzales he found em- 
ployment in a few days and remained there some 
months, going thence to De Witt County, where he 
remained the better part of three years. This time 
was spent in the employ of a Frenchman named 
Guichard who was a merchant and trader residing 
on Peach creek. Young Markward was variously 
engaged while with Guichard peddling, clerking 
and doing carpenter's work; but, in all, advancing 
himself in a knowledge of the ways and means of 



getting on in the world, and saving some means 
from his earnings. 

In the fall of 1856 he concluded to go to the 
" up-countr3'," and in company with an acquaint- 
ance, went to Coryell County, where he had in- 
tended to locate, but on account of the drouth and 
bad crops left at the end of the first year, and, in 
the fall of 1857, settled in Lampasas, then a frontier 
town in a newly organized county. His first 
employment at Lampasas was in the capacity of 
miller for George Scott, whose little grist-mill situ- 
ated on the outskirts of the town was one of the 
chief fndustries of the place and liberall}' patronized 
throughout that section. Scott and his mill have 
both long since passed away but are remembered 
by many of the old citizens. Mr. Markward 
worked for Scott until a short time before the open- 
ing of the late Civil War, when on account of a 
failure of health he was forced to seek other pur- 
suits. Joining two of his acquaintances he bought 
up several hundred pounds of bacon which he 
hauled overland with wagon and ox-teams to Alex- 
andria., La, where he sold it at a good profit 
and, reinvesting the proceeds in tobacco, brought 
that back to Texas and sold it at a still better 
profit. Then the war came on, and in the spring 
of 1862, he entered the Confederate Arm}-, enlist- 
ing in Gurley's Regiment, Gano's Battalion, with 
which he was in active service in Arkansas and 
Indian Territory till the close of hostilities. Soon 
after enlistment Mr. Markward was made the 
apothecary of his regiment, his knowledge of bot- 
any and drugs, acquired as part of his education in 
his youth, together with his steady habits, qualify- 
ing him in a special degree for the discharge of the 
duties of this responsible position. He was more 
than a mere "pill-mixer." In difficult cases he 
acted as nurse and sometimes in the absence of the 
physician of the regiment he prescribed In such 
cases as he felt sure he could apply proper reme- 
dies. An amusing incident is told of the way he 




r >i 




'T3)\^^ RflAOSB&w^En:^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



235 



cured three chronic cases of rheumatism which had 
baffled the skill of the regimental physician for 
nearly three years. There were three brothers 
(their names will be omitted) who had been trying, 
almost from the time of their enlistment in the 
service, to get discharged on account of feigned 
rheumatic troubles, one being afflicted with the 
trouble between the shoulders, another with it in 
the back, and third in the hips. The doctor had 
treated them until he had become satisfied that 
there was nothing the matter with them and 
bad tried other means to arouse them to a 
sense of decency, but had signally failed, and 
finally in the presence of the captain of the com- 
pany to which they belonged, said: " Mark ward, 
I am done with those fellows. If you think you 
can do anything with them, take charge of their 
cases." Mr. Markward replied that he did not 
know what he could do, but that he would try and 
see. Calling the patients up he informed them 
that the doctor had turned them over to him for 
treatment, and that he proposed to resort to heroic 
measures. He told them that cupping was the 
thing for rheumatism, and that he was going to 
begin to operate on them at once. So, making 
each one bare his back, Mr. Markward got out all 
the cups he had, heated them, and slapping on 
four cups to the patient gave each a first-class 
cupping. As a result all of them had sore backs 
for several days, and the joke getting out in camp 
and the patients, not knowing what next to expect 
in case they continued their complaining, concluded 
to "give under." They did so with as much 
grace as the nature of the case admitted of, and 
after that till the close of the war made very good 
soldiers. Mr. Markward met one of them some 
years afterwards, and the conversation turning on 
the incident the latter confessed to the fraud which 
he and his bi'others had been guilty of, and laughed 
heartily over the very effectual way the " pill- 
mixer " of the regiment had cured the three 
chronic cases which had set at defiance the pro- 
fessional efforts of the regiment's physician. 

At tiie close of the war Mr. Markward embarked 
in the mercantile business at Lampasas, the money 
which he had made in his Alexandria venture, 
about $G00, constituting the capital on which he 
began. His beginning though unassuming, was 
auspicious, and it was not many years until his 
establishment came to be one of the first in the 
town where he was located, and he took rank as one 
of the solid men of the community. That he has 
been successful much beyond the average man 
is well known to those familiar with his career 
and the manner of his building up equally well 
known. It was by the observance of a few simple 



rules : Employing strict integrity in all his deal- 
ings, living within his means, never leaving to 
others what he could do himself, treating all cour- 
teously, and extending aid where he could without 
injury to his business, avoiding debts of a spec- 
ulative nature and shunning the ruinous pastimes 
of youth and early manhood, which destroy first 
one's business, and afterwards his character. 

Mr. Markward did not marry till late in life. 
His marriage took place at Lampasas, and was to 
Miss Adelphia Florence White, a daughter of Maj. 
Martin White, an old and respected citizen of Lam- 
pasas. Mrs. Markward died, May 22, 1894, leav- 
ing three children, two daughters and a son, two 
children having preceded her to the grave. 

Of Mr. Markward's public career there is but 
little to be said. He has been solicited to run for 
office many times but has persistently refused to do 
so, and the only public position which he has ever 
occupied was that of postmaster at Lampasas, which 
he held for eight years, immediately after the war. 
But whatever has been suggested as being of public 
necessity' or public benefit has alwaj'S found in him 
a willing and able supporter, and this is especially 
true of all those aids to order, law, morality, edu- 
cation and good society. Mr. Markward's connec- 
tion with one enterprise is especially worthy of 
note, that being the railway that now traverses the 
county in which he lives. When the Gulf, Colorado 
and Santa Fe Eailway was projected through that 
section of the State it fell to his lot to secure the 
right of way for the road through Lampasas County. 
He spent the better part of two years in the under- 
taking, meeting with many obstacles, but was finally 
successful, securing the right of way for a dis- 
tance of seventy-five miles at the nominal cost of 
$2,100.00. 

Mr. Markward is a man of considerable individu- 
ality of character. He is thoroughly self-reliant. 
He is not a member of any order and, though he 
votes and acts with the Democratic party, he is not 
in any sense a partisan. He was reared in the 
faith of the Lutheran Church, but is a contributor 
to all denominations, being bound by none. He 
believes in every one enjoying the fullest measure 
of individual liberty consistent with the rights of 
others. 

In disposition he is genial and pleasant, full of 
life and possessing a keen perception of the humor- 
ous side of things. 

In December, 1894, Mr. Markward retired from 
active business pursuits, since which time he has 
devoted his attention to the training of his children, 
all of whom are still small, and to the supervision 
of his estate, one of the largest in the county where 
he resides. 



236 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN RICHARDSON HARRIS. 



HARRISBURG. 



John Richardson Harris was born October 22d, 
1790, at Cayuga P'erry, now East Cayuga, N. Y., 
and May 7th, 1813, married Miss Jane Birdsall, 
daughter of Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Patience (Lee) Bird- 
sail, of Waterloo, Seneca Falls, N. Y. , and for several 
years thereafter resided at East Cayuga. During 
the war of 1812-14 he volunteered and commanded 
a company in the line ; and with his father, Col. 
John Harris, is honorably mentioned by Gen. Win- 
field Scott in his memoirs of the campaign. He 
emigrated to Missouri, and in 1819 was living at St. 
Genevieve, where he was joined by his wife and two 
children, and where his third child, Mary Jane, was 
born August 17th, 1819. Here becoming acquainted 
with Moses Austin, who was contemplating the col- 
onization of Texas, then a possession of Spain, he 
determined to embark in the enterprise. In July, 
1820, providing his family with a fine team suitable 
for making the long overland trip back to Cayuga, 
he accompanied them on horseback as far as Vin- 
cennes. Having taken a contract to build a State 
house at Vandalia, he returned to complete this en- 
gagement, and then, visiting Texas, selected a loca- 
tion for a home in the colony. In 1824 he received 
a grant of land from the Mexican government of 
4425 acres, which he located at the junction of Buf- 
falo and Bray's bayous, about twenty miles from 
Galveston Bay ; in 1826 laid out a town at this 
point called Harrisburg ; soon after brought out 
machinery for a steam saw-mill and purchased a 
schooner called the " Rights of Man," which, 
under the command of his brother David, plied 
between this place and New Orleans, supplying the 
colonists with provisions and other necessary arti- 
cles, which were kept for sale at his store at Harris- . 
burg. Holding the post of Alcalde, or local judge, 
from the Mexican government, it was said he was 
accustomed to hear causes seated under the spread- 
ing branches of a large magnolia tree, situated on 
a picturesque point of land separating the two bay- 
ous. The country was too unsettled to admit of 
his family moving to Texas at first, but in 1829 
every thing promised well for their early removal 
to their new home. There were no saw-mills in 
the colony until his was erected. The machinery 
was on the ground ready to be put in place 
in August, 1829, when he found it necessary to 
make a trip to New Orleans. There he was taken 
sick with yellow fever and died August 21st, 



1829. His widow, Mrs. Jane (Birdsall) Harris was 
descended from a family of Birdsalls who emi- 
grated from England in 1657-60, and settled 
on Long Island, N. Y. Her grandfather, Ben- 
jamin Birdsall, was a Colonel in the Revolu- 
tionary army, living at that time in Duchess 
County, N. Y. He and Gen. Washington were 
warm friends and the General usually stopped at 
his house when in the neighborhood. Lewis, son 
of Benjamin Birdsall, married Patience Lee and 
emigrated to western New York, settled first at 
Penn Yan and afterwards near Waterloo on a farm, 
and in 1829 or 1830 emigrated to Texas, where he 
lived on Buffalo bayou until the time of his death, 
which occurred in March, 1843. Mrs. Jane (Bird- 
sall) Harris, daughter of Mr. Lewis Birdsall, was 
a woman of rare courage and determination. These 
qualities she displayed in traversing the wild, un- 
settled regions intervening between her home near 
Waterloo, N. Y., and St. Genevieve, Mo., at a 
time when there were few white settlers, and in her 
experience in the early days of the colonization of 
Texas, which alone would suffice to fill a book of 
interesting matter. In 1833, she, with her son, De 
Witt Clinton Harris, removed to Harrisburg, 
Texas, and participated not only in the hardships 
of colonial life in the wild country, but also shared 
dangers of the struggle for independence from 
Mexico in 1835-36. From March 19th to April 
16th, 1836, the home of Mrs. Harris was the head- 
quarters of the provisional government of Texas. 
When she heard of the near approach of the invad- 
ing Mexican arm}', she and her household went 
on board a schooner, which conveyed President 
Burnett, Vice-President Zavala and others to New 
Washington, and herself and other refugees to 
Anahuac. The next day she was conveyed to 
Galveston Island and with many others was en- 
camped there when the news of the glorious battle 
of San Jacinto, fought April 21st, 1836, reached 
them. About the first of May she and her two 
sons, Lewis B. and De Witt Clinton Harris (who 
had arrived at Galveston, April 21st, for the pur- 
pose of joining the Texas army), returned to Har- 
risburg to find that every house had been burned 
to the ground by the Mexicans under Santa Anna. 
Her house was rebuilt of logs, hewn by the 
Mexican prisoners and with various additions and 
improvements stood until October 11th, 1888, when 




ANDREW BKIfSCOE. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



237 



it was destroyed by fire. Upon the organization of 
counties in the Republic of Texas, the territory em- 
bracing a large tract of land was named Harris in 
honor of John Richardson Harris. Mrs. Jane 
Harris, his widow, could never be prevailed upon to 
leave her homestead and lived there until her 
death, which occurred August 15th, 1869. She 
left four children, Dc Wilt Clinton Harris, who 



married Miss Saville Fenwick, Lewis Birdsall 
Harris, who married first, Miss Jane E. Wilcox, 
and, after her death, Mrs. Amanda C. Dell; 
Miss Mary Jane Harris, who married Judge 
Andrew Briscoe, and John Birdsall Harris, who 
married Miss Virginia Goodrich. The only one 
of her children surviving her is her daughter, Mrs. 
Briscoe. 



ANDREW BRISCOE, 

HOUSTON. 



Judge Andrew Briscoe was the son of Mr. Par- 
menas and Mrs. Mary (Montgomery) Briscoe. He 
was descended from a cavalier family of England. 
Four brothers of this family emigrated to Virginia 
about the year 1655, in Cromwell's time. His 
grandfather, William Briscoe, married Miss Eliza- 
beth Wallace in Virginia and, in 1785, emigrated to 
Kentucky. Soon after becoming of age, Mr. Par- 
menas Briscoe emigrated to the Mississippi Terri- 
tory where, on December 18th, 1809, he married 
Miss Mary Montgomery, daughter of Mr. Samuel 
and Mrs. Margaret (Crockett) Montgomery. He 
was commander of a company in the Creek War, 
and also in the war of 1812-14. He was for 
several years General of militia of Mississippi and 
served as a member of the Territorial Legislature 
and the State Senate. While a member of the 
latter body he introduced a bill which urged an 
investigation of the status of the numerous banks 
which were doing business without a substantial 
capital. It resulted in breaking them up. Bris- 
coe's bill was famous in Mississippi, as the measure 
aroused very bitter feelings. In 1843, he was re- 
elected to the State Senate by a larger majority 
than ever and was urged to allow his name to go 
before the people as a candidate for Congress. 
This he refused to do, but continued a recog- 
nized leader of Democracy up to March, 1851, 
when he went to California. He died on 
his return trip in 1851 aboard ship near 
Acapulco, Mexico, and was buried at sea. His 
son. Judge Andrew Briscoe, subject of this 
memoir, was born November 25th, 1810, in Adams 
County, Mississippi ; emigrated to Texas in 1834, 
carrying with him a large stock of goods, and 
established himself at Anahuac, the chief port of 
entry on Galveston Bay. His resistance to the 



arbitrary collection of customs dues June, 1835, 
sought to be collected by Capt. Tenorio, the Mexi- 
can commander of the garrison, upon goods merely 
to be transported from one town in the colony to 
another, led to the first active measures of resist- 
ance taken by the patriot Texians in 1835. Led by 
Wm. B. Travis, a band of Texians collected at 
Harrisburg and vicinity, loaded a six-pound can- 
non on board the sloop " Ohio," attacked the Mexi- 
can garrison at Anahuac, disarmed the Mexicans 
and released Andrew Briscoe from the loathsome 
prison in which he had been confined for several 
days. In October, 1835, he was elected Captain of 
the Liberty Volunteers, who participated with him 
in the battle of Concepcion, October 28th, 1835. 
He was one of the volunteers who stormed and 
took San Antonio, December 6th, 1835, and was 
later elected a member of the convention to assem- 
ble at Washington, Texas, March 1st, 1836, and 
but for this circumstance would have been one of 
the victims of the Alamo. He left the army at 
San Antonio in the latter part of February, but a 
day or two before the town was invested by Mexi- 
cans. Arriving at Washington he affixed his name 
to the Declaration of Independence, which made 
Texas a free and independent republic. He raised 
a company of regulars for the army, which, as 
Company A., he commanded in the battle of San 
Jacinto, April 21st, 1836. Soon after this event, 
which assured the tranquillity of the Republic, he 
was appointed Chief Justice of Harris County. 
August 17th, 1837, he married Miss Mary Jane 
Harris, daughter of Mr. John R. and Mrs. Jane 
(Birdsall) Harris. In 1839 he obtained a charter 
for the Harrisburg and Brazos R. R., the first ob- 
tained in Texas. A few miles of gradingjwas done 
but the enterprise was abandoned. The route 



238 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



which it was designed to follow forms a part of the 
present system of the Southern Pacific Railway. 
He owned the first two-story dwelling erected in 
Houston, where he lived for a year or two after his 
marriage. Removing to Harrisbiirg in 1840, he 
built there a two-story brick dwelling and engaged 
in the cattle business until 1849, wlien he removed 
to New Orleans and opened a house of banking 
and exchange. In the same year he was taken 
sick, and died October 4, 1849. His body was 
taken to Mississippi and buried in the family bury- 



ing-ground on his father's plantation in Claiborne 
coant^'. His v^idovv, Mrs Mary Jane Briscoe, lives 
at Houston, Harris Count}', Texas. Their descend- 
ants are Parmenas Briscoe, who lives with liis 
mother, Andrew Birdsall Briscoe, who married 
Miss Annie F. Payne, daughter of Mr. Jonathan 
and Mrs. Mary (Vance) Payne, and lives at San 
Antonio ; Miss Jessie Wade Briscoe, who married 
Mr. Milton Grosvenor Howe and lives in Houston, 
and Miss Adele Lubbock Briscoe, who married 
Maj. M. Looscan and lives in Houston. 



MRS. MARY JANE BRISCOE, 

HOUSTON. 



Miss Marj' Jane Harris was the daughter of Mr. 
John R. and Mrs. Jane (Birdsall) Harris and was 
born at St. Genevieve, Mo., August 17, 1819, 
where her parents were temporarily residing. Re- 
turning to New York when an infant she passed 
her girlhood at the homestead of her grandfather, 
situated half way between Waterloo and Seneca 
Falls. When her mother and brother came to 
Texas in 1833, she remained at school until after 
the battle of San Jacinto, when, in company with 
her grandfather, Mr. Lewis Birdsall, her cousin, 
George Babcock, and her younger brother, John 
Birdsall Harris, she started to Texas. They spent 
several weeks in travel, going first by canal to Cin- 
cinnati, thence on board a small steamboat to 
Portsmouth and down the Ohio and Mississippi in 
boats of various sizes until they reached New 
Orleans. Here they were joined by other mem- 
bers of the family also en route to Texas. The 
other relatives who joined them were Dr. Maurice 
Birdsall, her uncle, and Dr. Abram Van Tuyl, the 
husband of her aunt, Eliza Birdsall. They took 
passage on the schooner ^^ Julius Ca'sar" and had 
for fellow passengers several men who had taken 
a prominent part in the recent stirring events in 
Texas. They arrived at the mouth of the Brazos 
river at the town of Quintana in the latter part 
of September. There were but two or three 
houses at this place, the largest being a two-story 
boarding-house built of rough lumber. Here they 
spent only a few days, and taking passage on the 
steamboat •' Yellowstone," proceeded to Brazoria, 
where they stopped at the boarding-house kept by 
Mrs. Jane Long, the widow of Dr. James Long, 



who about fifteen years before had met a tragic 
fate in the city of Mexico. Only a few miles dis- 
tant, at Columbia, the first Congress of the Repub- 
lic of Texas was in session, it having assembled 
October 3d, 1836. Mrs. Long's house was fre- 
quently visited by the different otHcers and repre- 
sentatives of the government. Here Miss Mary 
Jane Harris first met the President of the Republic, 
Gen. Sara Houston, beside many others whose part 
in the late successful conflict had made them heroes 
of all time. At a short distance, at the plantation 
of Dr. Phelps, Santa Anna was a prisoner. He 
was released soon afterwards. Thus did she almost 
immediately upon her arrival in Texas, make the 
acquaintance of prominent actors in the late revo- 
lution. Although a mail service had been estab- 
lished by the government, it was very imperfect and 
news traveled slowly. About two weeks were spent 
at Brazoria before De Witt Clinton Harris, her 
brother, arrived from Harrisburg, bringing a saddle 
horse for her. Ox-teams were procured for con- 
veying the baggage, groceries, etc., which they 
had brought with them from New York. At length 
the whole party set out on horseback and, as there 
had been very heavy rains, the prairies most of the 
distance of fifty miles were entirely covered with 
water. Arriving at Harrisburg, they found Mrs. 
Harris living in the only house which had been 
spared by the Mexicans when they burnt the place 
a few months before. It stood in the edge of the 
prairie and escaped because unseen by them and 
was always known as the Prairie House. The 
Mexican prisoners, of whom Mrs. Harris had a 
number, were engaged in rebuilding her home on 




MRS. MARY J. BRISCOE. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



239 



the site of the one destioyed. As there were no 
saw-mills, it was constructed of hewn logs and 
some of the same men who had kindled the fire 
under the old house chopped logs to build the new 
one. It was here, in the "Prairie House" that 
Mary Jane first met Andrew Briscoe, who was a 
warm friend of her mother and brothers, and 
August 17, 1837, she became his wife, the marriage 
ceremony being performed by Mr. Isaac Batterson, 
in the new house, which by that time was partly 
completed. In the meantime the city of Houston 
had become the new seat of government and the 
county seat of Harris County. As Mr. Briscoe's 
appointment as Chief Justice of the county of Harris 
necessitated his residence in Houston, he purchased 
a two-story residence in process of building on 
Main street, about one block from the capitol and 
where is now situated the Prince building, on the 
corner of Main and Prairie streets. Mrs. Briscoe's 
life is so closely connected with that of her hus- 
band, that it is unnecessary to repeat her different 
places of residence. As opportunities to purchase 
large tracts of land induced him to make long 
journeys into the interior of the sparsely settled 
country, she frequently accompanied him, although 
traveling was attended with danger on account of 
the inroads often made by hostile Indians. At 
Anderson, Grimes County, they stopped over night 
at the house of Mrs. Kennard, who showed in the 
floor one loose board, kept purposely so, that in 
case of an attack by Indians she could make her 
escape under the house. After the death of her 
husband in 1849 Mrs. Briscoe lived for two years 
on the plantation of his father in Claiborne County, 
Mississippi, remaining there during the absence of 
the latter in California, and until after his death, 
in 1851. 

Returning to Texas in 1852, she lived for some 
years at Anderson^ Grimes County, where the Rev. 
Chas. Gillette had established an Episcopal school, 
under the title of St. Paul's College, and where she 
hoped to be able to give her sons a collegiate edu- 
cation without being separated from them. After 
a residence of six years there, the school having 
proved unsuccessful, she moved to Galveston, 
which offered the best educational advantages of 
any city in the State. In 1859, at her mother's 
solicitation, she returned to Harrisburg, where she 
lived until 1873, when she moved to Houston. 
Through careful economy she was able to raise and 
educate her children on a limited income, keeping 
for them the greater part of the large landed inter- 
ests held by her husband at the time of his death. 
An unusual affection characterizes this family 
worthy of mention and of imitation. While Judge 



Briscoe at his death in 1849 left considerable prop- 
erty, consisting chiefly of laud in Texas, yet to this 
day his children have never sought to obtain any 
part of it although entitled to it under the community 
laws of the State, but have left their mother the ex- 
clusive control of it, thereby showing their deep filial 
affection and sincere appreciation of her devotion to 
them in childhood and in youth. She feels a reason- 
able pride in her husband's connection with the war 
of Texas Independence and a sincere affection for 
those who shared with him the dangers of the 
Revolution. For years she has been a member of 
the Texas Veterans' Association and takes great 
pleasure in their annual re-unions. At the earnest 
solicitation of her friends she wrote an account of 
one of these re-unions, which was published at the 
time in several of the newspapers, and is given 
below : — 

THE TEXAS VETERANS THEIR LATE MEETING AT 

TEMPLE. 

" At the meeting of the Veteran Association in 
1887, Temple was selected as the place for meet- 
ing on April 20, 1888. It is beautifully situated in 
a high rolling prairie country, on the Santa Fe 
Railroad, 245 miles from Galveston. As it is only 
seven years old, many fears were entertained that 
the hearts of the citizens were too large for the 
accommodating capacity of their young town ; but 
all such fears were dispelled, and Temple proved 
itself equal to the emergency. Everything was 
managed with tact and skill, and the Veterans were 
unanimous in their expressions of praise and grati- 
tude. A committee met them at the railroad 
depot, and conveyed them to their allotted destina- 
tions, generally some private house. Mine was the 
home of Mr. F. H. Ayers, which is beautifully 
situated. In the view from his gallery the undu- 
lations of the surrounding country looked, in the 
distance, like miniature lakes. If all the Veterans 
were as delightfully located as myself, they will 
long rememlier with pleasure their meeting at 
Temple. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers were the soul of 
hospitality. Their house seemed made of rubber, 
or like a street car — never so full but it could take 
one more ; but there the similitude ends, for the 
dear lady's only regret was that she had one cot 
which had not been occupied, so there was no 
standing up. 

'■On the morning of the 20th, we all repaired to 
the Opera House, which is large and well ventilated, 
with very comfortable seats. In addition to the 
usual decorations of flags and placards, suspended 
in the center of the stage was ' Old Betsj^' an old 
rifle which had been in most of the battles for 



240 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



independence, and is supposed to have killed more 
Indians than any other gun, besides having supplied 
the owner's family with food for many years. The 
owner, Rufus C. Campbell, was not only distin- 
guished for ' Old Betsy's' unerring aim, but also 
as having forged the fetters which were put upon 
Gen. Santa Anna, when it was thought he was 
planning to escape. Mr. Campbell's widow (who 
was a daughter of Uncle David Ayers) had the 
pleasure of hearing Miss Lucy Diske, one of their 
forty-five grandchildren, make a very beautiful and 
appropriate address upon presenting the Veterans 
with an elegant satin flag from the ladies of 
Belton. 

"The Rev. J. C. Woollam, our grand old Chap- 
lain, his colossal frame and white head towering 
above all others, in his opening prayer brought 
tears to all eyes. I have met with the Veterans 
several times, and the last meeting always seems 
more heartfelt, more glorious, more like a meeting 
of a holy brotherhood, than any former one. On 
these occasions familiar faces call up soul-stirring 
scenes in the past, and thrilling adventures flash 
upon their memories. As they meet in these an- 
nual re-unions and exchange heartfelt greetings, 
they are filled with the desires and hopes of other 
days — 'The days when life was new, and the 
heart promised what the fancy drew'- — the 
" times that tried men's souls' — when their lives, 
their fortunes, and their sacred honor were pledged 
for home and countr}', God and liberty ; that 
period when the repeated assaults of Indians and 
Mexicans had nerved their arms and fired their 
hearts to strike for freedom from the tyrannical 
0|)pression of Mexico. It comes to them with the 
freshness of yesterday, when they left their homes 
and loved ones, to face the foe, drive back the 
invader, and save their all from destruction. 
Sooner will their right hand forget its cunn- 
ing and their tongues cleave to the roof of 
their mouths, than they cease to remember 
and talk of Gonzales, Goliad, Concepcion, the 
storming of San Antonio, where the gallant Milam 
fell, the massacre of Fannin, the fall of the Alamo, 
the battle of San Jacinto, of Plum Creek, the Salado, 
the Cherokee fight, and other bloody and desperate 
engagements. The names of all of these, with the 
date of each engagement, printed upon placards, 
are always placed upon the walls of the assembly 
room. As a placard catches the eye of the veterans 
one will say to another : ' We were together in 
that fight; don't you remember how you had to 
hold the mule's nose to keep her from betraying 
us to the Indians before we were ready for them ? ' 
'I don't see your wife; the good woman can now 



sleep in a white gown if she likes ' — alluding to 
the custom of our frontier women sleeping in 
colored gowns so as not to be so good a mark for 
Indians in case of a night attack. To which the 
answer will be : ' Oh, yes ; but it always costs some- 
thing to come to these meetings, and when my wife 
found I would have to pay full fare for her on the 
cars, she said as I was so much better of my rheuma- 
tism, I could make out without her; but she will 
miss it mightily, as she liked to talk over her Indian 
scares with those who knew her in the old times, 
when we would be for weeks together with nothing 
but venison to eat.' 

" It was a touching sight when the genial presi- 
dent of the Association (himself a hero of many 
battles) would single out some noted Indian fighter, 
and taking the old man upon the stage, tell the 
audience of some of his heroic deeds. How every 
eye would kindle with enthusiasm, and everj' voice 
raise a cheer, and the poor old hero, bursting into 
tears, would sink into his seat, with not a dry eye 
around him. 

"It is this which makes these meetings so dear to 
these old ones. At home they are nothing but 
poor decrepit old men and women, who are outliving 
their allotted span of life — fossils that cumber 
the ground. They know it ; they feel it ; but 
when they meet at these reunions, all is changed ; 
instead of being looked upon as unwelcome 
intruders, they are treated with the greatest courtesy, 
with veneration, as heroes, and every man, woman 
and child seeks to do them honor. It is no wonder 
that their tears lie near the surface, and are often 
seen filling their eyes when some gallant j'outh or 
beautiful maiden tells of their heroic deeds and the 
manly fortitude displayed by them iu conquering 
all the hardships, difficulties and dangers by which 
they were surrounded. 

" Nor should admiration and veneration be con- 
fined to their heroic deeds upon the battlefield. 
The women of this land should always hold them in 
grateful remembrance ; for were they not the first 
men on earth to throw around the wife and mother 
the protection of the homestead law? Were they 
not the first to protect woman in the ownership 
of her separate property, and to give her an interest 
in the community property .' They also surpassed 
all other legislators, in making provision, for all 
time to come, for the universal free education of 
children. 

" The memorial service is very solemn and affect- 
ing, and the Rev. Mr. Stribling always very elo- 
quent in his sermon. Thirty-nine is the number 
on the death-roll for last year. Among them is 
the late lamented Col. Charles DeMorse, who 




M. Loose AX 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



241 



occupied an honored place and felt a sincere 
interest in the welfare of the Association. 

" ' We are going, one by one.' 

" A little incident connected with last year was 
brought to mind by hearing the name of a certain 
veteran read from the death-roll. He had been 
brought to Mrs. Winkler's home, in Corsicana, 
very early in the morning, and at breakfast Mrs. 
Winkler asked him to say grace. The old man 
turned his face with his hand to his ear, say- 
ing, ' Cream, but no sugar,' and Mrs. W. asked 
her own blessing. It was told that the old man 
said to one of his friends : ' What do you think ; 
the good lady I am stopping with asked me to say 
grace at table ; I am such an old reprobate, I 
could think of nothing; so played deaf, and told 
her, ' Cream, but no sugar in ray coffee.' 

"I cannot close this meager sketch of the Vet- 
erans' meeting without mention of Aunt Nancy, as 
she is familiarlj' called. She is a very well preserved 
old lady of eighty-one, but does not look it. She 
is a regular attendant at the meetings, and says she 
would sell her last hen rather than miss one : her 



peculiar style of dress and unsophisticated manner 
make her conspicuous. Being very anxious tiiat 
the Veterans' Association should hold its next 
meeting at her home, Jacksonville, the Presi- 
dent invited her to come on the stage and ask 
the Veterans herself. He escorted her to the front, 
and Aunt Nancy said : ' My dear Veterans, the 
people of my town want you to come there next 
year. They will take good care of you. Some 
say Jacksonville is too small, but we had the Meth- 
odist conference there, and treated them well, and 
if you will only come, I will take care of you my- 
self! ' That of course brought down the house. 
The dear old woman likes to meet those whofout^ht 
side by side with her husband, who has been dead 
many years, and no one but his old companions in 
danger remember him. Some one joked her about 
marrying. 'No,' says she, ' I have lived thirty 
years Capt. Kirabro's widow, and expect to die 
Capt. Kimbro's widow.' 

" The people of Temple paid the Veterans the 
great compliment of asking them to meet there again 
next year, saying they could do better next year, as 
they had now learned how. Many thanks to them." 



A. M. DIGNOWITY, M. D., 



SAN ANTONIO. 



Antone Michael Dignowity was born in Kutten- 
berg, Bohemia, January 16th, 1810, and came of 
a family possessing some means and enjoying some 
distinction for intellectual endowments. His edu- 
cational opportunities were good and he availed 
himself of them, taking a thorough collegiate course 
in the Jesuit College of his native place. He came 
to America at the age of twenty-two, sailing, as his 
passport recites, from Hamburg, February 17th, 
1832, resided for some time after his arrival in the 
country in different parts of the South and acquired 
considerable property at Natchez (where he lived 
longer than elsewhere before coming to Texas), 
notably a hotel which was destroyed by the great 
tornado of 18 — . In 1835, while residing in Missis- 
sippi he made a trip to Texas, extending as far as 
San Antonio, but soon returned, read medicine at 
Natchez, Miss., under Drs. Stone and Carrothers, 
and attended lectures in Cincinnati, Ohio. He 
adopted the eclectic system of medicine, then in its 
infancy, and began its practice in Mississippi. He 



shortly after gathered up the fragments of his hotel 
fixtures and furniture (which had been scattered by 
the torna<lo), and chartered the little steamer, 
" Lady Morgan " and moved to Talequah, I. T., 
the then recently established seat of government of 
the Cherokee Nation. Here he practiced his pro- 
fession for a year or more, during the time fre- 
quently visiting Little Rock, Ark., where he met 
and, on February 9th, 1843, married Miss Amanda 
J. McCann, daughter of Francis M. McCann, who 
had settled there two years before. Mr. McCann 
died in 1850, and his wife in 1887, the latter at the 
age of eighty-seven years. Both drew pensions 
from the United States government up to the time 
of their deaths. After his marriage Dr. Dignowity 
moved to a small place called Illinois Falls in the 
western part of Arkansas, near the Indian countr}', 
and there continued the practice of his profession 
until the early spring of 18J6, when he volunteered 
under ex-Governor Yell of Arkansas for service in 
the war between the United States and Mexico. 



242 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



With ten others he made his way across the country 
to San Antonio, itM^eing their intention to join the 
Texas rangers or some body of volunteers and pro- 
ceed from that place to the armies of Scott or Taylor 
be3'ond the Rio Grande. Within a few hours, how- 
ever, after Dr. Dignowitj' arrived at San Antonio, 
whileat the table taking his first meal in the place 
lie was hastily summoned to attend a Mexican and 
an Indian who had_been engaged in a street affray, 
and his presence as a physician thus becoming 
known and there being urgent need for his services 
he was prevailed upon to remain and devote his 
skill and energies, for a time, at least, to the 
atHicted of that place. He soon had a good prac- 
tice and finally made up his mind to make San An- 



from the press, will show. As by a close vote the 
State decided to secede, he, together with other 
prominent men of his section, had to leave the coun- 
try and early in 1861 went North, making his waj' 
over land through Texas, the Indian Territory and 
Arkansas on horseback and finally, after much suf- 
fering, reached Washington City, where he secured 
emplo^'raent under the government and remained 
during the entire period of the war. 

He was a great sufferer by the war, having most 
of his property swept away and his health badlj' 
impaired. Returning to Texas in 1869 he did not 
resume the practice of his profession, but devoted 
his energies to the task of gathering up the frag- 
ments of his fortune. He followed this vigorously 




A. M. DIGNOWITV. M. I). 



Lonio his home. He accordingly sent for and was 
joined by his family, which he had left at Little 
Rock, and from that time on until the opening of 
the war between the States, (1861) devoted his time 
to the practice of medicine and to land speculation, 
both of which yielded him good financial returns. 
On the great issue which led to a rupture between 
the Northern and Southern States, Dr. Dignowity 
was in harmony with a majority of the prominent 
and patriotic men of his section, who, like himself, 
were bitterly opposed to secession. He was always 
opposed to slavery, even before the agitation of 
that question in this country, as the two last books 
written by him, " Bohemia under Austrian despot- 
ism " and " American despotism," soon to be issued 



and with a fair degree of success until his death, 
April 22d, 187.5. He left surviving him a widow, 
five sons and one daughter, the sons being An- 
tone Francis, Edward Lucien, Henry Louis, 
Charles Leonard, and James Victor and the daugh- 
ter, Iraogene Teresa Dignowity. One son, Albert 
AVentzel, the second in age of his family, was killed 
February 2.5th, 1872, at Piedras Negras, Mexico, 
while a soldier in the army of the patriot Juarez, 
and a daughter preceded the father to the grave, 
d3Mng in childhood. 

Dr. Dignowity's career was an exceptional one, 
made so by an exceptional mental and moral organ- 
ism. He was not only an accomplished physician 
but a successful man of business. While a student 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



243 



and close investigator, tlie cast of his mind was 
practical. He endeavored durino; all his years to 
live along the lines of fairness and moral rectitude, 
seeking to do what was right because it was right 
and not from motives of policy or gain. He was 
greatly devoted to bis family and was an ardent 
lover of his adopted country. He became a Repub- 



lican on the organization of the Republican party, 
and was ever afterwards an ardent advocate of the 
principles of that party. He was reared a Catholic 
and during his earlier years was an active communi- 
cant of the Church, but his views on theological ques- 
tions gradually underwent a change and he closed 
his life with a strong leaning toward Spiritualism. 



MRS. AMANDA J. DIGNOWITY, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



Mrs. Dignowity's maiden name was McCann. 
Her father W8S Francis M. McCann, born in County 
Tyrone, Ireland, and her mother before marriage 
was Sarah Cramer, a native of Lancaster County, 
Penn. Her father came to America at the age of 
nine years with an uncle and settled in Baltimore, 
Md., where he grew to maturity. At about the 
age of twenty-one he enlisted in the United States 
army under Capt. Hale Hamilton, fought through 
the war of 1812, taking part in the battle of New 
Orleans under Jackson, and was mustered out of 
services at the close of hostilities, as lieutenant of 
his company. In August, 1817, he married Miss 
Cramer, of Pennsyivauia, a niece of Congressman 
Cramer, of that State, and moved to the mountains 
of Western Virginia. There, some three years later, 
July 28, 1820, the subject of this notice was born. 
From Virginia, Mr. McCann moved to Hagarstown, 
Md., and, after some losses and many changes, he 
started with his family to Louisville, Ky. By 
accident he was compelled to stop at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he remained several years. From that 
city Amanda was sent to the convent school at 
Loretta, where she remained for four years, obtain- 
ing there the greater part of her education. Fall- 
ing in with the tide of immigration to the South 
and West, Mr. McCann drifted to Mississippi and 
finally, in 1840, settled in Little Rock, Ark., where 
his family was domiciled and his servants quartered 
on a headright some miles outside of the town. 
This headright he had received for his services in 
the war of 1812. Two years later the family also 
settled on the headright, which now became the 
homestead, the affairs of which were ordered and 
conducted after the manner customary on the old- 
time Southern plantations. 

Speaking of her early years, Mrs. Dignowity 
says: "In my childhood and girlhood I traveled 



much with my father, who was a merchant as well 
as planter, and as there were then no railroads, all 
travel being by carriages and wagons, I traversed 
in this way much of the wilds of Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi and Arkansas 
and saw and practiced many of the primitive ways 
of living. Being the eldest of a large family of girls 
and there being many servants to care for, at home 
or on our various removals, I had to take charge 
of our medicine chest, one of the necessary adjuncts 
of ever}' large household in those daj's, and admin- 
ister such physic as was prescribed. I took a fancy 
for the study of medicine and though women were 
not then allowed to practice I determined to learn 
something about the subject. I began to read 
under Dr. J. Coombes of Mississippi ; and after 
my father removed to Little Rock, I continued my 
studies under Drs. Tucker and Prayther. Meeting 
Dr. Wm. Byrd Powell, then president of the Medi- 
cal College of New Orleans and afterwards State 
Geologist of Arkansas, I studied under him, he 
teaching the reform system, the eclectic, then almost 
in its infancy. On February 9th, 1843, I was mar- 
ried to Dr. A. M. Dignowity, friend and partner of 
Dr. Powell, and accompanying my husband to a 
small place in the western part of Kansas, settled 
there. Whatever ambition I may have had for an 
independent career as a medical practitioner, if, 
indeed, I ever had any, was now laid aside, though 
I continued my studies and often in after years 
joined my husband in his researches and lent him 
what aid I could in his professional labors." 

Dr. Dignowity having come to Texas in the early 
spring of 1846 and determined to locate perma- 
nently at San Antonio, he sent the following fall 
for Mrs. Dignowity, who had remained with 
her parents in Little Rock during the inter- 
vening months. The account of her trip is 



244 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



best given in her own language. She said : " After 
masses, offered by Arcbbisiiop Byrens, and the 
prayers of the congregation for my safety in that 
land of war and desperadoes, were said I left my 
relatives and friends, some of whom I was never to 
see again and others not for many years, and took 
the steamer bound for New Orleans. At that place 
1 waited thirty days for a vessel sailing for Texas, 
took passage on the bark ' William ' in the latter 
part of January and, after beating about and being 
driven much out of our way at sea, suffering two 
days for water, we finally put in at Matagorda, 
where a supply of food and water was obtained. 
The vessel then proceeded to Indianola. There 
I was fortunate in meeting Mr. Van Ransalaer of 



we got in. I procured a rocking chair and roll of 
carpeting from my baggage and ensconced myself 
in the back part of the wagon with my babies. 

" The word to start was given, the Mexicans 
springing out of the way and the mules, standing 
first on their hind feet and then plunging forward 
in response to a yell from the driver and Mexicans, 
we started on our way. We faced the north wind 
for miles, I, nearly frightened to death, could only 
hold myself in readiness for anything that might 
come. 

" At last we arrived at Victoria. ' Limpy ' Brown, 
well known in Texas history, kept the hotel there. 
After dinner we had a relay of bronchos and started 
on, facing toward evenina; a sleeting norther. We 




MRS. AMANDA J. DIGNOWITV. 



New York and Judge Stuart of Texas, both friends 
of my husband. AVe chartered a lighter and the 
two gentlemen, myself and babies and tlie captain 
left for Port Lavaca, which I was told was distant 
only a few hours sail, but we had gone scarcely a 
mile when a norther sprang up and we were driven 
out and battled the storm until the next evening 
before we reached Lavaca. I remained over night 
at the hotel. The next morning one of the gentle- 
men asked me to step out and see the fine United 
States mail coach waiting to take us over. Imagine 
my astonishment to see a large wagon without 
cover or seats, six Mexican broncho mules at- 
tached, each mule held by a Mexican peon (the 
latter as strange-looking to me as the mules) until 



arrived late at Seguin half frozen, hungry and 
tired out, my baby not a year old, with the croup, 
our faces blistered with the sleet and cold. There 
I met for the first time Capt. Jack Hays on his 
way to Washington, D. C, and others who were 
going to San Antonio, among them Mr. William 
Vance, Capt. Shaw and Mr. A. A. Munsey, all of 
whom I well knew at home. Our hostess was Mrs. 
Calvert and with her still resided her beautiful 
daughters, afterwards Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Hays 
and Mrs. John Twony. Her kindness to 
me, a stranger, I will never forget. Next 
morning with a relay of bronchos, we continued 
our journey, our party having been increased by 
the addition of Mr. Munsey and Capt. Shaw. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



245 



The norther gone and the weather clear, we con- 
tinued without further suffering or the occurrence 
of any event to break the monotony of travel until 
we reached the Salado crossing, eight miles east of 
San Antonio. 

" There we were startled by a fearful war-whoop, 
and the men gathered their guns, pistols and 
bowie knives and prepared for battle with a deter- 
mination which frightened me so that I slid from 
the chair to the bottom of the wagon and covering 
my babies with the carpeting, waited. Soon a 
voice called out: 'No fightie; muche amigo ; 
plenty whisky ; plenty drunk ! ' What a relief ! 
As we descended the hill we saw camped in the bed 
of the creek over a hundred Indians. Thej' had 
been to San Antonio for rations and all were beastly 
drunk but three watchers. 

" When we got to the top of the hill east of the 
city, where my residence now stands, Mr. Van 
Ransalaer remarked: 'Mrs. Dignowity, you must 
not be surprised at the appearance of the town. 
There has been a fearful norther and all of 
the houses have been unroofed.' Which I verily 
believed was so until I got fairly into the town and 
more closely inspected the buildings. The hotel 
at which we stopped, a typical Mexican jacal with 
flat roof, dirt floor and grated windows, seemed to 
be the chief place of rendezvous of the town ; but I 
paid very little attention to its appearance or in- 
mates. My husband, though absent at the time, 
being on duty among the soldiers at Mission Con- 
cepcion, had prepared a room for me and had a 
nurse in waiting. I repaired at once to my apart- 
ments which seemed a haven of rest, and awaited his 
return. When we went out to dinner there were 
about thirty persons at table and I was told that 
seven languages were being spoken. There was 
not one American lady in the number and I was 
told, and later learned, very few in the city. I re- 
member meeting at the hotel the beautiful Mrs. 
Glanton, Prince Solms, Don Castro and a number 
of United States oflScers, some of whom I had 
known at home. The next day and many after I 
rode with my husband to the camps and visited the 
sick. 

" In July our baggage, which had been delayed 
for five months, arrived and we moved to our 
home, my husband having purchased a place on 
Acequia street. After that I saw much of the 
city, met the few resident American ladies, became 
acquainted with some of the Mexican ladies and 
had a very pleasant time. All visiting then was 
done after sundown. The Plaza from ten in the 
morning till four in the evening was empty. All 
doors were closed. Everyone took a siesta and 



afterwards a cup of coffee and a bath, the latter 
generally in the river. After 4 p. m. and after 
nightfall until midnight the Plaza and streets were 
gay with men and women in full dress and elegant 
toilets, engaged in shopping, visiting and enjoying 
the evening air. 

" About one year after my arrival several ladies 
formed a class and engaged Dr. Winchell, who had 
been a tutor in Santa Anna's family, to teach us 
Spanish. The authoress, Augusta Evans, then a 
young girl, was one of the number. I visited some 
of the Spanish ladies and joined them in visiting 
the church during their festivals and fiestas, and 
was much interested with raany|others in watching 
their devotions and great display;[^to the honor of 
the Senora Guadeloupe, their great patroness. 
Later when German immigrants began pouring into 
the city I found it necessary to study German, 
our domestic help coming largely from among 
them. 

"Street fights between Indians and Mexicans 
were of frequent occurrence and my husband was 
many times called to attendHhe wounded of both 
sides. Sick and disabled soldiers from the Rio 
Grande were also frequently brought to our house 
for treatment so that we were'f or years almost con- 
stantly in the midst of affliction. But in spite of 
this we had our pleasures and enjoyed life quite as 
much as people of this day. What American homes 
there were here were always open to friends and 
we had many distinguished visitors to San Antonio 
in those days. I recall the names of Generals 
Kearney and Doubleday of the United States army, 
ex-Governor Yell of Arkansas, President Sam 
Houston, Archbishop Lamy, Bishop Odin and Rev. 
Mark Anthony, as among my guests in those years, 
and of course there were others whose names do 
not now occur to me. The incidents of the Alamo 
and the invasions under Vasques and WoU were 
then fresh in the minds of the people and I heard 
many interesting reminiscences of those stirring 
times recited by those who took part in historic 
events recounted. After the establishment of peace 
sometimes in company with my husband and some- 
times with lady friends I visited the old missions. 
Concepcion Mission was used for a considerable 
time as a stable by the soldiers who were quartered 
there after the Mexican war. What a terrible 
desecration it seemed to me! But this was not 
more shocking than the vandalism since exhibited 
by tourists in breaking and taking away the lovely 
decorative work. The missions then were by no 
means in so dilapidated a condition as at present. 
Every sculptured flower, leaf, fruit and face was 
in a perfect state of preservation. 



246 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



" The opening of the Civil War brought us a new 
era of trial and suffering. My husband was a 
Union man. He left the country on account of his 
views on slavery and secession and remained in the 
North until the restoration of peace. My two eldest 
sons, aged sixteen and nineteen, were conscripted 
into the Confederate Army but, subsequently, 
while on a furlough, swam the Rio Grande, made 
their escape and joined the Union forces at Brazos 
de Santiago, and later went to Washington City, 
where they secured positions in the Department of 
the Interior and remained until 1868. Most of our 
property was swept away during tiie four years 
struggle, some of our losses being caused by 
Indians who made frequent incursions into the 
country and stole cattle, horses and sheep from 
the ranches, sometimes murdering the ranch- 
men." 

" But," said Mrs. Dignowity in conclusion, "in 
spite of these unpleasant recollections, San Antonio 
is very dear to me and I am every inch a Texian. 
During the past twenty years I have traveled ex- 
tensively throughout the Union but I cannot say 
that I have ever found any place I like better then 
this and I have no higher wish than to here pass in 
the quiet of my home, surrounded by my children 



and grandchildren, the remainder of the 3'ears 
allotted to me on earth." 

Mrs. Dignowity has living five sons and one 
daughter and ten grandchildren, all of whom reside 
near her. Very naturally her chief thoughts now 
center in these, and she in turn is the recipient of 
their unbounded affection. Her time for the past 
five years has been devoted to her estate, to her 
children and to her taste for the arts in a small 
way. She feels, as she says, that with all the trials 
her bright days have been more than her dark ones 
and that she has much to be thankful for. The 
secret of her cheerful disposition and elasticity of 
spirits, perhaps lies in the fact that she has passed 
much of her time in intimate association with her 
children and grandchildren, whose purposes, hopes 
and ambitions, she has actively interested herself 
in, and in the further fact that she has kept up her 
reading habit formed in girlhood and her interest in 
art work, thus drawing, as it were, daily inspiration 
from the only real fountain of youth. She has re- 
ceived from the judges of the International State Fair 
and the State Art Association two gold medals for 
art work and carving; one diploma, one honorable 
mention and fifteen premiums from the different 
departments. 



MRS. SARAH ANN BRACHES, 

GONZALES COUNTY. 



Tears, idle tears, I know not wnat they mean, 
Tears from the depth of some divine despair, 
Rise in the heart and gather to the eyes, 
In looking on the happy Autumn field?, 
And thinliing of the days that are no more. 

Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail. 
That brings our friends up from the under-world, 
Sad as the last which reddens over one 
That sinks with all we love below the verge; 
So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more. 

Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns 

The earliest pipe of half awakened birds. 

To dying ears, when unto tlying eyes, 

The casement slowly grows a glimmering square; 

So sad, so strange, the days that are no more. 

Dear as remembered kisses after death, 
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feign'd, 
On lips that are for others ; deep as love, 
Deep as first love, and mild with all regret; 
O, death in life, the days that are no more. 

Tennyson. 



Mrs. Sarah Ann Braches, who died at her iiome 
on Peach creek, near the town of Gonzales, Octo- 
ber 17th, 1894, aged eighty-three years and seven 
months, was one of the last survivors of the colo- 
nists who came to Texas in 1831. 

Although confined to her bed for a number of 
years, she was ever cheerful, and would laugh or 
cry with the changing theme as she recounted with 
glowing imagery the story of the hardships and 
perils through which she passed in her earlier years. 
Her memory was remarkably retentive, and her 
miud singularly clear, almost up to the moment of 
her death. She was the representative of a race 
that redeemed the wilderness and won freedom for 
Texas. Upon the broad foundation it laid, has 
been erected the noble superstructure of later times. 
Truly a mother of Israel has passed away. May 
the flower-gemmed sod rest lightl}' above her pulse- 
less form, and her memory be preserved in grateful 




CHARLES BRACIIKS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



247 



hearts as well as upon the i)ages of the history of 
the country she loved so well. 

Her parents were John M. and Mary (Garuetl) 
Ashby, natives of Kentucky. She was born in 
Shelby County', Ky., March 12th, 1811, and was 
the oldest of twelve children. She was united in 
marriage to Judge Bartlett D. McClure in Ken- 
tucky in 1828. Three children were born of this 
union: Ales, in 1829, John, in 1833, and Joel, in 
1839, all now deceased. 

Joel was a soldier in Terry's Rangers during the 
war between the States, and in the charge led by 
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston at Shiloh was shot in 
the groin, a wound from the effects of which he died 
October 23d, 1870, at the old family residence. 

In 1831 the Ashby family and Judge and Mrs. 
McClure emigrated to Texas. At New Orleans, 
March 12th of that year, the party took passage on 
a ship bound for Matagorda Bay and landed upon 
Texas soil the first of May following. The vessel 
was caught in a storm and the pilot losing his bear- 
ings steered into the wrong pass, whereupon the ship 
struck repeatedly upon a bar with such violence that 
all aboard expected every moment to be engulftd 
in the raging sea, but the ship was strong and kept 
afloat until morning, when the passengers and crew 
took to the small boats and effected a landing on 
the bar. Here they pitched camp and waited four 
days, when, the vessel still sticking fast, it was de- 
cided to abandon her to her fate and Judge Mc- 
Clure and a few companions, at the request of the 
rest, made their wa3' to the mainland and went on 
to Goliad to get permission for the party to land, 
from the Mexican commander, who, according to 
the process of the tedious laws in vogue, had to 
send a courier to the seat of government before he 
could issue them a permit to enter and remain in 
the country. They were gone five days on this 
mission. The whole party finally landed in boats 
about fifteen miles below the present town of Rock- 
port, but had to camp another week on the beach 
for Mexican carts to be brought from Goliad. 
They were delayed again at Goliad waiting for ox- 
teams from Gonzales, as the Mexican carters would 
go no farther than the Guadalupe river. The two 
families separated and Mr. and Mrs. Ashb3' settled 
in Lavaca County, on Lavaca river, five miles from 
Halletsville, Mrs. Ashby dying in that county in 
1835, and her husband in Matagorda County, 
October 15th, 1839. 

Judge and Mrs. McClure established themselves 
on Peach creek near Gonzales, in De Witt's colony, 
where the subject of this memoir lived almost 
continuously during the after years of her life. 

There were only twenty-five families in Gon- 



zales when they first visited that place. At 
this time (1831), the Comanches, Lipaus and Ton- 
cahuas were friendly, but the Waco Indians were 
hostile and giving the settlers much trouble. In 
September, tiie people of Gonzales gave a dinner 
to about one hundred Comanches. The meal was 
partly prepared by the ladies of the place. Know- 
ing the treacherous nature of tlie red-skins, a guard 
of fifteen well armed men was quietly appointed. 
These kept on the qici vive and neither ate nor 
drank while the Indians regaled themselves. No 
disturbance occurred and the Indians, having fin- 
ished their repast, mounted their horses and 
departed with mutual expressions of good will. 

These friendly relations were terminated a year 
later, however, as the result of the action of a 
party of French traders from New Orleans, who 
passed through the country. These traders gave 
poisoned bread to the Comanches, and the latter 
declared war against all whites. 

For many years thereafter the country was sub- 
ject to raids and depredations. In all those stir- 
ring times the subject of this memoir displayed a 
heroism as bright as that recorded upon the most 
inspiring pages of history, and a tenderness enno- 
bling to her sex. On more than one occasion her 
intrepidity saved the homestead from destruction. 
At others she helped to prepare rations for hastily 
organized expeditions and spoke brave and cheer- 
ing words to the country's defenders. The wounded 
could always rely upon careful nursing at her hands 
and the houseless and indigent upon receiving shel- 
ter and succor. Ever womanly and true, her 
virtues won for her the lasting love and veneration 
of the people far and wide and she is now affection- 
ately remembered by all old Texians. 

In August, 1838, while riding across the prairies 
with her husband, they came across twenty-seven 
Comanche warriors. By a rapid movement the 
Indians cut them off from the general ford on 
Boggy Branch, and they deflected toward Big 
Elms, another crossing place two miles distant. 
In the mad race that followed she became 
separated from her husband. A portion of 
the band observing this fact, uttered a shout 
of triumph and made a desperate effort to over- 
take her. She realized that she must put the 
creek between her and her pursuers and accordingly 
turned shortly to the right and rode at break-neck 
speed straight for the stream. As she reached it 
she fastened the reins in her horse's mane, wrapped 
her arms around his neck, buried her spurs in his 
quivering flank and the animal, with a magnificent 
exertion of strength, vaulted into the air and landed 
with his fore feet on the other side, his hind feet 



248 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and legs sinking deep into the mud and quicksand 
that formed tlie margin of the branch. In an in- 
stant she leaped over his head and seizing the bridle 
encouraged him to make an effort to extricate him- 
self, which, being a large and powerful animal, he 
did. She then waved her sun-bonnet to her hus- 
band who had effected a crossing further down at 
the Big Elms and whom she descried at that mo- 
ment galloping toward her. He joined her and 
they rode home, leaving the batHed Comanches to 
vent their rage as best they could. 

Periods of quietude and occasional social gather- 
ings gave variety of life and common perils nour- 
ished generous sentiments of neighborly regard, 
mutual kindness and comradeship. The hardships 
and dangers of the times in themselves seemed to 
have had a charm for the bold and hard}' spirits 
who held unflinchingly their ground as an advance 
skirmish line of civilization. Nor were the happen- 
ing of events rich in humor wanting. These were 
recounted over and over beside blazing winter 
hearths to amuse the occasional guest. One of 
these told to the writer by the subject of this 
memoir was the following: — 

Judge McClure, on starting for Bastrop in 1834, 
left a carpenter whom he had employed to build an 
addition to the house, behind him to protect the 
family. The man was a typical down-east Yankee. 
A morning or two later Mrs. McCiure's attention 
being attracted by cattle running and bellowing; 
she looked out of her window and saw Indians 
skulking in the brush and two of the band chasing 
the cattle. She at once commenced arming herself 
and told her companion that he must get ready 
for a fight. He turned deathlj' pale, began trem- 
bling and declared that he had never shot a gun 
and could not fight. ' ' Let's go back of the house," 
he said, "and down into the bottom." To which 
she replied, " No, sir, you can go into the bottom 
if you want to; but I am going to fight." 

The Indians killed a few calves but kept out of gun- 
shot and passed on that night. The carpenter sat up 
until daylight with a gun across his lap. He could 
not shoot; but, it is to be presumed, found some 
comfort in holding a gun, for all that. The fol- 
lowing morning she told the man that if he would 
go down to the lake back of the house and get a 
bucket of water, she would prepare breakfast. He 
replied that he was afraid to go. She stood this 
condition of affairs as long as she could and then 
strapping a brace of pistols around her waist, took 
the bucket and started for the lake. The fellow at 
this juncture declared if she was bound to go, he 
would go with her, and followed on behind a few 
steps holding the gun in his harwls. This so 



angered her that she turned and told him that, if 
he dared to follow her another foot she would shoot 
him dead in his tracks. Alarmed in good earnest 
he beat a hasty retreat to the house. Several days 
later some men came by going to Gonzales, and the 
carpenter went with them without finishing his job. 
What hair-lifting tales he told when he got back to 
his native heath and the prodigies of valor that he 
performed may be conjectured. 

She was living on Peach creek at her home, 
when the Alamo fell. Prior to that event, when the 
people were fleeing from Gonzales in dread of the 
advance of Santa Anna on that place, twenty-seven 
women, whose husbands were in the Alamo, stopped 
at her house and were there when they received 
news of the massacre. 

Gen. Houston also stopped at her home on his 
second day's retreat and sitting on his horse under 
a big live oak tree (which she ever afterwards 
called Sam Houston's tree) ordered a retreat, say- 
ing that those who saw fit to remain behind must 
suffer the consequences. A great many relic hun- 
ters have secured souvenirs of moss from the tree. 
The women and children were sent on ahead, and 
when they had gone about four miles, heard the 
explosion of the magazine at Gonzales, blown up 
by Col. Patten, who later overtook them at the 
Navidad. 

Santa Anna and his army camped on Peach 
creek for five weeks and made his headquarters in 
her house during a part of the time. He then 
moved on toward the east after the Goliad massacre. 
The Mexicans drove off or killed all the stock on 
her farm, filled the well up with bricks torn from the 
kitchen floor and burned everything except the 
dwelling house. 

Having been ordered by Gen. Houston to go 
after and bring up the '' Eedlanders," Judge Mc- 
Clure left his wife at Grisby's (now Moore's) 
Bluff on the Nueces, proceeded to execute the 
order and was thereby prevented from being present 
at and participating in the battle of San Jacinto. 
He was a member of the convention of Texas, held 
in 1833 ; organized the first county in DeWitt's 
colony and was its first county judge ; and after 
an active and useful life died and was buried in 
Gonzales County in 1842. 

Mrs. McClure married Mr. Charles Braches, of 
Gonzales County, March 2d, 1843, a man noted 
for abilities of a high order, and sterling character. 
He was born at Gaulkhausen, Kreuznach, Rheim, 
Prussia, February 25th, 1813; sailed from Europe 
for America April 3d, 1834; arriving at Baltimore, 
Md., left for St. Louis, Mo., two daj-s later and 
from that place moved to Sharon, Miss., where he 




BARTLETT D. McCLURE. 



lyniAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



249 



conducted a literary and music school until 1840 
when he emigrated to the republic of Texas, and 
settled in Gonzales County, where he engaged in 
merchandising with Dr. Caleb S. Brown, who was 
also from Mississippi. This copartnership con- 
tinued for twelve or thirteen months. A man of 
rare personal magnetism, fine address and brilliant 
talents, Mr. Brachcs soon took rank as one of the 
ablest and most influential citizens of the commu- 
nity and in scarcely more than a year (1842), was 
elected to represent the district in the Texas con- 
gress. While going to and returning from the seat 
of government he first met his future wife and 
shortly after the close of the session they were united 
in the bonds of wedlock. He was a participant in 
the battles of the Hondo, Plum Creek and the 
Medina, and numerous Indian expeditions in which 
he behaved himself with conspicuous gallantry. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Braches were members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years 
and were liberal contributors to schools and 
churches. During his lifetime Mr. Braches de- 
voted many thousands of dollars to these purposes. 
He died July 7th, 1889, at his home in Gonzales 
County, admired and respected by a wide circle of 
friends extending throughout Texas. 

When Bowie started upon his San Saba expedi- 
tion Mrs. Braches had beeves killed and dressed, 
food cooked and a general supply of provisions 
prepared for the use of his men on their march. 
He wrote out and tendered her vouchers against the 
Republic to cover the expense that she had incurred, 
but these she refused to receive, saying that she 
considered it a pleasure as well as a duty to aid in a 
movement designed for the protection of the homes 
of the settlers to the full extent of her power and 
that she could not think of receiving pay for such a 
service. Sentiments equally unselfish and praise- 
worthy inspired all her actions. A distinguished 
Texian says of Mr. and Mrs. Braches: " After Mrs. 
Braches' parents died she became a mother to her 
j'ounger brothers and sisters, viz., Mary, who mar- 
ried John Smothers ; Isabella, who married in her 
house in 1840, Gen. Henry E. McCulloch ; Fannie, 
who married in her house Mr. Gelhorn ; Euphemia, 
who married Wm. G. King, of Seguin; William, 
who died young, and Travis H. Ashby, who 



died after being a Captain in the Confederate 
army. 

" A braver or grander-hearted woman never trod 
the soil of Texas, and all of the survivors of those 
early days, from San Antonio to the Colorado and 
from Texana and Victoria to the foot of the moun- 
tains, will attest the truth of this statement. 
Knowing her from boyhood and not having seen. her 
for a little over twent}' years I willingly and con- 
scientiously pay this tribute to her. Mr. Braches, 
for forty-six years, proved himself to be worthy to 
be the husband of such a woman. It is needless 
for me to speak of his character to those among 
whom he so long lived. That he was a polished 
and refined gentleman, of kindly heart, all will ad- 
mit. He was to have been my guest at the .State 
Fair last fall, but sickness prevented his coming. 
My little grandchildren, inspired by the eulogies 
of their grandparents, were sorely disappointed at 
his not coming. In conclusion, I can only say that 
I believe Charles Braches to have been incapable of 
a mean or dishonorable act. He was, in the high- 
est sense, an honorable and benevolent man and 
good citizen." 

Mrs. Mary Jones, wife of Mr. H. K. Jones, of 
Dilworth in Gonzales County, a station near the old 
family homestead, is the only surviving child born 
of this union. Mrs. Braches was the soul of pat- 
riotism — a lady of rare refinement and intelligence, 
and her deeds of kindness and charities were innu- 
merable. Her grave will be watered by the tears 
of the widow and orphan. Her life is a part of, 
and interwoven with the most stirring period of 
Texas history. To her belongs the glory of a Roman 
matron and the halo of a tender Christian mother. 

She was one of the best known, best beloved and 
noblest of the noble Texian matrons who inspired 
the men of earlier days to resistance to tyrann}' and 
deeds of heroism and kept the fires of patriotism 
brightly aglow upon the hearthstones of the coun- 
trj'. At her home, to the time of her death, she 
maintained that free and elegant hospitality that 
made the South famous in olden time. Her name 
deserves to be wreathed with imperishable immor- 
telles and to be inscribed upon one of the brightest 
pages of the State's history. Peace to her ashes 
and lasting honor to her memory. 



250 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ALEXANDER BEATON. 



GEM HILL. 
(Near Corsicana, Texas.) 



Maj. Alexander Beaton was born at Inverness, 
Inverness-shire, the most beautiful and romantic part 
of the Highlands of Scotland, Februarv 10, 1820. 
His parents, Donald and Margaret (Beaton) Beaton, 
died when he was in his thirteenth year. He 
received an academic education in bis native town, 
and in his seventeenth year was sent to the city of 
London, England, where he entered the office of 
an accountant, where he remained for sis years. 
Shortl}^ after his first arrival in London, be wit- 
nessed the grandest sight and pageant of his life, 
the coronation of Queen Victoria. He came to the 
United States in 1843, in November of that year 
landing at New Orleans where, until 1844, he filled 
a position secured by him before he left London. 
He left New Orleans at the beginning of the yellow 
fever epidemic in 1844, the local physicians and 
newspapers advising all unacclimated persons to 
pursue that course. He went from New Orleans 
to St. Louis and from the latter city to Bolivar, 
Polk County, Mo., where he taught school and 
read law until 1847 in the office of Col. Thomas 
Ruffln, who was then known as one among the 
leading members of the bar in Southwest Missouri. 
In the summer of that year a call was made on the 
State of Missouri to raise her Third Regiment of 
Mounted Volunteers for service in Mexico, and 
Maj. Beaton volunteered for service during the 
war and became a member of Company K. of 
said regiment. Col. Ralls, of Ralls County, Mo., 
was afterwards elected Colonel of the regiment, 
which, after being duly equipped and made ready 
for service at Fort Leavenworth, now in the State 
of Kansas, started on its march across the plains 
in July, 1847, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where 
it took the place of Gen. Price's command, whose 
term of service had expired. Maj. Beaton went to 
Taos, New Mexico, with three companies of the 
regiment and remained there, doing duty as acting 
adjutant of the battalion, until the end of the war, 
when he returned to Independence, Mo., with 
the entire regimental command, where with his 
fellow-soldiers he was, in the fall of 1848, 
honorably discharged from the service. He now 
draws a pension of $8.00 per month as a Mex- 
ican war veteran from the United States govern- 
ment. 

Shortly after his discharge from the armj', he 



and Col. Ruffin came to Texas, stopped at Houston 
for a brief period and then took a look at the town 
of Washington, on the Brazos, which was much 
spoken of at the time and believed by many to be 
destined for the dignity of a city of importance at 
some time. They afterwards visited and resided, 
for varying periods, at Brenham, Chappel Hill, and 
Richmond, Col. Rufiin locating at the latter place. 
Maj. Beaton during his sojourn at Chappel Hill 
taught school for a few months. 

He arrived at Corsicana on the 16th of March, 
1850, then a small frontier village of about one 
hundred inhabitants, and has since resided in and 
near that place. In a short time after his arrival 
he was employed in the county clerk's office and 
was later appointed to fill the unexpired term of a 
former incumbent of the office of county assessor 
and collector of taxes and, while so engaged, in- 
dustriously applied himself to the study of law. 
He was admitted to the bar in 1851, license being 
granted by Hon. O. M. Roberts, the presiding 
judge, afterwards Chief Justice of the State Su- 
preme Court, Governor of Texas and, later, senior 
law professor in the Texas University. Maj. Bea- 
ton afterwards, for a period of over thirty years, 
engaged in the practice of the profession, before 
and after the war for some years as a copartner 
of the now distinguished statesman, Hon. R. Q. 
Mills, and since that time, until about ten years 
ago, when he retired from active pursuits to his 
" Gem Hill " home, near the city of Corsicana. 

He has borne a conspicuous and helpful part in 
the upbuilding of Corsicana. The start in the 
making of Corsicana as a city was his successful 
effort in getting a depot of the Houston and Texas 
Central Railway located at the town in 1871. In 
the attainment of this object he was ably assisted 
by IMr. James Kerr, Sr., and Col. William Croft. 
In honor of his services and liberality, without any 
desire or asking for it on his part, the people named 
the principal street in the cit3', Beaton street, in his 
honor. He has been a life-long Democrat and has 
done good service for the party and for the cause 
of honest and accountable government. His fore- 
fathers for many generations were members of the 
Presbyterian Church, with whose Calvinism and 
authoritative teaching he could not agree. He 
now worships with his wife in the Methodist Church, 




JAMES G. DUDLEY. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



251 



whose tenets and beliefs are more in accord witli 
bis own. 

As previously stated, Maj. Beaton retired from 
active business and professional pursuits more than 
ten years ago and moved to his residence, " Gem 
Hill," which overlooks the city of Corsicana and 
is one of the most exquisitely beautiful and well 
appointed country-seats in the South. 

July 11, 1852, he mairied Elizabeth J. McKin- 
ney, daughter of Rev. Hampton McKinney, a 
famous pioneer and Methodist Episcopal preacher 
of Navarro County, who moved to this State from 
Illinois. Maj. and Mrs. Beaton have three chil- 
dren, two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, 
Ealpb, is a member of the firm of Damon, Beaton 
& Company, of Corsicana. Their only daughter, 
Mary Kate, is the wife of Dr. S. W. Johnson, of 
that city. Maj. Beaton was made a Master Mason 
in 1850 by Gen. E. H. Tarrant, joining the first 
lodge organized in Corsicana. Maj. Beaton has 
won considerable distinction as an amateur geolo- 
gist and investigator of the natural sciences, for 
which he has always possessed a passionate fond- 
ness and followed with a quiet and never flagging 
zeal. He has contributed many valuable articles 
(that have been widely copied) to magazines. 
The following telegram of April 29, 1895, from 
Austin, Texas, to the Dallas-Galveston News fitly 
illustrates the interest he feels in the cause of 



scientific progress: "It may not be generally 
known that a few weeks since the University of 
Texas came into the possession of the valuable and 
unique cabinet of minerals collected by Hon. 
Alexander Beaton, of Corsicana, on his home place, 
known as ' Gem Hill ' situated about a mile south 
of the town. 

" Maj. Beaton has long been a student of 
nature and, being impressed with the remarkable 
beauty and purity of the drift-minerals found in 
the fields near the house, he took the pains to have 
many of the best, several hundreds, in fact, 
dressed by the lapidaries of Colorado Springs, 
Colo. The results are truly wonderful, bringing 
out in a marked degree the hidden beauties which 
less acute observers have for years passed by. 
Many of these stones are suitable for various set- 
tings and, doubtless, under the fostering care of a 
competent expert, quite an industry could be built 
up along this line in Texas. 

"Mr. Beaton is strongly imbued with this idea. 
The collection will soon be ready for display at the 
University and visitors should bear it in mind in 
making their rounds. Maj. Beaton deserves the 
hearty thanks of all students of science for his 
generosity in this matter. May others be moved to 
follow his example. The University is the proper 
custodian for all collections which will promote the 
intellectual and scientific welfare of the State." 



JAMES G. DUDLEY, 



PARIS. 



The subject of this sketch was born in Hannibal, 
Marion County, Mo., on the 8lb day of April, 
1848, of Virginia parentage, his father being from 
Lynchburg and his mother, who is still living, from 
Kanawah County, Va., and was the fourth child 
of a family of six children. 

His great-grandfathers on both sides were sol- 
diers in the Revolutionary war for Independence 
and bis grandfathers were soldiers in the war of 
1812. His grandfather on his father's side lost 
his life at Norfolk, Va., when the father of the 
subject of this sketch was about three years old. 
His father was a carpenter by trade, and, when 
James G. Dudley was about four years of age, 
moved to the citj' of St. Louis, where he engaged 
in contracting and building. Young Dudley at- 



tended the public schools of St. Louis, known as 
the Mound street and Webster schools, and there 
laid the foundation for the liberal education be 
afterwards acquired by private study. A few 
years before the commencement of the war between 
the States, his father moved to Henry County, 
Mo., where be engaged in farming, young James 
G. and his only brother, W. W. Dudley, working on 
the farm. In 1862, the second year of the war, 
the subject of this sketch, although only fourteen 
years of age, found it unsafe to stay at home on 
account of his bold and openly pronounced views 
in favor of the Southern Confederacy and made his 
way to the command of the gallant Sidney Jackman 
and proceeded south with him to Gen. Price's army, 
in Northern Arkansas, and joined the celebrated 



252 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, tlien commanded by 
Col. L. M. Lewis (wlio afterwards became a Gen- 
eral) and participated in nearly all the great bat- 
lies fought in the Trans-Mississippi department. 
After the close of the war he returned to Missouri, 
and engaged in farming and running an engine in a 
(louring mill until he became able to undertake the 
study of law and then entered the law office of 
Judge F. E. Savage, of Kentucky, then residing at 
Clinton, Mo. Having been admitted to the bar 
in April, 1872, he came to Texas the following 
November and settled at Paris, Texas, where he 
has since resided and risen to distinction in his 
profession. 

At the Paris bar he found it necessary to meet 
such eminent lawyers as J. W. Throckmorton, T. J. 
Brown, M. L. Sims, R. R. Gaines, W. H. Johnson, 
R. H. Taylor, W. B. Wright and S. B. Maxey, 
men who not only enjoyed State-wide but national 
reputations, and not only held his own but soon rose 
to be a recognized equal of theirs. No lawyer in 
Texas has had a more varied practice, or been 
more successful. He has been of counsel in some 
of the most celebrated civil and criminal cases 
tried in the State during the last twenty years. He 
and Chief Justice Gaines were copartners when the 
latter was elected to the Supreme Bench. 

In 1877 he married Miss Jennie E. Blair, who is 
a descendant on her mother's side from the family 
of which the heroic Travis was a scion. They 
have five children living, three sons and two 
daughters. 

He was elected chairman of the Democratic Ex- 
ecutive Committee of Texas at the Dallas conven- 
tion in 1894. 

The year in which this book is being prepared 
for publication and will issue from the press (1896) 
is one of political storm. A crisis is upon the 
country that must be patriotically met and over- 
come, if a long train of evils that threaten it are to 
be avoided. For many years past, in fact since the 
days of reconstruction, the Democratic party has 
embraced within its ranks a heterogeneous mass 
of individuals, many of whom were attracted to its 
standard in the dark days that followed the war 
between the States by reason of the fact that it 
stood for honest, responsible government and had 
undertaken the task of restoring the reins of gov- 
ernment to the hands of the people, but are now, 



when that object has been long since attained, no 
longer Democrats in anything except the name. 
(Juite a number of this class have drifted into the 
Populist and into other parties. Another and 
more dangerous element in the party has been one 
whose motto has been "rule or ruin," led by dis- 
gruntled individuals whose political ambitions have 
been disappointed, and who, actuated by malice 
and a spirit of revenge, because the rank and file of 
the party would not submit to their dictation, first 
became bolters and have since drifted into the condi- 
tion of political brigands, and followers of McKinle}'. 
In the early part of this year they and their leaders 
loudly proclaimed that they were the only true 
Democrats and that they intended to see that their 
declarations and principles were engrafted in the 
State platforms to be promulgated by the party in 
the approaching campaign. The prospect at that 
time was that they would remain within the organ- 
ization, confuse and darken its counsels and lead to 
its defeat in November ; but, the Democratic party, 
it almost seems providentially, had for its chair- 
man of the State Executive Committee, a man of 
high ability, unflinching courage, inflexibility of 
purpose and that capacity for generalship that in 
all ages has characterized those commanders who 
have led bodies of men in hours of supreme peril 
(when disaster threatened from every quarter) to 
victory. Owing to the prompt and decided action 
taken by him and his fellow-members of the com- 
mittee (named by some " the Dudley committee ") 
the people were given a chance to express them- 
selves through their ballots at a primary election, 
and the result was true Democracj- triumphed. 

Mr. Dudley delivered the oration for Texas on 
Texas day at the Atlanta Exposition, which was 
pronounced by the AUa.nti). Constitulion "a gem 
of orator}'." At the Austin convention of this 
year, 1896, the acts of Mr. Dudley as chairman of 
the Democratic State Executive Committee were by 
resolution endorsed, in the most flattering way. 
No man in Texas has ever been more complimented 
by a convention. The whole convention, including 
a vast concourse of spectators, rose to their feet. 

Mr. Dudley is now one of the most conspicuous 
figures in public life in this State and has won the 
admiration of all the leaders of the part}' through- 
out the country. He has been chosen a member 
of the National Democratic Executive Committee. 




GEO. HANCOCK. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OB' TEXAS. 



253 



GEORGE HANCOCK, 

AUSTIN. 



George Hancock, tlie subject of this sketch, was 
truly one of the sturdy pioneers of Texas, having 
immigrated to Texas in 1835. He is a lineal de- 
scendant of the Virginia family of Hancock, which 
is of English extraction, and had the same ancestry 
as the Massachusetts family. Their family came 
to this countrj^ from England at a very early 
period. 

In 1632, George Hancock settled in what is 
now Campbell County, Va. At this time the 
sagacious and humane Sir Francis Wyatt was 
Governor of the colony, and assisted by a council 
and representative assembly chosen by the people. 
A written constitution had been granted, courts of 
law established, and the germ of civil and religious 
liberty firralj' planted ; for, although intolerance 
and civil commotion at times disturbed the equan- 
imity of the Virginia colonists, they had neverthe- 
less conceived the true theory of government, and 
were anxious to found it upon the basis of a true 
colonization. The social status of the colony was 
most excellent, and its chivalry was unquestionably 
of the purest type. Political spirit of republican 
freedom was ever present and, if at times there was 
a Berkley to oppress with arbitrary and tyrannical 
rule, there was always a Nathaniel Bacon to sustain 
with all the powers of the sword, if need be, the 
inalienable rights of man. 

Under such favorable auspices as these, the Han- 
cocks started, and their progeny have been true to 
the faith of their fathers. 

The subject of this biography was a native of 
Tennessee, where he was born on the 11th of April, 
1809. He was reared in Alabama, and is a son 
of John Allen Hancock, who was a native of 
Franklin County, Va., where he was a wealthy 
planter, and emigrated to Alabama about the year 
1819, and died there in January, 185G. 

John Allen Hancock was not a public man, his 
most distinguishing characteristic being a decided 
aversion to holding public office, but the private 
virtues and excellencies of life he possessed in a 
remarkable degree. Man is not what he does, but 
what he is, and judged by this standard John Allen 
Hancock was a model. 

Sarah Ryan, the mother of the subject of this 
sketch, was a native of Bedford County, Va., 
daughter of William Ryan, a planter, and for a 
long time high sheriff of that county. His 



ancestors came from North Ireland, and were 
Presbyterians in religion. The precise dale of the 
emigration to America is not known, but it was 
some time during the days of colonization. After 
emigrating to Texas in 1835, Mr. Hancock 
actively participated in the war for Independence 
against Mexico, and was especially noticeable in the 
battle of San Jacinto, being one of the five men 
who were with Deaf Smith in cutting Vince's 
bridge, which resulted in the capture of Santa 
Anna. He was also in the prominent campaigns 
of the frontier, during the Woll and Mier cam- 
paigns. Subsequently he passed a number of 
years in locating and surveying lands, and in fight- 
ing Mexicans and Indians, performing hard duties 
in both civil and military service. In 1843 he 
engaged in commerce, opening a mercantile house 
at LaGrange, Fayette County ; subsequently in 
Bastrop, and in 1845 in Austin, where he extended 
his business untill it became one of the most exten- 
sive in the interior of Texas. He was for several 
years a member of the Texas Legislature. He as- 
sisted in organizing the Texas Veterans' Association 
in 1873, and was prominent in its councils, being 
on its executive committee for a number of years, 
and a Veteran of the first class in that association. 
He was for many years preceding his death a 
vestryman of St. David's Episcopal church in 
Austin. He was married in 1855 to Louisa, 
daughter of Col. Ira Randolph Lewis, a sketch 
of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 

Mr. Hancock was a man of great force of char- 
acter, of unyielding and courageous honesty, and 
was ready at all times to sacrifice his private inter- 
ests to his principles. During the dissensions 
between the States previous to 1860, he was a 
strong opponent of secession, believing it to be 
impossible of accomplisliment and disastrous to the 
South and to the whole country. When the war 
broke out he retained and continued to publicly 
express his convictions, preferring to risk all rather 
than yield what he thought right and patriotic. 
But his hand and heart were always open to his 
neighbors in distress and many a soldier, fighting 
the battles of tlie Confederacy in the front, felt 
easier from knowing that his family at home would 
not suffer while George Hancock was there to lend 
a helping hand. 

George Hancock and his brother. Judge John 



254 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Hancock, recently deceased, were for many years Januarj', 1879, in the city of Austin, leaving sur- 
potential forces in tbe business and political affairs viving Lis wife, Louisa, and one son, Lewis, the 
of Texas. George Hancock died on tbe 6tli of present, Mayor of Austin. 



WILLIAM LEWIS CABELL, 

DALLAS. 



Gen. W. L. Cabell was born in Danville, Va., 
January 1, 1827, and was one of a family of seven 
sons and four daughters. 

His grandfather was Joseph Cabell, of Bucking- 
ham County, who married a Miss Boiling, of the 
same county. His father was Gen. Benjamin W. 
S. Cabell, born in Buckingham, and his mother, 
Sarah E. Doswell, a native of Nottoway County, 
where his parents were married. Joseph Cabell, 
his grandfather, moved to Kentucky while his 
father, Benjamin W. S., was young. Gen. Ben- 
jamin W. S. Cabell, however, remained in Virginia 
all his life and died there April 13, 1862. His 
widow died in 1874. Gen. W. L. Cabell grew up 
on his father's farm and attended schools in the 
vicinity until 184G, when he entered the United 
States Military Academy at West Point, from 
which he graduated in 1850 and was assigned to 
the United States Army as Brevet Second Lieutenant 
in the Seventh Infantry. In 1855, having attained 
the rank of First Lieutenant, he was appointed regi- 
mental Quartermaster and so remained until 1858, 
when he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 
tbe Quartermaster's department and was assigned 
to duty on tbe staff of Gen. Persifer F. Smith, 
then in command of tbe Utah expedition. Gen. 
Smith died and was succeeded by Gen. Wm. S. 
Harney, with whom Capt. Cabell continued until 
the close of tbe expedition, when, in the same 
year, he was ordered to Fort Kearney to rebuild 
that fortification. In the spring of 1859 he was 
ordered to Fort Arbuckle, in the Chickasaw Nation, 
and in tbe fall of the same year, to build a new 
post at Fort Cobb, about a hundred miles 
west of Arbuckle ami high up on tbe Washita 
river, in tbe Indian Territory, west of the ninety- 
eighth meridian. This post, since tbe war, has 
been superseded by Fort Sill. Capt. Cabell re- 
mained on duty at Fort Cobb, frequently 
engaged in scouting against tbe wild Indians, 
until tbe spring of 1861, when it became apparent 
that the war between tbe States was inevitable. 



He then repaired to Fort Smith, tendered bis resig- 
nation to tbe President of the United States, and 
on the 12tb of April left for the seat of the Confeder- 
ate Government, at Montgomery, Ala. He reached 
Montgomery on the 19th of tbe month and imme- 
diately offered bis services to President Davis. He 
received at tbe same time tbe acceptance of bis 
resignation, signed by President Lincoln, and was 
commissioned as Major in the Confederate army. 

He was married July 22, 1856, to Miss Harriett 
A., daughter of Maj. Elias Kector. They have 
reared a family of children who have been an honor 
to their name. They are: Benjamin E., Kate Dos- 
well, John Joseph, Lawrence Duval, Lewis Rector, 
Pocahontas Rebecca, and William Lewis. Mrs. 
Cabell died April 16, 1887. She was a woman of 
rare virtues and greatly beloved by those who were 
in a position to know ber many merits. 

On being appointed Major, Cabell left for Rich- 
mond, Va., under orders from President Davis, to 
organize the quartermaster's, commissary, ord- 
nance and medical departments of the army. He 
remained there until the first of June, when he was 
ordered to Manassas to report to Gen. Beaure- 
gard as Chief Quartermaster of tbe Army of the 
Potomac. After the battles of tbe 18th and 21st of 
July, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston assumed command. 
Maj. Cabell served on bis staff until tbe 15tb 
of January, 1862, when he was ordered to report 
to Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston in Kentucky (then 
commanding tbe Army of the West) for service 
under Gen. Earl Van Dorn in tbe Trans-Mississippi 
department. He crossed the Mississippi into Ar- 
kansas with Gen. Van Dorn, who established tem- 
porary headquarters at Jacksonport, and soon 
thereafter was promoted to tbe rank of Brigadier- 
General and was assigned to tbe command of tbe 
troops on White river, to hold in check tbe forces 
of the Federal General Steele, then menacing that 
section from Missouri, while Gen. Van Dorn pro- 
ceeded to Northwest Arkansas and assumed com- 
mand of the army then under tbe command of 




\y. L. CAHKLL. 



INDIAN M'ARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



255 



Generals McCulloch ami Price. The battle of 
Elk Horn was fouglit and lost on the Gth and 7th 
of March, resulting in the transfer of that army 
to the east side of the Mississippi river very 
soon afterwards. 

The following extract is from a sketch of Gen. 
Cabell's services, written in 1878. The writer 
says: — 

" Gen. Cabell proved his ability as a commander, 
in this emergency, and twice drove Steele's 
army, which largely outnumbered his, back into 
their camp in Missouri, and had control of that 
section of the country until Van Dorn and Price 
returned to White river previous to their leaving 
for Corinth, Miss. The entire removal of this 
large body of men, including McCuUoch's Ark- 
ansas, Louisiana and Texas troops and his own 
command, the furnishing of supplies for them and 
the regulation of their transportation, devolved 
upon Gen. Cabell, and how well the labor was per- 
formed, within a single week, those in authority 
can bear witness. It was accomplished without 
the slightest delay or accident of any kind. 

" After arriving in Memphis, Van Dorn's corps 
was continued on to Corinth and Cabell assigned 
to command the brigade, composed of the Tenth, 
Eleventh and Fourteenth Texas Regiments, Crump's 
Texas Battalion, McEea's Arkansas Regiment and 
Lucas' Battery, which were in several engagements 
around Corinth and at Farmington ; and on the 
retreat to Tupelo, this and Moore's Brigade, 
brought up the rear of Van Dorn's army. When 
Gen. Bragg was ordered to Kentuck3', Gen. Cabell 
was ordered to the command of an Arkansas 
brigade, which he commanded at luka, Saltillo, at 
Corinth on the 2d and 3d dajs of October, and at 
Hatchie bridge on the 4th. Here he was badly 
wounded and carried from the field. These, with 
the wounds from the previous day, received while 
leading the charge on the breastworks at Corinth, 
disabled him from further handling his command, 
or rather that portion of it left, and his troops 
were united with the First Missouri Brigade, Gen. 
Bowen. Upon his partial recovery. Gen. Cabell 
was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi depart- 
ment, to allow time for recuperation and the gen- 
eral inspection of the Quartermaster's department 
there." 

Gen. Cabell's old .soldiers say that on the field 
he was the soul of courage, a constant inspiration 
to his troops, and that with him it was always 
" Come on" and not " Go on " and that he was 
the first to go into danger. 

When sufficiently recovered from his wounds he 
was placed in command of the forces in Northwest 



Arkansas, with instructions to augment the number 
as much as possible by recruits, in which he was 
very successful, so much so that what became 
known as Cabell's Cavalry Brigade was chiefly 
organized in this way. It did gallant service on 
numerous battle-fields in Arkansas and during the 
last great raid into Missouri, on the final retreat of 
which Gen. Cabell was captured on the 24th of 
October, 1864, in Kansas. This period of serv- 
ice covered the battles and skirmishes of Backbone 
Mountain, Bentonvllle, Fayetteville, Poteau River, 
Boonsboro, Elkins' Ferry, Wolf Creek, Antoinia, 
Prairie de Ann, Moscow, Arkadelphia, Poison 
Springs, Marks' Mill, Jenkins' Ferry, Glass Village, 
Pine Bluff, Current River, Reeves' Station, Pilot 
Knob, Franklin, Jefferson City, Gardner's Mills, 
California, Boonville, La Mine, Lexington, Osage 
River, Big Blue, Independence, Westport, Little 
Santa Fe, Marie de Cygne, and Mine Creek, where 
he was captured. 

The Southern Illustrated Neivs, under date of 
November 29, 18G2, stated that " Gen. Cabell was 
the first official representative of the Confederate 
government in Richmond and to his untiring 
energy the Southern people are indebted, in a 
great measure, for the prompt organization of 
our army." 

Referring to the first Manassas, the News said : 
" Maj. Cabell behaved with great gallantry, and on 
several occasions exposed himself to the enemy's 
fire to such a degree that Gen. Beauregard ordered 
him to desist, at the time saying: 'Maj. Cabell, 
your life is too valuable to the Confederacy to be 
thus endangered.' " 

An army correspondent, as quoted in the same 
paper, of November 29, 1862, in describing the 
battle of Corinth, says: "On Saturday morning, 
Cabell's Brigade, of Maury's Division, was 
ordered to charge the formidable fort on College 
Hill. They advanced unhesitatingly at charge- 
bayonets to within thirty yards of the position be- 
fore they were fired upon, when they were awfully 
slaughtered. Still onward they went, after return- 
ing the first fire, their commander at their head. 
When they reached the works. Gen. Cabell boldly 
mounted the enemy's parapet, closely followed by 
his command. The first man he encountered was a 
Federal Colonel, who gave the command to ' kill 
that rebel officer.' Cabell replied with aright cut 
with his sabre, placing the officer hors de combat." 

They were compelled, however, to retire with 
fearful loss. 

Gen. Cabell was confined in the Federal prisons 
on Johnson's Island and Fort Warren, Boston, until 
the 28th of August, 1865. Being released on that 



256 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



day, he sought to find his wife and chilren at Aus- 
tin, Texas, where they had refugeed with Mrs. 
Cabell's father, and where he arrived without a 
farthing, after a three days' fast, on the 12th of 
September, to find that they had left and were 
en route to their home in Fort Smith, Ark. He 
overtook the loved ones in Bonham, Texas, and 
soon after reached Fort Smith, where he resided 
until December, 1872, when he came to Texas 
to remain permanently, and settled at Dallas, of 
which place he has since been a citizen. During 
1866 Gen. Cabell tried cotton planting on the 
Arkansas river and the commission business at Fort 
Smith. The high price of provisions and labor, 
combined with the cotton tax, prevented these 
ventures from proving successful. In 1867 he 
worked as a civil engineer, farmed on a small scale, 
and studied law at leisure moments. In 1868 he 
was admitted to practice in the United States Court 
for the Western District of Arkansas. 

He was an acknowledged leader of the Demo- 
cratic party and fought the Arkansas Republicans 
and carpet-baggers with all the skill, energy and 
determination that he could command. In 1872 
the Arkansas State Convention sent him as the 
chairman of the delegation to cast the vote of that 
State for Horace Greely for President, and during the 
campaign he canvassed all of North and West Arkan- 
sas. The result was a triumph for the Democracy. 

He brought his family to Dallas in 1873. He 
at once took a position as leader in all matters of 
importance and was afterwards repeatedly elected 



Ma3'or of the city. When he located at Dallas 
he was agent for the Carolina Life Insurance 
Company, of which Hon. Jefferson Davis was 
president. He afterwards engaged in various 
pursuits in which he was financially success- 
ful but is now retired from active business. 
As a Democrat his views have always had much 
weight with the people of Texas and he has 
had much to do with shaping the policies of the 
party and in assisting in securing party victories, 
and good government for the State. He is Lieu- 
tenant-General of the United Confederate Veter- 
ans' Association and devotes much time and thought 
to the interests of that organization. He is a very 
popular speaker and is in constant demand to ad- 
dress his old comrades at their reunions and camp- 
fires. He has written much upon the subject of 
the late war and is regarded as an authority upon 
all matters pertaining thereto. True to every 
obligation as a citizen and soldier, both in time of 
war and peace ; a patriot of great purity of act and 
purpose, a man of the most sterling qualities, he is 
a fine representative of the typical Southern gentle- 
man. No man, certainly, is dearer to the people 
of Texas and of the whole South. His name de- 
serves a place upon the pages of her history among 
the South's noblest and best. His life has been 
in keeping with those of other members of the 
Cabell family, all of whom have been true to their 
country, their friends and themselves, and none of 
whom have cast a stain upon the grand old family 
name. 



D. M. PRENDERGAST, 



MEXIA. 



Judge Prendergast is a descendant of Irish an- 
cestors. His great-grandfather Prendergast came 
from the old country to America in colonial times 
and settled in North Carolina, where John Baker 
Prendergast, the father of the Judge, was born. 
John B. Prendergast went to Tennessee when 
a j'oung man, and there married Miss Rhoda King, 
of Sumner County, that State. She died in Mad- 
ison County, West Tennessee, when the subject of 
this sketch was a boy. Years afterward Mr. Pren- 
dergast came to Texas and his death occurred in 
Limestone County in 1846, about a month after his 
arrival there. He was a plain substantial farmer, 



a man of good judgmeut and of quiet, unassuming 
ways. They had a family of four children that 
reached maturity, the gentleman under consider- 
ation being the only one of that number now 
living. An older brother. Judge Luke Baker 
Prendergast, an early settler of Limestone County, 
died there some years ago. A younger brother 
died in that county in 18 16, shortly after moving 
to it, and an older one, Samuel, died in Tennessee 
before the father's removal to Texas. 

Judge D. M. Prendergast was born in Shelb^- 
ville, Bedford County, Tennessee, December 26, 
1816, and was reared in Madison County, that 




n. M. PKEXDERGAST. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



State, from his eighth year. He received his pre- 
limiuary education in local select schools and took 
a collegiate course at the East Tennessee Uni- 
versity, at Kuoxville, graduating in the spring of 
1841, with the degree of A. B. In January, 1842, 
he came to Texas and began reading law at Old 
Franklin, Robertson County, under the instructions 
of James Raymond. He was admitted to the bar 
at Boonesville, Brazos County, before Judge R. E. 
B. Baylor, in 1845, having read law, taught school, 
and hunted Indians during the preceding four 
j'ears. He was elected Chief Justice of Brazos 
County under the old regime and held the office for 
one year. In the spring of 1846 he returned to 
Tennessee and brought his father to Texas, settling, 
in December of that year, at Springfield, then the 
county seat of Limestone County, and then and 
there entered upon the practice of his profession. 
He was elected Chief Justice of Limestone County 
in 1848 and filled the office one term. He con- 
tinued in active practice until the opening of the 
war. 

In the fall of 1861 he raised a company in Lime- 
stone County, was elected its Captain and, as a part 
of the North Texas Infantrj% entered the Confed- 
erate army, serving until the fall of 1862, when, on 
account of an injury received, he was compelled 
to resign and come home. He was honorably 
discharged from the service on account of this 
disability. 

Resuming the practiceof his profession, hebecame 
deeply engrossed in the same, also giving some atten- 
tion to farming, until 1873, when he was appointed 
by Governor Coke to fill a vacancy in the office of 
District Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District, 
which vacancy was caused by the death of Judge 
Banton. He completed this term, about three years, 
at the end of which time the district was changed, 
a new one being created out of the counties of 
Navarro, Limestone and Freestone, of which he was 
elected Judge and served as such four years. 

At the close of this term of office Judge Pren- 
dergast retired from public life and gave up the 
practice of his profession, to which he had been such 
an ornament. He then became interested in the 
banking business with Jester Brothers, at Corsicana, 
and in February, 1882, in company with L. P. and 
J. L. Smith, J. W. Blake and W. B. Gibbs, he 
bought out the banking interest of Oliver & Griggs 
at Mexia and entered actively into the business. 



becoming the senior member of the private 
banking house of Prendergast, Smith & Com- 
pany. He has since that time given almost his 
exclusive attention to this business. He owns 
considerable property in Mexia and some inGroes- 
beck. He has taken an active interest in all local 
enterprises in Mexia and is looked upon as one of 
the public-spirited men of the place. 

At an early day Judge Prendergast was some- 
what active in politics in Limestone County, being a 
prominent Democrat. He was a member of the 
Secession Convention in 1861, and was in the Tenth 
and Thirteentii Legislatures of Texas. He left the 
Democratic party, however, in 1887, on account of 
its position in reference to the whisky question, and 
cast his fortunes in the political line with tiie Pro- 
hibitionists. He is an ardent friend of temperance 
and in 1892 was the nominee of the Prohibition 
party for Governor of Texas. 

Judge Prendergast was married May 16th, 1848, 
to Miss Mary E. Collins, who was born in Lincoln 
County, Tenn., in November, 1829, daughter 
of George and Mary (Hudspeth) Collins, natives 
of Virginia. Her mother, left a widow, came with 
her family to Texas in November, 1841, and settled 
on the Little Brazos river in Brazos County. She 
had nine children, two sons and seven daughters. 
Seven of the number reached maturity. In order 
to educate her children she moved to Wheelock, 
Robertson County, where she spent the residue of 
her life. Mrs. Prendergast was the third daughter 
of this family, and her sisters have all passed away. 
Her brother, C. C, is a farmer in Harrison County, 
and T. B., a farmer, lives in Bryan, Brazos County. 
The Judge and his wife have had eight children, 
five of whom survive, as follows: Ada R., widow 
of Dr. J. H. McCain, of Mexia ; Fannie, wife of Dr. 
R. C. Nettles, of Marlin, Texas; Albert C, a lead- 
ing attorney of Waco; Mary, wife of S. H. Kelley, 
of Mexia; and Annie, wife of J. R. Neece, of 
Mexia. 

Judge Prendergast was made a Mason at Spring- 
field, forty-odd years ago, and has been a zealous 
member of the order ever since. He is a prom- 
inent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church and was one of the founders of Trinity 
University, at Tehuacana Hills, the educational in- 
stitution of this Church in Texas, and has been a 
member of the Board of Trustees ever since it 
was founded. 



258 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEES OF TEXAS. 



GEORGE N. ALDREDGE, 



DALLAS. 



George N. Aklredge was born in Lee Countj-, 
Ga., April 14, 184(5. His father was Dr. J. F. 
Aldredge, who married Mary Ogiesby, daughter of 
George S. Ogiesby. They lived for some years in 
Russell County, Ala., and then moved to Pitts- 
burg, Camp County, Texas, in 185G. In 1862, 
when less than sixteen years of age, he entered 
the Confederate army as a volunteer soldier in 
Walker's division, Randall's brigade, Clark's regi- 
ment. After serving two j'ears in Clark's regi- 
ment he was transferred to Chisholm's regiment of 
cavalry. Major's brigade, with which he remained 
until the close of hostilities, participating in all the 
engagements in which his command took part. At 
the close of the war between the Slates he returned 
home and entered McKinzie College, Red River 
County, Texas, where he remained two years. He 
then read law under Judge O. M. Roberts, at Gil- 
mer, Upshur County, Texas, was admitted to the 
bar and practiced one year with Col. John L. Camp 
at Gilmer and then moved to Dallas ; remained one 
year in Dallas ; moved to Waxahacbie, Ellis 
County, where he stayed two years and then re- 
turned to Dallas, where he has since remained. In 
1875 he was elected County Attorney of Dallas 
County and filled that office until 1878. He was 
then elected District Judge and remained on the 
bench ten years, during which time he signalized 
himself as a fine lawyer and man of superior judicial 



ability. After retiring from the bench he engaged 
in the practice of law with Judge A. T. Watts and 
J. J. Eckford, with whom he is now in copartner- 
ship. In 18G9 he married Miss Betty W. Hearne, 
daughter of Horatio R. Hearne, of Hearne, Texas. 
Three children have been born of this union, George 
E., H. R., and Sawnie R. Aklredge. 

Judge Aklredge by reason of his legal ability and 
his political speeches in behalf of good government 
and sound money, is known in every nook and 
corner of Texas. He is also known throughout 
the Union through his great speech at Atlanta, 
Ga., on October 16th, 1895, before the American 
Bankers' Association, on the subject of Sound 
Money. It was telegraphed to all the leading 
journals, and elicited highest commendation from 
almost every one. It was published in neat pam- 
phlet form, for general distribution, by the Sound 
Currency Committee of the New York Chamber 
of Commerce. On January 30th, 1896, Senator 
Caffery, of Louisiana, introduced it in the United 
States Senate as part of his speech on the same 
subject, and it is printed in full in the " Con- 
gressional Record," of date January 31st, 
1896. 

Judge Aldredge's style is peculiarly cogent and 
logical, his power of illustration unequaled, and 
his wit keen and irresistible. As a debater he has 
bad few equals and no superior in Texas. 



HENRY MARTYN TRUEHEART, 



GALVESTON. 



Henry Martyn Trueheart, one of the leading 
citizens and financiers of Galveston, was born in 
Louisa County, Va., March 23, 1832, and came 
to Texas with his father and family in 1845, 
landing at Galveston on the 5th day of May of 
that year. His father, John O. Trueheart (of 
German lineage), was born in Hanover County, 
Va. Mr. John O. Trueheart was a graduate of 
Princeton College and a lawyer by profession. 
His ancestors took part in the Revolution of 1776 



in various capacities, serving in each instance with 
distinction, some of them in the ranks of the Con- 
tinental army as soldiers and officers. His first trip 
to Texas was made in a wagon in 1838. He re- 
mained in the Republic some time, during the 
period assisting in the defense of the frontier 
under the famous ranger. Col. John C. Hays. 
He was united in marriage to Miss Ann Tomp- 
kins Minor, a daughter of Col. Launceiot Minor, of 
Louisa County, Va., whose sister was the mother 




<£«. Ti. III. 



^/s 




H. M. TRIKHART. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



259 



of Commodore Jlatthew F. Maury. John B. 
Minor (now deceased), lor fifty years professor 
of law at the University of Virginia ; Lucian 
Minor, late professor of law at William and Mary 
College, Va., the late Dr. Chas. Minor, of Alber- 
marle County, Va., and Dr. William Minor, of 
Alabama, all eminent in their respective callings, 
were brothers of Mrs. Ann Tompkins Trueheart. 
She died at Galveston in 1886, and her husband, 
Mr. John O. Trueheart, at Galveston in 1874. 

Of their children, nine In number, six are now 
living: Dr. Chas. W. Trueheart, Mrs. Fanny G. 
Sproule, Mrs. John Adriance and Miss Mildred D. 
Trueheart, of Galveston, the subject of this memoir, 
and Mrs. Elvira S. Howard, of San Antonio, Texas. 
Henry Martyn Trueheart had few school advan- 
tages, but this deprivation was more than compen- 
sated for by the careful training that he received 
at the hands of one of the best of Christian mothers 
and his daily association witli refined and cultured 
people. Long before reaching bis majority he 
was thrown upon his own resources and found it 
necessary not only to earn a support for himself, 
but to contribute to the maintenance of the family. 

In 1857 he was appointed by the Commissioners' 
Court of Galveston County Assessor and Collector 
of taxes for the county, a position that he sub- 
sequently filled for a period of about t.en years. 

He took part in the battle of Galveston, January 
1 , 1863, and, upon the recapture of the city by the 
Confederates, was appointed Assistant Provost- 
marshal, with the rank of Captain. 

Several months later, feeling that every able- 
bodied man ought to be at the front, whether ex- 
empt from military duty or not, he proceeded to 
Virginia, where he was attached to Stuart's cavalry 
until wqunded in a skirmish near Orange Court 
House, from whence he was carried to the University 
of Virginia, where he was nursed at the home of 
his uncle, John B. Minor. Upon recovery, a month 
later, be joined regularly an independent company, 
of about one hundred men, commanded by Capt. 
J. Hanson McNeil, of Hardy County, W. Va., 
with which he served until the surrender. In the 
early part of 1865, as a member of this company, 
he was a participant in one of the most remarkable 
exploits that marked the course of the war. 

McNeil marched his men on the occasion referred 
to, eastward to Cumberland, Md. (a town of four 
thousand inhabitants), situated ninety miles in ad- 
vance of the main Confederate forces, and, 
although it was garrisoned b}' several thousand 
Federal troops and protected by three lines of 
pickets, captured a picket, forced the countersign, 
boldly entered the town under cover of night. 



marched to the respective quarters (guarded by 
sentinels) of Maj.-Gen. George Crook and Maj.- 
Gen. Kelly, took those officers out of their beds, 
retired as quietly as he came, marching his men 
through nearly the entire Federal infantry camp, 
and later delivered the Union Generals to the Con- 
federate authorities at Richmond, this, too, without 
being under the necessity of firing a gun. After the 
close of the war Mr. Trueheart returned to Texas, 
like Confederate soldiers generally, without a dol- 
lar. He had to begin life anew. This he did, 
nothing discouraged, and in the years that have 
followed has amassed an independent fortune and 
played an active part in the affairs of the city in 
which he has so long resided. 

In Hardy County, AV. Va., in 1866, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Annie Vanmeter Cun- 
ningham, the beautiful and accomplished daughter 
of Mr. William Streit Cunningham, of that county. 
They have five children: Sally, Henry M., Ann V., 
Rebecca, and El-vira. 

Mr. Trueheart is now serving his second term as 
a trustee of the Galveston city public free schools 
and has for a number of years been a member of 
the board of directors of the Southern Cotton Press 
Company, the Galveston & Western R. R. Co., the 
Texas Trust & Guarantee Co., and the Galveston 
Land and Improvement Co., and for several years 
was a director and vice-president of the Galveston 
Wharf Co. Besides being a director, he is also 
treasurer of the Galveston Land & Improvement 
Co. This company owns nearly seven hundred 
acres in the western portion of the city of Galves- 
ton. He has built up probably the largest land 
agency business in Texas. He is a Democrat and, 
while in no sense a politician, has always taken a 
deep interest in public affairs, city, county. State 
and national, using his influence for the attainment 
of those beneficent ends, the hope of the ultimate 
accomplishment of which through the medium of 
popular government, led our forefathers to estab- 
lish the institutions under which we live — institu- 
tions to be preserved and further perfected by this 
generation and then handed down, unimpaired, to 
those that will succeed it. He has been faithful to 
every duty as a citizen and no man occupies a 
higher place in the affections of those who know 
him. He is a Presbyterian, has been a member of 
the Galveston church for a number of years, and 
continues his active work in the Sunday-school, of 
which he is at present, and has been for a number 
of years, superintendent. 

The great Southwest, owing to the equable and 
salubrious climate that prevails throughout the 
region, the fertility of its soil, and the extent and 



260 



TXDIAX WANS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



variety of its nndevelopetl resources, is atlracliug 
the eyes of capitalists and home-seekers, resident 
not only in other parts of this country, but in all 
lands and countries. Especially is this true of that 
portion embraced within the territorial limits of 
Texas. To these natural advantages in Texas, are 
added the attraction of wise constitutional and 
statutory provisions that guarantee immunities 
and privileges, provision for the enjoyment of 
which has been made by a broad and enlight- 
ened statesmanship that had in view alone the 
happiness and prosperity of all the people who 
might thereafter make their homes in the State. 
The ten or fifteen years that are at hand, will con- 
stitute an era of wonderful settlement and develop- 
ment of the State and also of tbe section of which 
it is a part. All this vast region is naturally 
tributarj' to Galveston, and that city with deep 



water (now assured) will in these years become one 
of the principal commercial depots of the woild. 

From its harbor fleets will bear away tbe varied 
productions and manufactures of its tributarv ter- 
ritory and other ships from Mexico, Central and 
South America, J^urope and Asia, will bring count- 
less cargoes in return. It requires neither a 
prophet nor a son of a prophet, to foretell so much ; 
for the future depicted is not remote, but near at 
hand — a logical sequence of natural conditions 
and the inevitable increase of population and 
wealth. 

Mr. Trueheart in time past has been a tireless 
and effective worker for Galveston, and during the 
period of development upon the threshold of which 
we are now pausing, his experience, insight and 
wisdom will be of invaluable service to the city and 
State. 



JOHN STAFFORD, 

COLUMBUS. 



The late lamented John Stafford, for many years 
a prominent citizen of Colorado County, Texas, 
was of Welsh-English descent and born in Wayne 
County, Ga., April 2d, 1849. 

His parents were Robert and Martha A. Stafford. 
His father was a prosperous stock raiser and farmer. 

The subject of this brief memoir was left an 
orphan when fourteen, his mother dying when be 
was two years of age and his father in 1868. He 
moved to Colorado County, Texas, in 1867, accom- 
panied by two sisters and four brothers. Of an 
ambitious and enterprising spirit and persistent 
energy he, when sufficiently matured in years, en- 
gaged in the cattle business with his brother, 
Robert E. Stafford, at which they greatly prospered 
and amassed handsome fortunes. 

At various times, as organizer and promoter, he 
was connected with important enterprises and few 
men in his time did more for the development of 
the commercial resources of Texas. Every move- 
ment giving reasonable promise of inuring to the 
public good received his active support both in the 
exercise of his influence and the liberal expenditure 
of his time and private means. 

His success in life, achieved despite many obsta- 
cles and from a small beginning, was due solely to 
the employment of his natural capacity for business 



and unswerving rectitude. Those associated with 
him in financial transactions reposed in him the most 
unbounded confidence and deferred in important 
matters to his judgment, the soundness of which 
they recognized from long experience. 

Kind, genial, generous and brave, he was respected 
and beloved by the people of the community in which 
he spent the best years of his life. Strange, indeed, 
that such a man should fall by violence — be cut 
down without warning in the flower of his days and 
usefulness. But such was his sad and tragic fate. 

Jul}' 7th, 1890, about 7 o'clock iu the evening, 
he and his brother, Robert E. Stafford, became in- 
volved in a personal difficulty and, although unarmed 
and unable to defend themselves, were shot and 
killed upon the streets of Columbus. 

In the death of Mr. John Stafford, Colorado 
County was not only deprived of a good and 
valuable citizen, but his family of an affectionate 
husband and father, and many of a friend true and 
tried. Of a loving and retiring disposition, to know 
him was to like him. While he had encountered 
many vicissitudes and had had to fight his way up 
from poverty to independence there was nothing 
cold, callous or selfish in his disposition. These 
trials seemed to have broadened, deepened and 
intensified his sympathj' for his kind. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



261 



He lent an attentive ear to the recital of the woes 
of the distressed, and was quick to offer succor. 
No matter of wonder then that the news of his 
death was received with a thrill of horror through- 
out the State, and many devoted friends sent letters 
of condolence and commiseration to his stricken 
wife and children, affording all the solace that they 
could in this hour of grief and agony. 

His spirit winged its flight to that land where all 
is peace and joy, and deeds of virtue find that 
recognition and reward too often denied them in 
this weary world. The sod of the valley grows 
green above his grave. The mound is sacred. It 
has been watered by the tears of his widow and 
orphan children. It has been watered by the tears 
of the poor and needy whom he so often gen- 
erously befriended. He came in contact with 
many men and moved amid many and changing 
scenes alwa3's, under all circumstances and amid 
all temptations and perils, as an upright and manly 
man, and the influence of his character will long 
be felt and bear worthy fruit. It can be truly said 
that the world has been made none the worse but 
far better by his having lived, and his memory is 
affectionately enshrined in the hearts of thousands 
where it will be kept ever fresh and green. 

December 23, l.s74, Mr. Stafford was united 
in marriage to Miss Grace A. Walker, the beautiful 
daughter of Mr. Seaborn B. and Mrs. Susanna 
Walker, who came from Georgia to Texas about 
1S50 and located in Colorado County, where they 
spent the remainder of their da3'S. Mr. Walker was 
a gallant soldier in the Confederate army during the 
war between the States. A large family of children, 
eleven in number, survive Mr. and Mrs. Walker. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stafford was blessed 
with three children, two of whom, .Joseph and 



Carrie, are now living, the latter being the wife of 
Mr. J. Alvey Harbert, an accomplished gentleman 
and one of the leading stock raisers and farmers in 
Southeast Texas. 

Mrs. Stafford resides at her home, an elegant 
mansion, four miles from Columbus. It occupies a 
lovely site commanding an extended and pleas- 
antly diversified view of woodland and prairie full 
of the witchery of light and shadow, worthy of an 
artist's brush. 

The grounds surrounding this delightful and im- 
posing house are tastefully laid off and ornamented 
with trees, shrubbery, a profusion of flowers and 
twining vines. It is a typical and ideal Southern 
home. The evidences of a delicate and refined taste 
are everywhere met with. Mrs. Stafford also pos- 
sesses a well furnished library and there spends 
many of her leisure hours. 

She is a lady of fine literary discernment and 
varied accomplishments. She is a member of the 
Christian church, and in her daily life exemplifies 
the teachings of the Master. Kindness and gentle- 
ness and charity and truth, sanctify her saddened 
home. She has bravely and with Christian forti- 
tude borne her cross. Her benefactions are innum- 
erable and many poor and unfortunate, whose tears 
she has dried and whose necessities she has relieved, 
have reason to call her blessed. 

She is one of the noblest of our noble Texian 
matrons who are the ornaments and pride and boast 
of a civilization that if equaled is not surpassed by 
that of any other State or land. She was born in 
Colorado County, Texas, received an excellent edu- 
cation, and in her childhood and girlhood days gave 
evidence of those traits that won for her the affec- 
tionate devotion of her late husband and endear her 
to all who know her. 



RICHARD MOORE WYNNE, 

FORT WORTH, 



Is universallj- recognized as one of the leading 
men of the Lone Star State, having won a promi- 
nence in the legal profession which can only result 
from ability and the highest merit. As an 
advocate he has no superiors and few equals in 
his profession. From his boyhood he has been a 
leader, whether among his schoolmates, his army 
comrades, in business or in social life ; and his 



commanding talents, and devotion to principles, 
will win him still higher honors, for he is now in the 
prime of life. 

Col. Wj'nne is a native of Tennessee, He was 
born in Haj'wood County, on the 2d day of June, 
1844. His parents were W. B. and Sarah A. 
(Moore) Wynne. Soon after his birth his family 
moved to Rusk County, Texas, in which place his 



262 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



boyhood was spent on the farm of his father. In 
the village of Bellevue, he began his education, 
which, though limited, has been largely supple- 
mented by extensive and liberal reading and ex- 
perience in active life. 

When the war between the States became inevi- 
table, young Wynne, then just seventeen years of 
age, filled with patriotic devotion for what he 
believed to be right, went to the front in defense 
of his country and section, and on many long and 
weary marches and many bloody fields of battle, 
proved himself the peer of the bravest of his chival- 
rous comrades. For meritorious copduct on the 
field of battle his comrades promoted him to a 
Lieutenancy while he was yet a boy, and by 
unanimous petition he was assigned to the com- 
mand of Company B. in tlie Tenth Texas Regiment, 
during the Georgia campaign. At the battle of 
Murfreesboro he was severely wounded, becoming 
disabled for some months from active service, 
and again at the last battle of Nashville, when 
Hood made his famous raid into Tennessee, he was 
again severely wounded. The effect of this wound 
was to permanently deprive him of the use of 
his right arm and the partial use of his right leg. 
At this battle he was left on the field wounded, and 
fell into the hands of the Federals. He was confined 
in Northern prisons, thus disabled and helpless, 
until the close of the war, persistently refusing to 
take the oath of allegiance to the Federal Govern- 
ment as long as there was a Confederate flag float- 
ing. On both sides of the line in that dark and 
bloody conflict there were men who stood by their 
colors amid shot and shell, where the hot breath of 
war was spreading carnage and death, with a 
heroism unsurpassed in any age or by any people. 
Among the mostdevoted of these was young Wynne, 
who never missed a scout, march, or battle until he 
was struck down and permanently disabled. 

In the winter of 1865 he returned to his desolated 
home, impaired in health by reason of his exposure 
and long confinement in Northern prisons, and 
almost a physical wreck by reason of his wounds ; 
but, he accepted this as the fate of war, and with 
the same undaunted courage which he had for years 
displayed as a soldier, he adjusted himself to the 
new conditions, and at once seized the broken 
threads of his young manhood. The South was in 
a chaotic condition. Desolation brooded like the 
pall of death over once proud and happy homes, 
ravaged by war. 

Young Wynne sat not down to mourn or lament. 
With the energy and fortitude of a dauntless man- 
hood he began the battle of life. He made the race 
for sheriff of his county when just eligible for the 



position, his opponents being the Major of his regi- 
ment and a private soldier of his company. Win- 
ning his election he served three years, or until he 
was removed by the Reconstruction Act of Con- 
gress. Still with the courage worthy of emulation, 
he embarked in agricultural pursuits, although still 
suffering from his wounds, his right arm being 
withered and useless. Through the day he 
labored on his farm and at night read law, 
studying systematically and earnestly until he was 
deeply grounded in the principles of law. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1870, and at once entered into 
an active practice in the town of Henderson, where 
he was soon recognized as one of the most success- 
ful law3'ers at the bar, at which some of the most 
eminent men of this State practiced. His powers 
of oratory, together with close and systematic in- 
vestigation and strong common sense, have been 
the leading factors in this man's marked success. 
He challenges the respect of the court by his can- 
dor and fairness, and sways juries by his fervid 
eloquence and convincing logic. 

Turning from the public career to the private life 
of Col. Wynne, we note that on the 23d day of 
January, 18G7, he was married to Miss Laura B. 
Kelly, daughter of Hon. Wm. C. Kelly, one of the 
most distinguished and influential men of his sec- 
tion ; he was a member of the Secession Convention 
of Texas and took a conspicuous part in that body. 
Mrs. Wynne is a native Texian and a woman of 
strong individuality and highly cultured, and of 
marked intellectuality and refinement. With the 
characteristic chivalry of the true Southern man. 
Col. Wynne ever acknowledges his indebtedness to 
his wife for much of his success. 

His natural fitness for leadership and his famili- 
arity with public affairs, challenged the attention 
of the people among whom he lived, and in 1880, 
unsought by him, he was elected to the Stale Senate 
of Texas, where he quickly went to the front as a 
legislator, and no man in that body had more in- 
fiuence. His uniform courtesy and lilierality won 
him friends fast, who have bided with him. He 
was one of the five men who drafted and formulated 
a bill creating the University of Texas, and so well 
and wisely did they work that that bill has never 
been amended except in some minor details. He 
also became conspicuous in his efforts to regulate 
railway corporations. He advocated the Three- 
cents-a-mile Bill which became a law, and the pass- 
age of a law creating a Railroad Commission, which 
has in later years become so prominent in Texas 
politics. In 1882 he made the race for Attorney 
General and was defeated by only a small majority. 
In his speech of withdrawal from the convention 




R. M. WYNNK 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



263 



Col. Wynne was most happy and captured the 
convention and, though defeated in fact, it was con- 
ceded by all that he snatched victory out of defeat, 
and from that day his leadership has been unques- 
tioned. It was in 1886 that he was made perma- 
nent president of the State Convention, and added to 
his already growino; influence by his ability and 
tact in controlling men under excitement incident 
to a hot political contest. 

He has for some years been often spol?en of in 
connection with the office of Governor of this State ; 
many of the best citizens and most influential men 
of the State would give liim an enthusiastic support. 
It is conceded by all that should he be elected to 
that high position Texas would prosper and progress 
under his broad and liberal administration, for no 
man is more loyal to his Slate and people and takes 
a deeper interest in their general welfare. 



It was in 1883 that Fort Worth gained Col. Wynne 
as one of its most valued cit'zens. He sought a 
wider field of usefulness and found it in his present 
home, where, at the bar he stands among the fore- 
most, while from the public he is accorded a large 
clientage. His life record is certainly one of in- 
terest, demonstrating what can be accomplished by 
resolution, perseverance and strict adherence to 
sound business principles. Reared as a farmer, 
trained on the field of battle, he entered upon a 
struggle to overcome difficulties and obstacles 
which would have overwhelmed many a less reso- 
lute man. He then became a leader at the bar and 
in the political world of Texas, but through all this 
career his bearing has ever been such as to win and 
retain the respect of the best citizens of his adopted 
State. 



J. D. GUINN, 

NEW BRAUNFELS, 



A successful lawj^er of New Braunfels, Texas, is 
a native of Franklin County, Tenn., born in the 
town of Winchester, January 23d, 1853. His 
father, N. W. Guinn, was a farmer by occupation. 
His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth H. Barnes. 
Both parents were natives of Tennessee. They 
came to Texas in 1857 and locate:! in Gonzales 
County, where the subject of this sketch was reared 
and educated under the tutorship of James A. Mc- 
Neal. Of the ten children born to N. W. and Eliza- 
beth Guinn, all but one survive. He, Harvey H. 
Guinn, died at the age of twenty-two years, shortly 
after qualifying for the practice of the profession 
of medicine. N. W. Guinn was a man of broad 
intelligence, believed much in education, and af- 
forded his children the best schooling facilities at 
his command. The subject of this sketch was lib- 
erally educated and at the age of nineteen started 
out to fight life's battle for himself and without a 
cent of money at bis command. 

He taught school for one and ahalf \'ears, and by 
this means and also by money earned surveying 



\lv*^) lO^A^-i-^M^ ^/-v-vw I, 



lands, of which he acquired much knowledge, 
he accumulated sufficient money to defray his ex- 
penses while studying law. He read law for three 
years in the office of Gov. John Ireland, of Seguin. 

About the year 1878 he removed to New Braun- 
fels and opened an office for the practice of his pro- 
fession. Here he has since remained, built up a 
lucrative practice and won the confidence and esteem 
of the entire community. He is public-spirited and, 
outside of the profession of law, is interested in 
several local enterprises, among the number the 
First National Bank of New Braunfels, one of the 
solid financial institutions of Southwest Texas, of 
which he is a director and vice-president. He is a 
warm supporter of education and an active promoter 
of all enterprises tending to build up his city and 
county. Mr. Guinn married Miss Bettie Howard 
Jefferson, a daughter of Gen. John R. Jefferson, 
of Seguin, in the year 1882, and has four charming 
daughters. 

He is a representative of the best thought and 
purpose of his section of the State. 






264 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEER,S OF TEXAS. 



HORATIO R. HEARNE, 



HEARNE, 



Familiarly known as " Raish " Hearne, an old 
settler and successful planter residing near the 
town of Hearne, Robertson County, Texas, is a 
native of Montgomery County, Ala., where he 
was born in 1818, being a son of William and 
Nancy Hearne, who moved from Georgia to Ala- 
bama in 1814. The elder Mr. Hearne was a planter, 
and spent the greater part of his life in Alabama, 
moving thence in later life to Arkansas, where he 
died, his wife, mother of the subject of this 
sketch, dying in Louisiana. 

Horatio R. Hearne was reared in Alabama, leav- 
ing there in the fall of 1838, when he went to Caddo 
Parish, Louisiana, before the line between Louisiana 
and Texas was established. He settled near the 
line, not knowing till after the boundarj' was fixed, 
whether be was in Louisiana or Texas. When the 
line was run it threw his place a mile and a half on 
the Louisiana side. He resided there until Novem- 
ber, 1851, when he came to Texas, and bought 
land and settled in the Brazos bottom, in Robert- 
son County, where he has since lived. He has 
added other purchases and continued to improve 
his holdings until at this writing he has one of the 
largest plantations in Robertson County-, cultivat- 
ing between 3,600 and 3,800 acres, principally 
devoted to raising the fleecy staple. Between 
seven hundred and eight hundred people live on 



the plantation, and it is conducted much after the 
manner of the good old anle-hellmn days.' He 
employs no overseer, preferring to keep the active 
management of this large property in his own 
hands. Over twenty years ago Mr. Hearne sunk 
the first artesian well ever bored in that section of 
the State, since which time he has experimented 
largely with these wells. Recently he has put in 
an apparatus to utilize the gas coming from the 
wells, and has so far succeeded that he now has 
gas to light his house with, and for cooking and 
heating purposes, and to run a four-horse power 
engine in a blacksmithing and wood-working estab- 
lishment on bis place, where he makes everything 
in the way of machinery needed on the planta- 
tion. 

January 27th, 1842, Mr. Hearne married Miss 
Prisciila Hearne (his cousin), then residing in 
Caddo Parish, Louisiana. She helped him fight 
his battles of life for fifty-odd years, dying Octo- 
ber 21, 1893. They had two daughters, Mrs. 
George N. Aldredge, of Dallas, and Mrs. Adams, 
who now resides with Mr. Hearne. 

Mr. Hearne is a fine type of the broad-minded, 
cultured and progressive Southern gentleman, and 
admired and loved not only by his numerous 
dependents, but by a wide circle of friends through- 
out the country. 



JOSEPH A. TIVY, 



KERRVILLE, 



Was born February 25th, 1818, in Toronto, 
Upper Canada, and spent his youth there and in 
Niagara County, New York, where he attended 
country scliools and for a few months an academy. 
He came to Texas in 1837, landing at Houston 
and passing on to Washington County and tlience 
to that portion of Milam now embraced in Burleson 
County, where he remained for several years. 
This part of the Republic was then considered the 
extreme western frontier of the settlements. In 
the winter of 1837-38, at the opening of the gen- 



eral land office, he took up the occupation of 
surveyor, first as chain-carrier, and in a few years 
as a regular surveyor. During those j'ears he 
spent most of his time on the frontier, and gen- 
erally with that famous frontiersman, Capt. Geo. 
B. Evart, sometimes surveying and locating land 
and at others fighting Indians, part of the time 
under the government and i)art of the time on his 
own responsibility, killing game and buying ammu- 
nition, salt and coffee with the proceeds of the sale 
of his pelts. 




J. A. TIVEY. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



■2 05 



In 1S44 be went to San Antonio and joined Col. 
Jack Hays' Rangers, and remained witli that com- 
pany about a year. In 1845 lie was appointed 
deputy surveyor of Bexar District, and in that 
year surveyed and made the locations in Gillespie 
County. In 1846 he surveyed the lands on the 
upper portion of the Guadalupe river. From 
1846 to 1849 he was often interrupted in the work 
of surveying by hostile Indians. During 1847 he 
completed the surveys on. the San Saba. One day 
during this time while in camp with about twenty 
men, he was visited by Ketemsey, a celebrated 
chief of the Comanches, and ordered not to mark 
any more trees up there, the chief pointing at the 
same time to a range of hills and saying: " That is 
the white man's line." But these orders were not 
obeyed, the whites being armed with rifles and 
revolvers and the Indians having only bows and 
arrows and spears. 

In the spring of 1849, Capt. Tivy took the Cali- 
fornia fever and, in company with several others, 
set out in June for the Pacific Coast. They 
reached San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, 
in October following, after many trials and much 
suffering and went into camp for the winter at 
Mission San Gabriel. In the spring of 1850, the 
party resumed its journey and finally reached the 
mines by way of Tejon Pass. Here Capt. Tiv3' 
went into the hotel business, renting the " United 
States Hotel " at S200 per month. The building 
was made of stakes and poles and roofed with can- 
vas. There was only one long, narrow room which 
was used as a dining room. On the sides and ends 
of this the lodgers were bedded in bunks arranged 
one above the other. The cooking was all done in 
the open air, excepting the baking, at which two 
men were kept busy almost day and night, so great 
was the demand for pies, cakes and bread. The 
rate charged for board and lodging was §3.00 per 
day in gold dust, there being no coin. 

After following this occupation for a few months 
Mr. Tivy sold out and went to mining, which he 
followed a little over two years. He then went 
into the mercantile business, which he followed for 
about a year. In July, 1853, Tulare Couiity was 
organized and he was elected county survej'or. In 
connection with his official duties he went to farm- 
ing and employed successfully a band of Indians, 
whom he trained to agricultural pursuits. These 
he would have liked to retain, but Gen. Fremont, 
having secured a contract from the general govern- 
ment to feed all the Indians of that locality at so 
much per head, they were taken away from him 
and transported to a point near the base of sup- 
plies. The same year he was appointed United 



States Deputy Surveyor of California and elected to 
the Legislature and served in the Legislature during 
the winter of 1853-4. In the spring of 1855 he 
was ordered by the surveyor-general to run a line 
through the Sierra Nevada mountains, accomplished 
the task and ran the first correct standard line run 
through those mountains. The expedition was full 
of perilous adventures and hair-breadth escapes 
from Indians and grizzly bears. In 1857 he went 
from California to New Mexico and in the fall of 
1858 returned to Texas and settled in Karnes 
County, where he engaged in raising horses and 
mules. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate 
army, becoming a Lieutenant in Capt. John H. 
Dunkard's Company. In the fall of the same year 
he was promoted to the position of First-Lieutenant, 
and later put in command of the company and held 
this position until the fall of 1864. In the mean- 
time his health had become impaired and he was 
finally forced to quit the service. 

Being still in feeble health, on the recommenda- 
tion of his physician he moved to Kerr County in 
1872 and settled on a tract of land (on which Kerr- 
ville now stands) which he had located while sur- 
veying in that section in the " forties." In 1873 
he was elected to the Legislature. From 1874 to 
1888 he engaged in farming. On the establishment 
of Kerrville in 1888 he was made the first mayor of 
the place. As soon as the town was incorporated 
he donated to it sixteen acres of land for a school 
building and grounds and later donated other lots (in 
all more than one hundred acres) for the erection of 
buildings and for other improvements. He watched 
the growth of the town from its inception and 
always manifested a liberal spirit in promoting its 
interests. 

He married late in life, his wife being Mrs. Ella 
Losee, widow of Dr. Henry Losee, a United States 
army surgeon who died at Kerrville. She died 
three or four years before Capt. Tivy. His death 
occurred July 5th, 1892. 

For some time he had been actively engaged in 
overseeing the work of boring for artesian water 
on his place. Owing to his advanced age and phy- 
sical condition, this undue activity and exposure 
brought on stomach complications which proved to 
be the immediate cause of his demise. He was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. Religious ser- 
vices were conducted at the church and services at 
the grave by Kerrville Lodge No. 697, A. F. and 
A. M., and Burleson Chapter Royal Arch Masons of 
San Antonio. A large delegation from Rising Star 
Lodge were also present from Center Point. The 
funeral cortege consisted of more than one hundred 
carriages and was the largest ever seen in the town. 



266 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



He was laid to rest on the summit of the mountain 
beside his beloved wife. He was greatly beloved 
by the entire community and the people omitted no 
mark of respect to his memory that friendship for 
him and admiration for his character could prompt. 
He was associated as a brave companion with men 
whose deeds have made Texas famous. He main- 
tained throughout a life marked with many hard- 
ships, vicissitudes and perils a character unsullied 



by a single stain. He was modest, truthful, gener- 
ous and kind and devoted to his God, his country, 
his family and his friends. He accumulated a 
handsome fortune. By his last will and testament 
he constituted his sister. Miss Susan Tivy, his sole 
legatee and she and Judge A. McFailand were 
made executors without bond. Mr. Tivy was one 
of the noblest representatives of the noblest race of 
pioneers that the world has ever known. 



GEO. W. O'BRIEN, 



BEAUMONT. 



Capt. George W. O'Brien, one of the most widely 
known and highly esteemed citizens of Southern 
Texas, was born about five miles below the present 
town of Abbeville, Vermillion Parish, Louisiana, 
May 28th, J833 ; and in his seventeenth year 
(November, 1848) came to Texas and located at 
Galveston, where he made his home, until his re- 
moval in the latter part of 1852, to Beaumont, 
where he has ever since resided. At Beaumont, 
July 21st, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Sarah E. Rowle}', member of another Louisiana 
family that had settled in that part of Texas. Of 
this union were born seven children, five of whom 
are now living, viz. : Mrs. Minnie G. Stark (for- 
merly Wilson) ; Mrs. Lillie E. Townsend, wife of 
Mr. T. L. Townsend, and Mrs. Emma E. Smith, 
formerly wife of A. S. John, Esq., deceased, but 
now the wife of Mr. Harvey B. Smith, all now resi- 
dents of Dallas, Texas; George C. O'Brien, Esq., 
of Beaumont, recently district attorney of his district 
and later a member of the House of Representatives 
of the Texas Legislature, and Mrs. Kaleta B. James, 
wife of Mr. William James, of Cleburne, Texas. 

Capt. O'Brien won the military prelixto his name 
by faithful and gallant service under the Confed- 
erate flag, whose waning fortunes he followed until 
it was furled forever. 

From September 4th to December 10th, 1861, he 
served as a privatein Companj' F. (Capt. K. Bryans), 
Fifth Texas Regiment, and afterwards, until the end 
of the war, as Captain of a company in what was 
first Liken's Battalion, afterwards Speights' Battal- 
ion, and later Speights' Texas Regiment — a mixed 
regiment. While not a seeker after political dis- 
tinction or preferment, he has been frequently 
honored by his fellow-Democrats with important 



offices; has served as a member of many district 
and State conventions and has ever been a well- 
known and trusted member of the organized Democ- 
racy, to which he has preserved an unshaken 
allegiance, and in whose interests he has helped 
plan and fight many successful political bat- 
tles. He was a member of the National Demo- 
cratic Convention that met at Baltimore in 1872. 
In the presidential campaign of that year he 
favored the nomination of a sound conservative 
Northern Democrat, foretelling that Mr. Greely 
would not be accepted as a Democrat North or 
South, and that his nomination would result in an 
overwhelming defeat. Indeed, in this instance, as 
in many others, his cool and dispassionate judg- 
ment was demonstrated by pointing out the true 
course to be pursued, and relieved him of personal 
responsibility for party failures. For instance, 
although always entertaining a great admiration for 
Gen. Sam Houston, he did not permit that majestic 
leader to draw him into the folly of connecting 
himself with the secret oath-bound political organi- 
zation that st3'led itself the American party, but 
which is better known to history as the Know-Noth- 
ing party, giving as one of his reasons for refusing 
to follow Houston, his belief that the Know-Noth- 
ing party in seeking to proscribe a denomination of 
religion, was committed to a policy obnoxious to 
the fundamental principles that form the foundation 
of our government, and all constitutional freedom 
as well. When this party was in its heyday, and 
sweeping the country, he predicted its speedy dis- 
integration, claiming that no organization seeking 
to ostracise any class of citizens because of their 
peculiar religious faith, could long find favor with 
the American people. 



t% 




L" • 




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i 




ii^ ^ 


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^li^K^^^^H« * " A 


1 







GEO. w. <)'brie:n. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



267 



Again in the year 1860, after the election of 
President Lincoln, and the adoption by South Car- 
olina of her celebrated resolutions announcing the 
fact that that State had seceded from the Ameri- 
can Uuion, he furnished another evidence of the 
soundness and reliability of his judgment. As a 
member of a committee on resolutions at a seces- 
sion meeting held at Beaumont he refused to sub- 
scribe to and vote for the adoption of a copy of 
the South Carolina resolutions, taking the position, 
first, that Mr. Lincoln, being an honest states- 
man, would under his oath of office maintain 
and enforce all existing laws enacted in accord- 
dance with constitutional provisions for the pro- 
tection of the rights of the South, more efficiently 
than his Democratic predecessors had succeeded 
in doing, antagonized as they were by the people 
of the North; and, second, that a resort to seces- 
sion, as a cure of the ills that existed, was then 
premature, inasmuch as the abolition forces had 
secured possession alone of the executive depart- 
ment of the national government, and control of 
both branches of Congress, and the Supreme Court 
of the United States remained in the hands of the 
Democrats, rendering it impossible that existing 
laws would be changed, the constitution amended, 
or constitutional guarantees further invaded, dur- 
ing the Lincoln administration, while it was alto- 
gether probable that the fanatical disregard of the 
organic laws and the rights of the people of the 
Southern States thereunder, would be allayed and 
finally subside, if cooling time were allowed, and 
then the rights of the South would be accorded 
for the future, or the slavery question would be 
compromised, by the adoption of a just and peace- 
able system of gradual emancipation. 

His opposition proved of no avail. A large 
majority of his fellow-citizens dissented from his 
views. When threatened and condemned at this 
meeting for the position he had taken, he, without 
subscribing to the resolutions, gave the extreme 
politicians present to unequivocally understand 
that if they and others precipitated upon our State, 
secession and consequent civil war, as he believed 
prematurely, he would stand by his people and be 



one of the first to shoulder a musket, and, from 
the beginning to the end of the struggle, would 
seek to do his full duty in the ranks of the sol- 
diery of Texas, as there existed no difference of 
opinion between him and other members of the 
meeting as to the fact that the Southern States had 
suffered outrages at the hands of the abolition 
party that furnished ample justification for such a 
course. He maintained, however, to the end of 
the discussion, the unwisdom of secession at the 
time. 

Capt. O'Brien lost his first wife in 1873, and was 
married again in 1874 to Miss Ellen P. Chenault, 
then a resident of Orange, Texas. She is a sister 
of Hon. Stephen Chenault, then a citizen of that 
place, now of Goliad, and a daughter of Felix 
Chenault, Esq., a resident and for nearly thirty 
years county clerk of Gonzales County. She was 
born in De Witt County, where her father and 
mother (nee Miss Anna Trigg) formerly resided. By 
this marriage two children have been born to them: 
Chenault O'Brien and Robert O'Brien. 

The population as shown by the census of 1850, 
was about 212,000. There were no railway or 
telegraph lines between the borders of the State, and 
by far the greater part of her domain was a primeval 
waste. While of a modest and retiring disposition, 
in the period that has supervened, no man, accord- 
ing to his opportunities and abilities, has been more 
zealous, or labored more effectively, in the noble 
work of developing the resources of the State, and 
none feel a deeper pride in her present and future 
greatness. 

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and Masonic and Knights of Honor 
fraternities. 

He has aided every worthy enterprise established 
in his section, and has championed every worthy 
cause. 

Of spotless fame, cultured and refined in manner, 
kindly and generous, and a worthy tj'pe of the true 
gentleman, he enjoys the unfeigned friendship and 
esteem of not only his Immediate neighbors, but a 
wide circle of personal and political friends, extend- 
ing throughout the State. 



268 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



J. J. JARVIS, 

FORT WORTH. 



James Jones Jarvis was born in Suriy Countj', 
N. C, April 30th, 1831, and received his educa- 
tion in that State, Tennessee and Illinois, his 
parents, Daniel and Lydia Jarvis, having moved to 
Illinois when he was about twent}' years of age. 
He read law with Hon. W. B. Somers, of Arbana, 
111., wrote in the clerk's office at the same time to 
acquaint himself with the machine work of practice ; 
was granted license by the Supreme Court of Illinois, 
in 1856 ; then started South and reached Shreveport, 
La., and in the winter of that year determined to 
go to Texas. He at first thought that he would buy a 
horse to travel on ; but, only having $100, realized 
that such a purchase would too greatly diminish his 
scanty supply of cash, and started out afoot ; 
walked from Shreveport to the east fork of the 
Trinity river in Collin County, and then, doubling 
back on his course, went to Quitman, in Wood 
Count}', located there and began the practice of his 
profession. When he reached the town he had sixty 
dollars and, loaning fifty-flve dollars to a friend, 
commenced his career with only five dollars in his 
pocket. He soon won an enviable standing at the 
bar, served for two years as county judge and two 
years as district attorney of the Sixtli Judicial Dis- 
trict ; returned to tiie practice of law and in 1872 
went to Fort Worth, where he has since resided. 
Having saved a few thousand dollars, he invested 
all he had in real estate and is now one of the 
largest tax-payers in Tarrant County. He owns 
one of the finest business blocks in the city, §40,- 
000 stock in the Fort Worth National Bank, of which 
he is vice-president, five thousand acres of land 
ten miles north of the city, other valuable country 
property and one hundred acres adjoining the city, 
on which he has an elegant residence. He has 
quite a passion for stock-raising and is engaged 
in raising fine cattle and horses on his ranch near 
town. 

In 1801 Mr. Jarvis entered the Confederate army 
as a volunteer in Company A., Tenth Regiment of 
Texas cavalry, Ector's brigade. Van Dorn's corps, 
Beauregard's Army of Tennessee, and served as 
Adjutant and Major of his regiment. After the 
battle of Corinth the troops with which he was con- 
nected were transferred to Gen. E. Kirby Smith, and 
Mr. Jarvis served with that army and took part in 
its battles through the whole of Gen. Smith's cam- 
paign in Kentucky, participating in the battles 



around Richmond, Ky., and other engagements. 
On the evacuation of Kentucky and after joining 
Gen. Bragg, he was also in the battles of Murfrees- 
boro and Jackson, Miss. In the former battle 
he was slightly wounded, but did not leave the 
field. He came home just before the close of hos- 
tilities on furlough, and was at home when the 
Confederate armies surrendered. 

Mr. .Jarvis was married in 1866 to Miss Ida Van 
Zandl, daughter of Isaac Van Zandt, once Minister 
from Texas to the United States and who was ap- 
pointed by Gen. Sam Houston to negotiate the 
treaty under whicli Texas became a member of the 
American Union of States. They have three living 
children : Van Zandt, Daniel Bell and Lennie 
Flynn. 

Mr. Jarvis has always been an active and earnest 
Democrat, believing that upon the triumph and suc- 
cessful application of the principles of that organi- 
zation depends the perpetuity of free institutions in 
this country. Although never in any sense an 
office-seeker, he has not hesitated to serve his peo- 
ple when it was thought that his experience 
and abilities could be employed in the promo- 
tion of the general good. He was nominated in 
1886 by the Democracy of the twentieth sena- 
torial districts composed of the counties of Tar- 
rant, Parker, Wise and Jack, and was elected 
by a majority of twelve hundred votes. In the 
regular and extra sessions of the Twentieth Legisla- 
ture and in the Twenty-first Legislature, he was 
Chairman of the Committee on Finance (perhaps 
the most important of all the standing comraitees), 
second on Judiciary Committee No. 1 (the next 
most important), and a member of the committees 
on Internal Improvements, Education, Public 
Debt, Frontier Protection, Retrenchment and 
Reform and Engrossed Bills, committees that with 
those already enumerated transact nine-tenths of 
the business that comes before the Senate. He was 
the author of a number of salutary laws during 
these sessions, among others one enacted by the 
Twentieth Legislature requiring assessors and 
collectors to report monthly their collections under 
oath and requiring them to send all money collected 
directly to the treasurer of the State instead of to 
the comptroller, as formerly. The effect of this 
bill was the speedy collection of a surplus in a 
previously depleted treasury. Although he had 




J. J. JARVIS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



263 



retired from the practice of bis profession s number 
of years prior to his entrance into tlie Legislature, 
his exceptional learnino; and abilities as a lawyer 
were well known to and recognized by his colleagues 
and this fact, combined with his reputation as a 
financier, sound Democrat and man of sturdy and 
unbending patriotic purpose, caused them to accord 
him the position of a leader in their deliberations 
and won for him their sincere esteem and friend- 
ship. 

Mr. Jarvis has been a liberal giver to public and 
private charities and has been an active spirit in 



the promotion of every worthy movement inaugu- 
rated in Fort Worth during his long residence 
there, designed for the upbuilding of the city. He 
is, and has been for many years, a member of the 
Christian Church and is now president of the Board 
of Trustees of Add Ran (Christian) University 
(located at Thorp Springs, in Hood County, Texas), 
to which institution he has donated $10,000 during 
the past five years. 

Kind, genial, active in every good work, few 
men in Forth Worth exercise so wide an influence 
or are so generall}' liked. 



THE REMARKABLE ESCAPE OF CICERO R. PERRY AND 
KIT ACKLIN, IN 1844. 



In the summer of 1844 Capt. John C. Hays, 
of San Antonio, commanded a company of Texas 
rangers, doing duty on both the Indian and 
Mexican line of frontier north and west of that 
town. That region, throughout the American 
settlement of Texas, down to the close of the Civil 
War in 1865, abounds in incidents of blood, daring 
and personal heroism. At present it is proposed 
to narrate the facts connected with one of them. 

From his camp at San Antonio Hays dispatched 
four men on a scout towards the Rio Grande, 
whose mission was to ascertain if the Mexicans 
were again menacing the country. The party con- 
sisted of Christopher H. Acklin (commonly called 
Kit Acklin), Cicero Rufus Perry (almost univer- 
sally known as Rufe Perry), John Carlton and 
James Dunn. After a week in the wilderness they 
halted at noon about a hundred yards east of the 
Nueces river, and about fifteen miles above the 
"Gen. Woll " crossing of that stream. After 
dinner Carlton and Dunn, without saddles, rode 
to the river, stripped and were taking a bath, when 
Perry and Acklin were suddenly and furiously 
attacked by about thirty Indians, yelling as they 
charged upon the surprised couple. But though 
surprised, they were both men of iron nerve, expe- 
rienced and at home in the perils of their occupa- 
tion. Seizing their arms, they fought and slowly 
retreated towards Carlton and Dunn at the river. 
Perry was shot three times with arrows, one 
entering his temple, one in the shoulder and one 
passing through his body from the right to the left 
side. From excruciating pain he fainted, and was 



evidently considered dead by the Indians, but 
quickly revived, and seeing the enemy busy in 
plundering the camp, he arose and reached the 
river bank, when one of the naked bathers, on 
bareback, rode across to him and endeavored to 
take him up behind ; but being too weak to mount, 
Perry seized the horse by the tail, crossed the 
river, and ascended the west bank, when he again 
fainted. Believing him to be dead, his wounded 
companion took charge of his gun and pistols. 
While this was transpiring, Acklin, partly shielded 
by a tree, was wounded in six or eight places, the 
most serious being an arrow in his cheek, which he 
was unable to extract. A moment, probably, 
after Dunn and Carlton, both naked and bare- 
back, left, consciousness again returned to Perry, 
and he staggered into a dense thicket, from which, 
at the same time, he saw Acklin pass, and sup- 
posed he would seek the same refuge — but he 
saw him no more. 

It was 110 miles through the wilderness to San 
Antonio, the nearest habitation. On the third day 
Dunn and Carlton, their flesh almost roasted and 
their skins peeling from their bodies, reached that 
place, and reported Perry and Acklin as unquestion- 
ably dead. Good nursing soon restored them to 
soundness. 

While in the thicket. Perry drew the arrows from 
his temple and body, but could not withdraw the 
one embedded in his shoulder. Finding his life 
blood flowing, he staunched the wounds with 
powdered leaves and dust. Crawling to the river, 
driven by thirst, he filled his shoes with water, and 



270 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



again sought a hiding-place. At dawn next morn- 
ing he again went to the river and lay by the water 
all day, bathing his wounds with mud. When the 
second night caue, though scarcely able to stand, 
desperation impelled him onward, and he began his 
long and apparently hopeless journe}', suffering 
tortures from the arrow in his shoulder, weakened 
by the loss of blood, and harrowed by the dread of 
insanity from the sun beaming on his wounded 
bead. Gentle whispers urged him onward — 
whispers of mother, sister, friends — whispers of 
trust in God. Often sinking prostrate under the 
alluring shade of trees, he would sleep sometimes 
for hours, at others only through fitful moments, 
with the one dread of inflamed and disordered 
brain, and therefore inevitaljle death, ever present. 
Thus he toiled, suffered, agonized for six days, his 
only nourishment being three prickly pears, till, on 
the seventh day, a living skeleton, he staggered 
into San Antonio, as one risen from the dead — to 
be joyfully embraced by valiant comrades and 
those blessed ladies, who at that day, won the love 
and the homage of all true soldiers who from time 
to time held quarters in and around San Antonio — 
of whom Mrs. Elliott, Mrs. Jaques and Mrs. Mav- 
erick were conspicuous examples. 

Kit Acklin was yet considered among the dead. 
But not so. 

On the eighth day, in much the same condition 
as Perry, Acklin gave renewed joy to all by appear- 
ing among them. His trials had been similar to 
those of his comrade. The arrow was still tenac- 
iously fixed in his cheek. 



Both received needful medical treatment and 
gentle nursing. The arrow was extracted from 
each, and in a few weeks each was restored to fair 
health ; but Perry never entirely recovered from the 
wound in his temple, bearing to this day the ex- 
ternal evidence of its severity. 

Of these four gallant men, John Carlton died 
long since in San Antonio; James Dunn was killed 
in 18G4, in a fight between Texas and Union 
soldiers at Las Rucias, on the Lower Rio Grande; 
Christopher H. Acklin was a Captain in Hays' 
regiment in the Mexican war, afterwards went to 
California, and died there ; Cicero R. Perry, who 
was born August 23, 1822 (I think in Alabama), 
came to Texas in 18.33, was in Col. Moore's Indian 
fight and defeat, on the San Saba, February 12, 

1839, in the skirmish of Casa Blanca, August 9, 

1840, and in many contests with the Indians. 
When Gen. Lee surrendered in 1865, Capt. Perry 
commanded the advance guard of 183 men, under 
my command, in an expedition against the Indians 
into the Concho country. Then, as now, he lived 
in Hays County, honored as a good citizen and 
high-toned gentleman. It was a genuine pleasure 
to again grasp his hand at the late semi-centennial 
of San Jacinto as one of the Texas Veteran's re- 
union in Dallas. Our friendship began in accident- 
all3' meeting alone in an exposed wilderness west 
of the Colorado, on a gloomy day in October, 1840. 
We traveled alone all day and slept together that 
stormy night. That friendship has been unbroken 
and steadfast, changed only by increased endear- 
ment with the flight of time. 



JOSEPH LANDA, 

NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Joseph Landa, who for so long a period has 
figured as the chief factor in the development of 
the pretty city of New Braunfels, and who is widely 
known and esteemed as one of Texas' most promi- 
nent and worthy pioneers, was born in Prussia, 
Germany. He came to San Antonio in 1846, as a 
general merchant and real estate dealer, both in 
San Antonio and New Braunfels. In 1859 he pur- 
chased of Mr. Merriweather his entire water power 
and milling interests at New Braunfels ; took posses- 
sion of the same and commenced developments in 



1860, since which time he has given to them his 
best thought and energies. 

The plants now being operated are a flour mill of 
500 barrels capacitj', a large electric light plant and 
an 80-ton cottonseed oil mill. 

At the present time Mr. Landa is busy increasing 
the capacity of his oil mill to 100 tons per day and 
putting in a late improved water wheel of 260 horse- 
power, to operate the oil mill. The company has 
also contracted for the erection of a new electric 
light station, and, in addition to the new wheel, will 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



271 



put in another one to operate several new dynamos 
for ligbt and the transmission of power, all of which 
will materialize this (189G) spring. 

The firm as it now stands, is doing the most ex- 
tensive business of any institution in Western 
Texas. It handled last year 3000 car loads of prod- 
uct, which, with their enlarged facilities, will be 
greatly increased this year. They are only await- 
ing the advent of another railroad to build the 
largest oil mill and flour mill in the State of 
Texas. 

The entire business is managed by his son, Mr. 
Harry Landa, with an efficient force of about 
seventy-five employees. 



In 1851, Mr. Joseph Landa, subject of this notice, 
was united in marriage to Miss Helen Friedlander, 
daughter of Mr. Solomon Friedlander, of Albany, 
N. Y. 

Seven surviving children were born to this union, 
three sons and four daughters. 

Mr. Landa's home, facing the plaza in New 
Braunfels, is one of the finest family mansions, in 
point of architectural grace and completeness, in 
interior arrangement, finish and furnishings, in 
Southwestern Texas ; and here he and his wife 
with their son live in quiet retirement, surrounded 
by a wide circle of friends to make serene and 
happy the remaining years of life. 



E. L. R. WHEELOCK, 

ROBERTSON COUNTY. 



Col. E. L. R. Wheelock, one of the first settlers 
of Robertson County, Texas, was a native of New 
England, where he was reared and partly educated, 
finishing his collegiate training at West Point, of 
which he was a graduate. He served in the War of 
1812 and in the Black Hawk War; settled when a 
young man in Illinois, where he lived for a while ; 
then went to Mexico and spent something over 
three years trading in that country ; returned to 
Illinois, where he resided until 1833, engaged 
principally in the mercantile and milling business, 
and then came to Texas, and settled in Robertson's 
Colony, on the prairie, named for him Wheelock 
Prairie, and laid out the town of Wheelock, which 
was also named for him. He remained in Texas 
until 1846, when he returned to Illinois to settle up 
some business matters there, preparatory to trans- 
ferring all his interests to Texas. He had consid- 
erable landed possessions in Adams County and 
Quincy, 111., his name being perpetuated in the 
history of that city by Wheelock square and 
Wheelock addition. While on this journey he was 
taken sick and died at Edwardsville, 111. His 
trunk, containing many of his valuable papers, was 
never recovered by his family (who remained in 
Texas) in consequencfr of which they lost some of 
his propertj'. 

During the troubles of 1835-6 he was in Texas 
and was in what is known to history as the " Run- 
away Scrape." After removing his family to a 
place of safety, he started with his son, George R. 



Wheelock, and his afterwards son-in-law, Samuel 
A. Kimble, to join the army under Houston, but 
reached it the day after the battle of San Jacinto. 

His wife was Miss Mary P. Prickett before mar- 
riage and was born in Lexington, Ky. Her 
parents emigrated to Illinois at an early day and 
there she met and was married to Mr. Wheelock. 
She died in Robertson County, Texas, October 12, 
1881, at the age of eighty-four years. To Mr. 
Wheelock and his wife five children were born, the 
youngest of whom, a son, Thomas Ford, died at the 
age of five. The others grew to maturity. These 
were: George Ripley, Annette Woodward, William 
Hillman and David P. The three sons saw more or 
less military service in Texas, George R. as a mem- 
ber of the Minute Men and William H. and David P. 
in the Mexican War, both the latter being present at 
and taking part in the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista. William H. and David P. also 
served in the Confederate army during the war be- 
tween the States. But two of the family are now 
living: William H., who resides at Franklin, in 
Robertson County, and the daughter, Annette 
Woodward, now Mrs. S. B. Killough. 

Mrs. Killough, at this writing, one of the oldest 
settlers of Robertson County, was born in Bond 
County, 111., in 1821. Accompanying her parents 
to Texas in 1833 her entire life has since been 
passed in this State — and that, too, within a mile 
or so of where she now lives, near old Wheelock, in 
Robertson County. She remembers many events 



272 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



connected with the early history of tlie locality 
where she lives and is a very entertaining 
talker. She has borne her full share of the burden 
of settling the country and her life has not been 
without its sorrows in addition to the hardships 
incident to the settlement of the country. She has 
been three times married and is now a widow. Her 
first marriage was in November, 1836, and was to 
Samuel A. Kimble. There being no one authorized 
to solemnize the rites of matrimony in Robertson's 
Colony the contracting parties had to go to Nachi- 
toches, La., where they were regularly united 
according to the laws of that State. Mr. Kimble 
died three weeks later. In March, 1837, his widow 
was united in marriage with Andrew Jackson 
Powers, a noted pioneer who was killed Januar}' 9, 
1839, in Morgan's defeat in what is now Falls 
County. Of this marriage one child was born, 
Thomas Washington Powers, who died when three 
weeks old. The third marriage was in 1841, to 
Samuel Blackburn Killough, who was born near 
Murfreesboro, Tenn., September 10, 1813, and came 



to Texas in 1839, settling at Old Franklin, Roberston 
County, where he was engaged a short time in the 
mercantile business. He then moved to Wheelock 
Prairie and there spent the remainder of his life, 
engaged in planting and stock-raising. He was 
County Judge of Robertson County in the *50s 
and was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1875 from Robertson, Brazos and Milam 
counties. He died at his home near Wheelock, 
June 21, 1876. To Judge Killough and wife were 
born eleven children, six of whom reached matur- 
ity: Nancy J., wife of George H. Dunn; Sallie 
E., wife of William Henry; Annette, wife of Abe 
McMordie ; Henry C. Charles Cavendish and Isaac 
DeLafayette Killough. 

Mrs. Killough at this writing lives with her son, 
Isaac DeLafayette Killough, on the farm where 
Judge Killough settled. She has all the neces- 
saries and comforts of life. Her other children 
live near enough for her to see them quite 
often. She is indeed a kind, motherly, model 
woman. 



FREDERICK KALTEYER, 

SAN ANTONIO, 



Was born in Aademer, Grand Duchy of Nassau, 
in 1817, where he was reared. In boyhood and 
youth he attended the schools of his native place 
and completed his education at Mayence and Geis- 
sen, studying chemistry in the last named place 
under Baron Von Liebig. He emigrated to New 
Orleans in 1846 and the same year came to Texas, 
stopping at Galveston, where he remained a short 
time and put up and operated the first soda foun- 
tain ever in the State. But the outlook was not 
favorable for him there and he returned to New 
Orleans, where he engaged in the drug business 
until 1854, when, through the persuasions of 
George Kendall, he sold out his interests and came 
to Texas and purchased a ranch near Boerne, on 
which he settled and undertook to raise stock. At 
the end of three years he had lost everything he had 
except his land, and that he traded to Dr. F. Herff 
for a small drug store in San Antonio. Removing 
to that place he engaged again at his old business 
and followed this with a fair measure of success as 
long as he lived. The establishment which he pur- 
chased and built up is still running now under the 



firm name of F. Kalteyer & Son, on the north side 
of Military Plaza. 

Mr. Kalteyer was a man of fine attainments as a 
chemist and a thoroughly good citizen, interesting 
himself in everything pertaining to the welfare of 
the communities in which he lived. While residing 
in New Orleans he was a member of a number of 
German benevolent associations and exerted him- 
self in every way to relieve the necessities of his 
countrymen and to enable them to get fair starts 
in the new world. While residing near Boerne in 
this State he acted as physician to the scattered 
settlers of that locality, served them as county 
judge and in ditBcult matters acted for them as a 
wise and faithful adviser. 

After settling in San Antonio he gave his atten- 
tion mainly to his business and, with the exception 
of the position of alderman, never held any public 
office. 

In New Orleans he married Miss Henrietta Leon- 
ardt, a native of Westphalia, Germany, of which 
union there were born two sons and two daughters. 
The daughters are Mrs. Adolph Herff ami Mrs. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



273 



George Altgelt, of San Antonio. The sons are 
among the leading business men of that city. The 
elder, Mr. George H. Kalteyer, being the senior 
member of the firm of F. Kalteyer & Son, druggists, 
president of the San Antonio Drug Company, 
which he organized, the principal stockholder in 
the Alamo Cement Company, which lie also organ- 



ized, a stockholder in the Lone Star Brewing Com- 
pany and, in fact, is or has been connected in some 
capacity with almost every public or private cor- 
porate enterprise in the city, including the railways 
for which he helped secure the right of waj', and 
in other ways lent valuable aid when they were 
building into the city. 



GEORGE W. GLASSCOCK, SR. 



AUSTIN. 



G. W. Glasscock, Sr. , was born in Hardin 
County, Ky., on the 11th day of April, 1810, and 
in that State was reared and spent his boyhood 
daj's. In 1830 be emigrated to St. Louis, Mo., 
and two years afterwards moved to Springfield, 
III., where he engaged in the mercantile business. 
Soon the tocsin of war sounded. The Indian was 
on the war path. The noted Chief Black Hawk 
with his warriors had to be met. A call for vol- 
unteers was made. Glasscock was among the first 
who enlisted. He was elected First-Lieutenant in 
Capt. J. M. Early's Company, and did his duty as 
a faithful soldier during that short but trying and 
wearisome campaign, in which his brother, Gregory 
Glasscock, lost his life in the defense of his coun- 
try. Next we find him flat-boating in partnership 
with President Abraham Lincoln on the Sangamon 
and Illinois rivers. When he quit this business 
he returned to his uncle near St. Louis, Mo., where 
he remained until tidings of deeds of daring going 
on in the Southwest started him on a new field of 
adventure. 

He emigrated to Texas in 1834 and settled at 
Zavalla, in the municipalit}' of Jasper, again fol- 
lowing the occupation of merchant in partnership 
with T. B. Ruling and Henry Millard. It was 
here in 1837 that he married Miss Cynthia C. 
Knight, the daughter of John Knight, of Davidson 
County, Tenn., who departed this life in 1866 and 
left him and seven children surviving her. 

In the latter part of 1836 his firm engaged exten- 
sively in the land locating business, and Glasscock 
was the surveyor. It was in this capacity that 
he first became acquainted with Western Texas, 
locating most of the land certificates of the firm in 
Travis, Williamson, Burnet, Hays, Lampasas, and 
Milam counties. Once when locating land cer- 
tificates in Williamson County, the locating party 



divided to search for good locations on Berry's 
creek, and his party escaped a band of Indian 
warriors while the other party was massacred by 
them. 

When the fate of Texas was quivering in the 
scales of destiny in 1835-6, the young surveyor 
threw aside the compass and surveying-chain to 
seize the musket and sabre and hurry to the front. 
Of how he conducted himself the survivors of the 
Grass Fight and those who participated in the 
storming and capture of the Alamo with him in 
December, 1835, can best tell, in both of which 
engagements he did his full duty as a soldier and 
patriot. He was First-Lieutenant in Capt. James 
Chesshire's Company from Jasper, and was in ten 
feet of Col. Milam who fell on the 10th of Decem- 
ber, 1835, in the city of San Antonio, Texas, at 
the storming and recapture of that city by the 
Texians. He was in many engagements against 
the Indians in the pioneer days of Texas. 

Enchanted by the beautiful prairies and valleys of 
the Colorado and San Gabriel rivers, he moved to 
the town of Bastrop, in 1840, where he remained 
until 1844, when he moved to a tract of land that he 
purchased and improved, one and one-half miles 
west of Webberville, in Travis County, Texas. In 
1848 he move(. to Williamson County, near George- 
town, and built the first flour-mill in Western 
Texas. In the same year he donated to William- 
son County one hundred and seventy-two acres of 
land upon which the city of Georgetown is loca- 
ted and which place was named in honor of him. 
To the building up of Georgetown and Williamson 
County he devoted much of his energy, time and 
means. He moved to Austin, Travis County, in 
1853, where he resided until his death, in 1868. 
From 1850 to the time of his death he filled manj' 
important positions. He represented Travis and 



274 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Williamson counties in tbe Tenth and P^Ieventli 
Legislatures. He was public-spirited and generous, 
taking great interest in all public enterprises. 

In 1887, the Twentieth Legislature, in apprecia- 
tion of the distinguished services rendered by him 
to Texas, created and named Glasscock County in 
his honor. The following language was used in the 
act creating the county: " The county of Glass- 
cock is named in honor of George W. Glasscock, 



who participated in the struggle for Texas Inde- 
pendence, and was at the storming and recapture 
of the Alamo on the 10th of December, 1835, 
and was in the Grass fight and other engage- 
ments which resulted in the Independence of 
Texas." 

He was a Mason and Odd Fellow. His death 
was a great loss, not only to his family, but to the 
country. 



GEORGE W. GLASSCOCK, JR., 

GEORGETOWN. 



Hon. George W. Glasscock, Jr., was born Janu- 
ary 10, 1845, in Travis County, Texas, where he 
was reared, and resided until 1879, when he moved 
to Georgetown, in Williamson County, where he 
has since resided. He served as county attorney of 
Williamson County in 1879-80; was elected county 
judge in 1880, and re-elected in 1882, and in 1884 
was elected to the State Senate from the Twenty- 
fourth District, composed of the counties of Travis, 
Williamson and Burnet (" capitol district") and 
was re-elected to the Senate in 1888. He is the 
only man born in the district who has represented 
it in the State Legislature. He served in the Senate 
during the sessions of the Nineteenth, Twentieth, 
Twentv-Qrst and Twenty-second Legislatures. In 
the Nineteenth Legislature he was a member of the 
Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 
At that time the construction of the new capitol 
was in progress and it was perhaps the most im- 
portant committee of the session. He was Chair- 
man of the Senate Committee on Education during 
the sessions of the Twentieth and Twenty-second 
Legislatures. Considering the interests to be 
guarded, this position was also one of great 
responsibility. 

At least $2,500,000 of school money was being 
expended annually by the State of Texas. The 
permanent fund amounted to $7,000,000 in securi- 
ties ; about 25,000,000 acres of school lands that re- 
mained unsold and about $10,000,000 in land notes. 

No chairman of the Committee on Education 
ever labored more zealously or effectively to guard 
this rich heritage, designed by the wise statesman- 



ship of former years to descend to and bless many 
passing generations. His labors and accomplish- 
ments in other directions were equally patriotic, 
painstaking and productive of good and lasting 
results. He made a record second to that of none of 
his colleagues. He is a clear thinker and graceful 
and powerful speaker and would make his influence 
felt in any popular assemblage or legislative body. 
In public life he has, in the support or opposition 
that he has offered to pending measures, been guided 
alone by a desire to secure the greatest good to the 
greatest number, to protect the weak and restrain 
and, if possible, prevent the injustice of tbe power- 
ful and rapacious. He served in the Confederate 
army during the war between the States as a mem- 
ber of Duff's Thirty-third Texas Cavalry, Gano's 
brigade. Walker's division, and made a gallant and 
faithful soldier. He is a member of the Missionary 
Baptist Church, Past Grand Master of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and a Knight Tem- 
plar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of 
the Mystic Shrine in Masonry, being a member of 
Colorado Commandery No. 4, at Austin, and of 
Ben Hur Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Austin. 
He was united in marriage to Miss J. H. Boatner, 
a daughter of Mr. J. R. Boatner, at Tennessee 
Colony, Anderson Count}', Texas, on the 19th day 
of March, 1865. 

As a private citizen he has managed his business 
affairs so as to be in independent circumstances 
and is public-spirited, often giving of his time and 
means to enterprises inaugurated for the building 
up of the countrj^ 




DR. M. A. TAYI.Oi; 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



M. A. TAYLOR, M. D., 

AUSTIN. 



Dr. M. A. Taylor was born at Columbus, Ohio, 
November 12, 1830. His father was of Scotch, his 
mother of English, descent. 

His grandfather, Matthew Taylor, emigrated to 
America before the Revolution (1760) and settled 
with his large family near Richmond, Va., and 
after the War for Independence purchased large 
land claims from the Virginia soldiers. This land 
had been set apart by act of Congress and certifi- 
cates issued therefor. He purchased these certifi- 
cates in quantities and located the land in Ohio, 
between the Scioto river on the east and the Miami 
on the southwest. He removed to this land and 
settled on the spot where the flourishing city of 
Chillicothe now stands. 

Dr. Taylor's father, also named Matthew, was an 
officer in the War of 1811-12 under command of 
Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, and was promoted to the 
rank of Colonel as a reward for conspicuous gal- 
lantry. Col. Taylor was stationed for a time at 
Franklin, on the south side of the Scioto river, the 
county seat of Franklin County, Ohio, and during 
the winter he and an uncle (John Taylor) and 
Lyon Starling, laid off the site where now stands 
the city of Columbus, on the east bank of the 
Scioto, and here through their efforts and the active 
interest and co-operation of State Senator John 
McKnight (father-in-law of Col. Taylor) the State 
capital was subsequently located. 

Dr. Taylor, the subject of this memoir, was the 
youngest of a family of five children, three sons 
and two daughters. The sons were in the order of 
their respective ages : John McKnight, Harvey 
Milton and Matthew Addison ; the daughters, 
Rebecca, who became the wife of Jesse Cherry, and 
Elizabeth, who married William Watkins. 

Col. Taylor upon retiring from military life en- 
gaged in the peaceful pursuits of milling and 
farming. He died December 28, 1832. His widow, 
a lady of great force of character and deep piety, 
survived bim something more than six years, dying 
in March, 1839. 

Dr. Taylor, thus left an orphan when nine years 
of age, went to live with his oldest sister, Mrs. 
Rebecca Cherry ; remained with her for two years 
and then Matthew Taylor (a second cousin of his 
father, and uncle by marriage to the lad) having 
been appointed guardian, he thereafter lived with 
him at his home near Columbus. He had been 



placed at school during his stay with his sister and 
his guardian also gave him the benefit of school 
advantages, entering him as a pupil in the district 
school, where he remained for two years and then 
entered the high school conducted by the celebrated 
instructor. Rev. Mr. Covert, and two years later 
matriculated at the University of Oxford, Ohio, 
where he finished his literary education. lu 1846, 
at the age of sixteen, he entered the office of his 
brother. Dr. Harvey Taylor, and commenced the 
study of medicine and, later, his brother being 
honored by a call to a position on the staff of Gen. 
Winfleld Scott, studied under Dr. W. H. Howard, 
professor of surgery at Starling Medical College. 
To be a private pupil of Dr. Howard was a dis- 
tinction which gave additional stimulus to the 
student's ambition and he applied himself to the 
acquisition of knowledge with such zeal and inter- 
est that in a short time he was pronounced suffi- 
ciently advanced to enter college, and accordingly, 
matriculated at Starling Medical College, and, after 
two courses of lectures, was graduated M. D. in 
1849, at the age of nineteen years. He had shown 
such proficiency in his studies, especially in 
applied anatomy, that at the suggestion of his dis- 
tinguished preceptor, he was retained some months 
as prosector for the chair of surgery and to make 
dissections for the demonstrator. He then chose 
Logan, the county seat of Hocking County, Ohio, 
as a suitable field, and locating there about fifty 
miles from Columbus, opened an office and began 
the practice of his profession. 

December 25th, 1851, Dr. Taylor was united in 
marriage to Miss Phoebe Lowe, daughter of Peter 
B. Lowe, formerly a prosperous merchant at Bond 
Brook, New Jersey. 

The young doctor soon established a fine prac- 
tice ; but, "alas, all things bright and fair must 
fade," the worm was already at the heart of the 
rose, the fell destroyer had marked his fair young 
bride for an early grave, and, seeing the hectic 
glow upon her cheek and noting the unmistakable in- 
dications of pulmonary consumption, he determined 
to make every effort in human power to save her. 
He closed up his business, and having investigated 
the claims of many so-called health resorts, deter- 
mined to come South in the hope that the genial air 
and the sunny skies of far-famed Texas would 
restore her to health, and in 1852 reached Galves- 



276 



IXDIAX M'ARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ton, bul soon became convinced that the excessive 
humidity of the atmospliere there was prejudicial, 
removed to Austin. The outlook was anything 
but encouraging. In fact, the surroundings were 
such as to make a less courageous heart quail. A 
young man, a total stranger, with nothing but his 
profession to rely upon for support, in a remote 
village of fifteen hundred inhabitants, with an 
invalid wife, and no monej' ! He was, however, 
undismayed, realized the necessity of providing 
food and raiment, shelter, and even luxuries, for 
his invalid wife and went to work at manual labor, 
at anything honorable, no matter how humble or 
how hard, that would supply their needs until the 
dawn of brighter days. . In a year he was able to 
open an olHce and resume the practice of medicine 
and to purchase a small home, for cash. His wife 
presented him with a winsome little daughter two 
years after their arrival in the State. Her health 
rapidly declined after that event, and in 1857, being 
attacked with pneumonia, she perished with the 
roses in the autumn of that year. 

On the 27th of April, 1859, Dr. Taylor married 
Miss M. H. Millican (his present wife) daughter 
of Capt. O. H. Millican, a staunch Mississippi 
planter who had adopted the Lone Star State for 
his home. Two sons and four daughters were born 
of this marriage, Edward H., born in 1860; Mary 
O., born in 1862, now the wife of James Howell 
Bunton, Esq., of Travis County, Texas; Addison, 
who died at the age of eighteen months, born in 
1864; Elizabeth, born in 1868, now the wife of 
John W. Phillips, Esq., of Austin ; Laura, who 
died in infancy, born in 1871 ; and Daisee Belle, 
born in 1878. 

The daughter by the first marriage, Harriett Ann, 
married Wm. A. Dixon, Esq., of St. Louis, a 
brother of Dr. Charles Dixon of that city. He was 
killed accidentally, five years after their marriage, 
and his widow now resides in Austin. 

Dr. Taylor was largely instrumental in 1855 in 
bringing about the first organization of medical 
men ever effected in Texas. With a few leading 
physicians, among whom the matter was often 
freely discussed, he called a meeting of the practic- 
ing physicians of the State to be held at Austin. 
There were present a respectable number of repre- 
sentative men, and an organization was effected. 
Facilities for travel and intercommunication between 
the different parts of the State were few and dif- 
ficult at the time and the population much less 
dense than at present. Hence, for lack of sup- 
port, this laudable movement failed to accomplish 
the purposes intended. There were but two meet- 
ings of the organization held before its practical 



dissolution. Notwithstanding this discouragement. 
Dr. Taylor insisted on keeping up the Travis County 
Medical Societ}', the local organization of physicians, 
the first in the State. When the present Texas 
Medical Association was organized at Houston in 
June, 1869, he promptly joined it and has since 
been one of its most active and valuable members, 
making rich and varied contributions to its litera- 
ture, working for the enactment of neetled legislation 
by the State Legislature, laboring for the mainte- 
nance of the dignity of the profession, and filling, at 
various times, important offices in the association. 
He served one term as first vice-president, and was 
nominated for president in 1875, and came within 
one vote of being elected, although he was not a 
candidate and knew nothing of the intention of his 
friends until afterwards informed of their action. 
He represented Texas in the American Medical Con- 
gress in 1876 and 1886 ; and was a delegate to the 
Ninth International Medical Congress that met in 
Washington City in June of the latter year. He 
was one of the first movers in the direction of rail- 
road building in Texas and largelj' influenced by 
his means and advocacy the construction of the 
first road to Austin, the central tap-road to Hem- 
stead. He was also largely instrumental in the 
building of the Austin & North Western Railroad, 
and served for a time as its vice-president. He 
was the first man in Austin to urge the construc- 
tion of a dam across the Colorado. He has con- 
tributed thousands and thousands of dollars to the 
building of railroads, churches and school houses. 
The causes of religion and education, the develop- 
ment of the country, and the promotion of the 
happiness and prosperity of the people have been 
kept near to his heart, and no man in Texas has 
worked more untiringly or zealously in these noble 
fields of effort. 

Shortly after the founding of the State Asylum 
for Deaf Mutes at Austin, Dr. Taylor was ap- 
pointed one of the trustees of that institution by 
Governor Sam Houston. He was also made visit- 
ing physician to the Blind Institute. Governor E. 
J. Davis, after the war between the States, made 
him one of the Board of Managers of the Insane 
As3'lum and he was unanimously chosen president 
of that board. He was also a member of the Board 
of University Regents and filled this and other posi- 
tions of trust until the time of Governor Coke's ad- 
ministration. His services in these capacities were 
invaluable. Under the law, as it existed when he 
entered upon his duties as one of the University 
regents, the University lands, of which the Univer- 
sity fund of Texas mainly consists, were on the 
market and being sold for SI. 50 per acre. No one 




s. w. slayi)p:n. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



•277 



before him, it appears, had taken note of the fact 
that with railroad extension and the consequent 
development of the country, these interior lands had 
greatly augmented in value. He discussed the sub- 
ject with memljers of the legislature, and believing 
that the State was being literally robbed through a 
drowsy indifference on the part of those whose duty 
it was to look after such matters, at once set to 
work to put a stop to it. The outcome was a bill 
drawn up by him and introduced in the legislature 
by Jack Harris of Galveston, repealing the law. 
The bill passed and no more lands were sacriflced. 
Dr. Taylor was strongly opposed to secession. He 
was family physician to, and a warm personal 
friend of Gen. Sam Houston, and shared the opin- 
ions of that hero and statesman on the subject. 
When secession was attempted and war followed, 
Dr. Taylor's sympathies, however, were fully with 
the people of the South and he organized an asso- 
ciation at Austin, to see to the maintenance of the 
wives and children of Confederate soldiers, and 
gave them, besides, his services as a physician 
freely and without charge. Prior to the war he 
had accumulated about $100,000. The close of the 
struggle found him a comparatively poor man. His 
courage and business acumen did not fail him at 
this juncture, however. He had great faith in the 
ultimate rehabilitation of the country and its rapid 
development, and invested all the means that he 
could command in Austin city property and realty 
in other parts of Texas and did not relax his labors 
as a general practitioner. As a result he is now 



one of the wealthiest men in the State. In 1855, 
he connected himself with the First Presbyterian 
church at Austin and did much to keep that then 
feeble organization in existence. The officers of 
the church early manifested their appreciation of 
his zeal and liberality and elected him president of 
the board of trustees. In that capacity he has 
done faithful service, giving of his means with 
princely generosity and laboring by day and by 
night, in season and out of season, in his Master's 
cause. 

As a professional man. Dr. Taj'lor deservedly 
ranks very high. His opinion in diagnosis, as well 
as his aid in prescribing, is valued highly by his 
colleagues, and in many difficult cases he is called 
in consultation. There are few families in Austin, 
or indeed in Travis County, who have not, at'some 
time or other, had the benefit of his wise counsel 
and the benefit of his skill at the bedside of some 
loved one. He is uniformly courteous in social 
and professional life and in his family is a model 
husband and father. He loves his home and his 
children, and what leisure time he has, which is 
little, he spends with his family. His palatial home, 
situated in the center of the city, is an ideal man- 
sion surrounded by all that is bright and attractive 
or ministers to refined enjoyment. His life is one 
long record of noble efforts. He is one of the men 
who have not only achieved success, but deserved 
it. He is admired and beloved by thousands of 
people throughout Texas and is a citizen who is an 
honor to the State. 



S. W. SLAYDEN, 

WACO. 



For the subject of this memoir the author has 
selected a man who is well known to all Texas, and 
who has already made his impress, deep and clear, 
upon the times in which he lives. We refer to Mr. 
S. W. Slayden, of Waco, president of the State 
Central Bank, and secretary of the Slayden-Kirksey 
Woolen Mills of Waco, Texas ; vice-president of 
the Dallas Cotton Mills of Dallas, Texas, and the 
Manchester Cotton Mills, of Forth Worth, Texas. 
He was born in Graves County, Ky., July 22, 1839. 

His father, Mr. T. A. Slayden, was born in 
Virginia in 1819, and moved to Kentucky in 1830, 



and was a merchant and planter who controlled 
large business interests. 

Mr. T. A. Slayden married Miss Letitia Ellison 
Beadles, also a native of Virginia, daughter of Mr. 
William G. Beadles, at the time of her marriage a 
wealthy planter in Kentucky. 

Of this union six children were born, five of 
whom are now living. Mr. T. A. Slayden died at 
Mayfield, Ky., in 1869, and his wife in New 
Orleans, La., in 1874. 

The subject of this memoir, S. W. Slayden, was 
the second of their children ; secured an academic 



278 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



education ; studied law under the celebrated practi- 
tioner, Edward Crossland ; and in 1858 was admit- 
ted to the bar atMayfield, Ky., when nineteen years 
of age. 

He continued professional work until the begin- 
ning of the war between the States, and then 
enlisted in the Confederate army as a soldier in 
Company C, First Rpgimentof Kentucky Infantry, 
commanded by Col. Blanton Duncan, and was with 
Stonewall Jackson and, later, with Longstreet in 
Virginia, until the disbandment of his regiment, 
when he returned to his home in Kentucky and 
resumed the practice of law. 

In 18G9 he went to New Orleans and formed a 
law partnership with Mr. Kerr, the firm name be- 
ing Slayden & Kerr, a relationship that continued 
until 1874. 

In the latter year Mr. Slayden acquired an in- 
terest in coal mines near St. Joe, Mo., and removed 
to that place to look after their development, and 
entered into partnership with Mr. R. D. Blair. 
Here also he became a large stockholder in a com- 
pany organized for the purpose of handling coal. 

From this time he entered upon a brilliant and 
successful career as a financier, and his business 
interests became so large and varied as to render 
it inexpedient for him to further continue his pro- 
fessional career, although his practice had become 
large and he had won for himself a commanding 
position as an able and skillful lawyer. 

After a residence of four years at St. Joe, he 
moved to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1882 from that 
city to Waco, where he has since resided. 

Here he engaged in various financial operations, 
and in 1887 purchased a controlling interest in the 



State Central Bank, of which, as previously stated, 
he is the president. 

He has been a colaborer with Mr. Wm. Cameron 
in many important undertakings that have been 
pushed by them to success. Besides Mr. Slayden's 
connection with the industrial plants heretofore 
enumerated, he has various other large investments 
and business connections in Central Texas. 

He was married June 19, 1872, to his first wife. 
Miss Susan A. Bailey, daughter of Mr. David 
Bailey, of Champaign, III. She died in Waco, 
Texas, in 1886. Two children were born of 
this union, of whom one is now living, Bailey 
Slayden. 

At Denver, Colo., November 12th, 1891, Mr. 
Slayden was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma C. 
Whitsitt, widow of Mr. R. E. Whitsitt, who was 
a prominent resident of that city. Mr. Slayden 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has 
been a leader in every worthy enterprise inaugu- 
rated in Waco, and there is not a man in that city 
who has contributed more largely to the upbuilding 
of the city and the development of the resources of 
the central portion of the State. 

His service to Texas at large has been great and 
invaluable, as he has done much to demonstrate 
the feasibility of the firm establishment and suc- 
cessful operation of manufactories within her 
borders. While not a politician, in the sense that 
conveys the idea of an office seeker, he has been 
a tireless, able and effective worker in the cause 
of good government, using all the force of his 
influence in that direction. He is a leading spirit 
in all that pertains to the material welfare of 
Texas. 



H. KEMPNER, 



GALVESTON. 



Harris Kerapner was born in the town of Kisnet- 
ski, Poland, March 7th, 1837. His educational 
advantages were limited, hardly, in fact, worth 
mentioning. At the age of seventeen he came to 
the United States, making his first stop in New 
York City, where he found employment as a com- 
mon laborer, at twenty-five cents a day. Later he 
picked up some knowledge of the brick-mason's 
trade and followed this for several mouths, until, 
having saved enough from his earnings to buy a 



small stock of merchandise and pay his passage 
to Texas, he came to this State in 185C. He 
established his headquarters at Cold S[)rings in 
San Jacinto County and for about four years pre- 
ceding the war followed peddling in that section of 
the State. 

With the opening of hostilities between the 
North and the South in 18G1, Mr. Kempner entered 
the Confederate army, enlisting in Capt. J. Em. 
Hawkins' Company, from Ellis County, which 




g-byH.&CKcevoets.Nj 




yi/yf 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



279 



became part of Parsons' Brigade, and with which 
he served from the date of his enlistment until the 
close of the war. He took part in all the opera- 
tions in which this celebrated command partici- 
pated, including the series of engagements incident 
to Bank's Red river campaign, in one of which his 
horse was shot from under him and he was 
severely wounded, necessitating his transfer to the 
Quartermaster's department where, in recognition 
of his gallantry and ability, he was made Quarter- 
master-Sergeant. 

After the war Mr. Kempner returned to Cold 
Springs, opened a store and engaged in the general 
mercantile business at that place until 1870, when 
he moved to Galveston. There he formed a part- 
nership with M. Marx under the firm name of Marx 
& Kempner, and for eight years conducted one of 
the largest wholesale grocery establishments in the 
city of Galveston. Mr. Kempner began to interest 
himself in local enterprises in Galveston immediately 
upon settling there and for a period of more than 
twenty years his name was connected in some 
capacity with a number of the city's leading busi- 
ness concerns. He was a charter member, director 
and energetic promoter of the Gulf, Colorado & 
Santa Fe Railroad Company, and did much toward 
building and extending the road and effecting its 
consolidation with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe. In 1885, after the failure of the Island City 
Savings Bank, he was made its president on 
its subsequent reorganization, placed it on a 
safe basis and was its official head at varying 
periods until failing health led to his retire- 



ment. He was for many years president of 
the Texas Land and Loan Company, resigning this 
position also on account of his health. His other 
investments were large and covered almost every 
field of legitimate enterprise. Public enterprises, 
whatever would elevate, adorn or improve the 
society in which he moved or the country in which 
he made his home, met his cordial approbation and 
received his prompt advocacy and assistance. 

Mr. Kempner was always known as simply a 
plain man of business. He never sought office and 
took but little interest in partisan politics. As the 
directing spirit of the enterprises with which he was 
connected he brought to the exercise of his duties 
a ripe experience, wise foresight and calmness and 
deliberation of judgment found only in few men. 
He did his own thinking and acted promptly and 
vigorously as occasion demanded. He was attrac- 
tive in presence and hearty and winning in manner. 
His uprightness and general worth were every- 
where known and admitted, and his friends were 
legion. 

In 1872, Mr. Kempner married Miss Eliza Sein- 
sheimer of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the issue of this 
union was seven sons and four daughters. His 
home life was charming and pleasant; under his 
own roof and by his own fire-side he realized the 
best phases and the truest enjoyments of this life. 

On April 13th, 1894, after a brief illness of ten 
days, Mr. Kempner died, passing away in the prime 
of manhood, yet leaving a name full of honor and 
a record of many years spent without shame or 
blemish. 



MARX MARX, 



GALVESTON. 



Marx Marx is a native of Prussia, born on the 
Rhine, October 10th, 1837. His father, a Prussian 
tradesman, a man of good character, was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits for some years in his native 
country when he emigrated to the United .States and 
settled at New Orleans. From there he came to 
Texas and is now a resident of Galveston, making 
bis home with the subject of this sketch, and is in 
his eighty-sixth year. The mother of Marx Marx 
bore the maiden name of Gertrude Levi and was a 
native of France. She died several years ago in 
New Orleans. 



The subject of this memoir was chiefly reared in 
New Orleans, in the schools of which place he 
received his education. He attended Franklin 
High School in that city to the age of fourteen, 
when he entered his father's grocery store as a 
clerk. After a year of this employment, not liking 
the confinement, he left New Orleans and went to 
Central America to seek his fortunes. After 
spending eight months there and meeting with but 
little success he determined to go to California 
where he landed in 1852, a perfect stranger with 
only ten cents in his pocket. He soon found a 



280 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Lome with a widow, a former friend of tlie family 
in New Orleans, and accepted the first position 
that was offered him — that of cierlt in a butcher's 
stall at a salary of $25.00 per month. 

He saved his earnings and in less than a year 
was enabled to go into business for himself on a 
small scale. He remained in California until 1856, 
when he returned to New Orleans, making the trip 
from San Francisco to that city in thirty-one days, 
the quickest on record at the time. After a short 
visit to his old home he returned to California and 
settled at Sacramento. Investing his means in a 
small cigar jobbing trade, he followed this with 
marked success for some months. He then induced 
two friends to join him in the purchase of a stock 
of goods and the three went to British Columbia, 
then an attractive field for Western adventurers. 
The country at that time was mostly in the posses- 
sion of the Hudson Bay Company, whose agents 
watched all American enterprises with jealous eyes, 
and used every means except force to prevent 
traders from settling in their locality. 

Young Marx, however, established himself on 
the extreme northern line of the United States, and 
for the first time, planted the Stars and Stripes in 
that vicinity. He soon acquired a large and lucra- 
tive trade, bartering his goods for furs with Indian 
trappers. After acquiring a considerable amount 
of money at this, he determined to return to civil- 
ization, and accordingly, with his two companions, 
and four friendly Indians, attempted to cross the 
Gulf of Georgia in a canoe in order to get into 
what is now Whatcom, Washington, but was over- 
taken by- a storm and at night was washed ashore 
on one of the numerous islands in that bay. Here 
they were surprised by hostile Indians from neigh- 
boring islands, who were deadly foes to the Indians 
of his party. Mr. Marx' presence of mind did 
not desert him, but meeting them in a friendly 
manner and addressing them in their own language 
he told them that he was not a "King George 
Man," the name given by the Indians to English- 
men, but was a " Boston man," meaning a citizen 
of the United States. The Chief warmly welcomed 
him, consented to accept as presents several bolts 
of red calico and some blankets and permitted the 
party to proceed unmolested on their way. After 



many other trying experiences he reached Saa 
Francisco in 1861. 

About this time news was received there of the 
large silver finds in the territory of Nevada, and 
Mr. Marx went there, where he engaged in trade 
and added consideraljly to his possessions. In 1863 
he went to Utah and established himself at Ameri- 
can Fork, a small village thirty-five miles south of 
Salt Lake, where he did a prosperous business for 
two years. He then went to Virginia City, Mont., 
at that time the capital of the territory, and estab- 
lished a wholesale grocery house. Here he took 
an active part in the affairs of the day and made 
money rapidly. At the end of three years he left 
Montana and returned to New Orleans, where, on 
July 7th, 1868, he married Miss Julia Newman and 
on the following day set out for Galveston, Texas. 
On his arrival at that place he engaged in the mer- 
cantile business and with only one brief interval 
has been so engaged since. From 1868 to 1871 he 
was associated with Sampson Heidenheimer in the 
grocery business. From 1871 to 1886 he was 
in partnership with Harris Kempner under the 
firm name of Marx & Kempner, and during this 
time built up a very large wholesale grocer}^ trade. 
Since 1890 he has been senior member of the firm 
of Marx & Blum, wholesale dealers in hats, caps, 
boots and shoes, one of the largest mercantile 
establishments in the South. 

Mr. Marx has taken stock in many local enter- 
prises, in some of which he has held and still holds 
positions of trust, among the number: The Citi- 
zens' Loan Company; The Texas Banking and Im- 
provement Company ; The Galveston Loan and Im- 
provement Companj', and the Gulf, Colorado & 
Santa Fe Railway Company, besides various banks, 
both in Galveston and in different parts of the State. 

Mr. Marx has been successful in business, and 
his success has come to him in response to the 
exercise of industry, sagacity and sound business 
judgment. He has never engaged in politics. He 
is of the Jewish faith in religion, and is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife have 
had four children: Fannie, who died at the age of 
eight, in March, 1878 ; Nettie, now Mrs. Nat M. 
Jacobs; Gertrude, now Mrs. Samuel H. Frankel, 
and Josetta, now Mrs. A. Blum. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



281 



LEON BLUM, 



GALVESTON. 



The muse of history, lifting the veil which time 
has drawn between us and that remote past which 
fades toward and shades imperceptibly into the 
night of a still deeper past, discloses a state of so- 
ciety that, to the careless observer and superficial 
thinker, has nothing in common with that of the age 
in which we live, and yet the essential difference is 
more apparent than actual. 

From that dim long-ago to the pearl-white glim- 
mer of the dawn of modern civilization on down to 
tbistime, when the sun of human progress approaches 
its meridian, the world has been but a vast arena 
in which all have had to struggle, and in which the 
strong have ever triumphed and the weak have ever 
perished. At first, and for many weary centuries, 
cunning and brute force determined results. Now 
it is mind that sways the destinies of men and 
nations. The weapons used are of later make. 
Now that the moral sense has been more fullj' de- 
veloped, the combats are not so revolting, but the 
ability and skill required are greater and the battles 
fought equally fierce and unrelenting. 

The savage desired to maintain his occupancy of 
a piece of soil that suited his purpose, to seize the 
flocks of a neighbor or to reduce an adjoining tribe 
to slavery — to make others toil for him — deal out 
destruction at will and to himself enjoy ease, com- 
fort and security. Such was his idea of power and 
happiness. The modern ideal is to meet disap- 
pointments and reverses with fortitude and cour- 
age, conquer difficulties, accumulate wealth, be 
widely useful and helpful, and maintain, from the 
cradle to the grave, a probity of character that will 
excite the respect of contemporaries and be a source 
of just pride to descendants. It is a loftier ideal, 
truly, and one more difficult to attain, but, many 
noble-minded men and women have reached it. 
The youth, when he girds him for the fight, and 
steps out into the world's great arena, little dreams 
of what awaits him in the fray. Confidently he 
rushes into the mass to struggle with competitors. 
How many are disappointed ! How many prove too 
weak of purpose, of mind, of will! How many 
listen to the siren songs of the demons of unrest, 
dissipation, vice and idleness! Out of a hundred, 
fifty will barely manage to live on to the 
final summons by acting as the agents and in- 
struments of others, thirty, their early hopes 
blown aloft like feathers of fancy and whistled 



down the chill blasts of Destiny's December, 
will be moderately successful ; nineteen prove a 
curse to society and only one gains the laurel- wreath 
of victory. These are truths that hold good as to 
all pursuits, professions and avocations. Not one 
quality alone, but many are required for the at- 
tainment of what is worthy to be dignified with the 
name of success. In commercial pursuits, more, 
perhaps, that in any other department of human 
effort, are varied abilities essential. The dangers 
that threaten wreck and disaster lie thick upon every 
hand and the competition is nowhere more deter- 
mined, or the clash of mind with mind keener or 
more constant. 

Natural aptitude, clearness of mental prevision, 
soundness of judgment, capacity alike for planning 
and executing and the power to control men and 
make them faithful, willing and capable instruments 
for the accomplishment of fixed purposes are some 
of the prerequisites necessary for the attainment of 
any considerable eminence as a merchant, financier 
or in anj' of the higher commercial walks. 

Few men are so widel}' known in Texas or have 
done more for the development of the agricultural, 
industrial and trade resources of the State than 
Leon Blum, the subject of this brief memoir. He 
is a member of the great importing and mercantile 
house of Leon & H. Blum, of Galveston, whose 
business, through its agents and correspondents, 
ramifies Texas and the Southwestern States and 
extends to many distant lands. 

He was born in the year 1837, in Gunderschoffer, 
Alsace, at one time a department of France, and 
since the Franco-Prussian War a part of the German 
Empire. His parents were Isaac and Julie Blum. 
The law requiring all males, without distinction of 
rank or social position, to learn some useful trade, 
he was apprenticed to a tinsmith ; but, the pursuit 
not being congenial, he ceased to follow it after 
serving his time. Believing himself capable of suc- 
ceeding in mercantile life, for which he had apti- 
tude, he at once embarked in it. Believing that 
wider and better fields were to be found in the 
United States, he set sail for this country in the 
spring of 1854, and, arriving in Texas, established 
himself in the town of Richmond. The author of 
"Triumphant Democracy " never uttered a greater 
truth than when he said that the timid, unenter- 
prising and indolent of foreign countries are con- 



282 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



tent to live at home, however harsh the social and 
political institutions, or meager the opportunities of 
acquiring financial independence, and tbat it is the 
aspiring, active, energetic, able and liberty-loving 
young men who go across seas, mountains and 
deserts to improve their fortunes, and that America 
owes as much to the latter class of her citi- 
zenship as to any other for the wonderful 
progress she has made over other nations. This 
truth is amply demonstrated by the lives of such 
men as Leon Blum. His ventures, being carefully 
watched and managed, he largely increased his 
capital at Richmond and, having now become 
thoroughly acquainted with the people and require- 
ments of trade in the new country, felt the need 
of a basis to operate from that would enable him 
to extend his transactions and, accordingly, moved 
to Galveston in 1869. He became at once the 
largest importer of dry goods in Texas, supplying 
the merchants of this and adjoining States, receiv- 
ing in return, immense shipments of cotton and 
developing an export trade in that staple. He has 
invested largely in lands in Texas, and engaged in 
cultivating them with considerable profit. He has 
been a liberal contributor to every worthy public, 
and many private, enterprises, giving liberally of 
his time and means. His faith in the future of 
Galveston and Texas is strong and abiding and he 
has shown it by his works, few men having made 
larger investments in realty and in enterprises 
of a permanent nature. His business has grown 
from year to year until for many years past he 
has ranked among the foremost and wealthiest 
of the merchants and financiers of the South- 
west. 

The firm of Leon & H. Blum was formed in 1865, 
by the admission of his cousin, Mr. H. Blum, a 
gentleman of wide business experience and capac- 
ity, to a copartnership. Mr. Leon Blum was 
married to Miss Henrietta Levy, of Corpus Christi, 
in 1862 and has two children: Cecile, now Mrs. 
Aaron Blum, and Leonora, the wife of F. St. Goar, 
Esq., of New York. The soldier is said to become 
steeled to carnage, the surgeon indifferent to 
human suffering and the man, who has by long 
years of toil acquired wealth, indifferent to the mis- 



fortunes, misery and destitution of his fellow-men, 
yet there have been soldiers, great ones, too, who 
have been just and merciful and slow in shedding 
blood ; surgeons with hearts as gentle as a woman's, 
and rich men, who have earned their riches, who 
have performed noble acts of charity. Such men, 
and such alone, are really deserving of respect and 
among such the subject of this biographical notice 
deserves a worthy place. He has never been un- 
mindful of the merits of the deserving but unsuc- 
cessful, nor deaf to the appeals of the unfortunate, 
for he has been a liberal giver from his store to the 
worthy and a generous friend to those in distress, 
irrespective of their religion or nationality. His 
private charities have been innumerable and are of 
almost daily occurrence. To such benevolent 
institutions as the Baylor Orphan Home it has been 
a pleasure to him to make contributions and, being 
an ardent advocate of popular education, he has 
donated large sums for school purposes. While he 
has spent money with a lavish hand in these direc- 
tions, his good deeds have always been quietly 
performed, and never preceded by a fanfare of 
trumpets or prompted by a desire to excite com- 
mendation. What he has done, has been done be- 
cause he earnestly desired to lighten burdens 
bowing fellow-beings in sorrow to the dust, and to 
make the world brighter and better as far as in him 
lay. In personal appearance he is of the Saxon 
type. He is five feet eleven inches in height, with 
fair complexion and bluish-gray eyes. His physique 
is well proportioned and he is what one may call a 
fine-looking man. He has been identified with 
Texas for more than forty-one years. He landed 
on our shores well-nigh penniless and friendless and 
with scarcely any knowledge of the country. The 
difficulties that confronted him would have proven 
insurmountable to a man of ordinary mold. He 
made opportunity his slave, not his master. He 
made a high position in the business and social 
community and the acquisition of wealth objective 
points, but honor and truth his guides. He deter- 
mined not to sustain defeat, but at the same time 
not to accept success except upon the terms he 
prescribed to Fortune, viz., that it should come to 
him because he deserved it. 




ILEOM HELIUM. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



283 



WILLIAM VON ROSENBERG, 



AUSTIN. 



From the days when the immortal Hermann in- 
flicted upon the legions under Varrus one of the 
first and most crushing defeats ever sustained bj' 
the Roman arms, the great Germanic race has been 
famous in history for its devotion to the principles 
of liberty and self-government. Its blood and 
strength of purpose have found expression in the 
annals of the composite English-speaking people 
who have encircled the globe with their conquests 
and promises to direct the future course of human 
progress. Its sons, from the first settlement of 
America — upon the field of battle, in legislation 
and in all the varied walks of private life — have 
contributed their full share to the prosperity aud 
glory of the country. They have come to the 
United States from all ranks of life in the father- 
land — not only the peasant, dissatisfied with his 
lot; but, men of noble birth, who wished to cast 
their fortunes with the people of this country and 
exercise their energies in a wider and freer field 
than the old world offered them. Of the latter 
class is the subject of this sketch, Mr. William von 
Rosenberg, for many years past a respected and 
influential citizen of Austin, Texas. 

The genealogy of the Rosenberg family dates 
back to the twelfth century, when in the year A. D. 
1150, Vitellus Ursini, of Rome, emigrated to the 
German Empire, built the town of Rosenberg in 
Bohemia, acquired the name of Ursini von Rosen- 
berg, and became the founder of the family of that 
name. In the early history of Austria for several 
centuries members of the family occupied promi- 
nent positions in church and political affairs. 
Reiehsgraf (Count) Andreas Ursini von Rosenberg, 
who lived in the year A. D. 1G85, maybe mentioned 
as closing the fifth century of the family history. 
The von Rosenbergs, members of the order of Ger- 
man Knights, scattered over Germany and the Bal- 
tic coast States. One of them, Wilhelm Dietrich 
von Rosenberg, in the year A. D. 1620 became a 
member of the Bench of Knights of Courland and 
from him the subject of this sketch is lineally de- 
scended, as siiown by the family genealogy pre- 
served in the archives of the Bench. His father, 
Carl von Rosenberg (at the age of sixteen) and his 
father's elder brothers, Gustav and Otto, volun- 
teered in the service of their country in 1813 in the 
war against Napoleon I. 

His father's youngest brother, Ernest, relin- 



quished his commission as Lieutenant in the Prus- 
sian army for political reasons, came to America 
and in October, 1821, landed, together with about 
fifty-three other adventurers, on the Texas coast. 
The party, known as '• Long's Expedition," after 
having taking possession of La Bahia (Goliad), were 
taken prisoners by Mexican troops, but were re- 
leased upon the promise that they would peacefully 
settle in the country. 

Ernest von Rosenberg, being a soldier, joined 
the Mexican army and was promoted to the rank 
of Colonel; but, espousing the cause of the ill-fated 
Iturbite, was shot to death upon the downfall of 
the latter. He was among the first Germans to 
visit Texas. 

About this time, October 14, 1821, William von 
Rosenberg, the subject of this notice, was 
born on his father's estate, known as Eckitten, 
near the town of Memel, in East Prussia. After 
completing the high school course at Memel, he 
engaged as an apprentice to a government sur- 
veyor. In 1838 he was the private secretary of 
an administrative officer in landed affairs and, 
when the latter was transferred to the province of 
Saxony, went with him to his new appointment and 
remained his private secretary until 1841 and then 
entered the army to serve his term as a soldier, and 
in 1844 was appointed a Lieutenant in the reserves. 
In 1845 he entered the examination for government 
surveyor and obtained the unusual qualification 
" excellent." After filling a government appoint- 
ment for some time, he, in 1846, entered the Uni- 
versity of Architecture in Berlin, and two years 
later qualified as royal architect. He was then 
employed in supervising the erection of two govern- 
ment school buildings in Berlin, upon the comple- 
tion of which he found himself, in June, 1849, 
proscribed as a Democrat and unable thereafter to 
secure any further employment under the Prussian 
government, which had assumed reactionary tend- 
encies in the direction of despotism. Owing to his 
outspoken Democracy he was advised by the 
major commanding the reserve battalion in which 
he served, that, if he would apply therefor, 
he would receive an honorable discharge from 
the army ; meaning, of course, that otherwise 
he would be dismissed without such discharge. 

At this time he was twenty-eight years old with 
a prospect before him that whatever he might en- 



284 



INDIAN WAIiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



gage in he would be opposed by influences beyond 
his power to control. With his career in the father- 
land thus abruptly ended, he concluded to leave 
the country. At that time a great deal had been 
written and printed in Germany about Texas, in con- 
sequence of the efforts of the German Emigration 
Company, and he therefore selected Texas as his 
future home. His parents and family- looked upon 
him as a self-reliant man who had made his own 
way in the world and, he being the oldest of seven 
children, they did not attempt to persuade him to 
remain in Germany, where they knew that he would 
be the victim of persecution ; but, deeply attached 
to one another, they concluded that the whole 
family, consisting of thirteen persons, would emi- 
grate together and seek happiness under freer in- 
stitutions. Previous to their departure he married 
Miss Auguste Anders, to whom he was betrothed. 
After a sixty days' voyage in a sailing vessel they 
landed at Galveston, Texas, on the 6th of Decem- 
ber, 1849. They settled in Fayette County at and 
in the vicinity of Nassau Farm. He there followed 
farming for six years, learned the English language 
and in 1855 became a citizen of the United States. 
Being a skillful draughtsman, he was called upon 
to draw a design for tlie courthouse of Fayette 
County which was built at La Grange. This work 
gave such general satisfaction that he was recom- 
mended by American friends to the Commissioner 
of the General Land-Offlee of Texas, the Hon. 
Stephen Crosby, as a well-qualiBed draughtsman 
and, in consequence thereof, moved to Austin in 
April, 185G, and was appointed to the first vacancy 
as such in October of the same year. The Land 
Office was then in a small building in the Capitol 
yard and the business of the office had not then 
developed to the proportions which it has assumed 
in later years. The personnel of the office 
at that time consisted of the commissioner, chief 
clerk, translator, chief draughtsman, six assistant 
draughtsmen and twenty clerks. 

In November, 1857, Stephen Crosby was suc- 
ceeded by F. M. White, who held the office of 
Commissioner for four years. Mr. Crosby was 
then again elected to the office, took charge in 
November, 1861, and appointed Mr. von Rosen- 
berg whom he had selected therefor to the position 
of chief draughtsman, which he held until the 
fall of 1863, when he was requested to serve as 
topographical engineer under Gen. J. Bankhead 
Magruder, in the Confederate arm3'. 

When the question of secession came to be de- 
cided by the voters of Texas, Mr. von Rosenberg 
cast his ballot for it, his reasons therefor being 
that he had left Prussia on account of having been 



proscribed for his political opinions, had selected 
Texas for his future home with full knowledge of 
the existence of the institution of slavery in the 
State and had not come as a reformer, but to live 
with its people, who received him as a stranger un- 
conditionally. He felt it to be his duty, whether 
right or wrong, to stand with the people of Texas 
in upholding the cardinal principles of self-govern- 
ment as laid down in the Declaration of Independ- 
ence and Constitution of the United States. 

When the clouds of sectional animosity and 
misconstruction that had so long hovered like a 
pall over the country burst in the tempest of war 
and the brave and true, both North and South, were 
hurrying to the front, Mr. von Rosenberg's father, 
although too old for active service in the field, 
dressed himself as a Prussian Uhlan and, riding 
through the streets of Roundtop, the village where 
he then resided, called upon the young men of the 
place to enlist in the Confederate army and to 
remember how their fathers had dared to do and 
die in the old land in 1813, when their country was 
threatened by invasion. Known to be an old hero 
of the Napoleonic wars, his martial bearing and 
stirring words fired the hearts of the patriotic young 
men of the town and many of them afterwards tes- 
tified their devotion to the cause of constitutional 
freedom upon hard fought fields in the war between 
the States. Some of them lived to, in later years, 
receive honors at the hands of their fellow-citizens ; 
others filled soldiers' graves. 

Mr. William von Rosenberg's three younger 
brothers, Eugene, Alexander and Walter, were 
among the first to enlist in the Confederate army. 
Eugene was a member of Waul's Legion and was at 
the siege of Vicksburg. Alexander and Walter 
were soldiers in Creuzbaur's company of artillery 
and took part in the Louisiana campaign. Another 
brother, John von Rosenberg, served in the Engi- 
neer corps with him. After having served as topo- 
graphical engineer, in the department of Texas, 
during the war, Mr. von Rosenberg, at the close of 
the struggle, was called back to the General Land 
Office as chief draughtsman, but was swept aside 
by the military' usurpers, who trampled civil govern- 
ment under their feet in Texas at the time. At the 
election in 1866, Stephen Crosby was recalled to 
administer the affairs of the Land-Office and again 
made Mr. von Rosenberg chief draughtsman, a 
position that he filled until during the " reconstruc- 
tion " period, when the officials selected by the 
people were removed and aliens appointed in their 
stead. 

At this time Maj. C. R. Johns, formerly Comp- 
troller of the State, had opened a land agency bus- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



285 



iness in Austin and induced Mr. von Rosenberg to 
enter into partnersliip with him, under the firm 
name of C. R. Johns & Company. The firm was 
composed of C. R. Johns, J. C. Kirby, F. Everett 
and W. von Rosenberg and did a large and profit- 
able business for a number of years. They tlien 
thought that by combining the business of banking 
and exchange with their land agency they would 
greatly increase their profits. In this they erred. 
The land department of the business was under 
Mr. von Rosenberg's exclusive management. The 
banking department was not successful and in 
November, 1876, the firm of C. R. Johns & Com- 
pany made an assignment. 

Being thus broken up and without financial 
resources, Mr. von Rosenberg commenced the land 
agency business on his own account in February, 
1877, at Austin, in which business he is still engaged. 

Politically he is a Democrat, but has ever 
reserved to himself the right to act in accordance 
with the dictates of his conscience. He has never 
sought nor desired office. He was solicited to run 
for the Legislature on the Horace Greely ticket; 
but, being opposed to Mr. Greely's nomination, 
declined to make the race. 

He has cared little for society, preferring the 
quiet enjoyments of home. His wife is devoted to 
her husband and children and seeks happiness 
within her family. She, however, has never forgot- 
ten the prospective positions apparently in store for 
them in the fatherland at the time of her betrothal 
to him. 

His family consists of eleven children, six sons 
and five daughters, all of whom are married but the 
youngest daughter. This generation, born and 
bred in Texas, have cut loose from the advantages 
of nobility and maintain as a self-evident truth 
"that all men are created, and by right ought to 
be, free and equal." As they have grown up they 
have had instilled in their hearts by their parents 
the undying lorinciples that underlie civil govern- 
ment and are free from the prejudices of caste, as 
it becomes citizens of this free country to be. The 
children are: Charles, born July 13, 1850, in 



Fayette County, farmer and slock raiser, lives near 
Mancliaea, Texas, married Walleska Sutor ; 

Arthur, born September 1, 1851, in Fayette 
County, clerk in his father's office and notary 
public, lives in South Austin, married Mary 
Holland ; 

Ernest, born November 25, 1852, in Fayette 
County, compiling draughtsman in the General 
Land-Office of Texas, lives in Austin, married 
Hellena Lungkwitz ; 

Paul, born August 10, 1854, in Fayette County, 
farmer and stock raiser, lives near Manchaca, mar- 
ried Cornelia McCuistion ; 

Laura, born February 26, 1856, in Fayette 
County ; married C. von Carlowitz, attorney at 
law, resides in Fort Worth, Texas ; 

Emma, born May 15, 1857, in Austin, Texas, 
married August Giesen, druggist and business 
manager in the hardware establishment of Hon. 
Walter Tips, resides in Austin ; 

William, born January 14, 1859, in Austin, 
attorney at law, was justice of the peace for pre- 
cinct No. 3, of Travis County, from 1882 to 1886, 
and county judge from 1890 to 1894, lives in 
Austin ; married Louise Rhode ; 

Anna, born October 10, 1860, in Austin, mar- 
I'ied Wm. C. Hornberger, farmer and stock raiser, 
resides near Fiskville, Travis County ; 

Lina, born October 27, 1864, in Austin, mar- 
ried George G. Bissel, stenographer with D. W. 
Doom, Esq., resides in Austin; 

Frederick C, born November 3, 1866, in Austin, 
attorney at law, resides in Austin, married Nina 
E. Stephens ; 

Mina Agnes, born January 17, 1869, in Austin, 
unmarried, lives with her parents. 

There are thirty-nine grandchildren living and 
three deceased. 

Mr. von Rosenberg has at all times manifested 
a deep interest in the prosperity and general wel- 
fare of the city of Austin and the State of Texas, 
and has come up to the full stature of good citizen- 
ship. Kind, genial and courtly, he Is loved by 
many and respected by all. 



286 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



GEORGE S. WALTON, 



ALLEYTON. 



George S. Walton, postmaster at Alleyton, 
Colorado County, Texas, was born in Jefferson 
County, Ala., March 22, 1821, and emigrated 
to Missouri with his parents, Jacob and Jane 
Walton, in 1827. 

His maternal grandfather, Thomas Goode, was ■ 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War of 1776, and his 
paternal grandfather was one of the signers of the 
American Declaration of Independence. 

Mr. Walton served with conspicuous gallantry in 
the Mexican War as a soldier in Company N., 
Second Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Col. 
Price, and particularly distinguished himself at 
Puebla, Colorado, on the 24th of January, 18-47. 
On that occasion he mounted to the top of a seven- 
story building, tore down the black flag (signify- 
ing no quarter) which the Mexican commander had 
hoisted above it, and planted the stars and stripes 
in its place. This he did under a heavy fire of 



musketry. Fourteen bullet-holes were shot through 
his clothing, but fortune, which is said to favor the 
brave, stood him in good stead, and he escaped 
without a wound. His intrepid act was followed 
almost immediately by the surrender of the enemy, 
and a three-months' siege was brought to a glorious 
close. 

He was married, June 20, 1849, to Miss Abigail 
Walton, and came to Texas with his wife, in 1858. 
They have no children. 

During the war between the States, Mr. Walton 
was Second-Lieutenant in the Sixteenth Texas, and 
fought for the success of the Confederacy until its 
star paled in the gloom of defeat. 

He has resided at Alleyton since 1860 (except 
during the period covered by the war) ; is a popu- 
lar and efficient public official, and has done much 
to promote the development and prosperity of his 
section. 



JAMES H. ROBERTSON, 



AUSTIN. 



The subject of this sketch is neither a " pioneer " 
nor an " Indian fighter," but is one of the younger 
men now prominent in Texas, who came here early 
in life without money or acquaintances, and who 
have succeeded well professionally and from a bus- 
iness point of view. He was born in Room County, 
Tenn., May 2d, 1853. His parents were James R. 
and Mary A. (Hunt) Robertson. His father, who 
was a physician and local Methodist preacher, died 
April loth, 1861, leaving the nurture and training 
of six small children to the widowed mother. She 
was a woman of remarkably strong character and 
possessed in a high degree of common sense and 
practical judgment. She devoted her life to the 
welfare of her children and died surrounded and 
mourned by them in Austin, November 16, 1894, 
at the age of eighty years and sixteen days. 
Whatever of success the subject of this sketch has 
attained in life he attributes to the teaching and 
care bestowed upon him by bis devoted mother. 



James H. Robertson received a practical English 
education, and at twenty years of age began the 
study of law in the office of Col. P. B. Mayfield, 
at Cleveland, Tenn. In June, 1874, he moved to 
Austin, Texas, where he continued the study of 
the law and was admitted to the bar in the summer 
of the year following. In September, 1876, he 
moved to Williamson County, where he resided for 
eight years, during which time he enjoyed a large 
and lucrative practice. In 1882 he was elected 
to the Eighteenth Legislature, from Williamson 
County, and served his constituency with credit to 
himself and to their entire satisfaction in tiiat body, 
but deserved further honors in this line. In 1884 
he was nominated by the Democracy and elected to 
the office of District Attorney of the 26th Judicial 
District, embracing the counties of Travis and 
Williamson, and was successively reelected to that 
office in 1886, 1888 and 1890. 

Upon his election to the office of District Attorney 




JAMKS IIKXRY MirCIIKLL. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



287 



in November, 1884, he moved to Austin, where he 
has since resided. During his six years service as 
District Attorney he conducted many important 
criminal prosecutions, and, of the many criminal 
cases tried, although defended by a bar of ability 
equal to any in the State, the records show that 
more than seventy-five per cent of the trials re- 
sulted in convictions and that crime diminished 
more than fifty per cent in the district. 

In addition to the criminal business of the office, 
he, as a representative of the State, brought and 
tried many important civil suits, most of which 
were appealed to the Supreme Court, and all of 
which, except one case, resulted in final judgments 
in favor of the State for all that was claimed. 
The Twenty-second Legislature at its regular ses- 
sion in 1891, created the Fifty-third Judicial Dis- 
trict, consisting of Travis County, which required 
the appointment of a judge, and Governor James S. 
Hogg tendered the District Judgeship of the dis- 
trict to Mr. Eoberlson. He accepted the appoint- 
ment and qualified May 27, 1891. He' was 
subsequently nominated for the position by the 
Democracy of the district in convention assembled 
and elected in November, 1892, by a flattering 
majority, a just and fitting recognition of his 
eminent services on the bench. On March 
16th, 1895, he resigned the judgeship to enter 



into copartnership with P>x-Governor Hogg, 
for the purpose of practicing law at Austin under 
the firm name of Hogg & Robertson, since which 
time he has devoted himself exclusively to the 
large and paying practice which has come to them 
as a result of a knowledge upon the part of the 
public that they constitute one of the strongest law 
firms in the country. Added to unusual legal learn- 
ing and superior capacity of mind, Judge Robertson 
is a powerful, persuasive and elegant speaker, and 
can sway judge and jury as it is not given to every 
man to do. 

In social life he is urbane and approachable, a 
good friend and a good citizen, and i< popular with 
all classes of his fellow-citizens of Austin, among 
whom he has passed many years of usefulness, and 
to whose welfare and best interests he has at all times 
shown himself to be devoted. In the prime of 
intellectual and physical manhood, he has but 
fairly started upon his life-work and there is scarcely 
any distinction in his profession that he is not 
capable of attaining. In addition to his success in 
his profession he has been successful as a business 
man and has accumulated a large property and 
is now one of the largest property owners in the 
city of Austin. No man in Texas enjoys more 
fully the confidence of his neighbors than does 
James H. Robertson. 



JAMES HENRY MITCHELL, 



BRYAN. 



The true heroes of America are those who from 
time to time have left the comforts of civilized life 
and, penetrating deep into the wilderness, have there 
planted the seeds of new States. Of this number 
was James Henry Mitchell, who came to Texas in 
the infancy of the Republic and here passed the 
greater part of a long and exceptionally active life. 
Mr. Mitchell was born in Connersville, Tenn., 
October 22, 1817. His father was James Mitchell 
and his mother bore the maiden name of Jane Mc- 
Intyre Henry, both of whom were descendants of 
early-settled American families of Scotch-Irish 
origin. James Henry Mitchell was reared in his 
native State and came thence in January, or Febru- 
ary, 1837, to Texas, as a member of Capt. Griffin 
Baines' company of volunteers which had been 
raised in Tennessee for Texas frontier service. 



Shortly after his arrival in this country, he re-en- 
listed at old Tinnanville, Robertson County, in 
Capt. Lee C. Smith's company, with which he 
served for about a year. He then returned to 
Tennessee but came again to Texas in the fall of 
1838, when he again enlisted in the public service 
as a member of a local company of " Minute Men," 
with which he was identified more or less during the 
following year. In the meantime opposition to the 
independence of Texas on the part of Mexico hav- 
ing in a measure subsided and the troublesome 
Indians having been put under control, the more 
enterprising spirits of whom the subject of this 
sketch may justly be reckoned as one, began to 
turn their attention to the pursuits of peace. He 
bought an interest in a general store at Old 
Wheelock where for a year or more he did a profit- 



288 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



able business trading witli the settlers and Indians. 
The attachment for his native State seems to have 
been strong for about this time he made another 
visit back to his old home, but returned in a few 
months, reaching the country just in time to become 
a member of the famous Snively Expedition with 
which he was connected from its inception to its 
inglorious end. He was in one other expedition of 
a simiiiar nature about the same time which was 
equally as fruitless in results. 

Late in 1842, or early in 1843, Mr. Mitchell settled 
at Old Springfield in Limestone County, where he 
engaged in farming and afterwards in the mercan- 
tile and hotel business. It was while residing at 
that place in 1853 (February 3d) that he married 
Miss Mary Herndon, who thereafter till the end of 
his3'ears on earth shared his jo3's and sorrows, and 
who still survives him. Mrs. Mitchell was a daugh- 
ter of Harry and Elizabeth Herndon and a native 
of Kentuckj', having accompanied her parents to 
Texas in early childhood. Mr. Mitchell resided 
at Springfield for twenty-odd years, during which 
time by thrift and industry he accumulated what for 
the time was a very considerable amount of prop- 
erty. The greater part of this, however, was lost 
by the late war, and he left there for Bryan in 
Brazos County in 1867 with but little more than 
enough to establish himself in his new home and 
meet his current expenses. During the war he ren- 
dered to the Confederacy such service as was re- 
quired at his hands (being past the age for military 
duty) becoming agent for the government for the 
collection and distribution of supplies, and assist- 
ing, also, in the fortification of the Gulf coast 
country against attack by the Federals. From 
first to last he saw a great deal of service of a mili- 
tary and quasi-military nature during his residence 
in Texas, but he was very little in public life. To 
his brother Harvey who at one time discharged the 
duties of every oflice in Brazos Count}' and was 
more or less connected with public affairs in that 
county for a number of years, this sort of service 



seems to have fallen, James H. directing his atten- 
tion chiefly to private pursuits when not actually in 
the field under arms. Mr. Mitchell was a man of 
an active, restless disposition in his early years, 
and the habit of busying himself with something 
clung to him down to the close of his life. He was 
always employed at something and believed thor- 
oughly in the philosophy of doing well what he 
undertook to do. His last years were passed mostly 
in retirement. He died at Bryan, March 12, 188.5, 
and his remains were buried at Old Boonville, in 
Brazos County, where lie those of his father, mother 
and other relatives. His widow, three sons and 
four daughters, survive him. His sons, John Car- 
son, James Henry, and Marsh, constituting the firm 
of Mitchell Brothers, merchants at Wheelock, and 
of the firm of Mitchell Bros. & Decherd, mer- 
chants and bankers at Franklin, are among the 
foremost business men of Robertson County, 
and in every way worthy of the name they bear. 

Two of the four daughters are married, the eldest, 
Mrs. Samuel Downward, residing at Franklin, and 
the second, Mrs. John T. Wyse, at Bryan, while the 
single daughters, Jennie L. and Kate, with the eldest 
son, who is also unmarried, make their home at 
Franklin. 

Mr. Mitchell was for many years in middle and 
later life a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Presbj'terian 
faith, but never actively identified himself with any 
church organization. He was a man, however, of 
broad views and generous impulses and would go 
as far as any one to help a struggling fellow-mortal 
or to further the cause of morality and good govern- 
ment. He was a well-nigh perfect type of that 
class of early Texians who were so well equipped 
by nature for the life they lived and the services 
they performed, being of rugged constitution, 
adequate courage, persevering energy, generous, 
hospitable, kind and faithful, with clear and well 
defined convictions, sound judgment and honorable 
impulses. 



CHARLES GROOS, 



SAN ANTONIO, 



A native of Germany, came to Texas in 1848, 
landing at Galveston, November 21st of that year. 
It was his intention to settle in Fisher and Miller's 
Colony, but, on reaching Galveston, he learned 



that the colony was not yet organized and aban- 
doned that intention. He proceeded to Houston on 
a Buffalo bayou steamer, accompanied by his four 
sons and four daughters, who then constituted his 




R. KLEBERG. 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



289 



family, his wife having died in the old country. 
His next move was to make a two weeks' prospect- 
ing trip through Texas, rent a piece of land near 
Round Top, in Fayette County, and return for his 
family. He found his sons had not been idle dur- 
ing his absence but on the contrary had gone to 
work, having secured employment on the streets of 
Houston, where they were at work with pick and 
shovel at $1.00 per day, payable in city scrip. 
Mr. Groos made his first crop in Fayette County in 
1849. He bought a tract of land of two hundred 
and ten acres Ij'ing in the corner of Fayette 
County the following year and there established a 
permanent abode, where he resided until 1865, 



when he removed to San Antonio and a little later 
to New Braunfels, at which latter place he died in 
1882, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. 
At his death the four sons and four daughters, who 
accompanied him to Texas, were all living and had 
married. He had living at that time forty-five 
grandchildren. Others have since been added to 
the number and a score or more have attained their 
majority. Some of them are heads of families and 
all of them maintain a good standing as citizens in 
the communities in which they live. The eldest of 
the name now living is Mr. F. Groos, the banker 
of San Antonio, who was also the eldest of the four 
sons and four daughters who came over in 1848. 



ROBERT JUSTUS KLEBERG, 

YORKTOWN. 



Robert Justus Kleberg (christened Johnun 
Christian Justus Robert Kleberg), was born on the 
10th day of September, A. D. 1803, in Herstelle, 
Westphalia, in the former Kingdom of Prussia. 
His parents were Lucas Kleberg, a prominent and 
successful merchant, and Veronica Kleberg (nee 
Meier) a lady of fine culture, sweet temper and 
good sense. They moved from Herstelle to Beve- 
rungen in Westphalia, where they were quite pros- 
perous for a time. Besides Robert they had the 
following children: Ernest, Louis, Joseph and 
Banise. For a number of years Robert's parents, 
living in affluent circumstances, were permitted to 
give their children good educational advantages, 
but unhappily misfortune and death deprived the 
children at an early age of kind parental protec- 
tion, and the subject of this sketch was thrown upon 
his own resources, which consisted chiefly of a 
healthy mind and body, a strong will and unsullied 
name. At an early age he entered the Gymnasium 
of Holzminden, where after a five years' course in 
the classics he completed his studies with high 
honors. Choosing the law as his profession he now 
entered the University of Goettingen, and in two 
years and a half received his diploma as doctor 
juris. Soon after he was appointed as one of the 
justices of the assizes of Nirhiem, where he re- 
mained one year, after which he was promoted to 
various judicial positions, in which he prepared 
himself for the practice of his profession, and in 
which he served with credit and distinction. 



In 1834 when he was about ready to enter upon 
a distinguished judicial career, he concluded to 
emigrate to the United States. His reason for this 
sudden and important change in his life can best be 
found in his own language, which is taken from a 
memorandum of his own writing: — 

" I wished to live under a Republican form of 
government, with unbounded personal, religious 
and political liberty, free from the petty tyrannies, 
the many disadvantages and evils of old countries. 
Prussia, my former home, smarted at the time 
under a military despotism. I was (and have 
ever remained) an enthusiastic lover of republican 
institutions, and I expected to find in Texas, above 
all other countries, the blessed land of my most 
fervent hopes." 

Texas was yet partially unexplored, but the 
reports that reached the old country were of the 
most extravagant and romantic nature, and were 
well calculated to enthuse the impulsive and 
courageous spirit of the young referendary. The 
ardor of his desires to emigrate was heightened 
by a letter written by a Mr. Ernst, a German from 
the Duchy of Oldenburg, who had emigrated to 
Texas a few years previous, and who at that time 
resided in what is now known as Industry, Austin 
County, Texas. This letter recited the advantages 
of Texas in the most glowing colors, comparing its 
climate to the sunny skies of Italy ; it lauded the 
fertility of the soil and spoke of the perennial flora 
of the prairies of Texas, etc. About this time. 



290 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



September the 4th, 1834, the subject of this sketch 
married Miss Rosalia von Roeder, daughter of 
Lieut. Ludwig Anton Siegmund von Roeder, the 
head of an old family of nobility who, too, were 
anxious for the same reasons to emigrate to 
Texas. The party bad first contemplated to emi- 
grate to one of the Western States of the United 
States, but it was now determined to go to Texas. 
Again, the memorandum above referred to runs as 
follows: — 

" We changed our first intention to go to one of 
the Western States, and chose Texas for our future 
home. As soon as this was determined upon we 
sent some of our party, to wit, three brothers of 
my wife, unmarried, Louis, Albrecht and Joacliim, 
and their sister Valesca, and a servant by the name 
of Pollhart, ahead of us to Texas for the purpose 
of selecting a point where we could all meet and 
commence operations. They were well provided 
with money, clothing, a light wagon and harness, 
tools, and generally everything necessary to com- 
mence a settlement. They aimed to go to Mr. 
Ernst, the writer of the letter which induced us to go 
to Texas. Six months after our party had left the 
old country, and shortly after we had received the 
news of their safe arrival, we followed on the 
last day of September, A. D. 1834, in the ship 
'Congress,' Capt. J. Adams." 

The party consisted of Robert Kleberg and wife, 
Lieut. L. A. S. v. Roeder and wife, his daughters, 
Louise and Caroline, his sons, Rudolph, Otto and 
William v. Roeder, Louis Kleberg, Mrs. Otto v. 
Roeder, nee Pauline von Donop and Miss Antoinette 
von Donop (afterwards wife of Rudolph von 
Roeder). The other passengers were nearly all 
Germans from Oldenburg, and one of them was 
the brother-in-law of Mr. Ernst. They were all 
bound for the same point in Texas, and after a 
voyage of sixty days landed in New Orleans. 

The narrative of said memorandum here pro- 
ceeds : — 

" Here we heard very bad accounts about Texas, 
and we were advised not to go to Texas, which it 
was said was infested with robbers, murderers and 
wild Indians. But we were determined to risk it, 
and could not disappoint our friends who had pre- 
ceded us. As soon, therefore, as we succeeded in 
chartering the schooner ' Sabin,' about two weeks 
after we landed in New Orleans, we sailed for 
Brazoria, Texas. After a voyage of eight daj's we 
wrecked off of Galveston Island, December 22d, 
1834. The ' Sabin ' was au American craft of about 
150 tons. The captain and crew left the island, I 
think, in the steamer, 'Ocean.' The wreck was 
sold in Brazoria at public auction and bought by a 



gentleman who had come in the ' Ocean,' for thirty- 
odd dollars. Perhaps she was not regularly 
employed in the trade between New Orleans and 
Texas, and was only put in order to get her wrecked 
in order to get the amount for which she was 
insured. This was the opinion of the passengers 
at the time. It is impossible for me to name with 
certainty the exact point of the island at which we 
stranded, but I think it was not far from the center 
of the island, about ten miles above the present site 
of the city ; it was on the beach side. The island 
was a perfect wilderness and inhabited only by 
deer, wolves and rattlesnakes. All the passengers 
were safely brought to shore, and were provided 
with provisions, partly from those on board ship 
and partly by the game on the island. Most of the 
men were delighted with the climate on the island, 
and the sport they enjoyed by hunting or fishing. A 
committee of five was appointed to ascertain whether 
we were on an island or on main land. After 
an investigation of two days the committee reported 
that we were on an island. The passengers then 
went regularly into camp, saving all the goods and 
provisions from the wrecked vessel, which was only 
about fifty yards from shore. From the sails, 
masts and beams they constructed a large tent, 
with separate compartments for women and chil- 
dren. Thus the passengers were temporarily pro- 
tected against the inclemency of the weather. Two 
or three days after our vessel had sunk the steamer 
' Ocean ' hove in sight and, observing our signal of 
distress, anchored opposite our camp and sent a 
boat ashore with an ofHcer to find out the situation. 
The captain would not take all the passengers, but 
consented to take a few, charging them a doubloon 
each. I, with Rudolph v. Roeder, took passage on 
the steamer, which was bound for Brazoria. I went 
as agent of the remaining passengers to charter a 
boat to take them and their plunder to the main 
land. Finding no boat at Brazoria, or Bell's Land- 
ing, the only Texas ports at that time, I proceeded 
on foot to San Felipe, where I was told I would find 
a small steamer, the ' Cuyuga,' Capt. W. Harris. 
I found the steamer, but did not succeed in charter- 
ing her, the price asked ($1,000) being too high. 

" In San Felipe I heard for the first time of the 
whereabouts of m\' relatives, who had preceded us. 
Here I also formed the acquaintance of Col. Frank 
Johnson and Capt. Mosely Baker, under whose 
command I afterwards participated in the battle 
of San Jacinto. These gentlemen informed me 
that two of my friends, Louis and Albert von 
Roeder, had located about fourteen miles from 
San Felipe on a league and labor of land, but that 
Joachim and Valesca von Roeder had died. We 



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MRS. KLEBERG. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



291 



found them in a miserable but and in a pitiful con- 
dition. They were emaciated by disease and want, 
and without money. Tears of joy streamed from 
their eyes when they beheld us. After a few days 
rest I continued my errand to charter a boat. I 
had a letter of introduction to Stephen F. Austin 
and Sam Williams from a merchant in New 
Orleans to whom our ship had been consigned, 
which I presented to Mr. Austin's private secre- 
tary, Mr. Austin and Mr. Williams being absent. 
From him I received a letter of introduction to 
Mr. Scott, the father-in-law of Mr. Williams. 
From Mr. Scott I finally succeeded in chartering a 
small vessel for $100.00 for three trips, and 
immediately returned to Galveston, landing on the 
bay side opposite the camp four weeks after I had 
left it. I found the passengers of the old ' Sabin ' in 
good health and spirits. They had spent their 
time in hunting and Ashing. Those who could not 
shoot were employed to drive the deer to the 
hunters. There were deer by the thousands. I 
left the next day with the first cargo of passen- 
gers, including my wife, her parents and Caroline 
von Eoeder. After a stormy trip we arrived on 
the evening of the same day at Mr. Scott's place, 
where we were hospitably treated. The next day 
we reached Harrisburg, where I succeeded in 
renting a comfortable house, intending to remain 
there until all the passengers had arrived from the 
island. The last passengers did not arrive until 
the winter of 1835, though had I hired another small 
sloop from Capt. Smith in Velasco, which also 
made three trips. The winter of 1835 was unusu- 
ally severe." 

This, it seems, ended the eventful and lengthy 
voyage from the old country to Texas, of which 
only the main incidents are given, to show the difH- 
cullies and many privations to which Texas emi- 
grants in those early days were subjected. 

Robert Kleberg, by reason of his superior edu- 
cation, was the only one among those early German 
colonists who could make himself understood to 
the few American pioneers who inhabited the 
interior, and acted as spokesman for the rest. 
Indian tribes, both savage and civil, swarmed 
through the country, and it was necessary for the 
colonists to explore and settle the country in com- 
munities for self-defense. This condition of things 
is apparent from the narrative, which relates: — 

"To the place which had been settled upon by 
Louis and Albrecht v. Boeder we now repaired, 
leaving the ladies and children in Harrisburg, under 
the protection of one of the gentlemen. We had 
formed a partnership with the view of assisting each 
other to cultivate farms and build houses for each 



head of a family in our party, and we were to work 
in good earnest to break up land and fence it, and 
to build houses, as it was our intention to move the 
balance of our party from Harrisburg to our new 
settlement as soon as we could erect houses, but 
not being accustomed to manual labor, we proceeded 
very slowly. There was an Indian tribe, the 
Kikapoos, encamped on our land about a mile from 
our camp, who furnished us with game of all kinds, 
which the country afforded in abundance. The 
squaws were very useful to us, as they would hunt 
and bring in camp our oxen and horses when they 
strayed off. We rewarded them with ammunition 
and trinkets, which we had brought with us for that 
purpose. 

" We had supplied ourselves with everything nec- 
essary to commence a settlement in a new countrv. 
We had wagons, farming implements, all sorts of 
tools, household and kitchen furniture, and cloth- 
ing which we had brought with us from Germany. 
Early in September, 1835, we had finished build- 
ing two log houses, one of them had even a floor and 
ceiling, as we had sawed by hand the planks from 
post-oak trees. We had also inclosed and planted a 
field of ten acres in corn and cotton, and we now 
moved the members of our party who had remained 
at Harrisburg to our settlement, with our wagons 
and teams. Such of our goods, for which we had no 
room, or no immediate use, we left at the house 
which we had rented at Harrisburg. Among the 
objects we left was a fine piano, belonging to my 
wife, many valuable oil paintings and engravings, 
music books, etc., all of which fell a prey to the 
flames which consumed Harrisburg during the war, 
which followed in the following spring." 

Many were the privations and severe the task 
which these early settlers had already undergone in 
permanently settling in the adopted country, but 
their trials had only begun; the furies of war 
threatened to devastate the settlements of the col- 
onies, and Santa Anna was marching his minions 
into Texas to destroy the constitutional liberty of 
her people, and Texas patriots, though few in num- 
ber, bore up her flag to rescue it from thralldom. 
Among them we find Robert Kleberg and his 
brother-in-law and compatriots. Albert and Louis 
von Roeder had participated in the sanguinary 
storming of San Antonio and returned to their set- 
tlement near San Felipe, when in the spring of 
1836 occurred the massacre of Goliad and the fall 
of the Alamo. Texas independence had been pro- 
claimed, Santa Anna was preparing his march of 
conquest to the Sabine, when the young Republic, 
under her noble leader, Sam Houston, was makino- 
her last patriotic appeal to her bravest sons, in whose 



292 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



hearts were now gathered all the hopes of Texas. It 
was at this juncture that at a family meeting of the 
Roeders and Klebergs, presided over by Ex-Lieut. 
Von Boeder, that these distressed colonists held a 
counsel of war to decide whether to fight for Texas 
independence, or cross her borders into the older 
States to seek shelter under the protecting legis of 
the American eagle. The meeting was held under 
the sturdy oaks that stood on the newly acquired 
possessions. It was a supreme moment in the lives 
of those who participated. In the language of the 
historian: " The flight of the wise and worthy men 
of the country from danger, tended to frighten the 
old, young and helpless, furnished excuses to the 
timid; and sanctioned the course of the cowardly. 
The general dismay following the adjournment of 
the convention, induced many brave men impelled 
irresistibly by natural impulses to go to their aban- 
doned fugitive wives and children, to tender them 
protection." This little band, like their compa- 
triots, found themselves in the midst of a terrible 
panic and they were now called upon to decide be- 
tween love of country and love of self and it may 
well be presumed that the debates in this little con- 
vention were of a stormy nature. The subject of 
our sketch, though bound by the strongest ties of 
love to an affectionate young wife and her infant 
child, was the champion of Texas libertj', and it 
was due to the eloquent and impassioned appeals 
of himself and the venerable presiding officer that 
it was decided that the party would remain and 
share the fate of the heroic few who had rallied 
under San Houston to fight for the independ- 
ence of Texas against Mexican despotism. As 
Albrecht v. Boeder and Louis v. Boeder had just 
returned battle-worn from the bloody fields of San 
Antonio de Bexar, they and others, except L. v. 
Boeder, were detailed under the aged Ex-Lieut. 
Boeder to remain with the fugitive families while 
Eobert Kleberg, Louis v. Boeder and Otto v. 
Boeder were chosen to bear the brunt of battle. 
Now a parting, possibly for life, from all that was 
dear on earth and a voluntary march in the 
ranks of Capt. Mosley Baker's Company was the 
next act in the drama of our warrior's life and, while 
the curtain fell on the pathetic scene, a brave young 
wife mounted a Texas pony with her tender babe 
to go with the rest of the Texas families to perhaps 
across the borders of Texas, driving before them 
the cattle and horses of the colonists. The acts 
and deeds of Bobert Kleberg from this time to the 
disbanding of the Texas army of patriots are a 
part and parcel of the history of Texas. Endowed 
with a spirit of patriotism which bordered on 
the sublime, possessed of a healthy and robust 



physical constitution, a cultured, polished, cool 
and discriminating mind, he despised fear and was 
anxious to engage in the sanguinary and decisive 
struggle for freedom which culminated so gloriously 
for Texas and civilization on the historic field of 
San Jacinto. After tills memorable battle, in which 
he and Louis v. Boeder participated to the glory 
of themselves and their posterity, he was with Gen. 
Rusk and the Texas van guard following the van- 
quished armies of Santa Anna to the Mexican bor- 
der and, returning by Goliad, assisted in the sad 
obsequies of the remains of Fannin and his brave 
men. In the meantime his family had moved back 
to Galveston Island, and we will again draw from 
the memorandum for the better appreciation and 
understanding of the conditions of the country that 
prevailed at this time: " It had been the intention 
of our party who went to Galveston Island in the 
absence of those who were in the army, to abandon 
the settlement commenced on the Brazos and 
settle on the island on the two leagues which were 
chosen there. This move had been undertaken in 
my absence, partly from fear or danger from hos- 
tile Indians, also a want of provisions, and partly 
with an idea to permanently settle on the island. 
For that purpose the party had built a boat of 
about forty tons in order to move our cattle and 
horses and other property from the mainland. 
They were ignorant of the laws of Mexico, which 
reserved the islands for the government." To 
show the state of civilization on Galveston Island at 
that time, in the summer of 183(3, the judge relates 
the following incident which occurred while he was 
in the army: 'One night during a time when all 
were enwrapt in sound slumber, they were sud- 
denly aroused by the frantic cries of one of the 
ladies of the party, Mrs. L. Kleberg ; she was so 
frightened that she could not speak, but only 
screamed, pointing her finger to a huge, dark 
object close to the head of the pallet upon which 
lay my wife and Mrs. Otto v. Boeder and their 
babes. To their great astonishment tiiey dis- 
covered it to be an immense alligator, his jaws wide 
open, making for the children to devour them. 
Mr. V. Boeder, Sr., and Mr. Chas. Mason, who 
had hastened to the spot, dispatched the monster 
with fire and sword.' " 

The narrative, speaking of their residence on the 
island after Mr. Kleberg returned from the war, 
proceeds: "We remained about three months on 
the island after building our house. Most of us 
were sick, especially the women and children — 
long exposure, bad food and water were the prob- 
able causes. Not long after we moved into the 
house, Mrs. Pauline Boeder, wife of Otto v. 




KLEBKRG BROTHERS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



293 



Roeder, died there. We buried her under the 
'Three Lone Trees.' We were all down with 
chills and fever. Four Mexican prisoners waited 
on us. Their principal occupation was to gather 
oysters, pack wood from the beach of the gulf, 
make fires, wash dishes and clothing, and pack 
the deer which Mr. v. Roeder and myself killed, 
which, together with the fish and oysters, was our 
chief means of subsistence. We had neither bread 
nor coffee, nor sugar, and the water, of course, 
was brackish. Finally under these distressing cir- 
cumstances we became despondent and disheart- 
ened ; so, late in October, 1836, we again boarded 
our boat, taking along every thing we had with us, 
including our Mexican prisoners, who acted as oars- 
men, and once more made for the main land, 
landing at a place called Liverpool, a small village 
at the head of Chocolate ba}'ou. The house on 
Galveston Island was abandoned, there being no one 
to whom we could sell ; there were no other families 
at that time residing on the island. Only Morgan's 
Fort was situated near the east end of Galveston 
Island. There were about 400 Mexican prisoners 
lield there. Capt. Turner, Col. Morgan, and Judge 
Chas. Mason were there, but no families that I 
recollect." 

The colonists, including the subject of this sketch, 
again located where they had made the first settle- 
ment, at a point known as Cat Spring, now in 
Austin County. This was in the month of Novem- 
ber, 1836. Here Judge Kleberg and his family 
resided until the fall of 1847, when they removed 
to DeWitt County. At Cat Spring were bom the 
following of his children: Clara Siegesmunde, 
November 28, 1835 ; Johanna Caroline, November 
29, 1838; Caroline Louise, January 15, 1840, and 
Otto Joseph, October 27, 1841; Rudolph, June 
26, 1847. In DeWitt County, Marcellus Eugene, 
February 7, 1849 ; Robt. Justus, December 5, 
1853, and Louise Rosalie, September 2, 1855. 

While living in Austin County, Judge Kleberg did 
much to develop the new country, which was then 
but sparsely settled, and was still inhabited by 
Indians. He frequently spoke of one occurrence 
during his residence at Cat Spring, where a numer- 
ous tribe of Comanches passed by his house to the 
city of Houston to interview the President of the 
Republic of Texas on the question of making peace. 
He speaks of the appearance of these savages upon 
their return from Houston as most ludicrous. 
Many of them had adorned themselves with stove 
pipe hats, red ribbons and all kinds of fancy dress 
articles, all of which was in strange contrast with 
their usual wearing apparel. They stopped at the 
Judge's house on their way from Houston, and 



requested his wife to mend their flag, which she 
readily consented to do. Being well acquainted 
with the prominent citizens such as Sam Houston, 
Burnet, J. S. Hill, J. P. Borden, Judge Waller, 
and many other distinguished citizens of that day, 
Mr. Kleberg's services in the War for Independence 
and his ability were soon recognized by the young 
Republic and as early as 1837 he was appointed by 
President Sam Houston as Associate Commissioner 
of the Board of Land Commissioners. In 1838, he 
was appointed President of said commissioners by 
J. P. Borden, Commissioner of the General Land 
Office. In 1841, he was commissioned by Mira- 
beau B. Lamar, President of the Republic, Justice 
of the Peace, which was then an important office as 
there were few lawyers, and few law books, and 
important and perplexing suits to be decided in 
these courts. In 1846 he was elected Chief Justice 
in Austin County, and commissioned by Sam 
Houston, Governor. In 1848 he was elected 
County Commissioner of De Witt County, and 
commissioned by Governor G. S. Wood. 

In 1853 he was elected Chief Justice of De 
Witt County, and commissioned by Governor Bell. 
He was re-elected as Chief Justice of De Witt 
County in 1854. When the war broke out he 
became a strong Confederate and raised a com- 
pany of militia, but was on account of his ad- 
vanced age not received in active service, but 
finally commissioned as collector of war taxes, 
which position he occupied during the entire period 
of the war, and administered with skill and fidelity. 
After the war he accepted the situation and filled 
several positions of trust and honor, such as mem- 
ber of the county school board, etc. Upon his 
arrival in DeWitt he found but few settlers, among- 
them the following prominent citizens : John Pet- 
tus, the Yorks and Bells, Judges Wofford and 
Baker, Dr. Robert Peebles, Capt. Dick Chrisholm, 
Judge Young and others. At that time there were 
hardly any schools and churches in De Witt County 
and Judge Kleberg, together with Messrs. Albrecht 
V. Roeder, John Pettus, the Bells, and Yorks, 
erected with their own hands a log cabin on the 
Colita creek, near the old York and Bell farm, 
which was probably the first school-house in the 
county. 

Hostile Indians still made their accustomed raids 
on the settlements and as late as October, 1848, 
the pioneers of De Witt County had a fight with the 
savages, in which Judge Kleberg participated, and 
of which he gives the following account: — 

"One October morning Capt. York and Mr. 
Albrecht v. Roeder and my brother, Ernst Kleberg, 
summoned me to go with a party of volunteers to 



294 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fight a tribe of hostile Indians, who were depredat- 
ing in the neighborhood of Yorktown. We were 
soon mounted and equipped and off for the place 
of rendezvous. We reached the Cabesa that same 
night, where our troops, consisting of some thirty 
men, camped and elected Capt. York as commander, 
and Messrs. William Taylor, Jno. Thomlinson and 
Ruf us Taylor were detailed as spies and skirmishers. 
Next morning the company, as organized, started 
to meet the foe, whom we encountered about three 
o'clock p. m. on the Escondido east of the San 
Antonio river, about fifteen miles west of the 
present town of Yorktown, just as our company 
filed around a point of timber. The Indians, 
about sixt}' to seventy strong, lay in ambush. 
Our company was not marching in rank and 
file, but in an irregular way, not expecting to meet 
the enemy so soon. Capt. York and Mr. Bell were 
in front, followed immediatel}' by John Pettus and 
myself. The Indians raised the well-known and 
hideous warwhoop and immediately opened on us 
with a terrible fire of musketry. The majority of 
our men took to flight and left not more than ten 
or twelve of us, who made a stand, taking advan- 
tage of a little groTe near by, where the Texians 
returned a sharp fire upon the Indians, who still 
remained in ambush, only exposing their heads 
now and then as they fired, thus having a decided 
advantage over the men who were only protected 
by a few thin trees. It was here that Mr. Bell 
and Capt. York were killed. The former, a son- 
in-law of Capt. York, was shot at the first fire 
and mortally wounded, but he was carried along to 
the little mott, where Capt. York and myself 
bent over him to dress his wounds, but he died in 
our hands. At this juncture Mr. Jim York, son of 
Capt. York, was shot in the head. Capt. York 
called me to assist him in dressing his son's 
wounds. I tore off a piece of his shirt and band- 
aged his wounds as well as possible. Capt. York, 
overcome by grief, ran continually from his son to 
his son-in-law, and thus exposed himself to the fire 
of the enemy, notwithstanding I kept warning him, 
and was soon struck by the fatal ball which 
instantly killed him. A counsel of war was now 
held by the remaining troops, consisting of eight or 
nine men all told, and we decided to proceed to a 
little mound or elevation near by, where we might 
flank the Indians in their ambush. In attempting 
to gain this point the Indians kept up a continuous 
fusillade, which we returned, and by the time we 
reached the elevation and directed our fire from 
behind a cluster of large live oaks on the exposed 
flank of the savages, they soon retired from their 
position and disappeared from the field. Thus 



ended probably the last Indian fight in Southwest 
Texas, and such were the stirring scenes of that 
time." 

Mr. Kleberg had the good fortune to outlive this 
period of romance and adventure, and to see his 
adopted State and country developed to grand pro- 
portions in population and wealth under the magic 
wand of civilization. 

In politics Judge Kleberg was always a con- 
sistent and intelligent Democrat ; a strong be- 
liever in State rights and local self-government, 
and an ardent admirer of the American system 
of government, and in his severest trials as 
an early settler, and in the gloomiest hour of 
the Republic and State of his adoption he never 
faltered in his faith in the free institutions of 
this country, and spurned the idea of returning to 
a monarchical form of government. In religion he 
was free of all orthodoxy and most tolerant to all 
denominations ; candid and firm in his individual 
convictions, yet respectful and considerate of the 
opinions of others. Pure and lofty in sentiment, 
simple and frugal in habit, honest in motive, and 
positive and decided in word and deed, his charac- 
ter was without reproach, and indeed a model 
among his fellow-men. 

Mr. Kleberg was a man of deep and most varied 
learning. Besides a knowledge of Greek and Latin 
he controlled three modern languages and read 
their literatures in the originals. Reading and 
study were a part of his daily life, and he enjoyed 
a critical and discriminating knowledge of ancient 
and modern literature. In field and camp and the 
solitudes of frontier life his well-trained mind ever 
found delight and repose in the contemplation of 
its ample stores of knowledge and the graces 
of a refined civilization under which it was 
developed were never effaced, or even blurred bj* 
the roughness or crudities of border life. A 
man of urbane manners and courtly' address, his 
intercourse with men, whether high or low, edu- 
cated or ignorant, was ever characterized by a 
plain and noble dignity, free of assumption or 
vanity. 

The principles which found expression and ex- 
emplification in his long and eventful life rested 
upon a broad and comprehensive philosophy of 
which absolute honesty of mind was a controlling 
element, and when the shadows of death gathered 
around him he met the supreme moment witli a 
mind serene and in peaceful composure. He died 
at Yorktown, De Witt County, October 23, 1888, 
in his eighty-sixth year, surrounded by his family, 
and was buried with Masonic honors. His wife, 
Mrs. Rosa Kleberg, and the following children sur- 





M. KOPPERL. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXxiS. 



295 



vive him: Mrs. Clara Hillebrand, Mrs. Caroline His eldest son, Otto Kleberg, who served witli 
Eckhardt, Miss Lulu Kleberg, Hon. Rudolph Kle- distinction in the Confederate army, preceded 
berg, MarcellusE. Kleberg, and Robert J. Kleberg, him in death in 1880. 



MORITZ KOPPERL, 



GALVESTON. 



The history of other countries as well as our own 
bears ample evidence to the fact that great abilities 
displayed in the higher walks of commerce have 
been employed, on occasion, with equal effective- 
ness in other directions. 

The merchants of Venice, when the Venetian 
Republic was mistress of the seas and controlled 
the commerce of the civilized world, were not only 
traders, but many of them also lawmakers, navi- 
gators, cunning artists, leaders of armies, and com- 
manders of navies. Instances are not wanting in 
our own country and later time where successful 
merchants have become projectors of large enter- 
prises, have filled positions requiring a higher order 
of executive ability, have accumulated wealth and 
at the same time have assisted in making the laws 
and carrying on the affairs of the State and nation. 
Such men would distinguish themselves in any avo- 
cation because of their strength and breadth of 
mind, versatility of talents and those qualities that 
enable them to surmount difficulties and command 
success. The subject of this brief notice, while 
strictly a business man, would have made himself 
felt in almost any pursuit. 

Moritz Kopperl was born October 7, 1826, in the 
town of Trebitsch, Moravia, where he was reared 
and received his early mental training. First a 
student at the Capuchin Institute at Trebitsch he 
completed his education by taking a classical course 
at Nicholsburg, Moravia, and at Vienna, Austria. 
In 1848 he came to America on the invitation of 
his uncle, Maj. Charles Kopperl, of Carroll County, 
Miss., whom he succeeded in business, and with 
whom he resided for a number of years in Mis- 
sissippi. 

In 1857 Mr. Kopperl came to Texas in company 
with A. Lipman, with whom he had been associated 
in business in Mississippi and engaged at Galveston 
in merchandising as a member of the firm of Lip- 
man & Kopperl, a connection that existed until a 
period during the war between the States. With 
the closing of the port of Galveston by the Federal 



blockade in 1861, all business at that place practi- 
cally ceased and many of the city's most prosper- 
ous and promising houses were ruined, the house 
of Lipman & Kopperl being of the number. It is 
to the credit of Mr. Kopperl, however, that although 
all debts due by Southern merchants at the North 
were supposed to have been settled by the war he 
hunted up his creditors after the surrender and paid 
them their claims in full. 

In 1865 he resumed active business pursuits in 
Galveston, engaging first in the cotton commission 
business and later taking up the coffee trade, which 
latter he developed into large proportions, making 
the city of Galveston one of the largest importing 
points for this article in the United States. In 1868 
he was made president of the Texas National Bank 
when that institution was in a failing condition, and 
by his good management, aided by a few stock- 
holders, placed the bank on a solid footing and 
made of it one of the soundest and most prosperous 
financial institutions in the city. In 1877 he was 
made president of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Railroad and served that corporation as its chief 
executive through the most critical period of its 
history. When he took hold of the road the line had 
been built only a few miles out of Galveston, was 
without means, credit or prospects, and was har- 
assed by the tax-collector, who threatened to sell 
it for past due taxes, yet by his untiring energy, 
and at the sacrifice of his time and health, and at 
the risk of his private means and reputation, he 
contracted for the construction of the road and, in 
order to save its charter, carried it through the 
storm until a syndicate of prominent and public- 
spirited citizens was formed, who, co-operating with 
him, placed it on a safe basis. The work and re- 
sponsibility which this task imposed can hardly be 
estimated ; for, in addition to the labor and care 
inseparably connected with such an undertaking, 
the road had, as is well known, at that time to meet 
the strongest possible opposition from lines of which 
it would, if successfully carried through, become 



296 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



a close competitor. Mr. Kopperl felt this opposi- 
tion at every step be took, and but for the persist- 
ent efforts made by him reinforced by the weight 
of his name and influence, the road would inevi- 
tably have gone down in the great fight that was 
at that time made upon it. 

Besides the Texas National Bank and the Gulf, 
Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad, Mr. Kopperl was 
connected with a number of other corporations and 
was an active worker in a score of private under- 
takings, his interests and investments covering 
every field of legitimate business enterprise. He 
was for some time president of the Galveston 
Insurance Company and a director in both the 
Union Fire & Marine and the Merchants Insurance 
Companies. 

He was among the stanchest advocates of the 
claims of Galveston as a shipping point and empha- 
sized these claims on all proper occasions. He 
had the statistics of shipping, and of the resources 
and development of Texas at his fingers' ends, and 
his aid was always sought in the furtherance of those 
enterprises and schemes of improvement where 
facts and figures formed the basis of operation. 
Having had his attention somewhat directed through 
his coffee business to the necessities and possibilities 
of trade between the United States and the South 
American countries, he made a study of the condi- 
tions of that trade in all its bearings, and was one 
of the first to set forth in logical form the princi- 
ples since embraced in the doctrine of " Reci- 
procity " and the benefits that would accrue 
to this section of the Union from its practical 
application by treaty regulations. 

Although Mr. Kopperl was a business man in the 
strictest sense of the word, he still found time to 
interest himself to some extent in politics and filled 
acceptably a number of positions of public trust. 
He was a member of the City Council in 1871 and 
1872, during which time he was chairman of the 
Finance Committee and aided materially in devis- 
ing means to meet the city's indebtedness and 
maintain its credit. He was a delegate to the 
National Convention at Baltimore in 1872, which 
nominated Horace Greely for President, and served 
also as a delegate to the Congressional Convention 



at Corsicana which nominated Judge A. H. Willie 
for Congress. He was elected to the State Legis- 
lature in 1876 and served as a member of the Fif- 
teenth Legislature, in which he was chairman of 
the Committee on Finance and Revenue ; formulated 
the measure which was enacted into a law whereby 
the State school fund was reinvested in State 
securities and made to yield a better revenue for 
present school purposes ; and also the bill which in 
the form of a law enabled the Governor to dispose 
of $500,000 worth of State bonds to meet the 
State's accrued indebtedness and to defray the 
running expenses of the government. These 
8500,000 worth of bonds were sold to the American 
Exchange Bank of New York upon Mr. Kopperl's 
personal recommendation and guarantee, without 
his asking or receiving from the State any part of 
the commission authorized by law for negotiating 
the sale. 

Thus as a business man, as an official and as a 
citizen, Mr. Kopperl lived and labored for the city 
and State of his adoption. That his labors were 
well rewarded and are still bearing good fruit the 
present prosperous condition of all those enter- 
prises, institutions and interests with which ;he had 
to do bears abundant witness. 

In 1866 Mr. Kopperl married Miss Isabella 
D3'er, of Galveston, a niece of the late Isadore 
Dyer and of the late Mrs. Rosanna Osterman, both 
early settlers of Galveston and remembered for 
their many charities. The issue of this union was 
two sons, Herman B. and Moritz O., who, with 
their mother, survive the husband and father. 

Mr. Kopperl's death occurred July 3, 1883, at 
Bayreuth, Bavaria, whither he had gone in search 
of health. But his remains rest in the city of 
Galveston, where he spent his maturer years and 
with whose history his own was so intimately con- 
nected. On his monument is engraved this 
sentence : — 

" I pray thee, then, write me as one who loved his 
fellow man " — 

a most befitting epitaph for one whose generous 
heart beat in unison with the best impulses of his 
race. 




■o-byH.XC.l^oevo^- 



C^^^-^^^-C^-^^^^^C^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



297 



THOMAS GONZALES, 



GALVESTON. 



Early in the present century during the political 
disturbances in Mexico which finally culminated in 
the independence of that country, there came over 
from Spain with the historic Barados expedition 
two surgeons, Juan Samaniego and Victor Gonzales, 
who, after the failure of the expedition, settled in 
that country. Both were natives of Valladolid, the 
capitol city of Castile, and were descended from 
old Castilian families. Juan Samaniego was Sur- 
geon-General of the Spanish army, a talented and 
capable man, as was also his junior associates who 
was himself a son of a celebrated military surgeon, 
Don Antonio Gonzales. 

Victor Gonzales married the widowed daughter 
of Juan Samaniego, Senora Rita Samaniego de 
Reyes, in the City of Mexico, about 1825. He was 
stationed for a time at Tampico, Mexico, in the 
performance of his official duties and there lived 
until his untimel}' death by shipwreck of the 
schooner " Felecia " while he was on his way across 
the Gulf to Havana, his final destination being his 
native place, Valladolid. The vessel on which he 
sailed was never heard from after leaving port. 

The issue of the marriage of Victor and Rita 
Samaniego Gonzales was two sons, Francisco 
Gonzales and Thomas Gonzales. The younger of 
these, the subject of this biographical notice, was 
born at Tampico, Mexico, November 10th, 1829. 
His mother's death occurred in 1860 at Havana, 
Cuba. Soon after the death of his father he was 
taken into the family of his half-sister, Mrs. Elena 
Blossman, then residing in New Orleans, by whom 
he was reared and educated. His brother-in-law, 
R. D. Blossman, who was a large cotton dealer in 
New Orleans and had some interests also at Alton, 
111., between which places he made his home. 

In the schools of the latter place young Gonzales 
received his early mental training, finishing with a 
three years' course in the select school at Valladolid, 
Spain, the old family seat. He took up the cotton 
business at New Orleans about 1845 under his 
brother-in-law in whose interest he came into Texas 
in 1846 ; arriving in this State, he spent two years 
at Lavaca, and then revisited New Orleans, where, 
August 28th, 1850, he married Miss Edith Boyer, 
who accompanied him back to Texas, their future 
home. They located at Point Isabel, then the seat 
of considerable commercial activity, being a United 
States port of entry, where he went into the re- 



ceiving and forwarding business, and was so 
engaged for two or three years. In 1853 he 
moved to Galveston, where he at once became 
connected with the cotton interest in the city, with 
which he has had to do in some capacity for the 
past forty-odd years. He was vice-president of 
the Galveston Cotton Exchange for two terms, and 
is the oldest cotton dealer in the city. Scarcely 
a movement has been set on foot affecting the 
great staple on which the commerce of this port so 
much depends that his name has not been in some 
way associated with it. He has also been an 
active worker in a number of important private 
enterprises of benefit to the city. He was one of 
the organizers of the Taylor Compress Company of 
Galveston, established in 1875, and has since its 
organization been secretary and treasurer of the 
company. 

During the late war Mr. Gonzales organized the 
Gonzales Light Battery, composed of 150 men, 
which was mustered into the Confederate army 
and did good service both in the defense of 
Galveston and in the support of Gen. Dick Taylor 
in Western Louisiana. This battery, which was 
made up of picked men and thoroughly equipped, 
was the pride of Gen. Magruder, commander of 
the department of Texas, and being stationed 
along the water front was one of the chief sources 
of his reliance in the great naval battle fought at 
Galveston, January 1st, 1863. 

The following is a copy of the official report 
made by Capt. Gonzales of the part taken by his 
battery in the engagement : — 

Galveston, January 6th, 1863. 

CoL. X. B. Debrat, Commanding. 
Colonel : 

I have the honor to report the part taken by my 
battery of light artillery, in the engagement, on this 
island, on the morning of the first inst. I re- 
ceived orders to proceed with my battery and to es- 
tablish it in three sections on the strand, as fol- 
lows: One section, the left, at the foot of the brick 
wharf near the Hendley building ; the center sec- 
tion at the foot of Kuhans wharf near Parry's 
foundry ; and the right at the foot of Hutching's 
wharf near what is known as " The Iron Battery." 
Maj. George R. Wilson commanded the left; 
Lieut. R. J. Hughes was in command of the center 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and the right was under my own command. The 
Are was opened at about half-past three in the 
morning from my left section, the Major-General 
commanding in person, firing the first gun. This 
being the signal to commence firing, the battery 
opened and the firing was continued until about 
daylight when orders were received to cease firing 
and to withdraw the pieces, the battery having 
fired 317 rounds. 

I have to report the following casualties : — 

In Maj. Wilson's section : Private Louis Gebour, 
leg broken at the knee, amputated and since 
died. 

In my section : Private J. R. Smith, wounded in 
the hip ; Private T. Frederick, head and shoulders — 
severe but probably not mortal ; Private P. Lynch- 
comb, head, slight. 

No other casualties occurred. The officers and 
men behaved well and though under fire for the first 
time, and very much exposed, handled their guns 
with coolness and did their work bravely. 

I have the honor, Colonel, to be, very respect- 
fully, your obedient servant, 

Tho.mas Gonzales, 
Capt. Light Artillery, C. S. A. 

Mr. Gonzales' career has been principally of a 
business nature. He served as a commissioner of 
Cameron County for one term during his residence 
at Point Isabel and since coming to Galveston has 
been frequently importuned to become a candidate 
for various local offices, but has uniformly declined 
to yield to such solicitudes and has taken onlj' a 
passing interest in political matters. He is a con- 
servative Democrat, believing in the fundamental 
principles of the Democratic party and, within the 
bounds of reason and common sense, in party or- 
ganization ; but opposes bossism and blind parti- 
sanship and all else inconsistent with individual 
liberty and the purity of the ballot-box. 



As stated, Mr. Gonzales' marriage took place in 
New Orleans just previous to his permanent re- 
moval to Texas in 1850. His wife was born in 
Philadelphia, December 20th, 1833, and was a 
daughter of Pierre Boyer. She was connected by 
blood and marriage with some of the oldest and 
best families of the United States ; among them 
were the Verplanks and Rumseys of Fishkill, 
N. y. , the Weathereds of Baltimore, the Sykes 
of St. Louis and the Caverlys of Delaware. 
Her brother, Dr. P. C. Boyer, was a physician of 
prominence in New Orleans during and since the 
war. Mrs. Gonzales was mainly reared in New 
Orleans, in the schools of which city she received 
her education. She was an accomplished young 
lad}' who, though accustomed to all the comforts 
and luxuries of wealth, cheerfully came to this new 
country to help her husband make a home and win 
a fortune. To Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales six children 
were born, four sons and two daughters ; one of 
the children, a son, died in infancy ; another, a 
daughter, at the age of seven fell a victim to the 
yellow fever epidemic of 1867, and a son, Thomas 
E., died February 19lh, 1892, when thirty-three 
years of age. Their surviving daughter, Daisy, 
was married to Francis Coolidge Stanwood, a cotton 
dealer, and resides in Boston, Mass., while the two 
remaining sons, Boyer and Julian Caverly, are 
business men at Galveston, the former a member 
of the firm of Thomas Gonzales & Sons, cotton 
dealers, and the latter pa3'master and accountant for 
the Tajdor Compress Company. 

On Januarj' 3d, 1895, after a brief illness, Mrs. 
Gonzales, died at her home at Galveston, sincerely 
mourned bj' her family and a large circle of friends, 
to whom she had endeared herself b}' her kindness, 
charity, fortitude and other womanly virtues. 

The religious connection of Mr. Gonzales' 
family is with the Episcopal Church, upon the ser- 
vices of which all are regular attendants. 



BENNETT BLAKE, 

NACOGDOCHES. 



Judge Bennett Blake, of Nacogdoches, was born 
at Sutton, Vt., November 11, 1809. His parents, 
Mr. Samuel Dow Blake and Mrs. Abigail (Lee) 
Blake, natives of New Hampshire, emigrated to 
Vermont in 1792 and established themselves in 



Sutton, Caledonia County, where they resided until 
their respective deaths. They left eight children. 
The subject of this memoir attended local schools 
for three months in the year during a number of 
years and acquired a fair common-school education 




JUDGE BKNNETT BLAKE. 




JIKS. BLAKE. 



INDIAN WARS ^iND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



299 



and, when twenty-flve years of age, went to Bos- 
ton, Mass., where he remained until March 16, 
1835, and then, determining to try his fortune in 
Texas, took passage on a sailing vessel bound for 
New Orleans. Very rough weather was encountered 
on the voyage and it took the ship forty-two days 
to reach its destination. From New Orleans he 
proceeded up Red river to Natchitoches, La., and 
from thence overland to Nacogdoches, at which 
place he arrived May 3, 1835, with $20.00 in his 
pockets, and shortly thereafter employed a guide, 
and with three companions, started out afoot to 
look at the country. The guide proved to be in- 
competent and got the party lost in the woods. 
After wandering about for over four daj"S without 
food they succeeded in making their way back to 
Nacogdoches. Here Judge Blake obtained employ- 
ment as a clerk in the land-offlce, under George W. 
Smith, who was commissioned to put old settlers in 
possession of lands north of the San Antonio road. 
In September of that year (1835) two surveyors, 
whose compasses were at Natchitoches, La., one 
hundred and ten miles distant, offered $150.00 
to anyone who would bring the instruments to 
Nacogdoches within four days. Judge Blake 
undertook the journey, accomplished it in three 
davs and a half and was paid the sum promised. 

Of a bold and resolute spirit he was among the 
foremost in every expedition designed for the pro- 
tection of the country. 

Davy Crockett, when on his way to take part in 
the Texas revolution, slopped in Nacogdoches for 
several days. During the time he took his famous 
oath in the old stone fort to support the cause of 
the Texlans, not for the restoration of their rights 
under the constitution of 1824, as was then being 
sought, but until their absolute independence should 
be achieved. While in the town he delivered a 
speech to which Mr. Blake had the pleasure of 
listening. He reports "Old Davy" as having 
closed his speech as follows : " We'll go to the City 
of Mexico and shake Santa Anna as a coon dog 
would a possum." 

The fall of the Alamo, the massacre at Goliad, 
and the butchery of Johnson's and Grant's men 
on and beyond the Nueces and the continued 
retreat of Houston before the Mexican army, 
sweeping victoriously eastward in three divisions, 
cast a gloom over the country and the arrival of 
the merciless invaders in the eastern part of the 
province was daily expected. The roads about and 
beyond Nacogdoches were lined with women and 
children fleeing to Louisiana for safety. None 
were afterwards seen in any part of that country 
until the God of Battles smiled upon the Texian 



arms at San Jacinto. The Indians taking advan- 
tage of the unsettled condition of the country were 
committing numerous murders and depredations. 
Mr. Blake and two companions at this time were 
appointed to protect the retreat of the fugitives and 
watch the Indians, whom it was feared would rise 
and attempt an indiscriminate massacre. He and 
his comrades discharged the trust with vigilance and 
courage. Judge Blake served under Gen. Rusk, in 
1839, in his expedition against the noted Cherokee 
Chief Bowles who had organized a formidable In- 
dian insurrection. On one occasion during the cam- 
paign Gen. Rusk offered a furlough of ten days to 
any of his soldiers who would carry a dispatch from 
where he was stationed, north of the Sabine, to 
Nacogdoches, seventy-five miles distant, and de- 
liver it upon the day of starting. The purport of 
the message was a warning to volunteers not to 
leave Nacogdoches for his camp except in parties 
fifteen or twenty strong, as there were many In- 
dians upon the road. It was a perilous mission 
to undertake, but Judge Blake volunteered to per- 
form the service. He was mounted on a fine 
horse and made the trip in the time appointed. 
He saw but one Indian on the road and gave 
him a lively chase, but says that he felt no 
exaggerated longing to overtake him and was 
rather gratified that the distance widened rather 
than diminished between them, and the Indian 
finally lost to view. On arriving at Nacogdoches 
he found Mrs. James S. Mayfleld standing 
guard, with a belt of six-shooters around her waist 
and a shot-gun on her shoulder. The young men 
had all taken the field against the Indians and left 
the old men and women to protect the settlement. 
Many of the women of those days were good shots 
and of undoubted courage. At his request Judge 
Blake was permitted to relieve her and stood guard 
for the rest of the night, but says that he was very 
tired and is inclined to the belief that he put in the 
greater part of the time that intervened to day- 
dawn sitting on the ground with his back against a 
tree. Mr. Blake remained in Nacogdoches about 
four days, and finding it very lonesome, returned to 
his companions. Shortly thereafter he partici- 
pated in the two days' battle that resulted in a 
signal victory for the whites and so completely 
crushed the spirit of the Indians that no general 
uprising ever after occurred. On the second day 
when the Cherokees and their allies had retreated, 
Bowles, while heroically trying to rally them, re- 
ceived two or three gun-shot wounds and fell from 
his horse. A moment later the Texians, firing right 
and left as they rode, charged directly over his 
body. Bob Smith and Judge Blake were side by 



300 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



side and Smith, seeing around the fallen chief's 
waist a red belt holding a sword that Gen. Houston 
had given him (Bowles) in former days, stooped 
over to jerk it off. As they tugged at the belt 
Bowles rose and Smith shot him through the head 
and the noted Indian warrior tumbled forward upon 
his face and expired without a groan. In the two 
days' fight one hundred and eight Indians were 
reported killed. Two of the whites were killed and 
twentj'-eight wounded. 

In February, 1841, the Indians made a raid 
through the Nacogdoches country and murdered a 
man named Jordan. A party of settlers, fifty-two 
in number, Judge Blake among them, hastily 
assembled and started in pursuit. They had a 
severe experience, having to walk a greater part of 
the time, as the roads were so boggy they could 
not use their horses. They were three days with- 
out food and at the end of that time had only suc- 
ceeded in traversing a distance of seventy-five miles. 
The expedition proved fruitless. This was the last 
expedition against the Indians in which Judge 
Blake participated. The only change in use in the 
country from 1835 to 1838 was made by cutting a 
Mexican dollar into quarters. These circulated as 
twenty-five cent pieces. Judge Blake says that it is 
just to state that the Mexicans never to his knowl- 
edge cut a dollar into more than four pieces, 
while Americans in many instances would make 
five and put them into circulation as twenty- 
five cent pieces. He recounts an amusing in- 
cident that marked his acquaintanceship with Gen. 
Houston. 

In 1835 the cholera epidemic that then prevailed 
made its way to Nacogdoches and several citizens 
fell victims to the scourge. Everybody, who could, 
left town and Judge Blake with eight companions, 
among the number Gen. Houston, went to Niel 
Martin's, eight miles from town, where they secured 
board and lodging and comfortably established 
themselves. The entire party slept in the same 
loom. The first night, and a number of nights 
tiiereafter, Gen. Houston sat up and read until 
midnight and then went to bed and called his negro 
Esau, to pick ticks off him. These performances, 
however agreeable to the General and improving to 
Esau, were not at all edifying to the General's 
room-mates and they decided to try the effects of 
a practical joke. Accordingly they gathered all 
the ticks they could find and put them in a box and 
while Houston was eating his supper scattered them 
in his bed. The General had not long retired 
before he called loudly for Esau, who literally had 
his hands full until some time near daylight. 
Houston never disturbed the rest of his companions 



again and the stay at Martin's proved delightful to 
all concerned. 

Judge Blake was honored by his fellow-citizens 
with office almost continuously from 1837 to 1876, 
serving as justice of the peace, member of the Con- 
federate Legislature in 18G3-4, county judge, and 
member of the constitutional convention of 1875. 
Confederate money was worth very little when he 
was in Austin as a member of the Legislature and he 
paid $100.00 per day for board and lodging for the 
sixty-five days of the session. During his terms of 
service as justice of the peace and county judge, 
he tried seven thousand civil suits and five hundred 
criminal cases. A great many appeals were taken 
from his decisions but not one was ever reversed. 
Judge Blake for many years has refused to be a 
candidate for any office. 

He has been married three times: first in New 
Hampshire in 1833, to Miss Mary Lewis, who died 
a short time after their union ; next, in Montgom- 
ery County, Texas, in 1849, to widow Harrison, who 
died in 1852, and in 1853 in Nacogdoches to Miss 
Ella Harris, who died in 1886. Three children 
were born of the latter union ; Bennett Blake, a 
prominent farmer in Nacogdoches County ; Myrtle, 
wife of Judge James I. Perkins of Rusk, and Addie 
Louisa, widow of Mr. W. E. Bowler of Nacog- 
doches. Miss Ella Harris, who became the wife of 
Mr. Blake and mother of his children, a noble 
Christian lady, was born in Georgia in 1832. Her 
father was Dr. Eldridge G. Harris, and mother 
Mrs. Mary (Hamilton) Harris. She was brought 
to Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1836, by her mother, 
who was joined at that place by Dr. Harris, who 
had preceded them. Dr. Harris was a surgeon in 
the Texas revolutionary army and a pioneer greatly 
beloved by his fellow-soldiers and neighbors. He 
died in 1838 and his wife in 1872, at the home of 
Judge Blake in Nacogdoches. 

Judge Blake has seventeen living grandchildren. 
He is a member of the Democratic party and Royal 
Arch degree of the Masonic fraternity. 

Judge Blake has been successful in a financial 
way, having accumulated a considerable fortune. 
He has passed through many stirring and thrilling 
scenes, scenes that can have no counterpart in the 
after history of the country, and always bore him- 
self as an upright, manly man. Privation and 
misfortune only nerved him to stronger exertions 
and danger but caused his blood to run swifter and 
his nerves to steady themselves as he encountered 
and overcame it — not his the spirit to become 
dejected, nor the heart to quail. His virtues, 
abilities and services to the country entitle him to the 
place accorded him upon the pages of its history. 




J. R. FENX. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



301 



JOHN RUTHERFORD FENN, 



HOUSTON. 



J. R. Fenn, one of the leading citizens of Hous- 
ton, a Texas veteran and a patriot whose fidelity to 
the principles of liberty has often been evinced 
upon Texas soil during the past half century, is a 
native of Mississippi, born in Lawrence Couuty, 
that State, October 11th, 1824. He is of Scotch- 
Irish descent, a strain so eloquently eulogized by S. 
S. ( " Sunset " ) Cox, in his " Three Decades of 
Federal Legislation," as having furnished to this 
country some of its most successful generals, 
purest statesmen, eminent lawyers and useful and 
distinguished citizens. 

His parents, Eli Fenn and Sarah Catherine 
(Fitzgerald) Fenn came to Texas in 1833 with their 
children, and in June of that j^ear opened a farm 
on the Brazos river, three miles below the site of 
the present town of Richmond. Mr. Eli Fenn 
served in the Creek War, participating, among other 
engagements, in the battle of the Horse Shoe, and 
in the war of 1835-6 fought in the Texian army 
as a member of Capt. Wiley Martin's Company. 
He died at his home in Fort Bend County, Texas, 
in 1840. His wife was a daughter of David Fitz- 
gerald, a Georgia planter who came to Texas in 
1822, settled in Fort Bend County, and shortly prior 
to his death in 1832, took part in the battle of Ana- 
huac, a brilliant affair that was a fit precursor of 
the more decisive struggle against Mexican tj'ranny 
that was to follow a few years later. She died in 
1860, and sleeps beside the beloved husband with 
whom she braved the terrors of the wilderness. 
Two children were born of the union, John R. (the 
subject of this memoir) and Jesse T. Fenn, the 
latter of whom died in Fort Bend County in 1873. 
Mr. J. R. Fenn was not quite twelve years of age 
when the battle of San Jacinto was fought, but pre- 
serves a vivid recollection of the stirring scenes of 
those times. His mother and others who had pre- 
pared to cross the river and retreat before the 
advancing Mexican army mistook a body of troops 
under Col. Almonte for a part of Gen. Houston's 
army, narrowly escaped into the woods from the 
house in which they were and came near being 
captured. His father, a member of Martin's spy 
company which was near, and seeing the approach 
of a portion of Santa Anna's army, and knowing 
the danger his wife and other ladies were in, swam 
a swollen creek with his gun on his back and arrived 
on the scene at the moment his wife and others 



were fleeing across the field, raising his gun to his 
shoulder shot a Mexican dead. This attracted the 
attention of the pursuers to him and enabled his 
family and others to make good their escape. J. 
R. Fenn, subject of this memoir, and a negro boy 
who had gone out in the morning to drive horses, 
returned to the deserted house about eight o'clock 
in the morning and rode into the Mexican lines and 
were made prisoners. Late in the afternoon young 
Fenn made a break for liberty and, although he was 
shot at by a score or more of Mexicans and the 
leaves cut from the trees by their musket balls fell 
thick about him, he kept going and was soon safe in 
the depths of the forest. He passed his home and 
went ten or fifteen miles further where he found 
several white families. An hour later the}' were 
joined by Joe Kuykendall. The party traveled all 
night, at daylight arrived at Harrisburg, and during 
the day reached Lynchburg. Here young Fenn 
found his mother and some of the other ladies who 
had fled with her. They had walked for miles 
through mud and water, a keen norther blowing, 
some of them (men, women and children) without 
shoes and half clad. The entire company continued 
east, crossed the San Jacinto river and hurried 
forward as rapidly as their exhausted condition 
would permit. Coming to one of the ba3-ous that 
empty into the bay, and having no rafts to effect a 
crossing, they attempted and at last succeeded in 
wading across on the bar at the mouth of the stream. 
Although a big wave would come rolling in ever and 
anon and knock them over they would scramble to 
their feet and start again. 

Despite such difBeulties the party finally reached 
the Neches river in safety. Here Mr. Eli Fenn 
joined the party. Gen. Gaines commanding United 
Slates troops near San Augustine had given the 
Indians a scare and thej' had all left that part of 
the country, and Capt. Martin, whose duty it was 
to keep between the Indians on the north and the 
white families that were fleeing from the Mexican 
invader, seeing no further need of his men in that 
section, gave them permission to go in search of 
their families. Mr. Fenn took his wife and son to 
Louisiana and returned to the armj-, where he 
served until October, 1836. He then procured a 
discharge and went after his family, which he 
brought back to the old homestead on the Brazos. 

The subject of this notice acquired a fair com- 



302 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



mon school education in such schools as the country 
afforded, to which varied experience and extensive 
reading and observation have since largelj- added. 

He marched to San Antonio in the spring of 
1842, and again in the autumn of that year with 
Gen. Somervell as sergeant in Capt. William Ryan's 
company, to oppose Gen. Adrian Woll, who 
attempted another Mexican invasion. Mr. Feun 
served throughout the campaign. 

In 1846, when war was declared between Mexico 
and the United States he went with Gen. Albert 
Sydney Johnston to the seat of war and served with 
Capt. Jack Hays' company. 

During the war between the States, he enlisted 
under the flag of the Confederate States and did 
good service as Second Lieutenant in Strobcl's 
Company. 

Mr. Fcnn was united in marriage to Miss 
Rebecca Matilda Williams, of Fort Bend County, 
Texas, April 13th, 1853, and has four children: 
Francis Marion Oatis, who married Miss Lottie 
Benson, of Charlottesville, Va. ; May, wife of Mr. 
Jas. McKeever, Jr., of Houston; Ann Belle, and 
Jos. Johnston Fenn, the latter of whom married 
Miss Mollie Walker, of Houston. 

Mrs. Fenn was born in Woodville, Miss., in 
1835. Her parents were Mr. Daniel Williams and 
Mrs. Ann Fitz Randolph (Ayers) Williams. She 
is a great granddaughter of Gen. Nathaniel Ran- 
dolph, a Lieutenant and Aide de Camp on the staff of 
Gen. Lafayette during tlie war of the Revolution, 
and also a great granddaughter of Ezekiel Ayers, 
who also served with distinction in the Continental 
army. Her grandfather, Isaac Williams, was one 
of the pioneers of the Province of Mississippi, of 
which he served for some time as Colonial Governor. 
An uncle, Governor Henry Johnson, was Governor 
of Louisiana and a member of the United States 
Senate, retiring from that body in 1860 when 
eighty years .of age. Her parents came to Texas 
in 1845, and settled on Oyster creek, in Fort Bend 
County, bringing with them four children: Joseph 
Smith, who died in the Federal prison at Fort 
Butler, in Illinois, during the war between the 
States; Johnson Coddington, who also died in that 



prison ; Edwin J., now living on O^'ster creek ; and 
Annie Williams, who died in Houston, February 
17th, 1893. Johnson Coddington Williams, who 
was a member of Terry's Rangers when first 
enlisted, but at the time of his death at Fort Butler 
was a member of W. H. Wilke's Regiment, 
Carter's Brigade. 

Mrs. Fenn's first year in Texas was spent in the 
old homestead of Moses Shipman, one of the 
original "Austin 300." The logs and boards of 
the house were all made by hand and joined to- 
gether with wooden pins, there being no iron bolts 
or nails in the country. Here she and the family 
were obliged to drink water from creeks and ponds 
and suffered all the inconveniences and hardships 
incident to life in a new and entirely undeveloped 
country. 

Mrs. Fenn is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, president of San Jacinto Chapter, Daugh- 
ters of the Republic of Texas, and since 1877 has 
been a member of the Texas Veterans' Association. 
She is a lady of rare culture and intellectual 
attainments. 

Mr. Fenn has been a member of the Texas 
Veterans' Association since 1876. He is a member 
of the Democratic party, with the highest sense of 
every duty, and well merits the confidence and 
esteem in which he is held by those who know him 
best within the social and business world. He has 
met with a reasonable measure of success in a 
financial way, having $100,000 judiciously in- 
vested. He has lived in Houston since 1872. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fenn have a delightful home in that city. 
Here they are quietly and happily passing their 
declining years. They have witnessed villages, 
towns and cities rise where the red Indian pitched 
his wigwam ; there are now waving fields of golden 
grain on sun-kissed prairies over which once 
wandered the buffalo and coyote ; they have be- 
held the coming of the railroad and the telegraph, 
and not only the dawning but wondrous growth 
and expansion of a refined and elegant civilization 
for which they helped clear the way. They and 
others like them are entitled to lasting gratitude 
and remembrance. 




MRS. FENN AND DAUGHTERS. 




JAMES R. MASTKKSOX. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



303 



JAMES ROANE MASTERSON, 

HOUSTON. 



James Roane Masterson, though reared in Texas, 
is not a native of the State. He was born in 
Lebanon, Wilson County, Tenn., April 15, 1838. 

Hig paternal grandmother was a Miss Washington, 
niece of President George Washington. His father, 
a lawyer of Brazoria County, Texas, was a native 
of Tennessee, but removed with his family to Texas 
in 1839, and was elected County Clerk of Brazoria 
County. His mother, Christiana J. Roaue, born 
in Nashville, Tenn., .January 10, 1818, is the 
daughter of James Roane, son of Governor Archi- 
bald Roane, of Tennessee, in whose honor a county 
of that State is named ; a grandniece of Governor 
Spencer Roane, of Virginia, who was at one time 
United States senator from that State, and of David 
Roane, who was appointed by President Jefferson, 
United States District Judge for the State of Ken- 
tucky, and a cousin of Governor John Roane, of 
Arkansas. The maternal grandmother of James 
R. Masterson was a Miss Irby, of Virginia, a rela- 
tive of President John Tyler. One of her sisters 
is the mother of John Morgan, United States Senator 
from Alabama. Two of her nieces married Thomas 
Chilton of the Supreme Court of Alabama, one of 
whom was mother of Mrs. Abercrombie, of Hunts- 
ville. Another of her sisters, Mrs. Mary Hooker, 
of New Orleans, formerly Mrs. Noble, was the 
mother of John I. Noble, of New Orleans. 

His paternal uncle, William Masterson, married 
the eldest daughter of the celebrated Felix Grundy, 
of Tennessee. His bi'others, William, Washington 
(now dead), Archibald, and Branch T. Masterson, 
were all in the Confederate army and were gallant 
soldiers, William and Washington serving as 
officers. Harris was a small boy when the war 
began. 

James R. Masterson's opportunities for obtaining 
a thorough education were very limited. AVhen he 
was a youth there were no good schools in Texas, 
and what education he received is due to his 
mother. His early predilections were for the law, 
and he began the study of that science at the age 
of seventeen. In 1856 he entered the law office of 
Gen. John A. Wharton and Clinton Terry, at 
Brazoria. He had for four years lieen an assistant 
to his father in the County Clerk's office, and there 
gained much information in regard to forms and 
practice, knowledge that greatly facilitated his 
advancement. He was admitted to the bar in 



1858, having been declared of age for that purpose 
by the Legislature of Texas. As soon as admitted 
to the practice, he located in Houston and there 
applied himself to his profession with great dili- 
gence and assiduity. He was studious, careful and 
attentive to business. The industry and caution 
he displayed in the preparation of his cases gave 
him a standing at the bar at once, and secured for 
him a large and lucrative practice. By the unani- 
mous request of the Houston bar, he was, in 1870, 
appointed by Governor E. J. Davis, Judge of the 
Nineteenth Judicial District of Texas, composed of 
Harris and Montgomery counties. He entered 
upon the duties of that office with the same energy 
and industry that he had exhibited as a practi- 
tioner. His predecessors in office, prior to the 
war between the States, were men of acknowledged 
abihty and were eminently qualified for the station ; 
and from the time of his appointment, he exhibited 
a laudable ambition to worthily emulate their vir- 
tues. His executive ability in the disposition of 
judicial business is rarely equaled, and in applying 
the law to the facts of the case, few men are more 
careful and accurate, and none more conscientious. 
Judge Masterson served under the appointment 
of the Governor until the adoption of the present 
constitution, in 1876. By that instrument his office 
was made elective by the people, and he was the 
first judge of his district elected under it. He was 
nominated by the Democrats and chosen Judge of 
the Twenty-first (old Nineteenth) District, 

His personal character and official course have 
been so eminently satisfactory to the people that 
no man in the district could have been elected in 
his stead. He has but a very brief military record. 
He enlisted in the army to go to Virginia with 
Hood's scouts, but was transferred to Elmore's Reg- 
iment, Twenty-first Texas, commanded by Lieut.- 
Col. L. A. Abercrombie, and served one year, and 
was honorablj' discharged. Politically, Judge 
Masterson has always been a Democrat, and in the 
days of secession was a follower of Sam Houston 
and favored co-operation rather than secession. 
He did not endorse the constitutionality or the 
expediency of secession, but advocated the co-oper- 
ation of Texas with the northern tier of Southern 
States. He belongs to the State's Rights school of 
politics, but does not believe that secession is a 
constitutional remedy. 



304 



INDIAN WAR^ AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Judge Masterson is a Knight Templar and Past 
Master of Holland Lodge No. 1, Ancient Order of 
Free and Accepted Masons (Houston), of which 
Presidents Sam Houston and Anson Jones had been 
masters. He has been Captain-General and Gene- 
ralissimo of Ruthven Commandery No. 2, -chair- 
man of the committee of Foreign Correspondence 
of the Grand Commandery, and is a member of the 
committee of Grievances and Appeals of the Grand 
Lodge of Texas and of the Knights of Honor 
and German Turn Verein. He was baptized and 
reared in the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Mas- 
terson was also a member. Judge Masterson was 
married in Galveston, Texas, January 17, 1865, to 
Miss Sallie Wood, a native of Galveston, daughter 
of E. S. Wood, the noted hardware merchant of that 
city. She graduated at Miss Cobb's Seminary in 
her native city. Mrs. Masterson died in 1890. 
Four children were born of this union, all at Galves- 
ton : James Roane, Annie Wood, Lawrence Wash- 
ington (died in 1891), and Mary Heard Master- 
sou. 

The life of the gentleman whose biography is 
here briefly sketched demonstrates the value of 
perseverance and determination to succeed in the 
face of what seem to be insurmountable obstacles. 
Deprived of school in early life, learning from 
books only what a mother could teach amid a mul- 
tiplicity of household cares incident to the rearing 
of a large family, and starting without any capital, 
but having ambition and energy, he has not only 
earned a high position professionally, and an honor- 
able name among men, but also a considerable for- 
tune. He is now reckoned among the wealthy 
men of Houston. In 1879 when the Court of Com- 
missioners of Appeals was established, twenty-six 
out of the thirty State Senators, the Lieutenant- 
Governor and a large number of Representatives 
sio-ned a recommendation, or request, to the Gov- 
ernor to appoint him one of the judges of that court. 
This paper was sent to Judge Masterson with the 



expectation and desire that he would present it to 
the Governor, who would hardly have hesitated to 
comply with the wish of the petitioners and place 
him on the bench. The recommendation was never 
delivered to the Governor, however, as Judge Mas- 
terson did not want the place, although, in point of 
dignity, it is equivalent to a seat on the supreme 
bench. As a further evidence of the high esteem 
in which he is held by his fellow-countrymen of all 
parties, it may be stated that at the Democratic 
district convention held at Houston, July 30, 1880, 
he was unanimously renominated for Judge of the 
Twenty-first District, and the Independent conven- 
tion indorsed him with equal unanimity, and he 
was re-elected, beating his Republican opponent 
over three thousand votes, out of a total of seven 
thousand, and leading the Democratic State ticket 
twentj'-five hundred votes. On the bench he knows 
neither Democrat nor Republican. His undoubted 
integrity of character, his knowledge of law, his 
quick perceptions, his decided convictions, the 
urbanity of his manners and the care with which he 
studiously avoids wounding the feelings of others, 
are traits that account for his great popularity. He 
is a shrewd business man, commanding the respect 
and receiving the confidence of the community in 
his financial transactions. 

His life will bear microscopic inspection, whether 
as an officer or a citizen. He is a close observer of 
men and things and a hard student in his profes- 
sion, a man worthy of the trust reposed in him in 
all his relations of citizens, Christian, lawyer and 
judge. 

He is a man of spare build, being only five feet 
seven inches in height, and weighing onl}' one hun- 
dred and forty-six pounds. His complexion is 
fair, his eyes greyish-blue, and forehead high and 
intellectual. He is quick spoken, and his manner 
is frank and affable. 

In January, 1893, Judge Masterson resumed the 
general practice of his profession. 



SAMUEL E. HOLLAND, 



BURNET. 

Samuel Eli Holland was born in Merriweather in 1841. In April, 1847, he went to Austin and 

County, Ga., December 6lh, 1826, and came entered the United States army as a soldier in 

to Texas in 1846, having been preceded by his Samuel Highsmilh's Company, Sixth Texas Cavalry 

parents, John R. and Elizabeth Holland, who came (Jack Hay's Regiment), and with that command 



mDIAN WARS .kVZ) PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



305 



joined the army of Gen. Taylor, then in Mexico. He 
was engaged with Hays' Regiment in guerrilla war- 
fare until discharged in May, 1848, when he 
returned to Texas. 

During September of that year he settled in Bur- 
net County, then unorganized, where he purchased 
land on Hamilton creek, three miles below the 
present town of Burnet, twenty-five miles from his 
nearest neighbor, and there commenced farming. 
He invested eight or nine hundred dollars, the 
amount he had saved out of his pay for services 
in the army. Capt. Holland has been married 
three times. He first married Mary Scott in 1852, 
by whom one son, George, who now lives in Mason 
County, was born to him. She died in March, 
1855. December 6, 1855, he married Miss Clara 
Thomas. Nine children were born of this union, 
four sons and five daughters, viz. : David B., John 
H., Sam W., Porter D., Mary R., who married 
George Lester, of Llano County; Martha M., who 
married Henry Hester ; Louisa, Catherine and 
Elizabeth. Mrs. Holland died January 8, 1887. 
September 22, 1887, Mr. Holland married Mrs. 
Susan A. McCarty, by whom he has had three 
children, Charles Hamilton, Thomas A., and Will- 
iam A. 

Capt. Holland has been a successful business 
man. He was a member of the Texas Mining and 
Improvement Company, which built the North- 
western Railroad from Burnet to Marble Falls. He 
is largely engaged in farming and stock-raising and 



owns fine lands on Hamilton creek, in Burnet 
County. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a leading 
man in the Grange. He has always espoused the 
cause of law and order, given a ready and active 
support to the constituted authorities and been 
looked to and relied upon in time of public danger. 
Burnet was, for a long time after he settled there, 
a border county and subjected to Indian raids. He 
responded to every call of his neighbors to repel 
the Indians and protect the settlers and their prop- 
erty and was engaged in numerous Indian fights. 
At one time there was a band of counterfeiters on 
the Colorado river. Some of them were arrested 
and brought to trial, but none but negro evidence 
could be obtained, and they were acquitted. But 
they were notified by Capt. Holland and others to 
leave the county, which they promptly did. 

After the war a number of parties commenced 
rounding up the yearlings, branding them, and 
driving off the beef cattle. A number of these 
men were indicted, but Judge Turner refused to 
hold court unless he was protected. Capt. Holland, 
at the request of a number of respectable citizens, 
organized a small police force and Judge Turner, 
knowing of what kind of stuff the men were made, 
said to him: "Holland, I look to you to protect 
this court, else I can't hold it;" and be did protect 
the court, notwithstanding the threats and show of 
armed resistance that were made. 

Capt. Holland, although past middle age, is yet 
vigorous and active. 



PHILIP SANGER, 



DALLAS. 



We have selected for the subject of this 
memoir the head of the Dallas branch of 
a great mercantile establishment that, start- 
ing from a very small beginning a number of 
years since, has grown to be the pride of the 
State of Texas. We refer to Mr. Philip Sanger 
and to Sanger Bros., who own mammoth emporiums 
at Waco and Dallas. This house is considered 
the largest wholesale and retail establishment in the 
Southern States. Its working capital is several 
million dollars. It has three hundred and fifty 
employees at Dallas, and one hundred and fiftj' at 
Waco. It is conspicuous, not alone for its wealth 
and the magnitude of its yearly transactions, but 



for the high personal character and the important 
services, both in time of peace and war, rendered 
to the country by the gentlemen who compose the 
firm. Men who follow any occupation or pursue 
any profession are apt to consider theirs as superior 
to all others. The soldier prides himself upon 
being a member of the profession of arms. He 
looks about him and says: " That man is actuated 
by the greed of gain ; that man humbles himself to 
secure votes to put himself into some petty civil 
office ; that man is spending his days in represent- 
ing in court clients who have defrauded their neigh- 
bors or committed crimes for which they ought to be 
placed in the penitentiary or hanged, while we 



306 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



soldiers are relieved from all necessity for taking 
stock in the sordid affairs of life and, like gentle- 
men, stand ready, with clean hands and brave 
hearts and willing swords, to respond to the call of 
danger and defend our country if need be with our 
lives. Our profession elevates and ennobles and this 
can scarcely be said of any other." 

The phj'sician says : " Tiie soldier is only needed 
in time of war, and is an expense instead of an 
advantage in time of peace, and his presence is 
justified solely by the fact that it is necessary for 
the rest of the community to support liim in order 
to avoid the danger of foreign aggression. The 
profession of medicine is the greatest of all profes- 
sions. Men may get along without any thing else, 
but they are obliged to have doctors." So with 
the lawyer, so with the merchant and so with 
the members of nearly every other avocation ; 
but, the truth of the matter is, that each 
and all are needed to develop and sus- 
tain our complex and many-sided civilization. 
It is difficult to institute comparisons and deter- 
mine the relative value of any calling or pur- 
suit. There is nothing more certain, however, 
than that the commercial importance of a country 
depends upon the ability and enterprise displayed 
by its merchants and that no nation can amount to 
much or take high rank without possessing such 
merchants. Ancient Tyre and Sidon owed their 
opulence and power to them and not to their fleets 
and armies. The same may be said of Carthage, 
of Venice, and of modern England, and, in a large 
measure, of our own country. It requires more 
capacity and more labor to successfully man.age a 
large establishment like that of Sanger Bros., at 
Dallas, than to be Governor of Texas. The com- 
mercial world is a free Republic in which no man 
can expect special favors and in which every man 
must rise or fall according to his merits. He who 
enters it is compelled to meet the most skillful 
opponents, and contend against men of wonderful 
nerve, energy and brain. He must be constantly 
upon the ijuivive. He must possess not only exec- 
utive ability of a high order, but capacity for the 
minutest details and the hardest work. The subject 
of liiis notice stands pre-eminent in Texas as a 
financier and merchant. He was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, September 11, 1841. His parents were 
Elias and Babetta Sanger, who came to America 
and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, from which place 
they moved to New York City, where tiiey spent 
their remaining years. His father died in 1877, 
his mother in 1886. Both are buried in New York. 
They had ten children, seven sons and tliree 
daughters, of whom Isaac, senior partner of the 



firm of Sanger Bros., resides in New York; Leh- 
man resides in Waco, engaged in the real estate 
business ; Philip and Alexander are heads of the 
Dallas branch of Sanger Bros, business ; Samuel is 
a member of the firm of Sanger Bros, and lives at 
Waco ; Sophia, resides at Waco, her husband, 
L. Emanuel, in the employ of Sanger Bros. ; 
Eda, wife of Jacob Newburger, resides in New 
York (Mr. Newburger is one of the Eastern buy- 
ers for the firm of Sanger Bros.) ; Bertha, widow 
of Joseph Lehman, resides in New York ; and Jacob 
and David died of yellow fever at Bryan, Texas, 
in 1867, aged, respectively, twenty and seventeen 
years. After his arrival from Germany Mr. Philip 
Sanger remained in New York City for eighteen 
months, during which time he clerked for board and 
washing and $2.50 per month. He left New York 
in 1858 and went to Savannah, Ga., where he 
obtained employment in a clothing store where he 
received $10.00 per month for his services. At the 
end of a year he was sent to the interior, where 
he clerked for his employer and made collections 
until the beginning of the war between the 
States, Mr. Heller having gone North and left him 
to settle up that part of the business. Mr. San- 
ger's sympathies were with the Southern States 
and he responded to the call to arms bj' entering 
the Confederate army as a soldier in Company 
G., Thirty-second Georgia, commanded by Col. 
George P. Harrison, Jr. A few years since the 
writer met a friend of Mr. Sanger's at Weather- 
ford, Texas, who said: "I served in the army 
with Philip Sanger and I never knew a braver or 
better soldier." Besides other engagements, Mr. 
Sanger participated in that incident to the bom- 
bardment of Morris' Island, S. C, and the 
battles of Ocean Pond, Fla., and Bentonville, 
N. C, his term of service extended over three 
years and eight months. He was slightly wounded 
at Ocean Pond. Coming out of the war utterly 
penniless and the South being prostrated by the re- 
sults of the conflict, he went to Cincinnati, where he 
clerked in a notion store for eight months. He 
then joined his brothers, Isaac and Lehman, who 
had established themselves in business at Millican, 
Texas, where they remained until 1867, then 
moved to Bryan, then the terminus of the Texas 
Central Railway. In 186'J the firm followed the 
terminus to Calvert and did business there a year, 
after which they moved to Kosse ; stayed there six 
months ; moved to Grosbeck in tlie spring of 1871 ; 
in the fall of that year changed their base of 
operations to Corsicana, and in 1872 established 
themselves in Dallas, doing the leading business in 
all of the towns mentioned and at Dallas la^'ing broad 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



307 



and deep the foundation for the immense business 
which they liave since built up. Mr. Sanger was 
married August 26, 1860, to Miss Cornelia Mandel- 
baum, of New Haven, Connecticut. They have 
three children, one son and two daughters, all of 
whom are now living. Mr. Sanger has lost five 
children. He is a member of the I. O. B. B. 
He is modest and unpretentious in manner and 
an indefatigable worker. At the same time he 
is genial in manner, a most polished and elegant 
gentleman, and knows how to entertain royallj' 
at his palatial home. He has assisted with his 
personal influence in securing for Dallas many 
of the leading enterprises that now add to the 



prosperity of the place and has given largely in 
the way of donations to railroads. He has been an 
active promoter of every worthy public and private 
movement for which his aid has been solicited. 
His charities have been many and unostentatious. 
He is recognized far and wide as a man of com- 
manding talents in the field which he has selected 
for his life work. He has done as much, perhaps, 
of a practical nature, as any other man in the 
State to build up the material prosperity of Texas 
and deserves a place in this work beside those men 
who have proved themselves to be potent factors 
in our civilization. 



SAMUEL SANGER, 

WACO. 



Samuel Sanger, a leading merchant of Waco and 
one of the best known and most thoroughly repre- 
sentative business men and financiers in Texas, was 
born in Bavaria, South Germany, September 11th, 
1843, and educated in Wurzburg, Bavaria, and 
Berlin, Prussia, where he studied for and was ad- 
mitted to the Jewish ministry. He came to the 
United States in 1866 and from 1867 to March, 
1873, was the rabbi in charge of the synagogue at 
Philadelphia, Pa. In 1873, he came to Waco, 
Texas, and there engaged in business as a member 
of the famous mercantile house of Sanger Bros, of 
Dallas, who, in that year, established a branch 
house at Waco. Since that time he has had entire 
charge of the Waco store and has built up an im- 
mense trade for it. 

He was united in marriage at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in 1867, to Miss Hannah Heller, daughter of K. L. 
Heller, of that city. Thej' have four sons and one 



daughter, viz., Charles L., a cotton broker at 
Waco; Ike S., connected with the New York office 
of Sanger Bros. ; A. S., employed in the wholesale 
notion department of the firm's establishment at 
Waco ; Alex, now attending school in New York ; 
and Miss Carrie Sanger, who is living at home with 
her parents. Sanger Bros, is the largest dry goods 
house south of St. Louis and operates on a capital 
of millions of dollars. Mr. Sam. Sanger is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Honor, is a member of K. S. 
B. and is also a member and Past-President of I. 
O. B. B. A business man of pre-eminent energy, 
enterprise and ability, he is a ripe scholar and 
polished gentleman as well, and is universally 
esteemed in commercial and social circles. He 
is a man thoroughly representative of the best 
thought and purpose of the sphere of action in 
which he has for so many years been a notable and 
commanding figure. 



308 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



WILLIAM KINCHIN DAVIS, 



RICHMOND. 



It is difficult for men and women of this later 
generation, familiar with life upon peaceful farms 
and in towns and cities, to form a mental picture 
of the ph3'sical aspect of Texas sixty years ago, or 
to conceive of the hardships, privations and dangers, 
incident to colonial life at that remote period. 
Here and there, only, the smoke from a settler's 
cabin chimney curled upward on lonely [irairie or 
in primeval river bottom and forest. 

Weak and timid souls kept aloof from such a 
land. Brave, adventurous, hardy spirits poured 



after tlie disbanding of Somervell's army on the 
Rio Grande, marched into Mexico with other 
Texian troops and in December, 1842, participated 
in the remarkable and brilliant battle of Mier, in 
which he was severely wounded and which resulted 
in the surrender of the Texians under stipulations 
that were afterwards violated with customary Mexi- 
can perfid^^ The men were marched afoot, guarded 
by Mexican cavalry, toward the city of Mexico. 
He was one of those who made their escape at the 
hacienda of Salado and were recaptured, after suf- 




WM. K. DAVIS. 



into its confines — a race to which a San Jacinto 
was possible and that laid the foundation for the 
Institutions we enjoy. We have selected one of 
these men, the late William Kinchen Davis, for the 
subject of this memoir. 

He was born in the State of Alabama on the 11th 
day of November, 1822 ; came to Texas during the 
month of February, 1830 ; when fourteen years of 
age (in 1836), helped build a fort at the mouth of 
the Brazos river and in 1839 served in a campaign 
against the Indians around the head of the Brazos. 

Capt. Davis took part in the Somervell expedi- 
tion in 1842, as a member of Boski's command and 



fering untold horrors from thirst, hunger and 
exposure while wandering about lost in the moun- 
tains. After their recapture, Santa Anna sent an 
order for every tenth man to be shot, the victims to 
be selected by lot. As many beans as there were 
prisoners were placed in ajar — black beans to a 
number corresponding to the number of men that 
were to be killed and white beans for the rest. 
The jar was well shaken and the gaunt, and miser- 
able, yet still dauntless veterans were ordered to 
advance one by one and take a bean from the jar. 
As soon as this grim lottery of death was at an 
end, the unlucky holders of black beans were foully 




MRS. WM. K. DAVIS. 




WM. RYON. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



309 



murdered in cold blood and the line of march 
resumed. Capt. Davis drew a white bean and in 
due time staggered into the city of Mexico with his 
surviving companions, where they were put to hard 
labor. They were afterwards imprisoned at Perote, 
where they received similar treatment. Septem- 
ber 16th, 1844, they were released by Santa Anna 
and each man given one dollar with which to make 
the journey of fifteen hundred miles back to the 
settlements in Texas. 

Capt. Davis returned to Eichmond, Fort Bend 
County, where he ever after made his home. He 
was married to Miss Jane Pickens in 1845. She 
was a daughter of John H. and Eleanor (Cooper) 
Pickens and came to Texas with her parents at 
three years of age. 

Her father had made all preparations for her to 
marry another gentleman, but she eloped with Capt. 
Davis. They left her home on horseback and pro- 
ceeded to a neighbor's house, where they were 
married. They had five children: Fannie (died 
when three years of age), J. H. P. (living in Rich- 
mond), Eleanora (wife of B. A. Hinson, in busi- 
ness at Richmond), William Kinchen, Jr. (killed 



by cars at Richmond, August 14, 1888), and 
Archietto (widow of W. L. Jones, of Richmond). 
Mrs. Hinson has two cliildren, Mrs. Jones seven 
children, and William Kinchen Davis left surviving 
him a widow and four boys, who now reside in 
Houston. 

Mrs. Davis died in 1860, and is buried on the 
old homestead in Fort Bend County. Capt. Davis 
commanded a companj' for about six months during 
the war between the States but was not in action. 
He married again, March 5th, 1865, his second 
wife being Mrs. Jane Green, of Richmond. They 
had no children. She died in March, 1895, and is 
buried in the cemetery at Eichmond. Capt. Davis 
died August Sd, 1891, and is interred beside her. 
He was for many years prior to his death a member 
of the M. E. Church South and I. O. O. F. fra- 
ternity. While his educational advantages in 
early life (reared as he was in a pioneer settlement) 
were meager, yet he became a very successful busi- 
ness man and one of the leading men of his county. 

As peaceful and law-abiding in civil life as he 
was gallant in time of public danger and war, he 
came up to the full stature of good citizenship. 



WILLIAM RYON, 



RICHIVIOND. 



The late Wm. Ryon, of Richmond, Fort Bend 
County, one of the most gallant of the heroes known 
to Texas history, was born in Winchester, Ky., 
resided for several years in Alabama ; came to 
Texas in 1837, landing at the mouth of the Brazos, 
where he clerked, kept hotel and followed various 
occupations for a time ; in 1839 was a member of 
the surveying party that laid off the town of Austin, 
the newly selected site for the seat of government 
of the Republic, and later went to Fort Bend County, 
where he organized a company in 1842 and joined the 
army of Gen. Somervell for the invasion of Mexico. 
He was one of the three hundred men who did not 
return home after the formal disbanding of Somer- 
vell's army. They completed a regimental organ- 
ization December lOth, 1842, composed of com- 
panies commanded by Captains Ewin Cameron, 
Wm. Ryon, Wm. M. Eastland, J. G. W. Pierson, 
Claudius Buster, John R. Baker and C. K. Reese, 
and selecting Wm. S. Fisher for Colonel and Thomas 
A. Murray for Adjutant, marched across into 



Mexico, where they captured the town of Mier, for 
more than eighteen hours held at bay over two thou- 
sand Mexican soldiers under Ampudia (killing over 
seven hundred of the enemy), and finally surren- 
dered under promises that they would be treated as 
prisoners of war and kept on the frontier until 
exchanged. The pledges of Ampudia, reduced to 
writing after the surrender, were redeemed by tying 
the men in pairs and marching them on foot to 
Matamoros where they arrived on the 9th day of 
January, 1843, and were marched in triumph 
through the streets, with bells ringing, music play- 
ing and banners flying. Some of the citizens, how- 
ever, moved to pity, afterwards contributed clothing 
and money to supply' their most pressing needs. The 
main body of the prisoners left Matamoros on the 
14th, marched eighteen or twenty miles a day, 
were corralled at night like cattle and reached 
Monterey on the 28th of January. Here they 
were made more comfortable and rested until the 
2(1 of February. Arriving at Saltillo they were 



310 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



joined by five of the prisoners taken from San 
Antonio by Gen. Woll in tlie previous September. 
They left for San Luis Potosi under command of 
Col. Barragan and reached the hacienda of Salado, 
on the way, February 10, 1813. At a precon- 
certed signal on the morning of the 1 1th the prison- 
ers, led by Capts. Ewiu Cameron and William 
Ryon, rushed upon their guard, then eating break- 
fast, disarmed them and made their way into the 
court-yard, where they overcame one hundred and 
fifty infantry. Here they armed themselves and 
made a dash for the gate, overcame the guard 
stationed there and scattered the cavalry' on the 
outside, capturing their horses. They had four 



any of the stragglers found water. They hurried 
wilh mad joy to the spot, to find themselves in the 
midst of a body of Mexican cavalry, under com- 
mand of Gen. Mexia. Nearly all, through exhaus- 
tion, had thrown away their arms, and none were 
in condition to offer resistance. They accordingly 
surrendered. During the day other stragglers 
came to the camp or were found and brought in by 
the soldiers. On the 19th, Capt. Cameron came in 
with quite a number and surrendered. The men were 
marched back to the hacienda of Salado, where 
they learned that Santa Anna had ordered all of 
thorn to be shot, but, yielding to remonstrances from 
Gen. Mexia and some of his officers, had commuted 




MRS. WM. RYON. 



men killed, three of whom were to have been their 
guides through the mountains on their homeward 
march. They secured one hundred and seventy 
stand of arms and one hundred horses. At 10 
o'clock a. m. they left. They traveled sixty-four 
miles the first twenty-four hours on the Saltillo road. 
They next abandoned the road and sought escape 
through the mountains. On the night of the 13lh, 
in the darkness they became separated ; and, dur- 
ing the five succeeding days, suffering from hunger, 
thirst and the cold air from the mountains, tbey 
wandered about searching for water. Several be- 
came demented and a number became separated 
from their companions and were never heard of 
more. About noon on the 18th, those in the main 
body discovered a smoke, the signal to be given if 



the order and ordered that one in ten be put to 
death. Gen. Mexia, who upon capturing the pris- 
oners haditeated them with great humanity, now 
tendered his resignation, refusing to officiate at so 
"cruel and unmartial " a ceremony. Seventeen 
Texians, selected from among their companions by 
drawing black beans, were marched out and shot, 
Col. Juan de Dios Ortiz executing the order. The 
prisoners, tied in pairs, were then marched to the 
city of Mexico, which they reached on the 2oth of 
April. They remained in the city until March 12th, 
1844, when they were taken to Perote, where was 
situated the strongly built and fortified castle of 
San Carlos. In September following, the prisoners 
were released bj^ Santa Anna and permitted to return 
home. Capt. Ryon received three severe wounds 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



311 



in the battle of Mier and suffered more than his full 
share of the miseries that afflicted the Texian sol- 
diers after their surrender, seeking to ameliorate 
the condition of his companions as far as lay in his 
power. Returning to Fort Bend County he, in 
April, 1845, married Miss Mary M. Jones, of Rich- 
mond, and engaged in farming, stock raising and 
merchandising, which he followed for about four 
years. The family lived in Houston for about three 
years, but returned to Richmond. Capt. Ryon was 
a member of the Episcopal Church and Masonic 
fraternity. He died October 31, 1875, at the home 
of Capt. W. K. Davis at Richmond, universally 



admired and respected. Mrs. Ryon's parents were 
Henry and Nancy .Jones of Richmond, Texas. She 
was born at that place December 28, 1820, and 
reared in Fort Bend County. She bore Capt. Ryon 
nine children, only three of whom lived to be grown, 
viz. : James E., who married Miss Josie Dagnal, of 
Richmond, and died in 1895 at fort^'-four years of 
age; Susan E., who married J. H. P. Davis, of 
Richmond, and died Oct. 30, 1884, leaving two 
children, Mildred, who married, first, James Wheat, 
of Richmond, who was killed at his home, and next, 
F. I. Booth, and now lives at Richmond with her 
husband. 



HENRY JONES, 



RICHMOND. 



This widely-known Texian, a pioneer, and mem- 
ber of Stephen F. Austin's first colony (known to 
Texas as " the original 300") was born in Rich- 
mond, Va., March 15th, 1789. His parents were 
natives of Virginia. Mr. Jones married Miss 
Nancy Stiles in Missouri, January, 1821, and came 
to Texas the following year, traveling overland 
from Missouri to Red river, and from Red river to 
Washington County, where he joined Austin's 
colony at San Felipe. He lived one year at Inde- 
pendence, where his first child, Wm. S., was born, 
the first male child born in the colony. Wm. S. 
Jones grew to manhood, married, reared a family 
of children, several of whom are now living, and 
was a 'successful farmer and stock raiser in Fort 
Bend County to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1875. His wife died in 1878. 

Eleven other children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Jones, viz. : James, who died at Richmond, 
Texas, in 1857; Mary M. (widow of Wm. M. 
Ryon), who resides at Richmond ; John H, who died 
at twenty-two years of age; Hettie E., who died 



in 1870; Virginia C, who died about the year of 
1859; Elizabeth R., who died in 1890; Susan A., 
who married R. W. Nealy, of Franklin, Ky., where 
she now resides ; Wylie P. , who now resides at 
Richmond and is the justice of the peace for that 
precinct ; Emily, who died in childhood ; Laura H., 
wife of Lafayette Hubbard, of Montgomery, Ala., 
and Thomas W., who died at Richmond, August 
28, 1895, aged forty-Bve years. Mr. Jones settled 
in Fort Bend County, in 1823 ; brought the first 
cattle into that section, cut the first road from East 
to West Columbia and erected the second gin and 
horse mill in Fort Bend County. 

Mr. Jones was with the Texian army during the 
revolutionary campaign until near its close, when 
he and others were detailed to look after the fam- 
ilies that were fleeing before the advancing Mexi- 
cans and so missed the battle of San Jacinto, much 
to his regret. 

Mrs. Jones died August 5th, 1851, and Mr. Jones 
June 8th, 1861, at his farm, eight miles from Rich- 
mond, where they were buried side by side. 



312 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN H. P. DAVIS, 



RICHMOND. 



J. H. P. Davis, head of the banking firm of J. H. 
P. Davis & Co., of Richmond, Texas, and one of 
the wealthiest and most influential stock raisers 
and planters of Southeastern Texas, was born 
Febniar}' 11th, 1851, in Fort Bend County, where 
he grew to manhood and has since resided. His 
parents were Capt. Wm. K. and Mrs. Jane (Pick- 
ens) Davis. Mr. Davis married Miss Susan E. 
Ryon, daughter of Capt. Wm. Ryon, February 10, 
1875. She died Oct. 30, 1884, leaving two chil- 
dren, Mamie E. and Thomas W. She is buried in 
the family cemetery upon the old homestead eight 



miles from Richmond. Mr. Davis married his 
present wife, jieeMiss Belle Ryon, of Franklin, Ky., 
November 27th, 1888. Her parents were James 
and Elizabeth (Miller) Ryon ; her father was a 
prominent farmer of his section of the "Blue 
Grass" State.- Mr. Davis' ranch, in Fort Bend 
County, is one of the most valuable in the State, 
comprising about 50,000 acres, 1,000 of which are 
under cultivation. He has aided every worthy 
public enterprise and is a man thoroughly in 
touch with the best thought and purpose of the 
people. 



JULIUS RUNGE, 



GALVESTON. 



The subject of this memoir was born at New 
Braunfels, Comal County, Texas, February 1, 1851. 
His father, George Ruuge, and mother, whose 
maiden name was Dorothea Spieckle, were natives 
of Germany. They came to Texas in 1850 and 
settled at New Braunfels. At that time — from 
1845 to 1855 — there was a large German immi- 
gi'ation into Southwest Texas. 

Julius was sent to school at Cassel, Germany, but 
did not attend the university located at that place. 
Completing his studies at Cassel he attended a 
commercial school in Saxony until 1867, when he 
came to Galveston, where he has ever since resided 
and has, since 1874, been a member of the well- 
known firm of Kaufman & Runge. He was ap- 
pointed consul at Galveston for the German Empire 
in 1875, and has since held that position at that 
post. 

Mr. Runge served three years as a member of 
the Board of Aldermen of the city of Galveston, 
between the years of 1877 and 1880 (one term of 
one year and one of two years) and, while acting 
in the capacity of Chairman of the Finance Commit- 
tee (in view of the fiscal condition of the city then 
the most impoitant position under the city govern- 
ment, for it was a time when a majority of Southern 
cities were contemplating the repudiation of their 



obligations) was chiefly instrumental in bringing 
the municipality into a sound financial condition, 
by reducing the rate of interest on her bonded 
indebtedness from ten and twelve to eight and five 
per cent, the latter being the rate now paid, with 
bonds nearly at par. To complete the good work 
thus initiated Mr. Runge afterward accepted the 
office of City Treasurer, which he filled from 1883 
to 1891 and now holds. His investments in inter- 
ests outside the firm of Kaufman & Runge are 
varied and widespread. Thus he is president of 
the First National Bank, an office that he has held 
since 1879, and of the Texas Land & Loan Co. ; 
vice-president of the Southern Cotton Press & 
Manufacturing Co. ; a director in the Texas Cotton 
Press Co. ; a director in the Galveston City Railway 
Co., which built the Beach Hotel; acting president 
of the Galveston Cotton Exchange during the past 
five years ; a director in the Island City Savings 
Bank, which he helped to reinstate upon a strong 
financial basis in 1885 ; one of the organizers of 
and now one of the directors in the Galveston Cot- 
ton & Woolen Mills Co. ; a director of the Galves- 
ton & Western Railway, and a director in the Texas 
Guarantee and Trust Co. He was one of the 
stockholders and directors of the Santa Fe when 
that road was reorganized in 1878 or 1879 ; was 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



313 



one of the charter members of the Garten Verein 
in 1876, and haa been a member of the Galveston 
Deep Water Committee ever since its organization, 
and in 1882 and 1884 went to Washington City and 
labored zealously and effectively in the interests of 
securing deep water at Galveston. 

He has been connected with almost every large 
corporation chartered or enterprise inaugurated in 
Galveston during the past twenty years, and thus 
he is by property as well as social ties identified 
■with the best interests of the city, for whose wel- 
fare he has worked so unceasingly. 

On starting out upon his business career Mr. 
Runge inherited some money from his father and 
was materially aided by his uncle, Mr. Henry 
Runge, of Indianola and Galveston, who advanced 



him the necessary capital to secure his admission 
to the present firm of Kaufman & Runge. He 
early displayed remarkable business talents and has 
since made a brilliant record as a merchant, finan- 
cier and public official. 

In 1876 he was united in marriage to his cousin. 
Miss Johanna Runge, daughter of Mr. Henry 
Runge, who was a member of the firm before the 
subject of this memoir was admitted to the partner- 
ship. Mr. Julius Runge has seven children — three 
girls and four hoys. He is a member of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Church and baptized and confirmed 
in that faith, but is a member of no secret order. 
In the prime of a vigorous, physical and mental 
manhood, he is a notable figure in the commercial 
world of Texas. 



ELDRED J. SIMKINS, 



CORSICANA. 



Hon. E. J. Simkins, a distinguished ex-judge of 
the Court of Appeals of the State of Texas, and for 
two sessions a member of the State Senate, was 
born and reared in Edgefield District, South Caro- 
lina; acquired his preliminary literary education at 
Beaufort, in that State, and completed it at South 
Carolina College, graduating with the class of 1859. 
The Twent3^-first and Twenty-second Sessions of the 
Texas State Senate presented a brilliant galaxy of 
talent in which his star shone as one of the first 
magnitude. He took an active and prominent part 
in the legislation enacted by those bodies and few 
of his colleagues were more magnetic or able in 
debate. He left his impress upon some of the most 
salutary laws that were placed upon the statute 
books. 

Under an act of Congress, passed in 1862, all the 
property of his family at Beaufort and in the ad- 
joining islands was confiscated on account of their 
loyalty to the State, made sacred to them by the 
nativity and graves of the family for generations. 

He volunteered in the Confederate service in 1861, 
and served in the Hampton Legion until 1862, when 
he was appointed to the first regular artillery 
regiment and served during the war at Fort Sump- 
ter and the posts around Charleston, S. C. 
In 1867 he moved to Florida and commenced 
the practice of law at Monticello witli his brother, 
under the firm name of Simkins & Simkins. In 



1868 he was elected Chairman of the Democratic 
Executive Committee of Jefferson Couuty and re- 
tained that position until he came to Texas in 1871, 
and settled at Corsicana. He was editor of the 
Monticello Advertiser, a Democratic paper, in 1869 
and 1870, and, on his removal to Texas, edited 
the Navarro Banner, until his election as District 
Attorney. Being joined, in Texas, by his brother, 
he engaged in the practice of his profession under 
the firm name of Simkins & Simkins ; at once took 
high rank at the bar, and in 1872 was elected Dis- 
trict Attorney of the Thirty-fifth Judicial District. 
He was also elected to the Chairmanship of the 
Democratic Executive Committee of Navarro 
County, which he held until 1877. He was a com- 
petitor for the Democratic nomination for Attorney- 
General against Hon. John D. Templeton, in 1879. 
In 1882, he was appointed one of the regents of 
the University of Texas and was twice re-appointed 
and confirmed. In 1884, he was a member of the 
National Democratic Convention, representing in 
that body the Ninth Congressional District of 
Texas. In 1886 he was elected, by a majority of 
2,800 votes, to the Twentieth and Twenty-first 
Legislatures, from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, 
composed of the counties of Navarro, Limestone 
and Freestone. 

Coming to the Senate at a time when popular 
prejudice was most rife against the University of 



314 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Texas, he was its recognized champion. By con- 
stant effort and labor, and by conciliatory methods, 
he disarmed hostilitj', changed prejudice into friend- 
liness, and finally succeeded iu winning, eveu from 
its enemies, a recognition of the right of the Uni- 
versity to public support. 

In 1890 he was re-elected, by a large majority, to 
the State Senate from his district, after one of the 
most prolonged and bitter contests ever recorded in 
the political annals of Texas. The Senatorial Con- 
vention (almost equally divided) cast mbre than 
1800 ballots without making a nomiuatiou and 
finally adjourned sine die, each side placing its 
candidate before the people. He did yeoman ser- 
vice on the stump for the triumph of the Democ- 
racy in the exciting contest that followed before 
the people, and the signal victory that was achieved 
at the polls in November was mainly due to his 
effort and the efforts of the friends who espoused 
his cause. 

In the Twenty-second Legislature he was Chair- 
man of the Senate Committee on Constitutional 
Amendments, and was the author of the constitu- 
tional amendment to the judiciary article which 
was adopted iu August, 1891, which totallj' changed 
the appellate system of the State, separating the 
criminal from the civil jurisdiction and preparing the 
way for its separation in the district and county. 

On the assembling of the Legislature in extra 
session in February, 1892, he was made ciiairman 
of the committee to frame the laws putting the new 
system into operation, and the entire work of pre- 
paring the necessary bills was relegated to him, 



and, after three weeks hard labor, his work was 
presented and accepted by the committee and the 
Legislature almost without a change, and is the 
law to-day. 

Immediately upon the adjournment of the Leg- 
islature Judge White, the presiding judge of the 
Court of Appeals, having resigned, Senator Sim- 
kins was appointed in his place and went on the 
bench at Austin, in May, 1892. In November, 
1892, he was elected to fill the vacancy, and re- 
mained on the bench until January 1, 1895, when 
he was succeeded by the Hon. J, N. Henderson. 
From his first opinion to the close of his term his 
great effort was to strike down "judge-made" 
technicalities and bring the administration of 
criminal law to the test of reason and common 
sense. This aroused a powerful opposition among 
the criminal lawyers and led to his defeat in 1894 
before the State convention. 

On leaving the bench he returned to his home in 
Corsicana. 

He married Miss Eliza Trescot, of Beaufort, 
S. C, and has a family of five living children. 
He is a member of the Episcopal Church and 
the Masonic Grand Lodge. The law firm of 
Simkins & Simkins having been dissolved in 1885, 
by the removal of his brother to Dallas, he formed 
a copartnership with Hon. R. S. Neblett, under 
the firm name of Simkins & Neblett, a connection 
that continued until March, 1892. Judge Simkins 
is now engaged in practice at Corsicana with Mr. 
Richard Mays under the firm name of Simkins & 
Mays. 



WILEY JONES, 

WACO. 



The subject of this memoir was born in Blount 
County, Ala., and came to Texas with his parents, 
Acquilla and Dillie Jones. They came to this 
State in the spring of 1848 and settled near Came- 
ron, in Milam County. They were married in 
1827 in Alabama and had six children, three boys 
and three girls, all of whom were born in that State, 
except one daughter, Mrs. Jack Johnson of Waco, 
Texas. They moved to McLennan County, Texas, 
in 1854, and engaged in farming and stockraising. 
The father died in 1880 and the mother in 1890 on 
their farm, twelve miles from Waco, and are buried 
there. 



Wiley Jones was born July 17th, 1829. He re- 
ceived a good common school education and had 
the usual experiences common to boys and young 
men during the time he grew to manhood in this 
State. Having a taste for adventure, he, in April, 
1848, enlisted in Capt. John Conner's Ranger 
company, attached to Bell's regiment, and until 
December of that year was quartered with it at a 
point near the head of Richland creek, half way 
between the present cities of Waco and Fort Worth. 
That portion of the country was then covered with 
buffaloes and infested with hostile Indians. In 
December the company marched to Austin and was 



t 




.'^.'*>\ 






jf^^m. 




^ 




SIIAPLEY P. KOSS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



315 



there mustered out of service. During the time 
that Mr. Jones was a member of it he distinguished 
himself for gallantry and met with many thrilling 
adventures. 

He was married in 1849 in Cameron, Texas, to 
Miss Margaret Ellison, daughter of J. W. Ellison, 
of Brazos County. Mr. Jones lived in Milam 
County until 1850 and then moved to McLennan 
County, where he bought improved lands and en- 
gaged in stockraising and farming. Six children 
have been born to them, three boys and three 
girls, viz. : Travis and William, who live in Waco ; 



Bettie, now the wife of J. E. Egan, of Waco ; Dee, 
now wife of W. H. Gibson, of Waco ; Joney, ex- 
City Secretary, who resides at Waco, and Rosa, who 
is living at home. Mr. Jones, by thrift, energy 
and business ability, has accumulated a compe- 
tency and by the exercise of many excellent quali- 
ties as citizen, neighbor and friend, has widely 
endeared himself to the people, among whom he 
has spent the best years of an active and useful 
life, and is now, at an advanced age, enjoying a 
well-earned rest among his numerous family and 
friends. 



SHAPLEY P. ROSS, 



WACO. 



Perhaps no early settler did more to free Texas 
from the depredations of hostile Indians, rendered 
more valuable services to the commonwealth over 
a longer period of time, or is more general!}- or 
affectionately remembered, than the illustrious sub- 
ject of this memoir, Capt. Shapley P. Ross, for 
many years prior to his death a resident of the city 
of Waco, in McLennan County. His life-history is 
a part, and a large part, of the history of Texas. 

He was born in Jefferson County, Ky., six 
miles from Louisville, January 18, 1811. His 
parents were Shapley and Mary (Prince) Ross, 
natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents 
were Lawrence and Susan (Oldham) Ross, the 
former born in Scotland and a scion of the historic 
Ross family of that country. Lawrence Ross came 
to America with his father when a bo}'^ and, while 
attending school in Virginia, was shot through the 
shoulder and taken prisoner by the Indians. He 
remained with the Indians until he was twenty- 
three years of age and was then given up by them 
upon the signing of the first treaty of Limestone. 
He and his wife both lived to an advanced age, his 
death occurring in Jefferson County, Ky., in 1817, 
at the age of ninety-eight, and his wife two years 
later. 

Shapley Ross (father of the subject of this 
notice) was a Kentucky planter and large slave- 
holder. He moved to Lincoln County, Missouri, 
in 1817, and died in 1823, at the age of sixty-five 
years. His wife was descended from- a distin- 
guished Virginia family and was a lady of many 
estimable qualities. She was a member of the 



Primitive Baptist Church. Her death occurred in 
Iowa at the home of her son, Capt. Shapley P. 
Ross, in 1837. She left surviving her six sons and 
three daughters, viz. : William, Lawrence, Mervin, 
Pressly, Nevill, Shapley P., Susan, Caroline, and 
Elizabeth. 

After Shapley Ross' death the estate was divided 
among the heirs, all grown and married except 
Shapley P., who was then eleven or twelve years 
of age. He lived with his mother upon the 
homestead for a time, but she subsequently broke 
up housekeeping and he went to live with his 
brother Mervin, who was his guardian. At the 
age of sixteen he visited the Galena lead mines. 
He was alwaj's a lover of fine horses and while in 
his teens was engaged in trading in cattle and 
horses. He followed this and various other pur- 
suits until, when twenty-nine years of age, he met, 
wooed and, November 4, 1830, married, Miss 
Katherine H. Fulkerson, a native of Bucking- 
ham Countj', Va., born September 23, 1814, 
daughter of Capt. Isaac Fulkerson, a wealthy 
planter of German descent, who moved from Vir- 
ginia to Missouri in 1814, where he died in May, 
1837. Capt. Fulkerson was at one time a Senator 
in the Missouri Legislature. Mrs. Ross is one of 
the most widely known and estimable ladies in 
Texas. Possessed of the courage requisite to fac- 
ing the dangers of frontier life she at the same 
time is gifted with those sweet, womanly qualities 
that adorn the nome and grace the higher walks of 
social life. 

After his marriage Capt. Ross lived in Iowa and 



316 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Missouri, engaged in farming, hotel-keeping, trad- 
ing witii Indians, etc., until 1839. In 1834 he and 
some chosen friends, with their families, settled on 
the Indian reservation on the Des Moines river, in 
Iowa. The reservation was occupied by the Fox 
and Sioux Indians, then under the leadership of 
the noted chief. Black Hawk. They immediately 
constructed houses, began farming and the com- 
munity became known as the " Ross Settlement." 
It was here that Col. Peter Ross and ex-Governor 
L. S. Ross were born. In 1838, Capt. Ross rented 
out his farm, placed his other interests in the hands 
of his agent and went to Missouri. In 1839, hav- 
ing been advised by his physicians to seek a warmer 
climate, he came to Texas, where he ever after made 
his home. 

Upon his arrival here he took the oatli of alleg- 
iance to the Republic of Texas, which was admin- 
istered by Neil McLennan, and thus became entitled 
to a head-right of 640 acres of land. He settled 
at Old Nashville on the Brazos in Milam County 
and planted a small crop of corn and killed buffaloes 
to supply his family with food. Leaving his wife 
and children at Nashville, he went out with his 
nephew, Shapley Woolfolk, to look at the country, 
now embraced within the limits of Bell and McLen- 
nan Counties, and, being pleased with it, went back 
to Nashville and traded his wagon and horses for 
640 acres on the Leon river and 600 acres in 
Burleson County. While at Nashville, the inhab- 
itants being collected there for protection against 
Indians, Capt. Ross proposed to Capt. Monroe and 
others to move with him to Little river and form 
a settlement, each pledging himself not to leave 
unless all left, until a treaty was made with the 
Indians. Seven or eight of these men, with their 
families, moved to and settled on Capt. Monroe's 
league of land in Milam County, thirty-five miles 
above Nashville, the nearest white settlement. 
This little, but determined colony, had frequent 
fights with Indians. A detailed account of Capt. 
Ross' experiences in those pioneer days would read 
like a thrilling romance, and would fill the pages of 
a large volume. Only a brief sketch, however, can 
be presented here. On one occasion the Indians 
raided the settlement by night and stole all the 
horses. Fortunately for the pioneers, a man came 
into the settlement early next day with a number of 
mules. Capt. Ross and others at once mounted 
and hastened after the red-skins, who were over- 
taken on Buggy creek, where a bloody and desper- 
ate fight ensued. Capt. Ross singled out one big 
Indian, and his nephew, R. S. Woolfolk, another, 
and a hand-to-hand fight with knives followed. 
Both Indians were killed and their companions were 



also dispatched. All the i)roperty stolen was 
recovered. 

In 1842 Capt. Ross was a member of Capt. Jack 
Hays' compan}' of rangers. In 1845 he sold his 
land, on which the town of Cameron now stands, 
for a two-horse wagon and a yoke of oxen. He 
then moved to Austin, the State capital, in order to 
afford his children better educational advantages. 
The following year he raised a company of volun- 
teers for the protection of the frontier, was elected 
Captain and in that capacity rendered efllcient and 
invaluable service to the State. With the Indian 
agent, he visited all the hostile tribes on the fron- 
tier in 1848 and assisted in effecting treaties of peace 
with them, in consequence of the adoption of which 
there was peace between them and the whites for 
nearly two years. 

In March, 1849, Capt. Ross moved to Waco, 
being induced to locate there by the company that 
owned the league of land on which Waco is now 
situated. They offered to give him four lots and 
the ferry privilege and to sell him eighty acres of 
land at $1.00 per acre, all of which he accepted. 
The town was laid out soon after. He selected his 
lots and built a cabin on them. He also bought 200 
acres at $2.50 an acre, in addition to the eighty 
already mentioned. On the former he spent the 
evening of his life, his home being a two-story frame 
building, located in a natural grove, filled with 
mocking birds, in the extreme south part of Waco. 

In 1855 Capt. Ross was appointed Indian agent 
and given charge of the various tribes then on 
reservations in different parts of the State, which 
position he held until 1858. By his diplomacy he 
gained the good-will of all the friendly tribes and 
they followed his instructions in every way. In 1857 
the Comanches, who were always hostile, raided 
the settlement and took away a large number of 
horses and other valuable property. Capt. Ross 
at once organized a force of one hundred of the 
best warriors from the friendly tribes, dressed him- 
self in the garb of an Indian Chief and took the 
lead in pursuit of the foe. He was joined by Capt. 
Ford, of the United States Army, and soon came 
upon the Comanches' camp, which was deserted. A 
short distance away, however, they discovered the 
Indian thieves secreted in a ravine in full force and 
ready to give battle. Then followed one of the 
most desperate Indian fights which ever occurred 
upon the soil of Texas. Seventy-five Indians were 
killed and the property recaptured. During this 
struggle Capt. Ross was singled out by the chief of 
the Comanches, a powerful warrior, who charged 
down upon him at the full speed of his horse. The 
Indians covered with their arrows the chief, who, 




EX-GOV. L. S. ROSiS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



317 



it was afterwards discovered, wore a coat of mail. 
Capt. Ross dismounted and, with his trusty rifle, 
calmly waited the oncoming of the Comanche 
until his antagonist was within proper distance and 
then fired, killing him instantly and driving parts 
of the coat of mail into his body. This armor was 
taken from the dead chief and deposited in the 
museum in the State capitol. 

On the death of Robert S. Neighbors, Superin- 
tendent of Indian Affairs for Texas, Capt. Ross 
was ordered to San Antonio to settle up the affairs 
of the Indian Superintendency, this work requiring 
his presence in San Antonio during the entire winter 
of 1859-60. 

In politics he was ever a staunch Democrat. He 
opposed Texas joining the Confederacy but favored 
secession as a separate State under the " Lone 
Star." He was not engaged in the military service 
of the Confederacy. He joined the Masons in 1851 
at Waco and remained a member of that fraternity 
as long as he lived. He departed this life Septem- 
ber 17, 1889. 

He was a man of wide self-culture, a delightful 
conversationalist and a writer of excellent ability, 
from whom contributions, relating to old times, and 
often to issues pending before the people, were 
eagerly sought by the press of the State. 

Nine children were born to Capt. and Mrs. Ross, 
viz.: Mary Rebecca, Margaret Virginia, Peter F., 
Lawrence Sullivan, Ann, Mervin, Robert S., Kate 
and William H. Mervin died at the age of six 
years. The others grew up, received excellent 
educational advantages, married, have families and 
are now occupying useful and honored positions in 
life. 

LAWRENCE SULLIVAN ROSS. 

Hon. Lawrence Sullivan Ross, ex-Governor of 
Texas and now President of the State Agricultural 
and Mechanical College, at Bryan, a man who 
retired from political office, enjoying the unlimited 
confidence, respect and affectionate regard of all 
the people of Texas, irrespective of party affilia- 
tions, although he was a pronounced and vigorous 
champion of Democracy, and who in the position 
he has now filled for several years as the head of 
one of the State's most important educational in- 
stitutions, has still further endeared himself to the 
people and given the strongest possible proof of 
the scope and versatility of his talents, was born at 
Benton's Post, Iowa, in 1838. In 1856 he attended 
Baylor University at Waco and the same year was 
sent to the Wesleyan University at Florence. Ala. 
Returning home in 1858 to spend the summer 
vacation he assembled a company of one hundred 



and twenty-five Indian warriors and hurried to the 
support of Maj. Earl Van Dorn, who was leading 
the Second United States Cavalry against the Co- 
manches ; joined forces with that officer and in 
October of that year played a conspicuous part in 
the battle of Wichita and, by an act of daring 
bravery, rescued a little white girl eight years of 
age, who had been with the Indians perhaps from 
infancy. He named her Lizzie Ross. In after 
years she married a wealthy Californian and died 
at her home in Los Angeles in 1886. 

The Indians were completely routed in the battle, 
but both Van Dorn and Ross were badly wounded. 
When sufficiently recovered the subject of this 
sketch resumed his studies at Florence, graduated 
in 1859, hastened back to Texas and in 1860, at 
the head of Pease river, as Captain of a company 
of sixty rangers, employed to guard the Western 
frontier, administered a blow that forever crushed 
the warlike Comanches. In the battle he killed 
Peta Nocona, the last of the great Comanche chief- 
tains, captured all the effects of the savages and 
restored to civilization Cynthia Ann Parker, who 
had been captured by the Comanches at Parker's 
Fort in 1836. Very few of the Indians escaped the 
fury of the rangers. As a recognition of his serv- 
ices. Governor Sam Houston appointed Ross an 
aide-de-camp with the rank of Colonel. Through 
the efforts of Capt. L. S. Ross and his men more 
than 800 horses stolen by the Indians were recov- 
ered and returned to their owners. He gave law 
and safety to the frontier after all others had failed 
and when the State had expended more than $350,- 
000 with little effect the year previous to his ap- 
pointment. Gen. Houston wrote to him in 1860: 
" Continue to repel, pursue and punish the Indians 
as you are now doing and the people of Texas will 
not fail to reward you. — Sam Houston." 

The old General's words were prophetic. Ross 
lived to perform many other valuable services in 
civil life and in a wider field of military operations, 
and the people of Texas have since showered 
honors upon him as they have upon few men who 
have figured in the history of the State. February, 
1861, he tendered his resignation to Gen. Houston ; 
served for a brief period under Governor Clark on 
the Indian Embassy and then entered the Confed- 
erate army as a private in Company G. , commanded 
by his brother, Capt. (afterwards the distinguished 
Col.) P. F. Ross; rose rapidly from the ranks and, 
September 3d, 1861, was elected Major of his 
regiment, the Sixth Texas Cavalry. 

In May, 1862, he was elected Colonel and was 
immediately assigned by Maj. -Gen. L. Jones to 
command of the brigade, but modestly declined 



318 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the houoi-, and Gen. Phifer was subsequently 
selected. 

Gen. Van Dorn, with about 15,000 men, made a 
forced march on Corinth, Miss., but not receiving 
expected re-enforcements, was repulsed after a 
sharp engagement by Gen. Rosecrans, who, 
with 30,000 men, was strongly entrenched at that 
place. The enemy followed up the disorderly 
retreat of the Confederate troops toward the bridge 
on Hatchie river the following day. Here Ross, 
in command of Phifer's brigade, was stationed to 
guard the Confederate wagon-trains and rear and, 
with his 1,000 men, held over 10,000 Union soldiers 
at bay for over an hour and a half — long enough 
to enable Van Dorn to reform his troops and 
retreat safely and in good order. Gen. Maury was 
requested by the War Department at Richmond to 
give the name of the officer who had especially dis- 
tinguished himself in this action and at once 
reported that of Col. Ross. Without the knowl- 
edge or consent of Ross, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston 
wrote to the Secretary of War, October 3d, 1863, 
and had him appointed Brigader-General, a posi- 
tion filled by him until the close of hostilities. 
Ross served in the Trans-Mississippi department, 
and also " across the river," under Gen. Joseph E. 
Johnston and Gen. Hood, fighting through the 
famous Georgia campaign. He was elected Sheriff 
of McLennan County in 1875 ; served the same 
year as a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion; was a member of the State Senate from 1881 
to 1883 ; was nominated by the Democratic party 
and elected Governor in 1886 ; was re-elected Gov- 
ernor in 1888 practically without opposition, and 
on retiring from office early in 1891, was made 
President of the State Agricultural and Mechanical 
Co'lege at Bryan, the position he now fills. 

The following, taken from a Texas paper and pub- 
lished during Ross' second campaign before the 
people for re-election to the office of Governor of 
Texas, fitly illustrates his character and shows by 
what means he won the respect and devotion of the 
men who served under him during the war: " An 
affecting scene occurred at Morgan the other day, 
when a prominent attorney of one of our frontier 
counties sought an introduction to Ross and, with 
the tears quietly stealing down his cheeks, said : 
'I have just received a letter from a favorite 
brother, now in Mississippi, who was an old soldier 
under you and who was desperately wounded on 
the retreat from Nashville and left on the road- 
side to die. He says, sir, that when you came by 
him in charge of the rear guard, and the Yankees 
were pouring shot and shell into your brave little 
band that stood between Hood's disorganized col- 



umns and the pursuing enemy, he hailed 3'ou and 
bade you a lasting good-bye, whereupon you rode 
to where he la3' and, dismounting, examined his 
wounds and asked if he could find strength enough 
to ride behind on your horse. But he told you he 
was probably mortally wounded and that you could 
do nothing to aid him. This brother says, sir, 
that you then turned your pocket out and found 
$6, all you had, and gave it to him, and then 
mounted and rode rapidly away under fire of the 
enemy, then not more than 200 yards from you. 
He now writes me to repay you in some measure, 
in his name, for your devotion to a private 
soldier.' " 

MRS. KATE (ROSS) PADGITT. 

Mrs. Kate (Ross) Padgitt, wife of Mr. Tom 
Padgitt (a wholesale merchant and for many 
years a leading citizen of Waco and Central Texas) 
was born at Waco, January 6tb, 1852, and was 
married to Mr. Padgitt, January 3d, 1878. She 
was the first white child born in the then Indian 
village. At the time there were not more than 
four or five white families in the settlement. Miss 
Ross when quite young entered Baylor University, 
under the presidency of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, and 
in due course of time graduated from that institu- 
tion with high honors. The first steamboat that 
ever plied the Brazos river was named the Katie 
Ross in her honor. The boat was afterwards taken to 
Galveston and ran between that city and Houston. 

Of congenial tastes, Mr. and Mrs. Padgitt's 
beautiful home in Waco is the seat of that de- 
lightful and refined hospitality that from time im- 
mi^morial has been the boast and glory of the South. 
Mrs. Padgitt is one of the brightest ornaments of 
our Texas womanhood. As I write I have before 
me a letter from Herbert Howe Bancroft to a cor- 
respondent in this State in which he in grateful 
terms expresses his appreciation of the very 
valuable assistance that she rendered him in the 
collection and preparation of material for his Texas 
History. I, too, am indebted to her for many of 
the facts used in the compilation of the memoir of 
the life of her father, the lamented Capt. Shapley 
P. Ross. While she takes great interest in liter- 
ary and artistic'matters and social functions, she 
is at the same time thoroughly domestic and de- 
voted to her husband, children, and household 
duties. Mr. and Mrs. Padgitt have five living 
children, viz. : Buena Vista, now wife of Mr. Fos- 
ter Fort, of Waco; Catherine, Clinton, Lotta, and 
Ross. One child, Sallie, died at the age of thirteen, 
and anolher,Thomas, died at the age of twelve years. 




._^M^}-'^1< ^^. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



319 



JAMES GARRITY, 

CORSICANA. 



Capt. James Garritj-, president of the First 
National Bank of Corsicana, and one of the most 
liigl]ly honored citizens of that thriving httle city 
and section of the State, is a native of Ireland, 
born in Dublin, April 3d, 1842. 

His earlier years were passed in Covington, Ky., 
and New Orleans, and in the schools of the latter 
city he received such educational advantages as 
could be had up to the age of thirteen from which 
time circumstances compelled his leaving school in 
order to earn a living. At the first call for volun- 
teers he entered the Confederate army, enlisting 
May 4th, 1861, in a local company of cadets, which 
soon after became part of the Fifth Louisiana 
Eegiment which operated with the Army of Northern 
Virginia. He entered the company as a private, 
and through meritorious and gallant service rose 
to the captaincy, and served with it in that capacity 
in the various engagements fought by the Army of 
Northern Virginia from the beginning until the end 
of the war between the States. He was three times 
wounded — at Sharpsburg, Malvern Hill and 
Fishersville — but his injuries were not such as to 
keep him out of active service for any considerable 
length of time. 

At the close of the war he returned to New Orleans 
and for a year was employed as a clerk b}' Sibley, 
Guion & Co., cotton brokers and part owners and 
operators of the since well-known Guion Line of 
Ocean Steamers. 

In the fall of 18G6 he came to Texas and for five 
years was engaged in the mercantile and banking 
business, first as a clerk and later as partner in 
interest, at points along the line of the Houston & 
Texas Central Railroad, then being built tlirough 
the counties of Brazos, Robertson and Limestone. 
Through good fortune, he says, but it would prob- 
ably be more correct to say, through industr}', good 
management and sagacity, he met with success 
■while so employed, accumulating between $10,000 
and $12,000, which formed the nucleus of the 
handsome fortune which he has since amassed. 
In 1871, having sold his interest in the banking 



business of Adams, Leonard & Company, at Cal- 
vert, he formed a copartnership with Mr. Joseph 
Huey and started the pioneer banking institution of 
Navarro County, this being the private banking 
house of Garrity, Huey & Company, which began 
business in Corsicana, in September of that year. 
Capt. Garrity has since given his attention chiefly 
to the banking business. In 1886 the firm of 
Garrity & Huey (the "Company" having been 
dropped from the style of the firm after the first 
year) was succeeded by the First National Bank, 
of which Capt. Garrity became president and Mr. 
Huey vice-president, the bank nationalizing with a 
capital of $100,000. This was increased a j'ear 
later to $125,000, which remains the amount of its 
capital stock. Capt. Garrity is still the chief execu- 
tive officer. In addition to his banking business he 
has various outside interests, owning a large amount 
of valuable real estate in the city of Corsicana, and 
being connected, as promoter and stockholder, 
with some of the city's leading industries and en- 
terprises, among the number, the Corsicana Com- 
press Company, the Texas Mill and Elevator 
Company, The Corsicana Manufacturing Company, 
The Merchants Opera House Company, and the 
Corsicana Cotton Oil Company. He is a member 
of the Masonic, I. 0. O. F., Knights of Pythias and 
Elks fraternities, in all of which he takes much 
interest, particularly in Masonry, in which he has 
become Knight Templar and taken the thirty -second 
degree and is Past Grand Commander of the Grand 
Commandery of the State. 

June 15th, 1870, while still residing at Calvert, 
he married Miss Emma Moore, then a resident of 
that place, but a native of Alabama and a niece of 
ex-Governor Moore of that State. Mrs. Garrity 
departed this life on February 17th, 1893, lamented 
by every one who knew her, and is still mourned 
for by a husband to whom she was all the world. 
Few men in Texas are better known as financiers 
than Capt. Garrity and no man, certainly, has done 
more for the upbuilding of the best interests of 
the section of the State in which he lives. 



320 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ANDREW JACKSON HARRIS, 

BELTON. 



Judge A. J. Harris, a distinguished member of 
the Texas bar and for many 3'ears a prominent 
figure in political and professional life in this State, 
was born in Talbot County, Ga., January 27, 1839, 
and grew to manhood on his father's farm. His 
parents were Thomas and Lydia Jones Harris, 
members of Georgia families for many generations 
distinguished in the history of the country. His 
paternal great-grandfather, Richard Harris, served 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary War of 1776 that 
resulted in the American colonies throwing off the 
yoke of British tyranny, and the establishment of 
the United States of America, a monument to the 
patriotism, valor and wisdom of the people of that 
day which has no parallel in all the annals of 
the human race. His maternal grandfather. Judge 
James L. Burke, took part in the battle of the 
Horse Shoe and fought through the War of 1812. 

His father, Thomas Harris, was born near 
Milledgeville in Georgia, September 15th, 1812, 
was a farmer by occupation and died August 26, 
1894, aged 82 years, in Comanche County, Texas, 
where he then resided. 

His mother, Mrs. Lydia Harris, was born in 
Jasper County, Ga., January 28, 1816. Her 
father moved to Talbot County, Ga., when she was 
a girl, and there she grew to womanhood, married 
in 1835 and remained until 1845, when she moved 
to Scott County, Miss., with her husband, where 
she died in May, 1861, leaving nine children. 
Judge A. J. Harris was six years of age when his 
parents removed to Mississippi. He resided there 
until after the close of the war. He graduated 
from the University of Mississippi in 1861, with high 
honors, and on returning home raised a company 
for service in the Confederate army and was elected 
Captain. It .was mustered into service as Company 
I, Twenty-seventh Mississippi Regimentof Infantry, 
and did duty at Pensacola and Mobile, and in Ten- 
essee and Kentucky. He participated with his com- 
mand in several skirmishes and minor engagements 
and took part in the great battle of Murfreesboro, 
in all of ^which he bore himself with the coolness 
and gallantry that became an officer of one of the 
ffrandest armies that ever marched forth to battle 
for the rights and liberties of a people. On account 
of physical disabilities he resigned his commission 
in 1863; but subsequently, upon restoration to 
health, rejoined the army, attaching himself as an 



independent volunteer to the Fourth Mississippi 
Cavalry and remained with it through the fall 
and winter of 1863-64. From the spring of 1864 
until August of that year, he was not connected 
with the army, but, in August, Gen. Clark, then Gov- 
ernor of Mississippi, issued a proclamation calling 
on all who could bear arms even for thirty days to 
go to Nortli Mississippi and join the army under 
Gen. Forrest, to meet the invading Northern army 
of Gen. A. J. Smith. Responding to this call. Judge 
Harris joined Duff's Regiment and served about 
three months. He joined the regiment the next 
day after he reached Forrest and marched with it 
to Hurricane creek, north of Oxford, and remained 
there night and day for several days under a constant 
downpour of rain. The Confederate troops were 
then driven back south of Oxford and went into 
camp on Yocony creek. The next day the Feder- 
als burned Oxford and retreated with the Southern 
army hanging upon their flank. The Confederates 
overtook their rear guard at Abbeville and had a 
slight brush with them which ended the campaign. 

Judge Harris came to Waco, Texas, January 1st, 
1865, and taught one month in the Waco Univer- 
sity. He then went to Salado and taught in the 
college at that place from February, 1865, until 
July, 1867, after which he removed to Belton and 
entered upon the practice of law, but was persuaded 
by the people to open a school, which he taught 
for two years. In 1869 he returned to the practice 
of law ; but, in 1870, a vacancy occurring in the 
faculty of the school at Salado, the people of that 
place called upon him to fill it, promising to secure 
another teacher to take his place, which they failed 
to do, and he remained there one year, much against 
his will. This service marked the close of his 
career as a school-teacher. Returning to Belton, 
he entered vigorously upon the practice of his 
profession, in which he has since continued. 

He was elected County Superintendent of public 
free schools in 1873, and filled the otHce until the 
adoption of the constitution of 1875, which dis- 
pensed with county superintendents. He was 
elected without opposition and without being a can- 
didate. In 1880 he was elected to the State Senate 
and was elected for a second term in 1882, serving 
with marked distinction in the sessions of the Seven- 
teenth and Eighteenth Legislatures. In 1877 he 
formed a copartnership with X. B. Saund. rs, under 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



321 



the fifin name of Harris & Saunders. Judge 
Saunders succeeded Judge Alexander in the firm, 
Judge Alexander having been appointed to the Dis- 
trict Judgeship to succeed Judge Saunders, who was 
the incumbent. This firm has occupied a lead- 
ing position at the bar of Central Texas for many 
years. 

Judge Harris was married Jul}' 31st, 1866, to Miss 
Ohvia P. Sugg, daughter of William and Mary 
Sugg, of Calhoun County, Miss. They have six 
children living: Mary, wife of S. S. Walker, a 
merchant of Belton ; Martha Elizabeth, wife of 
Pike L. Phelps, a gentleman engaged in the insur- 
ance business, at Belton ; Olivia Frances, wife of 
John P. Hammersmith, a Belton merchant; Lucy 
Bell and Annie Jackson, who live at home and are 
now students at Baylor College, and Andrew Jack- 
son Harris, Jr. One son, Thomas, died July 9th, 
1886, of membranous croup, aged two years and 
six months. 

Judge Harris has been a member of the Baptist 



Church since 1876 and is one of the trustees of 
Baylor Female College, at Belton. 

He has never sought office and has never been a 
voluntary candidate ; nevertheless, at the State 
Democratic Convention, held in 1886, bis name was 
submitted by his friends for nomination for one of 
the judgeships of the Supreme Court of Texas, and 
they claim that he received a majority of the votes 
cast by the members of the convention, but on 
account of some irregulariiies in counting them, 
another ballot was taken and Judge R. R. Gaines 
elected as the party's nominee. 

Judge Harris occupies a position at the bar of 
Texas, which he has so long graced with his learn- 
ing and talents, that should be a matter of pride to 
him and is certainly a source of gratification to his 
thousands of admirers and many friends who ap- 
preciate the dignity and purity of his character, 
the value of the public services he has rendered 
and the luster that he has added to the profession 
which he has so long adorned. 



T. W. HOUSE, 

HOUSTON. 



T. W. House, veteran, merchant and banker of 
Houston, was one of the notable pioneers of early 
civilization and commerce in Texas. Born in 
Somersetshire, England, in the year 1813, he died 
at San Antonio, Texas, January 17th, 1880. His 
forefathers were from Holland, from whence they 
emigrated to England in the early dawn of the 
eighteenth century, and settled in Somersetshire. 
Up to the time that the subject of this memoir was 
nineteen years of age, he worked on his father's 
farm, but his father was poor, and, being the 
youngest of four children, the future was not 
bright, so he decided to come to America. He was 
seconded in this resolution by a friend who was 
captain of a merchant vessel plying between Bristol 
and New York and with whom he set sail for 
America in the year 1832. He remained in New 
York for several years, and afterwards went to New 
Orleans, where he lived for a short time before com- 
ing to Texas. It was while living at New Orleans 
that his attention was first called to Texas and her 
wonderful resources, and early in the year 1836 he 
landed in Galveston, and at once went to Houston, 
which was' then being laid out. It was at this 



place that be was destined to achieve the full meas- 
ure of his ambition. Soon after his arrival at 
Houston he volunteered his services in behalf of 
his adopted country aud served as a soldier under 
Gen. Burleson in the last days of the war of 
1835-6, against Mexico. In 1838 he returned to 
Houston and there, with the few hundred dollars 
at his command, erected a tent, purchased a supply 
of goods and began his wonderful career as a mer- 
chant. His fortunes grew with the growth of the 
town, to whose upbuilding he contributed perhaps 
more than any other man, until he achieved the 
rank of a merchant prince. 

In 1840, he married Mary Elizabeth, only daugh- 
ter of Charles Shearn, afterwards Chief Justice of 
Harris County. At the beginning of the war be- 
tween the States in 1861, he had reached such a 
position in the financial world that his advice and 
services were sought by those in command of the 
Confederate forces in Texas, and he co-operated 
effectively with them in the work of obtaining 
clothes and arms from abroad. He owned jointty 
with the Confederate Government, the Harriet 
Lane, the celebrated Federal steamer which was 



322 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



captured by the Confederates upon the retaking 
of Galveston by Magruder the night of December 
31, 1862, and the day following. Besides his 
interest in the Harriet Lane he also owned a fleet 
of vessels which he used as blockade-runners in 
conveying cotton out from Galveston and bringing 
return cargoes of clothing and arms. With vast 
resources at command, with a credit at home and 
abroad excelled by none, with an unimpeachable 
integrity, T. W. House did more perhaps during 
the war between the States, than any other man in 
Texas to maintain her credit abroad and supply the 
wants of his fellow-citizens. His services in the 
directions indicated were invaluable. When the 
war was over he became actively engaged inducing 
capital to invest in Texas and was a promoter of 
several of the longest railroads in the State. 
Among others he induced Commodore Morgan to 
make large investments in Texas, and subsequently 
to purchase $500,000 of the State's bonds. It was 
this purchase that marked the beginning of the 
credit which has given Texas bonds rank in the 
stock market second to no similar class of securities 
in the world. Charitable, without ostentation, 
magnetic in manner, democratic in his tastes and 
associations, he died beloved by many and honored 
by all who knew him. 

Leaving his native isle a penniless young man he 
made his way into a new country, devastated by a 
war marked by the most sanguinary atrocities and 
the greater extent of whose territory was an unre- 
deemed wilderness. Animated by the spirit of 
ancient Cresy and Agincourt, like a true Briton, he 
was as ready to use a musket as to settle down to 
the more peaceful business of laying for himself 
the foundation of financial independence. A wise 
|)hilosopher has said and said truly that the young 
men who left their homes in foreign lands from 
1800 to 1860 to come to America and push into its 
wildernesses constituted a bold and enterprising 
class and as a rule were possessed of more than 
usual natural abilities. They were not content 
with the hard conditions to which fate had ap- 



parently consigned them. The plodder, the timor- 
ous and the laggard might stay discontentedly 
amid such scenes, but, as for these choice spirits, in 
very childhood their eyes looked wistfully out to 
sea and thoughts arose in their minds of lands 
beyond the far-away horizon-bar, and these thoughts 
gave birth to resolves, carried in due time into exe- 
cution, to try their fortunes under other skies where 
courage, self-reliance and ability insured honor- 
able and useful careers. Such men as these came 
to America by hundreds, and many of them to 
Texas, among the number the subject of this 
memoir, T. W. House. In their veins flowed rich 
and ruddy the blood of the old Norman conquerors. 
Where armed foes were to be met, they overcame' 
them. Where the wilderness was to be subdued, 
they subdued it. Where cities were to be built, 
they built them. Where the genius of commerce 
was to be evoked they evoked it with the magic of 
their indomitable wills. They were state and 
nation builders who occupy a unique position upon 
the pages of the history of the countrj', whose 
services to posterity have been incalculable, whose 
rugged virtues are worthy of all admiration, and 
remembrance of whom should be preserved to 
remotest time. Should the nation ever be in dan- 
ger of sinking into effeminacy, those to whom is 
committed its rejuvenation can turn to these men 
as models to be imitated, and rebuild and restore 
the vigor of the State. 

Long before his death the name of T. W. House 
bad become a household word in Texas. He was 
one of the foremost citizens of the commonwealth — 
one of the most useful men of his day and genera- 
tion. In his career he demonstrated the truth of 
the aphorism of the author of Lacon that " while 
fortune may be blind, she is by no means invisible, 
and he who will seek her determinedly will l)e sure 
to find her. ' ' 

He has passed from shadow-laud to shadow-land — 
from birth to death. 

He played his part nobly and well. Ma}' others 
seek to emulate his example. 




J. C. HIGGINS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



323 



JACOB C. HIGGINS, 

BASTROP. 



Jacob C. Higgins was born in Caledonia County, 
Vt., November 2, 1815. His parents were Samuel 
and Betsey (Chamberlain) Higgins. His father 
came from Ireland and his mother from England. 
They first met aboard a ship bound for America, 
married and located in Caledonia County, Vt., 
where his father died, when the subject of this 
memoir was four years of age, Mrs. Higgins follow- 
ing him two j'ears later. About a year after the 
death of his mother Jacob C. Higgins fell into the 
hands of an old sea-captain, Capt. Armington, who 
was a TTniversalist and objected to his going to Sun- 
day school. Consequently it became a regular 
practice with the lad to play on that day with a 
crowd of companions. On one of these occasions 
while engaged in some sport, he was accosted by 
Mr. Erastus Fairbanks, superintendent of the local 
Presbyterian Sunday school, who asked him his 
name, the names of his parents and his place of 
residence. In the conversation that followed, the 
mutual discovery was made that Mr. Fairbanks' 
wife was a first cousin of the boy's mother, and 
a few days thereafter he was transferred to the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks, where he was 
treated in everj' respect as one of their sons, grew 
to manhood and was given every opportunity to 
perfect himself in the trade of a machinist and mill- 
wright. He was quick to learn and soon became 
proficient, and in 1836 was sent by the firm to 
superintend the building of a saw-mill upon the 
banks of one of the rivers of Alabama. This he 
completed, and then engaged in steamboat 
engineering, which he pursued for three years. 

In 1840 be determined to try his fortune in 
Texas, and landed in Galveston, March 16th of that 
year, with $2,500 in good Alabama and Louisiana 
money, the proceeds of a year's labor. With this 
he purchased a stock of merchandise from C. C. 
Ennis, of Galveston, and went to Austin, where he 
sold the goods for Texas money, which he discov- 
ered, when too late, was of little or no value. He 
had also bought a number of bonds. Regarding 
these as worthless he laid them aside. They became 
valuable later on, however, as Texas by the treaty 
of annexation, sold the Santa Fe territory to 
the United States for $10,000,000 and with a 
part of the money so procured, called in and paid 
off all outstanding bonds issued by the late Re- 
public at their face value with all accumulated in- 



terest thereon. Mr. Higgins, by this means, came 
into possession of a considerable sum of money, his 
profits on his bond purchases amounting to about 
three hundred per cent. In June, 1840, soon after 
his arrival in Austin, he was present at the organ- 
ization of the first Methodist church established in 
that town, and in fact in that section. Dr. Haney 
held religious services in the old capitol on the 
occasion referred to. When he called for all Meth- 
odists present to come up and shake hands with 
him, one man and one woman responded ; and with 
these he organized the church. During the re- 
mainder of that year Mr. Higgins was variously 
engaged, part of the time working with a corps of 
surveyors, and part of the time participating in 
expeditions against the Indians. 

In June, 1841, he moved to Bastrop, and was 
there employed to run a mill situated on Copperas 
creek, two miles distant from town. In 1842 he 
purchased the mill and ten acres of ground from 
his employers on credit, and for years thereafter 
husbanded his resources and invested all the money 
that he could command in negroes and lands, 
purchasing ten thousand acres of land in the sur- 
rounding country and thereby laying the founda- 
tion of future wealth. 

He is an indefatigable worker and a clear-headed 
financier, and hence prospered in all his business 
undertakings. From the time that he landed in 
Galveston to the annexation of Texas to the United 
States, he endured many hardships and privations, 
but thereafter when he had realized upon his bonds 
and secured sufficient capital to operate upon, 
lived more easily. He resided alone at the mill, 
did his own cooking and housekeeping, and often, 
for ten days at a time, did not see a human being 
during the year 1842. In the early days of his 
residence at Bastrop the Indians came into the 
town and stole stock and committed numerous 
depredations. About 1843, Bishop Morris, of 
Baltimore, visited the place to see his son, and 
while there preached in an old storehouse. During 
the services a band of Indians, who were out on a 
raid, broke up the meeting and the congregation was 
obliged to fly for safety to a fort that had been 
provided for such emergencies. During Mr. Hig- 
gins' residence on Copperas creek he was also 
frequently troubled by Indians. From 1871 to 
1885 he added merchandising to his other busi- 



324 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ness. During these years he also established a 
private bank. He continued banking until 1892, 
when he retired from active pursuits. 

He was first married in Bastrop County, in 1843, 
to Miss Sarah Gamble, daughter of Col. William I. 
Gamble, who came to Texas from Alabama with 
his family in 1839. By this marriage he had two 
children: William, now a prosperous farmer in 
Bastrop County, and Erastus Fairbanks Higgins, 
who died leaving one child, Claud C, who now re- 
sides with his grandfather. Mrs. Higgins died in 
1849. Mr. Higgins was married at Seguin, in 1852, 
to Miss Mary Keener, daughter of a prominent col- 
lege professor of Alabama, and first cousin of 
United States District Judge John B. Rector of 
Texas. Five children were born of this union, 
three of whom grew to maturity : Samuel, who is a 
well-to-do farmer in Bastrop County ; Blanche, 
wife of Brook Duval, of Bastrop County, and 
Horace, who died June 4, 1880. Horace graduated 
at the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., 
and later in the Law Department in the University 
of Virginia. After returning home he formed a 
co-partnership with Hon. Joseph D. Sayers, but he 
died three mouths later, and thus came to a close 
what promised to be a brilliant career at the bar. 

Mrs. Mary (Keener) Higgins died in Bastrop 
County, in 1861. 

In 1807, Mr. Higgins married his present wife, 
Mrs. Carolina Yellowley, a widow with two daugh- 
ters. The elder, Bella, married Dr. G. M. Patten, 
of Waco, in 1883, and died in 1888. The younger, 
Charlton, became Mrs. Brieger, and now resides in 
Bowie, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have two 
daughters: Lielah, wife of D. Pope Holland, of 
Atlanta, Ga., and Fairbanks who is now at Bishop 
Garrett's College, at Dallas. 

Upon returning to Texas in 1857, from a visit to 
the home of Mrs. Fairbanks, in Vermont, Mr. Hig- 



gins found that he had been elected to the House of 
Representatives of the Texas Legislature. He 
served one term as a member of that body. He 
could have been re-elected but would not consent 
to become a candidate for that or any other political 
ofHce. During the war between the States he 
served in the Confederate States militia for twenty- 
two months. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and has taken all the chapter degrees of 
that order. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and 
is senior warden of the Episcopal church at Bastrop. 
In politics he is a Democrat. Although he lost 
greatly by the result of the war between the States, 
owning eighty valuable slaves who were set free at 
its close, he has practically in all instances been 
successful in his investments, and is now one of the 
wealthiest men in his section and the largest tax- 
payer in Bastrop County. 

Up to his eleventh year, when Providence discov- 
ered him to his noble benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. 
Fairbanks, the prospect that apparently laid before 
him was cheerless. Whatever boyish hopes that 
were to arise in his breast it seemed were doomed 
to wither one by one, through long years of toil and 
saddening disappointments, and in the end be 
drifted to their graves adown the blasts of Destiny's 
chill December. There was work for him to do in 
life, however, and it was to come to him and be done 
by him if he proved worthy. He did prove worthy 
of the labor assigned him when the opportunity 
came, and he embraced it. 

He was grateful, he was honest, he was ambitious, 
he was industrious, he was enterprising, he was 
daring, resolute and patient, and as a result, his 
life has been an honored, useful and successful 
one. Had he failed in any of these ))articulars 
this would not have been. Such a life contains a 
moral that the young will do well to ponder and 
profit by. 



CORNELIUS ENNIS AND WIFE, 



HOUSTON. 



From the days when the commerce of Pho?nicia 
extended itself to the verge of the then known world 
merchants have been the pioneers who have carried 
forward the illumining torch of civilization. With- 
out their energy and determination to attain success 
amid difficulties apparently insurmountable, there 



would be but little progress in wresting from nature 
the waste places of the eartli for the benefit of man- 
kind. In the days when railroads were thought to 
be impracticable and the telegraph a superstition, 
a brave and hardy set of men were traveling over 
Texas from end to end, on horseback, or in wagons. 




CORNELIUS ENNIS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



325 



the compass being their only guide, or, if haply pre- 
ceded by some comrade, they followed his footsteps 
by means of the notches he had cut in trees. The 
roads were almost impassable in rainy weather — 
and, as there were no bridges, many an anxious 
hour was spent at the fords. In traveling, pistols, 
bowie knives and a gun across the knees, were 
necessary to afford protection against man and 
beast. Their avocation was, indeed, a perilous one, 
but when have the sons of commerce been deterred 
by peril .' They have braved alike the terrors of the 
Barcan desert and the icy North, nor have they 
feared to go among any savage people or travel any 
foot of earth. Prominent among the pioneer mer- 
chants of Texas was the subject of this memoir, 
Cornelius Ennis, born In 3813 in Essex County 
(now Passaic County), New Jersej'. Mr. Ennis' 
great-grandfather was Mr. William Ennis, who 
came from the north of Ireland in the latter part of 
tlie seventeenth century, and settled in Bergen 
County, New Jersey, with his wife ()iee Miss Han- 
nah Brower). Mr. Ennis' mother was a Doremus, 
of Knickerbocker stock, from one of the original 
Holland families that settled in this country. 

After receiving as liberal an education as that 
State then afforded, he went to New York in 1834, 
and obtained a position in a drug store, and three 
years later began a trip down the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi rivers in search of a desirable location. 
Traveling on the Mississippi he met a great num- 
ber of people from Texas, going to Canada to 
join the patriots around Toronto. All were en- 
thusiastic concerning the agricultural and business 
opportunities afforded by Texas. These recitals 
together with stories of the gallantry and courage 
of the victors in the War for Independence, fired 
the imagination of the young merchant — and he 
determined to make his home in the Republic. He 
returned to New York in May, continued in busi- 
ness there until January, 1839, and then purchased 
a stock of drugs and medicines and embarked on 
the schooner " Lion " (Capt. Fish commanding) 
for Galveston. 

He found Galveston very sparsely settled, with- 
out a hotel or wharf, and proceeded to Houston, 
then two years old and the capital of the Republic. 
Here he immediately established himself in busi- 
ness, purchasing a lot on Main street, where he 
built a storehouse. In November of the same 
year he formed a partnership with Mr. George W. 
Kimball, and extended his business to general 
merchandise. This connection continued until 
1842, when Mr. George W.Kimball and family took 
passage to New York on the brig " Cuba " (Capt. 
Latham), and were lost at sea in a gale off the 



Florida coast. Mr. Kimball had with him cotton 
and funds to be invested in the business at Hous- 
ton ; but this loss served only to further develop 
the energy and courage of the surviving partner, 
and the business continued to prosper. 

The first cotton received at Houston was in Jan- 
uary, 1840, and came from Fort Bend County. 
Previous to this the merchants of Columbus and 
Brazoria controlled the crop. Cotton was hauled 
to market in wagons which were very much delayed 
by rains, there being no bridges across streams and 
the roads in a miserable condition. That received 
at Houston was ferried across the bayou at the 
foot of Main street, and later at the foot of Com- 
merce and Milam streets where the iron bridge now 
stands. The firm of P^nnis & Kimball made the 
first shipment of cotton from the port of Galves- 
ton to that of Boston in 1841, on the schooner 
" Brazos " (Capt. Hardy, commander) a new 
departure in business noted with much interest and 
promising many benefits. 

Mr. Ennis was long and prominently connected 
with the building of railroads in the State. He 
was one of the incorporators and directors of the 
Houston and Texas Central, and also of the Great 
Northern, until that road was merged into the 
International. The city of Ennis, in Ellis County, 
was located and named for him while he was in 
control of the railroad which passed through it. 
While he was mayor of Houston the city built the 
Houston Tap Railroad, connecting with the Harris- 
burg & San Antonio Railroad, to the construction 
of which he gave his personal attention, Mr. Stump 
being the civil engineer. He was for some time 
general superintendent and comptroller of the 
Houston & Texas Central and, later, its financial 
agent, with offices in New York, where he resided 
for several years, negotiating bonds and purchasing 
supplies and material for the road. In 185G and 
1857 he was mayor of Houston, and gave his ser- 
vices to the city without remuneration, and con- 
tributed very materially to its advancement, and 
also to the general welfare of its people by ferreting 
out a band of outlaws who for many years had 
caused the traders much anxiety and loss, wa^day- 
ing their negro drivers and appropriating their 
goods. A young German was murdered and his 
money stolen. The crime was supposed to have 
been committed by Kuykendall (the leader of this 
gang) and his negro, Napoleon. Mr. Ennis con- 
tributed more than any one else in time and money 
to the pursuit of these and other desperadoes — 
and succeeded in having five of them arrested, tried 
and sentenced to the penitentiary. They escaped 
in 1861 and joined the Confederate army. During 



326 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the reign of terror inaugurated by these ruffians 
one of the gang met Mr. Ennis in the street and 
introduced himself, thereby giving Mr. Ennis a 
decided thrill. 

During the war between the States, Mr. Ennis 
remained in Texas, importing supplies and export- 
ing cotton. In 1864, he went to Havana by way 
of Matamoros and there met Capt. Jack Moore, a 
bar pilot of Galveston , whom he sent to New York to 
purchase an iron-clad steamer, the " Jecmnette," at 
an expenditure of $40,000 in gold. He brought 
her out to Havana, where he loaded her with muni- 
tions of war, consisting of twelve hundred English 
Enfield rifles, ten tons of gunpowder, three million 
percussion caps, a large lot of shoes and blankets 
and other army supplies for the Confederate army, 
all of which he turned over to the Confederate 
authorities. 

Mr. Ennis was married in 1841, to Miss Jean- 
nette Ingals Kimball, a sister of his partner. Miss 
Kimball had come to this country with her brother 
from Vermont, in October, 1839. She came of 
English stock, long settled in New England, and is 
related to the Emersons and Ripleys of literary 
fame. She was always deeply interested In the 
development of her adopted State, and contributed 
much to the comfort and happiness of those asso- 
ciated with her in this pioneer work by her gentle 



and efficient ministrations in times of sickness and 
epidemics which too frequently attend the opening 
up of a new country. Her devotion was especially 
marked during the fearful epidemics of yellow 
fever. She was noted for her cheerful, generous 
and unfailing hospitality and, also, for her efficient 
co-operation with her husband in the establishment 
of churches and schools. Mr. and Mrs. Ennis have 
four children living, three daughters and one son. 
The eldest daughter married Col. A. H. Belo, 
president of the Galveston and Dallas News. The 
next is Mrs. Frank Cargill, of Houston, Texas, and 
of the youngest daughter is Mrs. C. Lombardi, also 
Houston, Texas. The son, Richard, lives in Mexico. 
Mr. Ennis is a man of magnificent physique, 
being over six feet in height and now, although 
advanced in years, of erect and commanding pres- 
ence. His wife is a perfect type of lovely woman- 
hood. Although Mr. Ennis has passed his long life 
in active business pursuits, in which fortunes have 
been at intervals made and lost, his name has 
always been unsullied and he has been honored for 
fair dealing and blameless rectitude in all his bus- 
iness dealings. And now, with the partner of his 
youth and old age still by his side, they are spend- 
ing the evening of life serenely and happily at their 
home in Houston, surrounded by children, grand- 
children and friends. 



HENRY ELMENDORF, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



Heni-y Elmendorf , a prosperous merchant of San 
Antonio and mayor of that historic and progressive 
city, is a native Texian, born in the town of New 
Braunfels, April 7, 1849. 

His parents, Charles A. and Amelia Elmendorf, 
were born in Prussia. His father emigrated to 
America in 1844, and his mother in 1848, and set- 
tled in New Braunfels. In the " Old Country " Mr. 
Charles A. Elmendorf was engaged in mercantile 
pursuits. He changed to farming upon his arrival 
in Texas which he followed until about the year 
1852, when he moved to San Antonio. Six or seven 
years later he embarked in merchandising again 
upon his own account as a member of the house of 
Theisen and Deutz, dealers in hardware, and con- 
tinued in that pursuit until the beginning of the war 
between the States, meeting with a liberal degree of 



success in his ventures as a result of his talent as a 
financier and fine business capacity. He died in 
the Alamo City in 1878. His wife still survives 
him and is residing there. Henry Elmendorf, the 
subject of this biographical notice, attended local 
schools until he was fifteen years of age ; then went 
to German}', where he completed his education ; 
returned home in the fall of 1866, and entered his 
father's store as a clerk. After clerking for three 
years his father admitted him to a partnership in 
the firm of Elmendorf & Co. 

In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Emilie 
Baetz, of San Antonio. Five children have been 
born to them. Mr. Elmendorf was elected to the 
City Council as Alderman for two years, extending 
from the year 1893 to 1895, and served in that 
body until September, 1894, when he was elected 









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MRS. CORNELIUS ENNIS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



327 



Mayor by the Council to fill a vacancy caused by 
tbe death of Mr. George Paschal. February 11, 
1895, he was elected by the people to fill that ofHce 
by a majority of one thousand votes over Bryan 
Callaghan, whom it had been thought it was well-nigh 
an impossibility to defeat at the polls. Mr. Elmen- 
dorf has been a liberal contributor to and promoter 
of every meritorious public movement, and many 
important private enterprises. Brilliant, polished. 



popular, patriotic, of high abilities and wide busi- 
ness experience, San Antonio, one of tbe largest, 
most cosmopolitan and fastest growing of Texas 
cities, lias a chief executive of which she and the 
State at large are justly proud. 

With such a man at the head of public affairs, 
the city's upward and onward march is sure to 
receive an added impetus and the cause of law and 
order be jealously and effectively defended. 



FRANCIS CHARLES HUME, 

GALVESTON. 



The following is extracted from a biographical 
sketch penned by the late Col. Thomas M. Jack, of 
the Galveston bar, a near friend and professional 
brother of its subject, and published in the En- 
cyclopedia of the New West: — 

F. Charles Hume was born in Walker County, 
Texas, February 17, 1843, the son of John Hume, 
a native of Culpepper County, Va., a planter, who 
emigrated to Texas 1839, and resided in Walker 
County until his death in 1864. 

Mr. Hume received a liberal education. At the 
age of eighteen he left his native State, immediately 
after the first battle of Manassas, in a company of 
volunteers known as Company D., Fifth Texas 
Kegiment, organized in Virginia, and placed under 
command of Col. J. J. Archer, of Maryland. This 
regiment, together with the First and Fourth Texas, 
at one time the Eighteenth Georgia, and subse- 
quently the Third Arkansas, constituted the famous 
command known in history as "Hood's Texas 
Brigade," of which Gen. Louis T. Wigfall was the 
first, and Gen. John B. Hood the second commander. 
Its first winter was spent in the snows about Dum- 
fries, on the Potomac. He participated in John- 
ston's celebrated retreat from the Peninsular, and 
entered his first battle at Eltham's Landing (West 
Point), near the York river. He was in the battle 
of Seven Pines, and shortly afterwards near the 
same ground, was wounded in the right leg while 
participating in an assault on the enemy's works 
led by Capt. D. N. Barziza in command of one 
hundred and fifty men chosen for the purpose from 
the three Texas regiments. Confined in the hos- 
pital at Richmond by his wound until after Mc- 
Clellan had been defeated and driven to Harrison's 
Landing, he did not rejoin his regiment until the 



beginning of the lighter engagements that culmi- 
nated in the second battle of Manassas. Seven 
flag-bearers of the Fifth Regiment were wounded in 
the battle, Mr. Hume being the sixth, receiving a 
bullet in the left thigh. He was mentioned in 
complimentarj' terms in the official report of the 
battle made by the Colonel of the regiment, J. B. 
Robertson, afterwards commander of the brigade. 

After the healing of his wound, Mr. Hume re- 
joined the army at Culpepper Courthouse, and 
participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, late 
in 1862. Shortly after this he was promoted from 
the ranks to a First Lieutenancy in the Confederate 
States army, and assigned to duty on the Peninsula 
as Adjutant of the Thirty-second Battalion of 
Virginia Cavalry. In this capacity he served until 
the battalion, with another, was merged into a regi- 
ment, when he was assigned to command a picket 
detail of scouts on the lower Peninsula. With this 
command Lieut. Hume operated for several months 
near Williamsburg, experiencing all the perils of 
that peculiar service and becoming familiar with its 
ceaseless ambuscades and surprises. 

Gen. M. W. Gary, of South Carolina, in 1864, 
assumed command of the cavalry in the Penin- 
sula, and attached Lieut. Hume to his staff. 
Shortly after this a battle was fought at Riddle's 
Shop, on the Charles City Road, in which Gen. 
Gary engaged troops under Gen. Hancock, the 
latter having been sent to threaten Richmond to 
cover Grant's crossing to the south side of the 
James. In this action Lieut. Hume had the 
honor of being assigned on the field to the com- 
mand of the Seventh South Carolina Regiment of 
Cavalry. The last considerable battle in which he 
took part was the engagement of Tilghman's Farm, 



328 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



on James river, the Confederate commander being 
Gen. Gary. Here he received his third and last 
wound, having been shot through the body. The 
Richmond papers published his name in the dead 
list of that action. When sufficiently recovered to 
travel he went to Texas on a furlough, reaching there 
in October, 1864. Recovering his health he was 
requested by Gen. J. G. Walker to inspect troops 
and departments about Tyler, which he did. Soon 
afterwards he accepted an invitation from Gen. A. 
P. Bagbey to serve on his staff in Louisiana, and 
remained with that officer as Assistant Adj atant- 
General with the rank of Major. 

When the great Civil War ended, Maj. Hume 
began to prepare in earnest for the important battle 
of civil life. He completed his preparations for 
the bar, and was admitted to practice by the Dis- 
trict Court of Walker County, at Huntsville, in 
1865, and followed his calling there for about one 
year. From Huntsville he went to Galveston, and 
rapidly took rank as an able lawyer. His patient 
industry, fidelity, and attainments soon gave him 
prominence at a bar that has no superior in the 
State of Texas. He was admitted to practice in 
the Supreme Court in 1866, and in 1877 was enrolled 
as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the United 
States at Washington. 

Then only twenty-three, in 1866, he was elected 



to represent Walker County in the Eleventh Texas 
Legislature, and served one term. He was City 
Attorney for Galveston for the municipal year of 
1877. 

Maj. Hume was educated at Austin College, 
Texas, and subsequently spent a year at the Uni- 
versity of Virginia. He has always been a Demo- 
crat in his political views, but has not aspired to 
position in the world of politics, his ambition being 
wholly professional. To his business he has devoted 
himself patiently and faithfully. He has no rule 
but to do his duty with unfaltering fidelity. Court- 
eous, affable and honorable, he is held in the 
highest esteem by his professional brethren, who 
are best able to judge his merits. Whatever he 
does he delights in doing well ; prepares his cases 
with great care and study, and is never taken by 
surprise. He looks at both sides with a true judi- 
cial judgment, and hence is very successful in the 
prosecution of his profession. He never descends 
to the arts of the pettifogger or charlatan, but 
aspires to the highest professional standard. 

He would anywhere he recognized as a man of 
talent. As a speaker he is argumentative and 
logical, sometimes rhetorical and eloquent. His 
great reliance is on the merits of his case, and he 
appeals rather to the judgment of men than to 
their sympathies and passions. 



H. K. JONES, 

DILWORTH, GONZALES COUNTY. 



Mr. H. K. Jones, one of tlie wealthiest and most 
influential citizens of Gonzales County, Texas, was 
born in Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama, in 
1840 ; came to Texas in 1855 with his parents, Mr. 
Tignal Jones and Mrs. Susan Jones (wee Miss 
Susan King) who located at San Antonio ; was sent 
to the University at Oxford, Mississippi, and was a 
student in that institution of learning when war was 
declared between the States ; returned to his home 
at San Antonio at the beginningof hostilities and 
enlisted as a private in Company K., Twenty-fourth 
Texas dismounted cavalry, commanded by Col. F. 
C. Wilkes ; was afterward elected Lieutenant of his 
company ; in December, 1862, was captured, with 
the entire brigade, at Arkansas Post, upon the fall 
of that fort, and taken first to Camp Chase, near 
Columbus, Ohio, and four months later to Fort 



Delaware near Philadelphia, where he remained 
until exchanged in April, 1863 ; then made his way 
to the army at Tullahoma, Tenn., where his old 
regiments were reorganized, with Dishler as com- 
mander of brigade and Pat Cleburne as commander 
of division : was appointed Adjutant, and a month 
later Quartermaster of his regiment ; although, as 
Quartermaster not expected to take part in engage- 
ments, volunteered in several battles, and was 
severely wounded at New Hope Church ; May 27th, 
1864, was again captured, and in October following 
exchanged ; remained in the Confederate hospital 
at Fort Valley, Ga., for a month, and then joinqd 
Gen. Hood's army at Decatur, and served under 
that commander in the famous Tennessee campaign, 
participating as a volunteer, among others, in the 
battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. On 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



329 



Hood's retreat Mr. Jones marched bare-footed out 
of Tennessee. His feet were so badly wounded by 
the rough stones of the turnpike along which the 
soldiers trudged that he was compelled to go to the 
hospital, where he remained for two weeks, after 
which he returned to the army on its way to North 
Corolina, and was made Adjutant-general of Gran- 
bury's old brigade, commanded at the time by Col. 
Cole, of Memphis, Tenn. His command was 
ordered into the battle of Bentonville, N. C, but 
the Federals broke line and retreated, leaving their 
dead and wounded on the field, as this part of the 
Confederate force came in sight, and the brigade 
was consequently not engaged. Shortly after the 
surrender of Johnston's army near Jonesboro, 
Granbury's Texas brigade, which enlisted 6,000 
strong at the beginning of the war, surrendered 
one hundred and thirty-seven guns to Gen. Sher- 
man. Thousands had gone in those days after 
days of battle, shock and dreadful carnage, to sol- 
diers' graves. They rest now in peace in Fame's 
great Valhalla. Their memories are enshrined in 
loving comrades' hearts. For them 

" The muffled drum's sad roll has beat 
The soldier's last tattoo, 
No more on life's parade shall meet 
That brave but fallen few. 
On Fame's eternal camping ground 
Their silent tents are spread. 
And Glory guards with solemn round 
The bivouac of the dead. 

The Macedonian Phalanx under Alexander, the 
Tenth Legion under Cajsar and the Old Guard under 
the first Napoleon did not display a fortitude and 
valor superior to that of this heroic brigade. 

Its history was singularly brilliant. After Gran- 
bury and Cleburne fell to rise no more upon the 
bard contested and blood stained field of Franklin it 
maintained the reputation that it had earned under 
those leaders undimmed until the Confederate 
colors were furled under the shade of the tall pines 
of North Carolina, never again to be shaken out to 
the breeze and lead brave hearts on to victory or 
death. When the last sad act in the drama of war 
had been played the battle-scarred survivors of the 
brigade separated sadly for their homes, many of 
them to meet no more. As a soldier Mr. Jones 
sought, like he has in all the other walks of life, to 
do his full duty, and as a consequence was respected 
and beloved by his comrades in arms. 

He says the negro question was undoubtedly the 
main issue in the war, that he always regarded 
slavery as a moral wrong and that the Southern 
people are well rid of the institution, but that it is 



deeply to be deplored that it could not have been 
abolished without resort to war. 

" I have seen more dead men " said he, " on one 
battle field than all the negroes in the country were 
worth." 

How short-sighted is human wisdom. The phi- 
losopher Locke and other philanthropic men of his 
time conceived the idea of sending agents to Africa 
to negotiate vvith various tribes and buy a number 
of prisoners captured in the fierce tribal wars of 
extermination then prevailing and carry them to the 
plantations in North America. The humane design 
of these great men was in the first instance to save 
the lives of the unhappy wretches, in the next to 
transport them to new scenes, where they could 
learn the peaceful art of agriculture and become 
civilized, and finally after these ends had been 
accomplished to send them back to Africa to civilize 
and Christianize that continent. What appears at 
the time to be the height of human wisdom is in 
reality the height of human folly, and what appears 
to be wholly right not infrequently has at its heart 
the seeds of radical wrong. What a dismal end 
awaited the schemes of those philosophers ! The 
slave trade, with its unspeakable atrocities, soon 
grew to frightful proportions under the impetus 
of New England cupidity. Its foul anuals are 
familiar to the students of history. 

Under the Constitution it was abolished shortly 
after the formation of the American Union. The 
Constitution recognized, however, the slaves 
already in the country as property, and provided 
for the recovery of fugitives fleeing from one State 
to another. The anti-slavery party precipitated 
the war. Through its influence every acquisition 
of territory was opposed, citizens of the Southern 
States murdered when they attempted to remove 
with their property to territories purchased by the 
common blood and treasure of the country, the 
express provision of the Constitution providing for 
the surrender of fugitive slaves to their masters 
upon demand, nullified by express statutory enact- 
ments in many Northern States, or trampled under 
foot by armed mobs, and all manner of bitterness 
stirred up until the hearty hate of one section for 
the other culminated in one attempting to peace- 
fully sever its connection from the other and live 
apart, and a war that has no parallel in ancient or 
modern times. It was a direful day when the first 
slave was brought ashore aipon American soil. 
The evils that have followed have been innumerable. 
How different would have been the history of the 
country if such an event had never taken place ! 

The fearful storm of war that swept over this 
devoted land from 1861 to 1865 shook the very 



330 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



foundations of popular government, and they have 
never since become firmly settled. The Consti- 
tution was warped and twisted until it bears little 
semblance to what it was, and construclions have 
been made and precedents laid that are full of 
danger — not immediate, but real for all that, as 
under these constructions and precedents a bitter 
partisan executive and Congress could do anything 
necessary to accomplish their ends, however nefar- 
ious. 

There are graves from the Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, and from the Atlantic to the Paciflc oceans 
filled with the country's brightest and bravest and 
best. Mr. Jones truly says all the negroes owned 
by the Southern people were not worth such a fear- 
ful price. In justice to that people, however, it is 
necessary to repeat the statement (and it can be 
made truly) that they are not to be held responsible 
for the war. It was thrust upon them. Such will 
be the verdict of impartial history in after times. 

Mr. Jones returned to Texas by way of New 
Orleans, on the first steamer run after the war. 
E. J. Davis, afterwards Republican Governor of 
Texas, was a passenger on the boat. Mr. Jones 
landed at Galveston in May, 1865, and found that 



nearly all of his father's possessions had been 
swept away by the war. He repaired to Victoria, 
clerked for a short time in a mercantile establish- 
ment at that place, and then engaged in merchan- 
dizing at Gonzales, in copartnership with his 
father, but the venture proving unsuccessful, soon 
embarked in other pursuits. 

October 29th, 1867, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary F. Braches, daughter of Charles and 
Sarah A. Braches, of Peach Creek, Gonzales 
County, a lady of much refinement and worth, and 
settled in the eastern part of the county, near 
Peach Creek, at what is now Dilworth Station. 

Mrs. Jones is one of the most accomplished and 
queenly of our noble Texas ladies, and her palatial 
home is the seat of that elegance, refinement and 
hospitality that distinguished the South under the 
old regime. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one child, Anna, wife 
of Mr. James B. Kennard, of Gonzales, Texas. 

Mr. Jones is a business man of rare discern- 
ment and ability, and has met with a large measure 
of success in his financial operations. He is a 
member of the Democratic party and of the Royal 
Arch degree in Masonry. 



WILLIAM CLEMENS, 



NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Hon. William Clemens, son of Wilhelm and 
Wilhemine Clemens, of German ancestry, was born 
in Germany on the 8th day of October, 1843. His 
father followed the honorable occupation of car- 
penter in Germany. His parents emigrated to 
Texas in 1849, bringing him with them, and settled 
in New Braunfels, Comal County. At the age of 
twelve years he suffered an irreparable loss in the 
death of his mother, whom he dearly loved. He 
passed through youth and into manhood without 
her gentle care, but her sainted memory and the 
lessons learned at her knee remained with and 
cheered him in moments of sadness and trial and 
urged him on to be a winner in the battle of life. 
He was apprenticed to Hon. John A. Staehely, 
who now lives at Darmstadt, Germany. Mr. 
Staehely was then doing the largest and most lucra- 
tive business at New Braunfels and to his strictly 
honest and methodical business ways and fatherly 
advice, Mr. Clemens ascribes a great deal of his 



success in life, and has alwa3'S entertained for him 
sentiments of respect and warmest friendship. Mr. 
Clemens entered the Confederate army at eighteen 
years of age, enlisting in 1862, and participated in 
the sharp engagement at Jenkins Ferry in Arkansas. 
He was Orderly Sergeant of Capt. Bose's company 
of volunteers, of which office he is exceedingly 
proud. He was afterwards elected Lieutenant. 
After the war he engaged in merchandising, in 
which he was quite successful, and then went into 
the banking business. After having served four 
years as Alderman of the city of New Braunfels and 
eight j'ears as trustee and treasurer of the New 
Braunfels Academj', he was elected to the House of 
Representatives of the Texas Legislature, in 1879, 
from the Eighty-ninth District, composed of Bexar 
and Comal counties, and also served in the house 
of the Twenty-first Legislature, representing Comal, 
Bianco and Gillespie counties, each time being 
elected without opposition at the polls. In 1890 he 




JOHN MAXWELL JONES. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



331 



was elected to the State Senate, from the Twenty- 
fifth District, composed of Caldwell, Hays, Guada- 
lupe, Comal, Blanco, Llano and Kendall counties. 
In 1879 he was the author of the bill to improve the 
public free school system then in vogue in towns 
and cities and, also, of an amendment to the 
penal code punishing severely misapplication of 
public money (both of which became laws) and 
assisted very materially in the passage of the bill 
to regulate continuances in criminal cases and place 
discretion in the hands of the trial judge. In the 
Twenty-first Legislature he was one of the sub-com- 
mittee that perfected the House Railroad Bill that 
was passed by that body but killed in the Senate, 
and offered a bill regulating teachers' certificates 
according to the law of the State of New York. 
He was one of the pioneers in the advocacy of the 
railroad commission idea, which has since been car- 
ried into effect. He favors a commission, hoping 
that it will lead to the State owning and operating 
its own railroads. A proposition looking to that 
end was defeated in the Committee on Platform at 
the Democratic State Convention held in 1890 by a 
vote of eighteen to twelve only. In the Senate, 
during the session the Twenty-second Legislature, 
he introduced a bill providing for the Australian 
ballot system, making it operative over the entire 
State and a bill prohibiting the acceptance of free rail- 
road passes by legislative, judicial and executive 
officers, both of which were passed by the Senate, 
and, further introduced a bill designed for the 
suppression of homicide by striking the degree of 
manslaughter from the penal-code. He was Chair- 
man of the Committee on Finance and Chairman of 
the Committee on Contingent Expenses, and was 
considered one of the ablest members of the 



Senate. Mr. Clemens withdrew from active politi- 
cal life several years ago, but his well-known phi- 
lanthropic views led Gov. C. A. Culberson to offer 
him an appointment as one of the Board of Com- 
missioners of the Texas State Penitentiaries, which 
he accepted. Mr. Clemens was shortly thereafter 
elected to and now holds the position of Chairman 
of that body. He has been foremost in every 
good work. Four years ago a hospital society was 
organized at New Braunfels and later, as a result 
of its efforts, a fine hospital building erected in 
that city. Mr. Clemens was elected President of 
the association and has continuously served as such 
from its inception. Charity patients are admitted 
to the walls of the institution and given that care 
and medical attention in keeping with an 
enlightened Christian civilization. The society's 
work also includes other charitable and benevo- 
lent purposes. Mr. Clemens' mind is broad 
enough and heart warm enough for him to dis- 
regard all distinctions of creed, race and social 
condition when a case of suffering presents 
itself. For him to know that it exists is suflicient 
and he seeks to relieve it. He is a genuine lover of 
his kind, a public-spirited citizen, a kind father, a 
sincere friend and a true patriot. He has always 
aided every public enterprise in his section and is 
one of the men who built the famous dam across 
the Comal river at New Braunfels. The dam fur- 
nishes a fine water-power and it will be, in the near 
future, the means through which many a good and 
honest laborer will be enabled to earn a livelihood. 
Mr. Clemens was married at New Braunfels in 
1873, to Miss K. von Koll, daughter of Mr. John 
von Koll, the Auditor and confidential agent of the 
German Emigration Society, in 1845. 



JOHN MAXWELL JONES, 



GALVESTON. 



In December, 1836, the Congress of Texas, at 
its first session at Columbia, in consideration of 
$50,000, granted to Michael B. Menard a league 
of land on the eastern end of Galveston Island, 
then unoccupied by a single human habitation. 
Upon this tract of land, the following year. Col. 
Menard laid out the city of Galveston. In April, 
1838, the first lots were sold and in August, 1839, 
the place was incorporated. Beginning with 1837, 
for several succeeding years Galveston became the 



objective point of most of the settlers coming to 
the country, and there also many of the enter- 
prising spirits who sought homes and fortune in 
the new Republic cast their lots. One of the 
men who thus early became identified with the 
Island City upon the history of which he left in full 
measure the imprint of his talents and character 
was John Maxwell Jones, a brief memoir of whom 
here follows. 

Mr. Jones came of good antecedents. On his 



332 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



falhei's side his ancestry is traced to Ireland, pos- 
sibly more remote!}' to Wales. His mother's peo- 
ple were Scotch. Theophilus Jones, his paternal 
grandfather, was born in Dublin, Ireland, some- 
where near the middle of the last century ; emi- 
grated thence with his wife and an infant son 
to America in 1774, stopping for a time at 
Charleston, S. C. There his wife died, after 
which event he went to Wilmington, Del., where, 
on May 4th, 1775, he married Miss Mary Eccles, 
daughter of John and Mary J^ccles, and settled 
himself at his trade as a cabinetmaker. He 
was a skillful workman and in time became a man 
of some means ; afterwards abandoned cabinet- 
making and engaged in trade with the West Indies 
which he followed with profit until bis death on the 
island of St. Kitts, West Indies, about the begin- 
ning of the present century. In addition to the 
son by the flrst marriage referred to, he left sur- 
viving him three sons and two daughters by his 
second marriage, namely, Mary McCorkle, John, 
Theophilus, Isabella Anderson, and George. The 
youngest of these, George Jones, was the father 
of John M., of this article. George Jones was 
born in Wilmington, Del., March 1, 1784. He 
married Jane Ochiltree, of Wilmington, Jan- 
uary 28, 1811, and had issue two sons and 
three daughters: Mary Jane, John Maxwell, Eliza- 
beth Ann, George Crowe and Isabella. Mr. Jones' 
wife died in 1821, and he later married Anna M. 
Alexander McMullen, daughter of Dr. Archibald 
Alexander and widow of A. McMullen, by whom he 
had a daughter and sou, Henrietta Ord and Archi- 
bald Alexander, the latter dying in infancy. The 
senior Mr. Jones, father of John M., was a man of 
superior abilitj' as a financier and occupied a prom- 
inent place in Wilmington for many years. He 
was taught the trade of watchmaking by bis father, 
but later gave this up for the profession of dentistry 
and, after having accumulated some means, de- 
voted much of his attention to general business 
pursuits and the purchase and sale of Wilmington 
property and the building of workingmen's homes. 
For twenty-five 3'ears he was president of the 
Delaware Fire Insurance Company, was one of the 
originators of the Wilmington Savings Fund and 
remained one of its directors as long as he lived, 
was a director of the Bank of Wilmington and 
Brandywine, since nationalized and still in exist- 
ence, one of the founders of Friendship Fire Engine 
Company, the oldest organization of the kind in 
Wilmington, and was a member of Hanover Street 
Presbyterian church, in which for fifty years he was 
an elder. His death occurred at Wilmington, August 
15, 18fi7. 



George Jones was a man of rare intelligence and 
thrift and a man of advanced ideas on education. 
He gave his children the very best of educations, 
his younger son George graduating from Princeton 
College in 1838. On his mother's side John M. 
Jones was directly descended from revolutionary 
sires, his great-grandfather, John Waugh, having 
been with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge during 
the terrible winter of 177G. 

From such ancestry the subject of this memoir 
sprung and, surrounded by scenes of commercial 
thrift and in an air strongly impregnated with 
morality and religious feeling, his boyhood and 
early youth were passed. He was born at Wilming- 
ton, Del., October 8, 1814, and educated in the 
schools of that place and at Bloomfleld, N. J., lay- 
ing aside his books at about the age of eighteen to 
take up the trade of a jeweler, which he mastered 
under his father. His father offered to send him to 
Princeton along with his brother George but he de- 
clined, having already a good education and being 
desirous of striking out for himself into active busi- 
ness life. In the fall of 1836, having been taken 
with a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism in 
Philadelphia, where he had been clerking for a 
year in the jewelry house of Edward P. Lescure, and 
as his ph3'sician recommended him to take a sea 
voyage, he determined to sail on a vessel then 
bound for New Orleans. Through the efforts of his 
father, his employer, and others, he look with him 
some twenty letters of introduction to prominent 
merchants in New Orleans, Natchez and Vicksburg. 
These letters spoke of him in tiie highest terms. 
His employer, Edward P. Lescure, wrote as 
follows : — • 

"Philadelphia, Nov. 1st, 1836. 

"The bearer, Mr. John M. Jones, has been in 
my employ for the last twelve months and I take 
pleasure in bearing testimony to his integrity, 
sobriety, energy, good disposition and gentlemanly 
deportment." 

On crutches he boarded his vessel, taking with him 
his father's gift of his own warm cloak and a hun- 
dred dollars in monej-, and in due course of time 
reached his destination, much improved in health. 
Having brought with him a letter of introduction to 
Hyde & Goodrich, then and for many years after- 
wards the leading jewelers of tbat section, he 
sought them out on his arrival. Mr. William Good- 
rich interested himself in the young man and soon 
found for hira an opening in Woodville, Miss., in an 
excellent jewelry house. 

Mr. Jones went there about Februaiy, 1837, 
remaining with his employer until July, 1838, at 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



333 



wliich time he became imbued with Texas fevei' 
through letters written him by his friend, James 
Benson, who had been for several years located at 
Washington, Texas. Mr. Jones had now become 
very much attached to the South, its climate and its 
people. He wished to engage in business for himself, 
hence he returned to New Orleans and sought the 
friendly counsel of his friend, Wm. Goodrich. Mr. 
Goodrich advised him to first try Shreveport, La., 
before going to Texas. About November, 1838, 
he pacljed up his possessions, taking along in his 
trunk a nice assortment of watches and jewelry 
purchased from his savings. On the boat he fell 
in with a young jeweler and watchmaker, George 
Ball, from New York, bound for the same town. 
Mr. Ball located at Shreveport, but Mr. Jones, 
after looking the place over to his satisfaction, 
turned his steps toward Texas, reaching Galveston 
about January 1st, 1839. He settled there, and 
at once opened a shop. He put up one of the first 
buildings in the town, erected in a string of wooden 
structures on vehat is now the Strand, then called 
by him Commercial Row, his building, a two-story 
frame, being the best in the row. It cost him 
$1,000 "in United States money" which he paid 
down on its completion, the lot on which it stood 
being leased for a term of five years at $400 a year 
" in Texas money." In the primitive condition of 
things at that date the houses were not numbered, 
but Mr. Jones through sport selected the day of the 
month on which he was born as his number and the 
street in the meantime having been named put on 
his sign, "No. 8 Strand." So his place of busi- 
ness was for a long time afterwards known, and a 
clock which he for years used as a regulator, still 
in the possession of his son, bears this designation. 
His central location made space in his building 
desirable and he had no difficulty in renting half of 
his house at $50.00 a month, still having all the 
room he needed. He was the first regular watch- 
maker on Galveston Island, and, as more than half 
the immigration to Texas in those days went 
through Galveston, he repaired the time-pieces 
and furnished the time for most of the population 
of the Republic. "Jones' time" was considered 
the correct time and everybody went by it. He 
also did a good business repairing nautical instru- 
ments, getting all the work of this kind that there 
was to do. He was an industrious workman and 
shrewd tradesman, and his activity and upright 
business methods brought him substantial returns. 
That he had the instinct of the latter-day merchant 
is evidenced by the liberality with which he patron- 
ized the newspapers and sought in every legitimate 
way to place his goods and wares before the public. 



In an old issue of the Cifilian and Gazette of date 
1845, the writer counted five separate advertisements 
of his, one of which was accompanied by a cut of his 
building, said to be the first cut ever inserted in a 
Texas newspaper. He turned to good account his 
acquaintance and previous connection with Hyde & 
Goodrich, of New Orleans, receiving from them such 
goods as he needed and for which he seems to have 
found a ready sale. One of the advertisements 
referred to above sets forth that he had just received 
a large assortment of " Fashionable and fancy 
jewelry, school books, stationery, blank books, 
annuals, albums, gift books, writing, letter and 
note paper, vi&iting and conversation cards, cutlery, 
combs, suspenders, gloves, stocks, straps etc., etc." 

One of the first things he did was to form a tem- 
perance society and to push the subject of good 
schools in his little communit}-. Although a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, he allied himself 
with the Episcopalians for many years, as this sect 
was the most active in church work and the pastor, 
the Rev. Mr. Eaton, was his intimate friend. 

Mr. Jones took an active interest in the town ; 
became a member of its first fire company. Hook 
and Ladder Company, No. 1; was commissioned by 
President Houston Captain of militia for "Beat 
No. 2, Fourth Regiment, Second Brigade, Militia 
of the Republic of Texas," and, in 1850, was the 
commissioner from Texas appointed by Governor 
Bell to the London Industrial Exhibition, for which 
he collected exhibits and, in company with Dr. 
Ashbel Smith, set forth as best he could with the 
limited means at his command the resources of this 
imperial commonwealth. 

After his return from Europe in 1851, Mr. Jones 
associated with himself Messrs. John B. Root and 
B. R. Davis, forming a partnership under the firm 
name of Jones, Root & Davis, and embarked in the 
furniture, jewelry and book business on a somewhat 
extensive scale. This business prospered until the 
Civil War when, with the closing of the port of Gal- 
veston, it was discontinued. Mr. Jones was past 
the age for military duty when the war opened but 
entered the Confederate service in the commissary 
department, and spent the most of his time during 
the ensuing four years in the interior of the State 
procuring and forwarding supplies to the soldiers 
at the front. While he deplored the dismember- 
ment of the Union, still he thought that the rights 
of the South had been invaded and that the only 
course left for her to' pursue was the one she 
adopted. 

On May 25, 1852, at Galveston, Mr. Jones mar- 
ried Miss Henrietta Offenbach, who was then 
visiting her sister, Mrs. Sam Maas, of that place. 



334 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Thej' were married by Ihe Rev. Mr. Eaton. Ex- 
Governor Frank Lubbock was one of the grooms. 
Mrs. Jones was a native of Cologne, Germany, 
and a sister of the great Parisian composer, 
Jacques Offenbach. Previous to taking this step 
Mr. Jones bad purchased property on Broadway, 
between Seventeenth and P^ighteenth streets (an 
entire block), where, having erected what for the 
time was an excellent dwelling, he established him- 
self and lived for some years in bachelor quarters, 
dispensing a generous hospitality to his numerous 
friends. Three daughters, Anna M., Rosanna 
Osterman, and Henrietta Ord, and one son, William 
Goodrich, named for his old friend, the jeweler of 
New Orleans, were the issue of this union. In the 
earlier days Mr. Jones underwent many of the 
privations to which the inhabitants of Galveston 
Island were subjected, and during the Civil War 
he and his family suffered in common with others 
all the hardships which were visited upon the people 
of that city. He passed through eight yellow fever 
epidemics, he and his entire family at one time or 
another having the disease, one daughter, Rosa, 
dying of it. 

After the war Mr. Jones took his family to 
Europe, in consequence of his wife's broken health, 
and remained there nearly a year, returning in the 
latter part of 1866, when he took up his resi- 
dence in New York. There he organized the New 
York and Texas Land Company, with which he 
was subsequently connected, and as long as he 
lived devoted his attention chiefly to land matters. 
During his residence in Texas he had, as his means 
accumulated, made considerable investments in 
Texas real estate both in the city of Gavleston and 
in unimproved lands in different counties, and 
these holdings advancing in price with the set- 
tlement of the country, formed the foundation 
of a comfortable fortune, the oversight of which 
together with his other duties occupied his 
time during the last twenty years of his life. 
He built a home in Brooklyn, N. Y., and a 
summer residence at Saratoga Springs in that 



State, and between these two places spent his time, 
making an occasional trip to Texas, and once — 
from 1872 to 1<875 — an extended trip to Europe. 
Though much absent in later life from the State he 
never forgot the scenes of his early struggles nor 
the friends of his young manhood. He was devoted 
to Texas and her people with that ardent attach- 
ment which characterizes the feelings of all those 
who have shared in the glories and sorrows of its 
early days. He was the kind of material of which 
new States are made. His honest, industrious, 
upright ways won him friends and helped early in 
his career to make him one of the foremost men in 
the community where he settled. His achieve- 
ments, considering his chances, were great ; but 
back of these was something greater, a character, 
into the formation of which had entered the in- 
herited wisdom and virtue of an excellent ancestry, 
reinforced bj' patient discipline on his own part and 
a fervent trust in God. 

He spent much of his leisure time in after years 
in study and philanthropy, and was a man of much 
knowledge and general culture, and of a strong 
religious character. After hisremoval to Brooklyn, 
N. Y., he was for many years a communicant of 
the Rev. Theo. L. Culyer's Lafaj-ette Avenue Pres- 
byterian church. 

Like his father, he neither smoked nor chewed 
tobacco, nor drunk spirituous liquors, deeming a 
man would remain healthier and happier without 
these habits. He was an enthusiastic agriculturist 
and lover of nature, and took great interest in tree 
planting and the beautifying of cities. After a life 
of much activitj' and crowned with more than 
ordinary success he died, passing away at his sum- 
mer home at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., on the 21st 
day of April, 1891, in the seventy-seventh year of 
his age. His widow survived him a little less than 
four years, dying January 8th, 1895, at Aiken, 
S. C, whither she had gone for the winter. Their 
two surviving daughters reside in New Y'ork, their 
son at Temple, Texas. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



335 



J. H. BURNETT, 

GALVESTON. 



Col. J. H. Burnett, of Galveston, was born in 
Greeneville, Greene County, Tenn., .July 8, 1830. 

His parents were Sylas E. and Maliuda (Howell) 
Burnett, Virginians by birth, connected by ties of 
consanguinity and affinity with some of the proudest 
names that adorn the pages of the country's his- 
tory. They moved at an early day from Virginia 
to Tennessee, and from that State to Georgia, 
where they spent their remaining years. 

The subject of this memoir was reared in Greene- 
ville, Tenn., and Somerville, Ga., where he ac- 
quired an excellent education. 

Fired with the martial spirit, love of country, 
and desire for adventure common to the cbivalric 
youth of that day, he enlisted, at the age of six- 
teen, as a private soldier in Col. Calhoun's Regi- 
ment, for service in the war between the United 
States and Mexico. This regiment formed a part 
of Gen. Winfleld Scott's army, took part in the 
memorable march of two hundred and seventy- 
nine miles from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, 
and participated in the various battles that were 
fought en route and in front of the city, including 
the storming of the castle of Chepultepec. In all 
these engagements the subject of this memoir con- 
ducted himself with conspicuous gallantry, and 
before the close of the campaign was rewarded with 
a Lieutenant's commission. Returning to his home 
in Georgia, he was honored by the Governor with a 
Colonelcy in the State troops. 

On his way to Mexico he traversed a considerable 
part of the State of Texas and was so favorably 
impressed with its climate, soil, people and future 
prospects, that he determined to make his home in 
the country. He served as sheriff of Chattooga 
County, Ga., for a period of two or more years, 
and then resigned the office to leave Somerville, 
Ga., for Texas in 1854. He located at Crockett, 
in Houston County, this State, and there engaged 
in farming and merchandising, and soon acquired 
a prominent position in the community, owing to 
his public spirit, social qualities and superior talents. 
Three j-ears later he was elected to the Legislature 
as a member of the House of Representatives. That 
body then contained a number of men who would 
have graced the Congress of the United States in its 
palmiest days and who afterwards acquired national 
reputations. The policies of the State were in a 
formative condition and many issues of vital im- 



portance presented themselves for discussion and 
settlement. Col. Burnett was (as he still is) a 
clear, forcible and elegant speaker and, from the 
beginning, took rank among the foremost of his 
colleagues. He was placed by the Speaker on a 
majority of the important committees, where his in- 
defatigable industry, sound judgment and fidelity 
to duty enabled him to render valuable service to 
the State. He was re-elected to the House for a 
second term and before its close added new laurels 
to those he had ahead}' won. He was then nomi- 
nated by the Democracy of his district and elected 
to the State Senate in 1860. Early in the following 
year, however, the long-gathering hurricane of Civil 
War burst upon the country and the Southland 
called her sons to arms. Col. Burnett was among 
the first to respond ; promptly resigned his seat in 
the Senate, and in a short time mustered a regiment 
of sixteen companies (the Thirteenth Texas Cavalry) 
of which he was elected Colonel. It was his desire 
to cross the Mississippi and serve under Gen. 
Joseph E. Johnston, but there was some delay in 
securing transportation and not desiring to remain 
inactive he hurried with his command to the front, 
joining Gen. Ben McCulloch, then conducting a 
desperate and unequal contest in Arkansas. While 
the numbers engaged in that State were not 
so large as in some of the battles fought by 
the armies of Northern Virginia and Tennessee, 
several of the conflicts in Arkansas were un- 
paralled in the history of the war for their stub- 
bornness, the valor displayed by the men and 
the proportion of the killed and wounded to the 
number of the troops brought into action. It was 
hard fighting all the way through and the Thirteenth 
did its full share of it. Col. Burnett's regiment 
also took part in the campaign against Gen. Banks, 
in Louisiana, one of the most brilliant and success- 
ful inaugurated and carried out by the Confederate 
arms, covering itself with glorj' at Mansfield, Pleas- 
ant Hill and elsewhere. Banks' powerful army was 
completely routed, Texas saved from invasion and 
Louisiana bloodily avenged for the depredations of 
an enemy more savage and merciless than the 
pagan Huns who devastated Central and Western 
Europe when the power of imperial Rome, like the 
tower of Ushur, was darkly nodding to its fall. 

After the war Col. Burnett returned to Crockett 
where he resumed business pursuits and began by 



336 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



wood managament to largely repair the financial 
losses he had sustained. Desiring a more extensive 
field in which to operate, he moved to Galveston in 
1866, and engaged in the commission business with 
W. B. Wall, under the firm name of Burnett & 
M'all, and subsequently under the firm name of J. 
H Burnett & Co., a connection that continued until 
1878. Here he was the builder and owner of the 
Tremont Hotel, completed in 1877 and then one of 
the handsomest hotels in the South. His invest- 
ments in real estate were begun as early as 1870 
and now include a large amount of valuable prop- 
erty in the cities of Galveston and Houston and 
elsewhere in the Texas coast country. He is 
perhaps the heaviest tax-payer in Southern Texas. 
Already identified with the soil and deeply inter- 
ested in the future prosperity of the State, he 
entered fully into the spirit of the year of 187.5, 
which found expression in railway construction. 
He built sixty-five miles of the Gulf, Colorado & 
Santa B'e ; Texas & St. Louis ; Houston, East & 
West Texas and Sabine & East Texas railways under 
contract ; owned a considerable amount of stock 
in the companies, helped negotiate the sale of their 
bonds, and in every practical and legitimate way 
exerted himself to put them upon a sound and 
prosperous financial basis. He was also one of the 
original projectors of the International Railroad 
Company, helped to secure its charter and, finally, 
assisted in effecting its consolidation with the 
Houston & Great Northern and the formation of 
the present International & Great Northern Railway 
Company. Among other important work done by 
him under contract in the city of Galveston was 
§350,000 worth of work upon the streets and 
sidewalks of the city and the building of the Ship- 
pers and Gulf City Compresses, Galveston & 
Western Railway and Gulf City Street Railway. 
For a considerable time he owned a majority of the 
stock in the two latter companies. He has, in fact, 
been identified with and an active promoter of nearly 
every important enterprise inaugurated in Galveston 
during his residence in that city. He has ever 
enjoyed a profound and unfaltering faith in the 
future of the city and has been at all times an indefa- 
tigable worker for the extension of its commer- 
cial interests. Since the war he has neither sought 



nor desired public office, his private business pur- 
suits absorbing all of his time and attention. He 
has never ceased, however, to feel an interest in 
the cause of good government and to do all that lay 
in his power to secure its blessings for himself and 
his fellow-citizens. He is a member of the Demo- 
cratic party and few men have a more intimate 
knowledge of its history', principles and traditions 
or have been so faithful in their support of its 
nominees. 

In 1851 Col. Burnett was united in marriage to 
Miss Catherine Beavers, of Somerville, Ga., a 
daughter of Gen. John F. Beavers, who figured 
with distinction in the Indian wars of the early part 
of this century. They reared three children to be 
grown. Of these Walter E. died at twenty-five, at 
Calhoun, Ga., in 1870, and was interred at Atlanta ; 
Oscar H. (a Brazos valle3' planter), died in Hous- 
ton, Texas, November 9, 1895, aged forty-one 
years ; and Mrs. Ellen B. Ross, resides in Galveston. 
Mrs. Burnett died in 1886. Col. Burnett is still in 
the full vigor of physical health and mental strength 
and continues actively engaged in business pur- 
suits. He has shown himself to be a financier of 
uncommon ability. His social qualities are most 
agreeable, leading to pleasant and lasting friend- 
ships. His path of life has stretched across one of 
the most remarkable periods of American, or for 
that matter, human history — a period that has 
witnessed the extension of the territory of the 
United States to the Pacific Ocean, the admission 
of Texas to the Union, a Civil War that has no par- 
allel in ancient or modern times, the building of 
towns and cities in what, less than a generation 
ago, it was thought would forever remain an 
unbroken wilderness, the construction of hundreds 
of thousands of miles of lines of telegraph and rail- 
way, and many strange and undreamed of inven- 
tions that have greatly altered and added to the 
comfort of daily life. He has not passed through 
these shifting and stirring scenes as a curious or 
idle onlooker, but as a member of the pioneer- 
corps, moving at the front and blazing the way for 
others to follow. His life has formed a thread in 
the warp and woof of the history of the times 
through which he has lived, and may be studied 
with profit by men of a younger generation. 




WM. McFADDIN. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



337 



WILLIAM McFADDlN, 

BEAUMONT. 



Every country lias had its golden or heroic 
age, the memory of which has been transmitted to 
after times surrounded with a halo of romantic and 
chivalric interest. That of Texas may be said to 
embrace the period of the revolutionary struggle 
that witnessed the triumph of a few fearless free- 
men over a powerful foe, and the birth of a blood- 
bought Republic that, after a career of singular 
brilliancy, merged itself into the great sisterhood 
of States comprising the American Union. Not so 
long as the human heart shall beat responsive to 
the recital of deeds of patriotic self-sacrifice will 
the immolation at the Alamo be forgotten, and not 
until the very names of the Anglo-Saxon and 
Celtic races shall have faded from the pages of 
history and men ceased to prize the blessings of 
constitutional freedom will the memory of San 
Jacinto fail to stir the pulses of youth and age 
alike, inspire reverence and affection for the men 
who wrote with their swords upon the scroll of 
Time the undying story of our State, and keep 
warm and true the love of country in the hearts of 
the people. 

Houston, Rusk, Austin, Travis, Fannin, Burle- 
son, the Bowies, Crockett, Bonham, Johnson, 
Milam, Sherman, Lamar, Williamson, Jack, their 
compeers and the men who followed them to 
victory or death, are the Immortals of Texas. 

A few of the veterans who followed Johnson and 
Milam into San Antonio, and who charged under 
Houston at San Jacinto yet survive, a majoritj' of 
them old and feeble men who have lived to see the 
country change from a wilderness to a populous 
and powerful commonwealth, and to witness the 
full fruits of the labors of their earlier years. But 
one of them, at least, is still blessed with strength 
and health. We refer to William McFaddin, of 
Beaumont, Texas. He was born at Lake Charles, 
La., June 8, 1819, and came to Texas with his 
parents, James and Elizabeth McFaddin, in 1823. 
The family settled in Liberty County, where they 
remained until June, 183.3, when they moved into 
what is now Jefferson County and opened a farm, 
one mile distant from the present town of Beau- 
mont, upon which the subject of this memoir now 
resides. 

Mr. William McFaddin joined the Texian army 
in 1835, not long after the firing of the first gun of 
the revolution, and served under Capt. Andrew 



Briscoe in the memorable storming of San Antonio 
by the columns under Milam and Johnson — one 
of the most remarkable military feats recorded in 
the annals of war. He saw Milam a few minutes 
after that gallant leader was killed and before the 
body was picked up from the spot where it had 
fallen. Mr. McFaddin remained in San Antonio 
until just before the siege of the Alamo. He joined 
the army under Houston at Columbus, participated 
in the battle of San Jacinto, was present when 
Santa Anna was brought in and turned over to 
Gen. Houston, and, after the battle, was a soldier 
in the force under Gen. Rusk that followed the 
retreating army of Filisola as far as Goliad and 
there buried the charred remains of the men who 
fell in the Fannin massacre. Mr. McFaddin was 
honorably discharged from the service June 8th, 
183G, and walked bare-footed from Goliad to his 
home near Beaumont. He received a bounty of 
320 and a donation of 640 acres of land for his 
services in the revolutionary war (as did other 
soldiers of San Jacinto) and resumed the business 
of stock raising in which he had been previously 
engaged. ■ 

He was united in marriage in 1837 to Miss 
Rachel Williams, daughter of Hezekiah Williams, 
of Louisiana, and then received from the Republic 
of Texas a family head-right of a league and labor 
of land which he located in Williamson County and 
upon which now stands the thriving little town of 
Circleville. Mr. and Mrs. McFaddin have six 
living children, viz. : James A., who is a prominent 
stockman of Victoria ; Sarah, now wife of Michael 
Alexander, of Beaumont; W. P. H., a stock raiser 
living at Beaumont ; Di, wife of W. C. Averill, of 
Beaumont; David H., a stock raiser who lives at 
Victoria, and C. W., who lives in Beaumont. 

Mrs. McFaddin's parents, Hezekiah and Nancy 
(Reames) Williams, of St. Helena Parish, La., 
came to Texas in 1833 and located in Jeffer- 
son County, where Mr. Williams engaged in farm- 
ing. The Williams family was one of the first three 
families that settled in the county. A son, Heze- 
kiah Williams, Jr., took part in the battle of San 
Jacinto. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have nine chil- 
dren, all of whom are dead except three: Mrs. 
William McFaddin, Marion and Annie, now the 
wife of Nulbar Cropper, of Milam County. Marion, 
who lives near Buffalo Gap in Taylor County, was 



IXDIAX WAliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



a soldier in the Confederate arm}- and served as 
such throughout the war between the States. 

Mr. Hezekiah Williams died in Williamson County 
and is buried there. His wife died in Beaumont, 
Texas, and is buried in the family cemetery in 
Jefferson County, near that place. 

Mr. McFaddin's last military service was in the 
Confederate army. He was detailed to secure 
beeves for the army, and eonsequentlj^ did not 
leave Texas during the war. 

When his father came to Liberty County, there 
were only three people living in Jefferson County. 
As a consequence, the subject of this notice had no 
educational advantages and grew to manhood with- 



out an opportunity of attending school. Notwith- 
standing this drawback, he has been remarkably 
successful in his business operations, is now one of 
the wealthiest landowners and stock raisers in the 
Slate, and in conversation gives no evidence of the 
want of book-learning. He was his parents' only 
child when they came to Texas. His father died at 
Natchitoches, La., in 1845, and his mother near 
Beaumont in 1848, leaving four children, all of 
whom, with theexception of Mr. McFaddin, are dead. 
It is to be hoped that this worthy old hero of 
San Antonio and San Jacinto, beloved and honored 
by all who know him, will be spared to his friends, 
famil3' and Texas for man^' years to come. 



THE ECKHARDT FAMILY, 

YORKTOWN. 



Among the early pioneers of Western Texas, the 
Eckhardt family should receive prominent mention, 
as they have been greatly instrumental in develop- 
ing that section and are still among its leading and 
most useful citizens. As early as 1843 we find 
Charles Eckhardt in business in Indianola, Texas. 
Afterwards he and Capt. John York were the 
founders of the town of Yorktown, in De Witt 
County, the town receiving its name from the latter 
gentleman. In May, 1848, Charles Eckhardt con- 
tracted with Peter Metz and John Frank to build 
the first house in Yorktown. This was a log house, 
twelve by twenty feet, with back room and chim- 
ney, and was afterwards occupied by his brother, 
Caisar Eckhardt and his family, for whom it was 
built. Before this date, in Februarj-, 1848, how- 
ever, Charles Elekhardt had contracted with John 
A. King, also one of the early settlers of Western 
Texas, to survey and open a public road from the 
town of Victoria to the prospective town of York- 
town and thence to the town of New Braunfels. 
This contract is still in existence and stipulates 
that Charles Eckhardt and his associates in the 
scheme were to pay one hundred and fifty dollars 
to John A. King for the survey of this road which 
was to shorten the distance between Victoria and 
New Braunfels twenty miles and to run on the 
western side of the Guadalupe river. This road 
was for a number of years the main thoroughfare 
between these points and is still the principal road 
between Victoria and Yorktown. Charles Eckhardt 



was one of the business pioneers of Western 
Texas. He was engaged in various mercantile 
enterprises and was a gentleman of culture, speak- 
ing several modern languages. He was a Mexican 
War veteran. In 1852 he went to Central America 
and died on his return trip and was buried in New 
Orleans. 

In December, 1849, his brother, C;esar Eckhardt, 
settled in Yorktown with his famil}'. The}- brought 
with them a number of people from Germany and 
in a few years man}^ of the sturdy German families 
who have since settled in Yorktown and vicinity 
followed and soon changed a Western wilderness 
into one of the most prosperous settlements of this 
great State. Caesar Eckhardt was born August 5th, 
1806, in Laasphe, Germany. He received a liberal 
education, was a Lieutenant of artillery in the 
Prussian army for three years, and afterwards 
entered the civil service of the government and 
occupied a position as magistrate when he emigrated 
to Texas. He married Miss Louise Fisher, in 
1833, in Laasphe, Germany, and the family con- 
sisted of themselves and their children : Robert, 
William, Louise, Emilie, Johanna, Marie, and 
Herman, when they emigrated to Texas. Their 
youngest child, Mathilde, was born in Texas. Im- 
mediately upon their arrival in Texas they engaged 
in agricultural and mercantile pursuits and in 1850 
laid the foundation for the prosperity of the widely 
known firm of C. Eckhardt & Sons. For many 
years, both before and during the late war between 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEFAIS OF TEXAS. 



339 



the Stales and up to the time of his death, he was 
most active in building up that section and faithfully 
performing his duties as a citizen. On coming to the 
countr}- he at once natuvalized and became a thor- 
ough-going American. He occupied at various 
times positions of trust in his county. During the 
war he alligned himself with the lost cause and, al- 
though too old to join the regular army, organized 
a companj' of minute men, of which he was Captain. 
His two oldest sons, however, of whom we 
shall speak later, both joined the Confederate army 
and served throughout the entire war. After the 
■war he continued his business. He died on the 28th 



death and was active in the discharge of her duties 
as such until a year or two ago she became feeble, 
when she removed to her oldest daughter, Mrs. 
Louise von Boeder, where she died Sundaj-, April 
7th, 1895, surrounded and beloved bj' her children 
and grandchildren. She was interred in the York- 
town cemetery with impressive ceremonies ; the 
two Yorktown bands playing dirges and sacred airs 
during the funeral f\nd the Rev. K. Poca delivering 
a most eloquent and touching funeral oration while 
the whole town turned out to pay her their last 
tribute of love and respect. Mrs. Eckhardt was a 
remarkable woman in many respects. The mother 




ROBERT ECKHARDT. 



of Februar3',1868, at his home in I'orktown, highl3' 
respected by his fellow-men. He was a man of 
sterling integrity and character; intelligent, social 
(yet frugal and industrious), devoted to his family 
and his adopted country. He loved Texas and its 
people and appreciated republican institutions and 
the great principles of American Democracy, inspir- 
ing his children and his neighbors by his upright 
living and good example. 

After his death his widow, Mrs. Louise Eckhardt, 
continued the mercantile business in partnership 
with her sons, Robert and William, under the old 
firm name of C. Eckhardt & Sons. We here repro- 
duce a portion of her obituary, which appeared in 
the Cuero Bulletin, shortly after her death: " Slie 
remained a member of the firm u|» to the time of her 



of eight children whom she reared to be among the 
most useful and respected of our citizens, she j'et 
found time to become the founder and projector of 
one of the most extensive and reliable business 
concerns in the county. The many obstacles which 
she encountered would have baffled'many of the 
pioneers of Texas, yet with an indomitable energy, 
a restless industry, strong common sense and 
unswerving integrity she overcame them all and 
lived to see her efforts crowned with success. She 
was unselfish to a fault and most charitable and 
helpful to her neighbors. She loved the truth and 
abhorred and shunned everything which savored of 
sham and hypocrisy. A pure and noble woman 
has passed to her rest and reward. She died in 
her eighty-fourth year, but her son Robert had 



340 



INDIAN )VARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



preceded her in death and this leaves her son 
William, the only surviving member of the old firm, 
who continues the large business of C. Eciihardt & 
Sons at the old stand." 

Robert C. Eckhardt was the oldest child of Ciesar 
and Louise Eckhardt and was born March 17th, 
1836, in Laasphe, Germany, emigrating to Texas 
with bis parents when he was thirteen years of age. 
He assisted them in building up tlieir home and 
business and occupied his spare time in improving 
his mind by private study and useful reading, thus 
growing up to the splendid manhood of the hardy 
frontiersman. 

At the age of twenty-four he married Miss Caro- 
line Kleberg, daughter of Judge Roliert Kleberg. 
He joined Wood's regiment of Texas cavahy and 
served with distinction in the campaign against Gen. 
Banks in Louisiana, coming out of the war at its 
break-up as Second Lieutenant of his company. 
After the war he engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
first in Columbus, Texas, and afterwards as a mem- 
ber of the firm of C. Eckhardt & Sons, after his 
father's death. 

His standing in the business community and as a 
citizen was among the best. He was the first mayor 
of Yorktown and took a leading part in every prom- 
inent enterprise in the town and count}'. He was 
a member of Cameron Lodge No. 76 A. F. and' A. 
M. and other fraternal societies, as well as trustee 
of schools, etc. In his intercourse with his fellow- 
men he was affable, generous, courteous and most 
agreeable and enjoyed a large circle of friends ; 
devoted to his family and country, he stood forth 
an exemplar as husband, father and citizen. He 
died at his home on Monday, February 28th, 1887, 
and was buried with Masonic honors by his local 
lodge, leaving his widow, eleven children and a 
legion of friends and acquaintances to mourn his 
loss. 

William Eckhardt, son of Cresar and Louise Eck- 
hardt, was born January 24tb, 1838, in Laasphe, 
Germany, and emigrated to Texas, in 184'J, with 
his parents. He is a self-made man in the full sense 
of the term. His early training in tlie schools of 
Germany was followed in his new home in York- 
town, Texas, by a course of private study which 
consisted chiefly in the reading of useful books, 
periodicals and papers. He developed at an early 
age a talent for mechanics and applied it in many 
useful ways on his father's farm and at the store, 
by stocking plows, making all kinds of furniture, 
building houses and constructing many other use- 
ful contrivances. He was a constant student of all 
practical problems which occur and often baffle the 
frontiersman in providing the necessary machinery 



for his ranch and farm and by a course of self-train- 
ing he managed to solve most, if not all, of them. 
For many years, he has been a subscriber and close 
reader of the Scientifia American and to-day his 
judgment on all kinds of machinery is not only 
excellent, but is frequently consulted by his neigh- 
bors. This practical knowledge of mechanics and 
physics led him some years ago to bore for artesian 
water, which he obtained without much trouble 
along the banks of the creeks in his section and 
which, in many places, now furnish an aliundance 
of fresh water to the people. His practical judg- 
ment about all classes of machinery has served to 
revolutionize the class of agricultural implements 
in use in his neighborhood and beyond it, and he 
always carries a large stock of these goods in his 
mercantile business, keeping up with the latest 
inventions and improvements in all kinds of 
machinery. At the breaking out of the late war 
he joined the first company of volunteers raised in 
DeWitt County for the Confederate service, a 
company commanded by Capt. W. R. Friend, of 
Clinton. This company was called the DeWitt 
Rifles, and contained the flower of the young men 
of the county. In January, 1862, however, young 
Eckhardt joined the Twenty-fourth Texas Cavalry 
and left Texas for Arkansas, where his company 
was dismounted at El Dorado, and placed in com- 
mand of Capt. Cupples, brother of the late Dr. 
Cupples, of San Antonio, Texas. 

Mr. Eckhardt was in the fight at Arkansas Post. 
During the battle he narrowly escaped death, 
seven of his companions having been killed imme- 
diately around him. He was captured on the sur- 
render of the Post and held a prisoner at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, III., where he remained 
three months. Here a great many men were lost 
from sickness and exposure, more dying from 
disease than in battle. Finally he was exchanged 
at City Point, Va., in May, 1863, and about two 
weeks later his troop was armed to support bat- 
teries around Richmond, during the battle of 
Chancellorsville. He there witnessed the bringing 
in of Gen. Stonewall Jackson's body from the 
battlefield. 

From there Mr. Eckhardt was placed in Gen. 
Cleburne's Division, and the first skirmish he was 
engaged in was at Bellbuckle, Tenn. The next 
skirmish he was in was at Elk River, and the next 
on Cumberland Mountain. Then followed the 
battle of Chickamauga, in which he participated. 
Here he again narrowly escaped being killed, a 
grape shot striking him and wounding him severely 
and taking off the sole and the heel of his shoe. 
His right-hand man, Tom Moore, was killed 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



instantly, and liia front rank man severely 
wounded. Out of fort3^-five men of his company 
reporting for duty, twenty-seven were killed or 
wounded. It was here the company lost its cap- 
tain, Dashler, who perished on the field. After the 
battle of Chickamauga, the Texas troops, including 
the company to which Mr. Eekhardt belonged, 
were consolidated in Granbury's brigade, with 
which it participated in the battle on Missionary 
Ridge. Then followed the battle of Ringold. The 
next engagement was at Duck Gap, Ga. The next 
at Resaca. During the battle last named, the 
J'ederal troops were charging a brigade of Confed- 



Eckhardt was taken sick with fever and was placed 
in the hospital, in Alabama, for three months, when 
he obtained a special pass from Dr. Bryan to travel 
with the army, thinking it would improve his health, 
which it did in a measure, but, on account of poor 
health, he was finally retired from the service at 
Cedar Town, Ga., as an invalid and it was three or 
four 3'ears after the war before he regained his 
health. Mr. Eekhardt retains a souvenir of the war in 
the shape of a pocketbook made from the drum head 
which was used on the drum in Granbury's brigade. 
This drum had been heard by every man in the 
brigade and had gone through many battles. He 




MRS. CAROLINE ECKHARDT. 



erates next to Granbury's. Mr. Eekhardt and 
Lieut. Marsh, of Austin, Texas, were anxious to 
witness this charge and placed themselves on an 
elevation to see it. No sooner had they done so, 
than a shot struck Lieut. Marsh and Mr. Eekhardt 
caught him as he fell and carried him about fifty yards 
to a spot where he was protected from the fire of the 
enemy. He, however, died from the effects of the 
wound. Mr. Eckhardt's brigade was next engaged 
in a skirmish at Calhoun, then at Cashville, and 
then in the battle at New Hope Church. In looking 
over the latter battle-field the next morning the oflS- 
cers declared that they had never seen so many men 
killed in so small a space, Granbury's brigade, 
already much reduced in numbers, lost one hundred 
and fifty killed in this fight. After this battle Mr. 



made the pocket-book while in camp at Dalton and 
greatly prizes it. Well he may, for it now reminds 
the veteran Confederate soldier of the many fierce 
reveilles, the drum once pealed forth when it called 
and rallied the brave Texians to battle and led them 
in the charge. Mr. Eekhardt has another memento, 
a picture of Gen. Pat. Cleburne, around which 
clusters many sacred memories of the long ago. 
The following extract is from a Texas paper : — 

"Mr. Albert W. McKinney received to-day a 
gift that he sets much store by. It is a picture of 
Maj.-Gen. Pat. Cleburne, killed charging the Fed- 
eral works in the fearful fight at Franklin, Tenn. 
Mr. McKinney belonged to Company B., Twenty- 
fourth Texas, Granbury's brigade, and was near 
Gen. Granbury when he and Gen. Cleburne wer 



342 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



killed, almost within a moment of each oilier. Tlie 
picture is a gift of Mr. Wm. Eclchanlt, wlio was of 
Company K., in the same regiment witli Mr. Mc- 
Kinney and who now resides at Yorktowa in this 
State. It is a life-like likeness and Mr. McKiuney 
esteems it beyond money or price. Mr. Wm. 
Eckhardt possesses Gen. Cleburne's photograph 
from which he had made several large photos and 
portraits, one he sent to Camp Magruder and 
received the following graceful acknowledg- 
ment: — 

" Galveston, Texas, May 18, 1895. 

" Mr. Wm. Eckhardt, 

" Yorktown, Texas. 
" Dear Sir and Comrade : Camp Magruder, 
United Confederate Veterans, has directed me to 
acknowledge the receipt of the handsome portrait 
of Gen. Pat Cleburne, which you sent us and to 
convey our hearty thanks to you for same. Y'ou 
can understand better than I can express the feel- 
ings with which we look on the likeness of this hero 
of many battles, who with A. P. Hill, W. J. Hardee 
and others of the same class, did sturdy military 
work in all its forms, with comparatively no reward 
but a sense of duty well done. Such men were 
subordinates throughout the war, yet they earned 
for their superiors the fame which the latter enjoy. 
They were typical representatives of the real South- 
ern soldier who fought not for money or for other 
wealth, nor for fame, but for principles, and whose 
self-denial and self-sacrifice knew no limits in sup- 
port of those principles. In the case of Gen. 
Cleburne, patriotism received at Franklin the high- 



est offering that man can give and the wail of grief 
that then arose from lovers of brave manhood all 
over the South has not yet died out. You could 
not have done us a greater favor or honor than you 
have conferred in providing us with this lasting and 
vivid reminder of Southern courage and every good 
soldierly quality as personified in Gen. Pat. Cle- 
burne ; God bless him. 

" Sincerely yours, 

"P. H. Pott, 

"Lieut. Com. 
" Camp Magruder.' " 

Mr. Wm. Eckhardt has also his honorable dis- 
charge from the Confederate military service, 
dated October 20th, 1864, thus making up a war 
record of which any man may feel proud and which 
his posterity will no doubt appreciate as a price- 
less heritage, and as a monument to valor and 
patriotism more enduring than marble and which 
neither death nor time can efface. After returning 
from the war Mr. Wm. Eckhardt did the buying 
for his father's business which soon became one of 
the largest in that section of the country. After 
his father's death in 1868, his mother formed a 
partnership with her two oldest sons, Robert and 
William, as before stated, under the firm name of 
C. Eckhardt & Sons. Mr. William Eckhardt is now 
the only surviving partner and carries on a larger 
business than ever under the old firm name at the 
old stand. He has been very successful in all his 
business undertakings. 

In 1865 he married Miss Mary Gohmert who has 
borne him eight children, five of whom are now living. 



X. B. SAUNDERS, 



BELTON. 



Hon. X. B. Saunders, for many -years past a 
leading attorney of Central Texas, was born in 
Columbia, Maury County, Tenn., in 1831. He is 
the second son and the fourth born in a family of 
five children, consisting of three sons and two daugh- 
ters. His parents were Joel B. Saunders and 
Mariam Lewis (Kennedy) Saunders, natives of 
Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. John Saun- 
ders, his grandfather, married Miss Sarah Grant, 
daughter of Gen. William and Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Boone) Grant, the latter being the youngest sister 



of the famous pioneer, Daniel Boone. His grand- 
parents went to Kentucky with Boone. Many of 
their descendants are now scattered over Indiana, 
Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, and many of them have 
attained prominence and occupied important official 
positions. The Saunders family are of English 
and Scotch descent. His maternal grandfather, 
Robert Campbell Kennedy, was born in Augusta 
County, Va., and was a son of William and Martha 
(Campbell) Kennedy, natives of Scotland. 

William Kennedy took part in the Revolutionary 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



343 



War, participating in the battle of King's Mountain, 
where several members of the family were killed. 
He was there under command of Gen. William 
Campbell. 

Martha Campbell was a Scoth lassie from the 
house of Argyle and was born at Eilerslie, the 
country seat of Sir William Wallace. Her mother's 
maiden name was McGregor. Judge Saunders' 
maternal grandmother was, before her marriage, 
Miss Esther Edmiston, her parents being Col. 
William Edmiston, a revolutionary officer, and 
Henrietta (Montgomery) Edmiston. The Ken- 
nedys were Virginia planters. His grandfather, 
John Saunders, was a planter and stock raiser in 
Kentucky and died there at his homestead on the 
Licking river. 

Joel Boone Saunders, father of the subject of 
this memoir, received his education at the University 
of Maryland, in Baltimore, after which he practiced 
medicine at Millersburg, Bourbon Count}-, Ky., 
and at Fayetteville, Columbia, and Memphis, 
Tenn., and still later at Natchez, Miss. After a 
short residence at the last named place, his death 
occurred there in October, 1833, at the age of 
thirty-seven years. He was greatly devoted to his 
profession and in fact sacrificed his life to it. His 
widow survived him several years, her death oecur- 
ing March 29, 184C. He was a member of the 
Methodist church and she of the Presbyterian. 

Their oldest son. Napoleon B., a promising young 
lawyer, died in 1858, at Memphis. Joel Boone, 
the youngest child, studied law and medicine and 
life apparently presented a bright prospect for him, 
when war broke out between the States. He en- 
tered the Confederate army in Texas in 1861, in 
response to his country's call, and served until he 
fell severely wounded on the battle-field of Gettys- 
burg, from whence he was taken to Alabama, where 
he died and was buried before the close of the year 
18G3. Sarah Grant, the oldest, child became the 
wife of Robert Weir and is now a resident of Ger- 
mantown, Tenn. The other daughter, Eliza Mar- 
garet, married Calvin L. Story, of Lockhart, Texas. 
Xenophon Boone Saunders was educated in Jackson 
College, Columbia, Tenn., and at Hanover College, 
Ind., graduating at the latter institution with the 
class of 1849. He read law at Indianapolis, Ind., 
under Smith and Yandes; finished at Nashville, 
Tenn., under the Hon. John Trimble; was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Memphis, Tenn., in 1854, and 
in 1855 came to Belton, Texas, and began the 



practice of his profession. He very soon estab" 
lished a large and lucrative practice and became a 
prominent figure in public affairs. In I860 he was 
elected Mayor of the town. He was opposed to 
secession and made a canvass of the district of the 
State in which he lived in opposition to the measure. 
When, however, it was adopted and Texas withdrew 
from the Union, he determined to follow her for- 
tunes and entered the Confederate army as Captain 
of Company A., Sixteenth Regiment of Texas 
Infantrj', and was afterwards |)romoted to Major 
of the regiment. He participated in the battles of 
Perkin's Landing, Millican's Bend, Mansfield, 
Pleasant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry, during a large 
portion of the time commanding the regiment. He 
was paroled at Millican's in June, 1865. 

After the war he returned to Belton and resumed 
practice. In 1866 he was a delegate to the State 
Constitutional Convention and represented Bell and 
Lampasas counties in that body. In 1875 he was 
elected Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, 
composed of the counties of Bell, McLennan and 
Falls, which position he resigned in 1877. After 
retiring from the bench he formed a copartnership 
with A. J. Harris. The firm has since been coun- 
sel, on one side or the other, in nearly every case 
of importance tried in that section of the State. 
Mr. Saunders is also engaged in farming operations 
and owns considerable city property. He assisted 
in organizing the Belton Compress Company, of 
which he was vice-president, and has been an 
active promoter of all meritorious enterprises, hav- 
ing as their object the development and upbuilding 
of the portion of the State in which he lives. 

He was married December 17, 1857, to Miss 
Annie E. Surghnor, daughter of John Surghnor, of 
Leesburg, Loudoun County, Va. To them have 
been born six children, all of whom are living, viz. : 
William Kennedy, now City Attorney at Belton ; 
Walter Cupples, engaged in newspaper work ; 
Kathleen Shelly, wife of John T. Smither, a promi- 
nent business man of Temple, Texas ; X. B. 
Saunders, Jr.; Wilson M. Saunders; and Imogene 
Mariam. Some of the family are members of the 
Methodist and others of the Presbyterian church, 
.Judge Saunders has for many years been a 32° 
member of the Masonic fraternit}' and is Past Emi- 
nent Commander of Belton Commandery, No. 23, 
K. T., of which he was one of the organizers. He 
has also been Deputy Grand Chancellor of Belton 
Lodge No. 51, K. of P. 



344 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ELBERT L. GREGG, 

RUSK. 



Elbert L. Gregg, one of the best known Iaw3'ers 
and financiers in Texas, was bora in Greene County, 
Tenn., February 20, 1840. 

His parents were Marshall W. and Alpha Gregg, 
of that county, where they lived and died. Eight 
children were born to them, seven of whom are now 
living. The subject of this notice attended local 
schools and completed his education at excellent 
colleges in his native State. 

During the war between the States he entered 
the Confederate army as a private soldier in Capt. 
T. S. Rumbough's company and was afterwards ap- 
pointed Adjutant of the Sixty-fifth North Carolina 
Regiment of Cavalry with which he served in West 
Virginia, East Tennessee, and Kentucky', part of 
the time discharging the duties of Provost Mar- 
shal. 

At the close of hostilities he returned home, like 
many others, to find himself completely impover- 
ished, and determined to go to a new field and take 
up the tangled threads of life anew. He accord- 
ingly came to Texas and in 1867, formed a co- 
partnership with Mr. R. H. Guinn, at Rusk, Texas, 
under the firm name of Guinn & Gregg, and 
entered actively upon the practice of his profession. 
Possessed of talents, eminently fitting him for suc- 
cess at the bar, he rose rapidly and soon enjoyed a 
lucrative practice and an enviable reputation as a 
learned lawyer, and skillful practitioner. The con- 
nection with Mr. Guinn continued for about nine- 



teen years. After Mr. Guinn's death, Mr. Gregg 
formed a copar.tnership with Ex-State Senator 
Robert H. Morris, which continued until Mr. 
Morris became an invaliil and retired from 
practice. 

In July, 1890, Mr. Gregg organized the First 
National Bank at Rusk, and has since been its 
president and principally devoted his attention to 
financial matters, although continuing to act as 
counsel in important law cases. 

He was one of the commissioners wliom Governor 
Coke appointed to locate the branch of the State 
penitentiary now established at Rusk and has per- 
formed many other services that have resulted in 
advantage to the town and section in which he 
lives. 

He has been twice married. His first marriage 
was in 1876 to Mrs. Kate Bonuer, who died in 1880, 
and bore him two children, one of whom, Elbert 
M., is now living; and his second, in 1882, to his 
present wife, nee Miss Bettie Dickenson, of Chero- 
kee County, a great-granddaughter of one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. Five 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gregg, 
viz. : Nellie, Florence, Josephine, Luray Will, and 
Eldridge R., all of whom are living except Luray 
Will, who died in 1892, of bronchitis. 

Mr. Gregg owns a large amount of real estate 
and is one of the influential and representative men 
of the section of the State in which he resides. 



WILLIAM PINKNEY McLEAN, 



FORT WORTH. 



Hon. W. P. McLean, ex-member of Congress, 
ex-District Judge, ex-member of the State Railroad 
Commission and for many years past a distinguished 
lawyer in this State, was born in Hinds County, 
Miss., August 9, 1836. His parents were Allen F. 
and Ann Rose McLean. His father died in 1838 and 
his mother came to Texas in 1839 and settled in that 
part of Bowie County now embraced within the 
limits of the county of Maiion. 



The subject of this notice attended schools in 
Cass County and Marshall, Texas, and completed 
his education at the University of North Carolina, 
at Chappel Hill, where he was graduated in the class 
of 1857. After graduating he studied law and was 
admitted to the bar. 

Judge McLean served as a member of the Texas 
Legislature, in 1861 and 1869; was a member of 
the Forty-third Congress, a member of the Con- 




L. W. GOODRICH. 



TXDIAX WAlis AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



345 



stitutional Convention of 1875 and Judge of the 
Fifth Judicial District from 1884 to 1888 and in 1891 
was appointed by Governor James S. Hogg a mem- 
ber of the State Railroad Commission, a position 
which he held until October, 1894, when he tendered 
his resignation in order to resume the practice of 
his profession at Fort Worth, where he now resides 
and is a member of the law firm of Humphreys & 
McLean. 

At the beginning of the war between the States 
he resigned bis seal in the Texas Legislature and en- 
listed in the Confederate army as a private in Com- 
pany D., Nineteenth Texas Infantry, and, owing to 
gallant and efficient service, was soon made Adjutant 
of the regiment and later Adjutant-General of the 
Third Brigade, Walker's Division, with the rank of 



Major of Cavalry. Judge McLean is a Royal Arch 
Mason and a member of the Knights of Honor. He 
was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Batte. 
Thej' have eight children: Annie, Ida, Thomas 
Rusk, Jefferson Davis, William Pinkney, Maggie, 
John Howell, and Bessie. 

Judge McLean has been an active Democratic 
worker and has often canvassed for the principles 
and nominees of his part}^ He made an enviable 
record as asoldier, member of the Legislature, mem- 
ber of Congress, member of the Constitutional 
Convention, District Judge and member of the 
State Railroad Commission, and is a man of uncom- 
mon ability and learning. As a lawyer he has few 
equals at the bar and few men have a wider circle 
of friends. 



L. W. GOODRICH, 



WACO. 



Honorable L. W. Goodrich was born M&y 31, 
1836, in Loraine County, Ohio. His parents emi- 
grated from Massachusetts to Ohio in 1833, and in 
1845 moved back to the former State, and Pittsfield, 
Mass., became the permanent home of the family. 
The subject of our sketch attended school in 
Pittsfield at various times until 1854, at which time 
he entered Norwich University, Vt, where he 
pursued the studies included in the scientific course 
of that institution until 1855, when he returned to 
his home at Pittsfield. The following May he went 
to Chicago and from there to Wisconsin, where he 
was employed as civil engineer and surveyor. He 
later followed the same occupation in Illinois. 

In the fall of 1859 he came overland, on horse- 
back, through Missouri and Arkansas to Texas. 
Locating in Brown County, on the very outskirts 
of civilization, he began teaching school, and in 
1860 was elected District Surveyor of that district. 
At the commencement of the war between the 
States he joined what was afterwards known as 
McCulloch's regiment and was with the force that 
took possession of the military posts on the Texas 
frontier in February, 1861. Shortly afterwards the 
command was organized into a regiment under a 
commission issued by the Confederate government 
to Ben McCulloch. Henry McCulloch became 
Colonel of the regiment and T.C. Frost, Lieutenant- 
Colonel. The command of the regiment sub- 



sequently devolved on the latter, and by him the 
subject of this notice was appointed Adjutant. In 
1863, Judge Goodrich became Captain of Company 
G., Thirtieth Texas Cavalry, and in that capacity 
served in Texas, Arkansas and the Indian Terri- 
tory, until the close of hostilities. Although 
wounded, he passed through the fiery ordeal 
without sustaining permanent injury. 

Immediately after the close of the war he 
engaged in school teaching at Robinson, McLen- 
nan County, and also took up the study of law, 
which he prosecuted with diligence. He was 
admitted to practice by the District Court at Waco 
In May, 1866, and since that time has followed his 
profession in McLennan and Falls counties. In 
June, 1890, he was appointed Judge of the Nine- 
teenth District and in November of the same year 
was elected to that position, and has since contin- 
uously held that office. He was admitted to prac- 
tice in the Supreme Court of Texas in 1871, and in 
the Supreme Court of the United States in 1875, 
and has appeared in both courts in some of the 
most important civil suits, involving titles to land, 
that have arisen in the section of the State in which 
he resides. 

He was married in February, 1869, to Miss Alice 
Battle, daughter of Judge N. W. Battle, and has 
eight children: Frank Battle, now in the employ- 
ment of the Texas Central Railway Co., as civil 



346 



I^'^DIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



engineer; Abigail, Nick Wbitnej', Maria, Mary, 
Alice, Levi, and Tiioruas E. 

The family name of Goodricli, formerly Goodric 
or Godrie, is Saxon, and some members of the 
family, particularly S. G. Goodrich, known to the 
children of the last generation as Peter Parley and 
to all lovers of good literature as the author of the 
inimitable "Recollections of A Life Time," have 
inerested themselves in tracing the history of the 
family. Briefly stated it is as follows: Three 
brothers of the name left England in Cromwell's 
time and came to the American colonies, where they 



settled, one in New England, one in Virginia, and 
one in South Carolina. Their decendants are 
numerous and widely scattered. Like many of the 
families that found homes in New England at that 
period, the Goodrich family were not Puritans and 
unlike many families that came to this country then, 
they did not return to England after the restoration 
inlGSS. 

On the bench Judge Goodrich is very careful 
and painstaking in the trial of causes, and is 
an able lawyer; his rulings are very seldom re- 
versed. 



JOHN H. TRAYLOR, 



DALLAS. 



John Henry Traylor was born at Traylorsville, 
Henry County, Va., March 27, 1839. His ancestors 
were of French Huguenot extraction, and the first 
of the name in the Colony of Virginia of which the 
records make mention, was William Traylor, who 
was called a " planter" and was licensed towed in 
Henrico County, December, 1695. Peter Jones, 
from whom Petersburg, Va., derived its name, was 
surety on his marriage bond. He had a grant of 
about 3,000 acres of land from the Crown, situated 
just opposite to the present site of the city of Peters- 
burg, on the north side of the Appomatox river, in 
that part of Henrico, which is now Chestertield 
County. His grandson, Humphrey Traylor, was 
the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
and was an active participant in the Revolutionary 
War, and died in Diniwiddie County, Va., in 1802. 

The grandfather of John H. Traylor was Rev. 
John C. Traylor, who was born in Henrico County, 
Va., in 1788. He was licensed an elder in the M. 
E. Church liy Bishop McKendre, at Lynchburg, 
Va., in 1815; he led an exemplary and useful life, 
dying in Troup County, Ga., in 1856. 

The father of John H. Traylor was Robert B. 
Traylor, who was a Southern planter, and took an 
active interest in all public and political questions. 
was a member of the Georgia Legislature at seventj'- 
five years of age, and died in Troup County, Ga. 
in 1893. 

Jno. H. Traylor was reared and educated in 
Troup County, Ga., where the family is prominent 
as in Virginia. He enlisted in Company B., Fourth 
Georgia Regiment, in 18G1, and served during the 



entire war in the army of Northern Virginia, and 
was in all the prominent battles in Virginia, Mary- 
land and Pennsylvania. He was wounded at the 
battles of Warrenton, Spottsylvania Court House 
and Chancellorsville. He was wounded in the lat- 
ter battle, and his onlj' brother killed, on Saturday 
evening. May 2, 1863, near the same time and place 
where Stonewall Jackson received his death-wound. 
He was with Jackson during the entire day, in the 
capacity of sharpshooter and scout, and was in a 
few yards of him when he was shot. Later on he 
was appointed Quartermaster of the ordnance of 
of Gen. Early's corps. He came to Texas in 1867, 
and located at Jefferson, where he followed mer- 
chandising. He was married to Miss Pauline 
Lockett in 1969, and removed to Granbury, in Hood 
County, in 1871, where he engaged in selling and 
locating lands till 1875. He surveyed many thou- 
sand acres in Hood, Parker, Palo Pinto and more 
western counties, often coming in dangerous prox- 
imity to the Comanche and Kiowa Indians, who 
visited these frontier counties monthly in quest of 
horses, which were disposed of at Fort Sill, and 
more northern frontier posts. These savages 
usually made their raids in the light of the moon, 
and their monthly visits were not considered doubt- 
ful ; hence, the surveyors took the precaution to 
have early supper and remove a mile or so from 
their camp-fire, and lariat their horses, and sleep 
in some retired spot, every one being at all times 
armed. Mr. Traylor was elected Sheriff and Tax 
Collectorof Hood County, February, 1876, under the 
new Constitution and re-elected in November, 1878. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



347 



Id November, 1881, he was elected to the Seven- 
teenth Legislature, from the counties of Hood, Som- 
ervell and Bosque. Although a new member he 
was an active and efficient legislator and is said to 
have introduced and passed more bills than any 
other member, save one. 

He was the author of the bill " providing for 
designating and setting apart three hundred leagues 
of land out of the unappropriated public domain for 
the benefit of the unorganized counties of the State, 
and to provide for the survey and location of the ' 
same" (see H. J., p. 128 q.); also bills regu- 
lating sheriffs' fees, tax sales, etc. 

At the extra session of 1882, he was the chairman 
of the sub-committee of senatorial and represent- 
ative districts in the re-apportionment of the State, 
and did much arduous labor in this work. He also 
introduced and passed bills to amend the law 
reducing the maximum rate of passenger-fare from 
five to three cents per mile (see H. J., p. 5, 
1882), and the " act to repeal all laws granting land 
or land-certificates to any person, firm or corpora- 
tion or company for the construction of railroads, 
canals and ditches." (See H. J., p. 22, Act 1882.) 

In November, 1883, he was elected by a large 
majority to the Senate from the Thirtieth Senatorial 
District, composed of the counties of Hood, Somer- 
vell, Bosque, Erath and Palo Pinto. 

He was well posted in land matters and the Senate 
journals will show that his knowledge was very 
thorough in shaping land legislation, which, with 
its various features of sale, lease and other dispo- 
sition, was the great and perplexing question of 
the day. The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Legisla- 
tures permanently adjusted these, and all collateral 
questions. 

There being no provision for paying officers' fees 
in felony cases unless conviction was had, Mr. 
Tray lor contended that the result was a lax enforce- 
ment of the criminal laws, and, hence, introduced 
and passed a bill providing for the payment of fees 
to county and district officers in felony cases (see 
S. J., p. 16, 1883); also a bill providing for the 
payment of attached witnesses in felony cases (see 
S. J., 1883, p. 46). 

He was very active and efficient in questions per- 
taining to school and public lands, public roads, 
penitentiaries, officials' fees, the new capitol, the 
State finances, and all matters relating to the ad- 
ministration of the State government. He opposed 
with great earnestness and success the flfteen-3'ear 
lease of the penitentiary convicts entered into by 
the administration. 

Just before the extra session met in 1884 to 
prevent, or rather, quell, the war between the pas- 



ture men and the fence-cutters, he published an 
interview outlining the conditions of adjustment, 
which was copied by the papers throughout the 
State, and practically enacted into law during the 
extra session. This was probably the most difficult 
question that ever confronted the Legislature, as it 
involved unlawful fencing and its penalties, herd- 
ing, line-riding, the lease and sale of the school 
and public lands, public roads, free grass, fence- 
cutting and the penalties, and the grazing of sheep, 
cattle and horses on the State's lands, or the lands 
of another person. After a long and bitter contest 
in both houses and between the two houses, the 
whole question was settled on February 5th, 1884, 
by the second Free Conference Committee, com- 
posed of Jno. H. Traylor and John Young Goocb, 
on the part of the Senate, and A. T. McKinne}^ and 
A. M. Taylor on the part of the House (see S. J., 
p. 118). 

He was Chairman of the Finance Committee of 
the Senate in the Nineteenth Legislature, and left his 
impress on most of the important legislation during 
that time, especially those measures pertaining to 
the appropriations for the State government. He 
was author of the act " to provide for the issuance 
and sale of the bonds of the State to supply the 
deficiencies in the revenue" (see S. J. 1885, p. 
42); also an act "to provide for the correction 
and revision of the abstract of located, patented 
and titled lands, (see S. J. 1885, p. 97), and sev- 
eral other less important measures. He served two 
years in the House and four in the Senate, where 
he made a State-wide reputation as a wise, prudent 
and far-seeing legislator. His recognized ability se- 
cured him important positions on the various Legis- 
lative Committees, and since retiring from public 
life, his name has often received favorable mention 
for various State offices, including chief executive. 

Mr. Traylor has much of the character of the 
Virginian of fifty years ago in his composition. 
He has a profound sense of the importance of some 
counteracting agency to the inordinate desire for 
accumulating and laying up treasure ; this danger- 
ous tendency of the age he believes if allowed to 
prevail, will make our people degenerate, will sever 
the moral ties which unite us to our forefathers, 
and take away all zest from the contemplation of 
the great performances achieved by them. He is a 
member of the Virginia Historical Society, has 
traveled much in the United States and Europe and 
is very fond of the antiquated and historical. He 
is now a successful business man of Dallas, well 
and widely known for his good practical sense and 
his association with commercial and benevolent 
movements. 



348 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



R. B. PARROTT, 



WACO. 



R. B. Panott was boin in Amherst Courity, Va., 
in October, 1848. His fatber, William J. Parrott, 
died in 1893. His mother, nee Miss .Jane C. 
Blanljs, was a niece of the founder of the Smith- 
sonian Institute. ' 

Mr. Parrott entered the Universitj' of Virginia 
before he was fourteen years of age, and was the 
youngest student who ever matriculated at that 
great college, before or since. When the war 
came on he ran away from college, having been 
there only six months, joined the Southern troops 
under Col. Mosby and served through the war as a 
non-commissioned offleer. December 24, 1864, he 
was captured and taken to Boston Harbor, where 
he was kept in confinement with Hon. Alex. H. 
Stephens. He was released June 16, 1865. 

After the war he returned to Virginia and 
engaged with a large commission house in Rich- 
mond, in which he was "on 'change." He was 
the youngest man on 'change in the city and car- 
ried off first premium on best sales every year that 
he was there. In 1872, he came to Texas and set- 
tled in Waco and at once identified himself with 
the interests of that city and of the State. He 
embarked in the insurance business, which he has 
successfully continued. He is now the general 
manager for Texas, Arkansas and the Pacific Slope 
of the Provident Savings Life Insurance Company 
of New York. While in California he projected 
the novel and effective scheme for advertising 
Texas land by moving-cars. He was largely instru- 
mental in causing the organization of the Texas 
and Real-Estate Association, he having first sug- 
gested and urged the organization before the Waco 
Board of Trade, of which he is president. He is 
also president of the Provident Investment Company 
which owns a valuable suburban addition to the 
city. He has been honored by the bishop of the 
diocese by appointment as one of the trustees of 
the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tenn. 
During the World's Fair he filled the position of 
chairman of the Texas W^orld's Fair Committee. 
It was through his influence that the Provident 
Savings Life Insurance Co. erected in Waco one of 
the most complete and magnificent office buildings 
in the South. He has always taken an active 
interest in the cause of popular education. He 
was chairman of the School Committee of the city 
of Waco for a number of years and has done much 



to bring the schools up to their present state of 
efficiency. The nearest approach to a political 
office he ever consented to accept was a position on 
Governor Hubbard's staff, with the rank of Col- 
onel. 

Owing to his efforts and those of S. W. Slayden 
and otiiers, a splendid natatorium was built in 
Waco, one of the first, if not the first, constructed 
in Texas. It is located on Fourth street, near the 
Pacific Hotel, and cost $75,000. 

Col. Parrott was united in marriage, June 12, 
1873, to Miss Alice Farmer Downs, the accomplished 
daughter of W. W. Downs. They reside at the 
old homestead of Maj. Downs, a beautiful and 
historic home on South Third street. Their union 
has been blessed with six children: Charles B., 
Rosa, Alice, Robert B., Jr., Willie, and Lillian. 
Rosa died at the age of three years. 

Col. Parrott is a member of the Masonic, Elks 
and Knights of Pythias fraternities. 

During the Hogg-Clark campaign he championed 
the cause of George Clark and was indefatigable in 
his efforts to secure his nomination and then to 
elect him. He was called unanimously to the 
leadership of the Prohibition forces and the 
work accomplished by him shows how well he 
discharged the duties of the trust confided to 
him. 

Few men have contributed more to the pros- 
perity of Texas, and especially of Waco, than Col. 
Parrott. His great efforts have been to introduce 
into the State a cheaper system of life insurance 
than that of the old Imes, which drained the State 
of money. After years of struggle against bitter 
opposition and obstacles that would have crushed a 
less resolute man, he has been eminently successful 
and has saved millions of dollars to the people and 
has greatly aided in advancing the material pros- 
perity and development of the State. 

A pleasing phase of Col. Parrott's work in Texas, 
is its pure disinterestedness. He has no political 
aspirations and there is no official position which 
he could be induced to accept. He is a man of 
fine physique, dignified in his bearing and pleasing 
in address. He is broad and cosmopolitan in his 
views and strong in his advocacy of what he be- 
lieves to be right. He stands high in the estima- 
tion of the people of the State and of the city 
in which he dwells. 



■4^' 



>#^ 




R. B. PARROTT. 




WALTER GRESH.VM. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



349 



WALTER GRESHAM, 



GALVESTON. 



Walter Gresbam, ex- member of the Texas Leg- 
islature, ex-meraber of Congress arnl a widely known 
lawyer and financier, was born in King and Queen 
County, Va. Although very young at the com- 
mencement of the war, he enlisted as a soldier in 
Lee's Rangers, commanded by Gen. W. H. F. Lee, 
son of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and afterwards served 
in Company H., Twenlj'- fourth Virginia Cavalry, 
and other regiments. He fought under Gen. Jeb 
Stewart ; was with Stonewall Jackson in 1862 ; took 
part in most of the battles fought by the armj^ of 
Northern Virginia, and, at last, stood with the 
devoted band that surrendered with Lee at Appo- 
matox. The Secretary of War of the Confederate 
States gave him permission to complete bis educa- 
tion at the University of Virginia. In Ihe summer 
of 1863 he graduated from the law department of 
that institution, and the following summer rejoined 
his command in the field. His grandfather, Thomas 
Gresham, was a noted lawyer of Essex County', Va. 
His father, Edward Gresbam, studied law and pro- 
cured license ; but, possessing a large estate that 
required much of bis attention, and not being 
dependent upon bis labors at the bar, never regu- 
larly practiced his profession. As a result of the 
war, Edward Gresham's fortune was swept away. 
Nothing disheartened by the changed prospect that 
lay before him, Walter Gresbam determined to 
move to Texas. He landed at Galveston on the 
last day of the year 1866 with only $.5.00 in bis 
pockets ; rented an office and began the practice of 
law. His early days were a bard struggle ; but, 
talent is never without appreciation in an intelli- 
gent community, when conjoined with other ele- 
ments of character essential to success, and his rise 
at the bar was rapid. He was elected to the 
responsible position of District Attorney for 
Galveston and Brazoria counties in 1872, served 
three years, and left the office with an excellent 
record. Early in his professional career Mr. 
Gresbam was admitted to partnership with Col. 
Walter L. Mann and maintained this relation until 
Col. Mann's death in 1875. He then practiced 
alone until 1878, when he formed a copartnership 
with S. W. Jones, Esq., the firm now being 
Gresham & Jones. Up to 1877 Mr. Gresham en- 
joyed, perhaps, a better paying practice than any 
other lawyer in Texas. At that time his financial 
interests became so large and began to demand so 



much of his time that be, in a measure, abandoned 
court room practice and has since, while continuing 
the pursuit of his profession, mainly devoted his 
attention to other business. 

From the organization of the Gulf, Colorado and 
Santa Fe Railroad to the date of its sale to the 
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, be was a stock- 
holder and director in and attorney for the road and 
served for a time as its Second Vice-President. In 
the infancy of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe he 
was the main man in the field, selecting routes, se- 
curing right of way, locating towns and mapping 
out and superintending other important business. 
When this railway was sold it had over 1,000 miles 
of track, was well equipped and was one of the 
best pieces of railway property in the country'. 
Mr. Gresham is now one of the promoters of a 
number of new railway enterprises of great magni- 
tude and that will, if successfully inaugurated, 
greatly enhance the prosperity of Texas. 

He represented Galveston at the Deep Water 
Convention held at Fort Worth in 1888 ; was a del- 
egate to the Denver, Colo., Convention, held 
later in the same year, and was, also, a delegate to 
the Deep Water Convention held at Topeka, Kan., 
in 1889. He was made Chairman of the S[iecial 
Committee, appointed by the Topeka Convention 
to go to Washington and work to secure favorable 
action on the part of the National Congress, looking 
to the speedy creation of a deep-water harbor at 
the most available point on the Texas coast. He 
was indefatigable in bis efforts and succeeded in 
having an amendment added to the River and Har- 
bor Bill that was passed by the Fifty-first Congress, 
authorizing the Secretary of War to enter into con- 
tracts for the completion of the work (estimated to 
cost $6,200,000) necessary to give Galveston one 
of the finest harbors on the American sea-board. 
He has been an active participant in every move- 
ment looking to the up-building of the interests of 
that city and that i)romised to speed Texas on to 
the achievement of the proud destiny that awaits 
her — to the time when she will stand foremost in 
the sisterhood of States. 

He represented Galveston in the Twentieth and 
Twenty-first Legislatures and the Sixtj'-fourth Dis- 
trict (Galveston and Brazoria counties), in the 
Twenty-second Legislature and in those bodies was 
Chairman of the Committee on Finance and a mem- 



350 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ber of Judiciary Committee No. 1, and llie Com- 
mittee on Internal Improvements, committees that 
dispatched at least four-fifths of the business trans- 
acted by the House of Eepresentatives. His 
appointment to the chairmanship of the House 
Finance Committee in the Twentieth Legislature 
(being then a new member) was a recognition of 
his abilities as high as it was unexpected and well 
merited. He performed the important duties of 
that position so acceptably that he was retained as 
Chairman during his two subsequent terms as a 
member of the House. The medical branch of the 
State University had been located at Galveston by 
popular vote, but no appropriation had been made 
to give practical effect to tlie will of all the people 
as expressed at the polls. 

In the Twentieth Legislature Mr. Gresham intro- 
duced and, after a desperate parliamentary fight, 
secured the passage of an act malving the necessary 
appropriations. He took an active part in the 
deliberations of the three legislatures of which he 
was a member and was recognized as a man of 
great and varied abilities. Two of the most im- 
portant provisions contained in the Railroad Com- 
mission Bill enacted by tlie Twenty-second Legisla- 
tures were drafted by him and introduced as amend- 



ments. One provides for fixed rates, with a view 
to preventing useless cutting, and the other permits 
more to be charged for a short than a long haul, 
when necessary to prevent manifest injustice. 

The splendid record that he made in the Legisla- 
ture led to his nomination and election to Congress 
by the Democracy of the Tenth District, composed 
of nine counties, in 1892. In that position he 
added newer and brighter laurels to those that he 
had alread3' won. He at once took a position in 
the National House of Representatives, seldom 
accorded to any new member. 

October 28, 18G8, he was united in marriage, at 
Galveston, to Miss Josephine C. Mann, daughter 
of Col. William Maun, one of the early settlers of 
Corpus Christi. Mr. and Mrs. Gresham have seven 
children: Essie, wife of W. B. Lockhart, County 
Judge of Galveston County ; Walter, Jr. ; Jose- 
phine, T. Dew, Frank, Buelah, and Philip. Mr. 
Gresham. although engaged in the conduct of im- 
portant affairs, finds time to enjoy the pleasures of 
social life. Surrounded by a happy family, he has 
made his elegant home in the Oleander City famous 
not only for its great architectural beauty, but the 
refined and generous hospitality dispensed within 
its walls. 



MARCUS D. HERRING, 



WACO. 



Marcus D. Herring, one of the foremost and best 
known of the lawyers who grace the Texas bar, 
was born in Holmes County, Miss., October 11, 
1828, and was reared on a farm. He attended the 
Judson Institute at Middleton, Miss., and from 
that institution went to Centenary College, Jack- 
son, La., in 1845, entering the junior class in 
languages and the sophomore class in mathematics. 
After returning home he taught school, studied 
law, was admitted to the bar and located at Shreve- 
port. La. AVhen he reached that place he had but 
five dollars. Nevertheless, he was by no means 
discouraged, and set resolutely to work to force his 
way to the front. 

His first success was in the delivery of a speech 
at a Democratic rally that took his auditors by 
storm, i-esulted in bringing him several clients and 
|)aved the way for a lucrative practice. In a short 
time he purchased a half interest in the Caddo 



Gazette, the leading paper of the place, and con- 
ducted it one year under the firm name of Herring 
& Reeves. 

In 1850 Mr. Herring moved to Siielbyville, 
Texas, where he practiced law until 1853, going 
■ from there to Austin, where he was elected First 
Assistant Secretary of the Senate, serving in that 
capacity during one session of the Legislature. In 
the spring of 1854 he located in AVaco. There he 
was at first in partnership with J. W. Nowlin (who 
was killed at Ft. Donelson) and later was a mem- 
ber of the firm of Herring & Farmer ; Herring & 
Anderson ; Coke, Herring & Anderson ; Herring, 
Anderson & Kelley, and at this writing is asso- 
ciated with Mr. Kelley, under the firm name of 
Herring & Kelley. 

Mr. Herring is a prominent member of the 
I. O. O. F., having identified himself with that 
fraternity at San Augustine, Texas, in July, 1851. 




.vZ^z^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



351 



He took all the degrees, b^' dispensation, on that 
occasion, and tbe following week organized a sub- 
ordinate lodge at Shelbyville and was elected First 
Noble Grand. He has gone through the chairs of 
the Grand Lodge of Texas, served as Grand Master 
in 1874, and in 1875 was elected representative to 
the Sovereign Grand Lodge, remaining a member 
for ten consecutive years, the most of that time 
being Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He 
would have been continued a member from Texas 
in that Grand Body by acclamation, as he had been 
, returned after his first election in 1875, but posi- 
tively declined, giving as his reason that he intended 
to devote all the time he could spare from his pro- 
fessional engagements, to the establishment of a 
Widows' and Orphans' Home. The Texcis Odd 
Fellow, of July, 1895, speaking of him in this 
connection, says: " In 1885 he voluntarily retired, 
but was again elected at Waco in 1894, and is 
now one of our Grand Kepresentatives. 

" In the sovereign body, and in the Grand Lodge 
at home, his fertile brain has impressed itself upon 
our legislation, many of our wisest and most whole- 
some laws emanating from his pen. The crowning 
glory with him, however, is in the fact that he was 
the prime mover in the matter of establishing a 
Widows' and Orphans' Home in Texas. He was 
the author of the first resolution introduced on the 
subject, was chairman of the special committee 
which drafted the plan, wrote the report, and car- 
ried it through the Grand Lodge amid the greatest 
enthusiasm. At critical moments, in the history of 
that institution, he has been found at his post, 
never faltering, never wavering, but ready at all 
times to break a lance with any one who attacked the 
object of his love. He even went at his own expense 
to the meeting of the Sovereign Grand Lodge at St. 
Louis, to press and work for legislation which would 
enable the Grand Lodge to provide for ample 
revenue with which to support the Home. His mis- 
sion was partially successful, but he continued his 
efforts until, at the last meeting of the sovereign 
body, in Chattanooga, the principle was clearly laid 
down that grand jurisdictions have the right to 



assess their subordinates for support of widows' 
and orphans' homes. For this end he had labored 
for years, and the result was most gratifying. It 
is now believed that the important question of 
maintaining the Home has been solved, and that 
every doubt In regard to its triumphant success has 
been dispelled. Others have nobly assisted in this 
grand work, but Bro. Herring will be accorded the 
chief credit by all." 

Mr. Herring was married in Waco, Texas, Octo- 
ber 7, 1856, to Miss Alice G. Douglass, of Sumner 
County, Tenn. Four children were born of this 
union: Wm. Douglass, Joseph W., (died in infancy) ; 
Lauia Belle, now the wife of W. H. Bagby, and 
Marcus D., Jr. 

Soon after the beginning of the war between the 
States, Mr. Herring enlisted as a private soldier in 
one of the first volunteer companies organized in 
Texas for Confederate service, and was soon after 
promoted to the rank of Captain. He served three 
years and nine months in the field, in the Trans- 
Mississippi department. He acted as Major and 
Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment the latter two 
years of the war, and a part of that time was in com- 
mand. The contest for his rank, on appeal from 
Gen. E. Kirby Smith, was pending at Eichmond, 
Va. , when the war ended. 

At the close of the war he returned to Waco and 
again resumed the practice of his profession, which 
he has continued since with eminent success, his 
practice extending to all parts of the State. He 
has especially distinguished himself in land litigation 
and as a criminal lawyer. 

Mr. Herring possesses great energy, perseverance 
and will-power, and it might be said that when he 
has an important case he never sleeps. As an 
advocate he is able, earnest and convincing. His 
language is easy, chaste and winning. 

In private life he is kind-hearted and benevolent. 
He is one of the brightest ornaments tnat adorn his 
profession in this State, and there are few cases of 
any importance tried in his section in which he is 
not retained as leading counsel. 



352 



lyDIAX WARS AXD PIOXEEBS OF TEXAS. 



DANIEL LANDES, 

GALVESTON. 



Daniel Landes was boru in Botetourt Count}', 
Va., July 4th, 1804, and was reared in Muhlen- 
berg County, Ky., whither his parents moved and 
settled early in the present century. He subse- 
quently settled in Trigg County in that State, 
where he married Adeline H. Thompson and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at the little town 
of Cadiz. Later he turned his attention to farm- 
ing, became sheriff of Trigg County, represented 
that county in the Legislature and finally, in 1851, 
to better his condition, sold out and came to 
Texas. He was accompanied to this Slate by one 
of his old neighbors, named Batteau, both settling 
in Washington County. The caravan in which 
thev came was made up of their families and slaves 
and wagons loaded with a considerable part of 
their household effects. 

The route followed was the usual line of travel, 
extending through Western Kentucky, Southeast 
Missouii, and Central and Western Arkansas ; strik- 
ing Texas not far from the present city of Texar- 
kana. The time occupied in making the journey 
was forty-eight days. Mr. Landes settled on a 
farm between Chappell Hill and Brenham, where he 
soon took a prominent place in the community and 
engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits. 
Having been active in public matters in Kentucky, 
he at once interested himself in such matters in 
his new home. He signed the first call ever made 
for a meeting of the people to take action in the 
matter of building a railroad in Texas, this move- 
ment orignating in Washington County and finally 
leading to the building of the Houston and Texas 
Central Railroad. He was identilied with the move- 
ment in its earlier stages, advocated and worked for 
the success of the enterprise and was chairman of 
the general convention which met at Houston and 
took the first decisive steps toward the construction 
of the road. In this connection it may be remarked 
that the Houston and Texas Central Railroad was 
originally chartered by act of the Legislature at its 
second session after annexation, March 11th, 1848, 
under the name of the Galveston and Red River 
Railroad ; but it was not until 1853 that the build- 
ing of the road actually began. The intention, at 
first, was to begin at Galveston and build north- 
ward to the settlements on Red river; but a 
number of enterprising gentlemen, of whom Mr. 
Landes was one, conceived the idea of deflecting 



the road from its northward course and construct- 
ing it westward through the then rich and populous 
county of Washington, hence the railroad move- 
ment just referred to and the convention at Hous- 
ton over which he was called to preside. As the 
presiding officer of that convention Col. Landes 
gave the casting vote, whereby the town of Houston 
was made the initial point, instead of Galveston, 
his reason for this action being that since Houston 
was at the head of tidewater on Buffalo bayou, it 
could be easily reached with vessels of light draft, 
and the proprietors of the road would thus be 
saved the cost of constructing and operating fifty 
miles of road — a considerable item in the then 
primitive condition of railway development in 
Texas. The building of the road was begun at 
Houston in 1853, the name being changed from 
the Galveston and Red River Railroad to the 
Houston & Texas Central by act of the Legislature 
September 1st, 1856. 

At the opening of the late war Mr. Landes mani- 
fested great interest in the secession movement and 
advocated and believed thoroughly in it; but, being 
past the age for military duty, was never under 
arms. As was the case with many of his neigh- 
bors, he lost nearly all of his possessions by the 
war, including his slaves, after which he practically 
retired from all active pursuits, and spent the 
remainder of his life among his children. He con- 
tinued, however, to take an active interest in politics 
and attended almost every Democratic Convention 
which met in Austin County for the next twenty- 
five years, he having moved across the line from 
Washington to Austin County in 1858. He was 
also a delegate to many Congressional and State 
Conventions, and was once a delegate to a National 
Convention, that of the Southern wiug of the 
Democratic party which met at Charleston, S. 
C, in 1860, and adjourned to Baltimore, Md., 
where Breckenridge and Lane were nominated as 
secession candidates for the presidency and vice- 
presidency. The last State Convention which Mr. 
Landes attended was that of 1886, which met at 
Galveston. He was present in the interest of his 
old friend. Col. D. C. Giddings, of Brenham, who 
was defeiited for the nomination for Governor by 
Gen. L. S. Ross. 

Mr. Landes was a life-long Democrat, and never 
belonged to any organization, secular or religious, 




cJ{<Uyur^ oV). '^o^^^t.M^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



353 



other than that party. His religion was that of 
the nineteenth century: an abiding faith in the 
principles of morality. He was a man of good 
general information. He had enjoyed very limited 
educational advantages in his younger days, but 
possessed a well developed faculty of observation 
and a retentive memory, and was a good talker, and 
thus made an agreeable companion, and a ready 
and forcible speaker on public occasion. He 
always delighted to associate with his kind, and this 
disposition led to his ever keeping himself in touch 
with the progress of things around him and to his 
preserving an even temper to a serene old age. He 



died June 16tb, 189.3, and was buried at Bell- 
ville, in Austin County, where he bad previously 
purchased ground and made suitable preparation 
for his last-resting place. His widow still sur- 
vives him, being now in her eighty-second year. 
She makes her home with her son, Henry A. 
Landes, at Galveston. Mr. Landes had three sons 
and one daughter; Charles: who, went from Ken- 
tucky to Louisiana and died there at about the age 
of twenty-five ; S. Kate, now Mrs. J. E. Wallis, of 
Galveston; James E., residing now in Austin 
County, this State; and Henry A., of Galves- 
ton. 



H. A. LANDES, 



GALVESTON. 



Henry A. Landes, a representative business man 
of Galveston, son of Daniel Landes, an old Texian 
whose biography appears elsewhere in this work, 
was born in Trigg County, Ky., on the 3d day of 
June, 1844. He was reared mainly in Washington 
County, Texas, where his parents settled in 1851, 
receiving his education at Soule University, at 
Chappel Hill, in that county. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in 
a Company commanded by Capt. John C. Wallis, 
EUmore's Regiment, Twentieth Texas Infantry, with 
which he served on Galveston Island and in that 
vicinity during the entire period of the war. He 
participated in the battle of Galveston ; but, with 
the exception of this engagement, saw very little 
active service. He was Orderly Sergeant of his 
company' at the time of the surrender. After the 
war Mr. Landes went to Austin County, but in the 
fall of 1865 was induced by his old friend and com- 
rade Capt. John C. Wallis, to join him and his 
brother, Joseph E. Wallis, and engage in the mer- 
cantile business at Galveston. The house of Wal- 
lis, Landes & Co., was established that year, and 
from the start took rank among the foremost mer- 
cantile concerns in the city. On May 9th, 1872, 
Mr. John C. Wallis died, after which his interest 
was withdrawn, but the business was continued 
under the original name. The members of the 
firm now are Joseph E. Wallis, Henry A. Landes 
and Charles L. Wallis. The house is financially 
one of the strongest business firms in Texas and 
has for the past thirty years been identified with 



the commercial growth of Galveston. It is known 
to be a most liberal supporter of all public enter- 
prises and its members give their personal aid to 
every movement which in their judgment will tend 
to stimulate industry or to promote the public good. 
As a member of the firm and as an individual Mr. 
Landes has been among the foremost in rendering 
such aid. He was one of the organizers of the 
Island City Real Estate and Homestead Associa- 
tion which was set on foot in 1867 and was one of 
the first associations of the kind in the State, being 
succeeded by the present Island City Savings Bank. 
He was one of the originators of the Gulf Loan and 
Homestead Company of which he was a director 
and vice-president, an association which had a 
prosperous career of twenty years ; and he is now 
a director in the People's Loan and Homestead 
Company, and in the Galveston Improvement and 
Loan Company, and is vice-president of the Gal- 
veston National Bank. He has been a member of 
the Board of Education of the Galveston public 
schools for the past eight yeai-s, but has never 
filled any political office, having confined himself 
strictly to business pursuits. 

In 1872, Mr. Landes married Miss Mary Eliza- 
beth Lockhart, a native of Washington County, 
Texas, and a daughter of Dr. John W. Lockhart, 
an old settler of Washington County, now resident 
in Galveston. The issue of this union has been a 
daughter, Elmina, now Mrs. E. A. Hawkins, and 
two sons, Daniel and Browning. 



354 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



SAMUEL L. ALLEN, 

HOUSTON. 



Samuel Louis, second son of Roland and Sarah 
(Chapman) Allen was born in 1808, in the village 
of Canasareaugh, Madison County, N. Y. He has 
done much for Texas and the city in which he lives 
and no man in Houston is more highly respected 
and honored by his fellow-citizens. He has labored 
through many years, during the progress of which he 
has overcome many vicissitudes and has made of his 
life a successful one in the broadest and truest sense 
of the word. It is to be supposed that in such along 
career he met with trials and reverses and had his 
periods of despondency and doubt. " Who," as a 
wise philosopher has said, "that has lived long 
enough in the world to know ' that man is born to 
trouble as the sparks to fly upward,' but has felt a 
sinking of spirit and prostration of energy, bodily 
and mentally, before he has become acclimated, as 
it were, to new and trying circumstances in which 
God in His providence has placed him from time to 
time?— When the strong can no longer boast of 
their strength, nor the wise of their wisdom." 

Such periods as these, however, were few and 
far between with him and were scarcely more than 
of momentary duration. Of a strong and clear in- 
tellectuality and an enterprising, courageous and in- 
domitable spirit, he rose to the necessities of each 
emergency and by sheer force of resolution trampled 
difBculties under foot and carried his plans into 
final and successful execution. 

An incident that occurred when he was three 
years of age would seem to have indicated that he 
was born to accomplish a mission of usefulness in 
the world. The circumstances that attended it are 
yet indelibly impressed upon the tablets of his mem- 
ory. An older boy, an apprentice to a tanner and 
currier of the village, took him to a pasture in the 
environments of the place and told him to remain 
near the fence while he (the apprentice) went in 
search of some horses his master had ordered him to 
drive in and promised that when these were procured 
they would have anice ride back to town. Thereupon 
the thoughtless apprentice left the little fellow and 
walloped off. An apple tree loaded with fruit was 
near at hand. It forked close to the ground and 
Sam had little trouble in climbing high enough 
among the limbs to reach an apple. The field 
belonged to John Denny, an educated Indian, 
partly of white descent, a lawyer by profession, 
and an excelleot citizen. His residence was sit- 



uated on a hillside and commanded a view of the 
pasture. His wife was a woman of ungovernable 
temper and the vindictive and cruel nature of an 
untamed savage, espied the child in the apple tree 
and ran to the pasture, jerked him to the ground, 
and with a blow knocked his teeth out, and then, 
insane with fury, gathered stones with which she 
continued to beat him until life had apparently left 
his body. Then, fearing the consequences that 
would accrue to her from the inhuman deed, she 
laid the body in a fence-corner, hoping that some- 
one would discover it. She then made her way 
back to her dwelling unobserved. These events 
occurred in the forenoon. She returned to the 
field at sundown, and further investigation con- 
vinced her that the child was really dead, she 
hastened to the village and reported that she had 
found a dead child in her field and that the indica- 
tions were that it had been kicked and trampled to 
death by horses. No one suspected her guilt, and 
the body was brought to the home of the parents, 
where it was found that the spark of life yet 
lingered in the mangled form. Medical skill and 
careful nursing finally' restored consciousness, and 
then the litlle fellow told, with circumstantial 
detail, all that had transpired. His parents and 
the ))eople of the village were horror-stricken at 
the recital, deeply incensed and determined to have 
fitting punishment inflicted upon the woman. 
John Denny had been assiduous in his attentions 
from the day the child had been brought home. 
He was no less shocked by the disclosure than his 
neighbors and told them that the woman was in 
their hands to whip, torture, hang, or do with as 
they pleased, and continued to devote himself to 
the child, nursing him, amusing him and bringing 
him every little gift in his povrer. His great kind- 
ness to the boy and regard for the occurrence, 
finally mollified the parents and community, and 
out of regard for him nothing was done to the 
woman. 

Samuel was finally restored to health and at 
twelve 3'ears of age was a fine, robust, manly bo3'. 
At this age he was sent to school for three months 
but was then taken home and put to work by his 
parents, who were in straitened circumstances, 
had a large family to rear and educate and had 
come to the conclusion that they could keep only 
one of their children, the oldest, A. C. Allen, at 







o^e:?^,t^z^-^>^ ^ 'i.-^^^^ 



i^ 






INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



.355 



school at the time. TLis finally mortified Samuel 
and, after brooding over the matter, he told his par- 
ents that he was determined to go out into the world 
and try to make his own way in it, and asked his 
mother to give him money to start with. In reply 
he was told by her to go to his father. This he 
did and his father said to him: "My son, go out 
among my customers and collect the money you 
need." This did not suit the young man, as he 
knew from experience that the chances for raising 
funds in the way proposed were very slim and that 
the only probable result of following his father's 
advice would be to delay his departure. Resolving 
therefore to set off at once, he returned to his 
mother and asked her for his clothes. These she 
brought to him tied in a small bundle, and handed 
them to him together with several loaves of bread, 
saying: "Here, Sam, these will last you some 
time." He remained firm, however, refused the 
bread and taking a change of clothing, bade the 
family good-bye and walked out of the house and 
down the road. After proceeding some distance, 
he came to a halt not knowing which way to bend 
his steps, as he had no idea what to do or where to 
go. After reflecting for a few minutes, he picked 
up a stick and tossed it into the air, resolved to 
journey in whatever direction it might point 
on falling to the ground. It pointed toward 
Syracuse and he made his way to that place. 
Upon his arrival there he went to the canal and 
took passage on a boat bound for Lockport. He 
had no mone}- with which to pay his passage, but 
had a vague idea that he could be of some assist- 
ance in running the boat, and settle the score in 
that way before reaching his destination. With 
this hope he staid near the steersman and asked to 
be allowed to steer the vessel, a request that was 
granted by the man, who proved to be a good- 
natured fellow and seemed to take pleasure in 
showing him, and at the end of the first day he 
could manage the boat as welj. as his instructor. At 
Rochester the steersman stopped off and the 
youngster applied for and was given the place at a 
salary of 814 per month. He filled the position 
for six months, during which time he practiced the 
most rigid economy and then, longing to see the 
dear ones at home, he dressed himself in a hand- 
some new suit and returned to the old homestead 
with his pockets well filled with silver dollars. 
His parents had not heard from him since the day 
of his departure, and upon again beholding him 
folded him to their bosoms and wept for joy. 
Shortly thereafter the family moved to Chittenango, 
New York, where his father established a trip- 
hammer business in which he employed a large 



number of workmen. Samuel followed these men 
in their labors and soon learned to make all man- 
ner of edged tools, blacksmith's vises and screw- 
plates. At the age of twenty he went to 
Baldwinsville, N. Y., where he borrowed money, 
erected two handsome granite-trimmed, three-story 
brick business houses, purchased a large stock of 
goods and engaged in merchandising with William 
R. Baker as his clerk. He carried on the business 
for two years and then sold the goods and turned 
over the buildings to pay the money used in their 
construction. His brothers had been back from 
Texas several times and had given such glowing 
accounts of the country that he decided to trv his 
future there. In due time he accordingly started 
for Texas in company with Mrs. Charlotte M. Allen, 
wife of his brother Augustus C. Allen (who was then 
living at San Augustine, Texas), and Mr. Kelly, a 
friend of the family, and traveled by boat down the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers and up Red river to 
Natchitoches and from that point to San Augus- 
tine on horses purchased by him. The party 
reached Natchitoches on the fourth of July and 
were regaled by a sumptuous dinner prepared in 
honor of the occasion by the patriotic proprietor of 
the hotel at which they stopped. The vegetables 
served were large and fresh and the fruits and 
melons so delicious and so far superior to any 
grown in their home in New York, that they thought : 
" Verily, we have reached a paradise in this Southern 
clime." The desserts and wines were also excellent. 
Many patriotic toasts were proposed, responded to 
and drunk in flowing bumpers of champagne by the 
guests seated around the festal board. The stay 
of the party in Natchitoches was much enjoyed and 
long pleasantly remembered. The first day's ride 
from Natchitoches brought the travelers to Gaines' 
ferry on the Sabine river and the next to San 
Augustine. The two brothers soon moved- to 
Natchitoches, where the subject of this memoir re- 
mained until September and then returned to New 
York to wind up certain business matters prepara- 
tory to establishing himself in Texas. He also de- 
sired to settle a little affair of the heart which was 
causing him some anxiety at the time. Business 
matters disposed of, he called upon his sweetheart 
and had an interview that resulted in terminating 
their courtship. 

She accepted him and promised to become his 
wife upon the condition that he would forego his 
intention of locating in Texas and agree to live in 
New York. This he would not do. He thought, 
as a majority of men would have thought, that if 
she loved him truly she would go wherever it was 
to his interest to go, even if that were to the ends 



356 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of the earth. They differed upon this point, parted 
and never met again. He found Houston on his 
return to Texas the most promising and growing 
city in the infant Republic, although Galveston, 
where his brother, Augusta C. Allen, had established 
a business house, was even then (in 1838) a con- 
siderable town and good business point. After 
visiting Houston he went down on Galveston Bay 
to where his father and mother had established 
themselves, and engaged in stock raising. When 
Gen. Woll entered Texas with a strong Mexican 
force the subject of this memoir mounted many 
Texian volunteers who were hurrying toward San 
Antonio to resist the invaders, freely giving to 
them all his broken horses. In attempting to 
break a very fine horse for himself upon which to 
ride to the front, he was thrown and sustained such 
serious injuries that he was incapacitated for many 
months from pursuing any active employment. In 
1839 the first yellow fever epidemic that visited the 
Republic made its way to Houston and among those 
who died were eighteen out of a party of twenty 
men from Connecticut who had put up a fine saw- 
mill at that place. The survivors were anxious to 
sell in order to secure funds with which to leave 
the country and Mr. Allen bought the plant. He 
gave employment at high wages to all persons who 
sought work. This was a blessing to many, as 
there were a large number of idle men in the 
country, mostly soldiers who had served in the 
Texian army. The mill was also a great advantage 
to the community and settlers far and near, as it en- 
abled them to procure lumber for building purposes. 
Being the only one of six brothers who is now 
.living he is often spoken of as the founder of the 
city of Houston. In truth, his brothers Augustus 
C. and John K. Allen, who were partners in busi- 
ness, were the founders of that promising metrop- 
olis. He, however, was an important factor in 
the upbuilding of the place, doing as much, or 
more, perhaps, than any other cf its earlier inhabi- 
tants to advance its prosperity. While the two 
brothers named donated the ground upon which 
to build the first Presbyterian church he gave 
every foot of the lumber used in its construc- 
tion. It was quite as large an edifice as 
the handsome brick structure that now occupies 
its former site. He opened the first for- 
warding and commission house established in 
Houston and associated T. M. Bagby with him in 
the business. They did an immense business, ex- 
tending to every part of Texas. In 1845 Mr. 
Allen went to Corpus Christi as sutler in Col. 
Twiggs' regiment. Maj. Carr, who had retired 
from the army, was his partner. They made a 



great deal of money, the sutler's stores that they 
handled being in great demand, as they purchased 
and kept in stock everything wanted by the officers 
and men. This promising venture, however, was 
brought to an end by a fatal epidemic that made its 
appearance in camp, to which many succumbed. 
Mr. Allen was stricken down and his life despaired 
of. He made money fast, it is true, and if he sur- 
vived and remained with the army had every reason 
to expect further gains ; but, tossing on a sick bed, 
his whole thoughts centered upon getting back to 
Houston where he could die among friends. He 
managed to make his way back to that city, where he 
lingered long at death's door but finally recovered. 
Upon his restoration to health, he found that all of 
his earnings as sutler had been consumed in meet- 
ing necessary expenses. As soon as he had suf- 
ficiently recuperated, he purchased a stock of goods 
and loaded them on wagons, which he started for 
the town of New Braunfels. Following on behind 
in a few days, he made inquiries along the road but 
could hear nothing of the wagons. Nor, upon 
arriving at his destination, could he hear anything. 
Perplexed and annoyed, he went to La Grange and 
there found them intact, all loaded as when they 
started. The teamsters had stopped en route to 
itiork out their crops. When the goods reached New 
Braunfels he met with little difficulty in selling 
them, but was compelled to receive in return money 
issued by the company that had established the 
colony. It was the only medium of exchange in 
use, was of various denominations and known in 
the vernacular of the countrj' as " shin-plasters." 
Whenever he secured as much as $50 of this cur- 
rency, he would take it to the proper officers 
of the company, and be given a check on a New 
Orleans bank in exchange for it. He finally 
closed out the remainder of his merchandise for a 
large lot of gentle, well-broken oxen, which he 
sold, receiving in return " shin-plasters " and later 
checks on New Orleans. These checks were not 
paid on presentation at the New Orleans bank, and 
went to protest. He thereupon entered suit in the 
courts at San Antonio and secured judgment 
against the company. Not knowing what course to 
pursue to realize anything from the judgments, he 
consulted Col. Fisher of the Fisher and Miller col- 
ony, who told him to take stock in the New Braun- 
fels company in satisfaction of the judgment, as the 
stock was already paying an annual dividend of 
five per cent and would become more valuable with 
the further settlement of the country. He followed 
this well-meant advice and has the stock yet. It is 
not worth the paper it is written upon, although 
that is now yellowed by age. 







^ifl^ 




A. C. ALLEN, JR. 




A. C. ALLEN. 




'V 




CHAKLOITE M. ALLEN. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



357 



Samuel L. Allen wa8 married late in life, being 
considerably above fifty years of age. He 
was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. 
Caffrey, of Yazoo County, Miss., daughter of 
Margaret P. and her husband, Thomas T. Caf- 
frey. 

Mr. Allen resided in Houston until his death, 



which occurred in his eight3'-seventh year. He left 
an only child, a son, named Augustus C. Allen in 
honor of Mr. Allen's deceased brother, one of the 
founders of the city of Houston. His son is a 
practicing attorney of learning and ability, and 
occupies an enviable position at the bar in that city 
and his section of the State. 



AUGUSTUS C. ALLEN, 

HOUSTON. 



Benjamin Chapman settled at Saratoga, N. Y., 
when the Revolutionary War ended. He was com- 
missioned Captain of a company Ijy Governor Clin- 
ton of New York, and fought for the independence 
of the American colonies from the inception of the 
struggle in 1776 to its close in 1783. He and his 
devoted wife, who during the absence of her hus- 
band in the army performed several deeds of 
heroism (as did many of the women of that trying 
period) went industriously to work to repair their 
broken fortunes, neither daunted or depressed, 
although they were comparatively homeless, their 
commodious residence, situated on a high and con- 
spicuous point, having been burned by a detach- 
ment of British troops as a signal to other forces 
with which tliey were co-operating. Despite the 
privations and dangers they had encountered and 
the financial losses that they sustained, Mr. Chap- 
man and his wife were happy at the return of white- 
winged peace to the long distracted land — happy 
in each other's love, happy because of the freedom 
gained by their country and the fact that they had 
helped to gain it, and happy in their children, sev- 
eral of whom were sons (all of whom were after- 
wards successful in life) and two daughters, the 
youngest of whom, Sarah, was wooed and won by 
Roland Allen. 

He and his fair young bride made their first home 
in the village of Canasareaugh, N. Y., and where he 
bought an Indian clearing consisting of a consider- 
able tract of ground on which was situated a sub- 
stantial five or six-room log-house surrounded by 
several acres in cultivation. Here, in 180G, their 
first child, Augustus C. Allen, was born. He was 
so delicate that they had faint hope of raising him 
to manhood. The atmosphere in his room was kept 
at an even temperature night and day and every 
means tliat parental affection could suggest was 



employed to tide him over the critical point 
of infancy. As other and sturdier boys grew 
up about them they were assigned such labors 
and duties as came within their strength, 
but the first born was kept at school until 
he graduated at the Polytechnic in the village of 
Chittenango, N. Y., at that time the famous school 
of the section. The adjacent villages of Canasa- 
reaugh and Chittenango, botli bearing Indian names, 
were about fifteen miles distant from the important 
town of Syracuse in the same State. After gradu- 
ating, Augustus C. Allen became a professor of 
mathematics in the Polytechnic School at Chitten- 
ango; but finally decided to seek a wider field and 
accepted a position in the city of New York as 
bookkeeper for H. & H. Canfield, soon thereafter 
with his brother, J. K. Allen, purchased an interest 
in the business, which was thenceforward conducted 
under the firm name of H. & H. Canfield & Co., 
and feeling that he could make suitable provision 
for a wife, went to Baldwinsville, N. Y., to claim, 
and was there wedded to his promised bride, the 
accomplished Miss Charlotte M. Baldwin, daughter 
of J. C. Baldwin, founder of the town, one of the 
most beautiful and brilliant women in the State. 
Dr. Baldwin was a well-known physician and finan- 
cier (owning lumber and flour mills and other im- 
portant business interests). Quick to plan and 
quick to execute, after deciding to build the town 
that bears his name, he erected in one day twenty 
houses (stores, workshops and houses for his lab- 
orers) upon the site selected. The town is situated 
thirteen miles from Syracuse. The first mayor of 
the latter municipality was a son of Dr. Baldwin. 
The Doctor lived to see Baldwinsville become quite 
a flourishing place. After his marriage, Augustus 
C. Allen and his brother continued their commer- 
cial connection in New York City for about two 



358 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



years and then withdrew from the firm, having de- 
cided upon new ventures tliat the\' had planned to 
undertalie in Texas. They went first to San Angus- 
tine and then to Nacogdoches and em|)loyed then- 
capital in the purchase of land certificates at $100 
per league. Older settlers laughed at them and 
said, with many a wiseacre wink, that thej' were 
green from the States. When the elder brother, 
however, went to Natchez, Miss., and sold one of 
the leagues for $5,000, the " o'er wise " failed to 
see anything to laugh at and themselves commenced 
the purchase of certificates. The Allep brothers 
came to Texas in 1832. They remained several 
years in Nacogdoches, studying the country and its 
people, needs and possibilities. 

In 1830 John K. Allen, who was then at Colum- 
bia serving as a member in the Texian Congress, 
received a letter from his brother recommending 
the establishment of a town on the John-Austin 
half-league, recently purchased from Mrs. Parrolt, 
sister of Stejihen F. Austin, by the brothers. Occu- 
pied with his legislative duties be did not give 
proper weight to the arguments advanced in favor 
of the enterprise and in reply expressed himself as 
opposed to the undertaking. He, however, as soon 
as his ofHcial duties permitted, joined his brother 
and went out to view the site selected, a point 
where White Oak bayou debouches into Buffalo 
bayou and to which tide-water extends. He was 
delighted with the location and upon learning that 
his brother had, in a small boat, taken soundings 
down stream and had discovered that there was 
sufficient depth of water to float vessels of heav3' 
draft, withdrew the objections that he had advanced 
and entered heartily into the work of building the 
proposed town, the present city of Houston. This 
agreement having been reached, Augustus C. Allen 
mapped out on the crown of his stove-pipe hat 
(and later upon paper) streets, squares, etc., and 
then with a knife that he wore in his girdle, blazed 
out the pathway of Main street, where to-day stir- 
ring throngs of men and women, citizens and 
visitors, are hurrying to and fro to obey the calls 
of business or pleasure. 

The two brothers named the town in honor of 
their personal friend. Gen. Sam Houston, the liero 
of San Jacinto. They donated a block for a citj^ 
market, a block upon which to erect a court-house, 
half a block for the First Presbyterian church, half 
a block for a First Methodist church and also 
grounds for Episcopal and Baptist churches. 
Academy square for educational purposes ; grounds 
for a jail and for cemeteries and lots and blocks to 
a number of private individuals, thereb}' securing 
the co-operation of prominent and influential people. 



They also gave valuable property to Robert Wilson 
as a recognition of the services rendered by him in 
negotiating for them the purchase of the site from 
Mrs. Parrott. A part of this property, a block of 
ground in the fifth ward, is still owned by his son, 
J. T. D. Wilson. To further push the enterprise 
they made a liberal use of printer's ink. 

As soon as the town was well started and gave 
promise of future growth, John K. Allen addressed 
a letter to Congress in which he set forth the advanta- 
ges of the young town as a place at which to estab- 
lish the seat of government and promised that, if it 
was made the capital, he would erect at his own 
expense suitable buildings for a State house, depart- 
ments offices, the preservation of archives, etc. ; 
and hotels and lodging houses for the accommoda- 
tion of members of Congress, all of which he would 
rent upon reasonable terms and for any desired 
length of time. It is a matter of familiar history 
that these overtures were successful and that Hous- 
ton became the capital of the Republic and so re- 
mained until the rapid settlement of the country 
necessitated a more central location and Austin was 
selected. 

In the early days of Houston, when accommoda- 
tions were difficult to procure, the Allen brothers 
provided in their comfortable home, without 
money and without price, for all who sought their 
hospitality. Provisions of all kinds then sold at 
fabulous prices in Texas owing to the distance of 
the country from sources of supply and want of 
transportation facilities ; yet with lavish hospitality 
they entertained friends and strangers. W. R. 
Baker, who kept their books, said that sometimes 
their expenses averaged $30,000 a year and that 
Mrs. A. C. Allen did the honors of the house with 
queenly grace and courtesy. Their dinings and 
other social gatlierings were graced by many dis- 
tinguished and heroic Texians as well as eminent 
strangers from abroad. Many elegant and beauti- 
ful ladies also lent the charm of their presence. 
The Allensenjoyed in the highest degree the exercise 
of these social offices, which helped to render liv- 
ing in Texas, their chosen home, pleasant to others. 

The first day of August, 1838, the energetic busi- 
ness man and legislator, John K. Allen, came to an 
untimely end, being cut off in the midst of his use- 
fulness at the early age of twenty-eight years. He 
died suddenly of congestion. He was deeply 
lamented by all his brothers. As he had never 
married, his property vested in his parents, Mr. 
Roland and Mrs. Sarah (Chapman) Allen. He 
had been so active as a coadjutor, so strong to lean 
upon and such a constant companion for so many 
years that the loss fell more heavily upon the elder 




JOHN K. ALLEN. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



359 



brother, Augustus C. Allen, than upon the others, 
although they too were deeply affected. 

Always delicate, Augustus C. Allen's constitu- 
tion now became undermined and he determined to 
seek surcease of sorrow and restoration to health 
amid new and strange scenes in a foreign land. 
Accordingly, leaving his family well provided for, 
he journeyed into Mexico, where his active mind 
found exercise in business ventures no less success- 
ful than those in which he had previously engaged. 
Before following him to Mexico, we will refer, in 
passing, to the invasion of Texas by Gen. Woll, who 
entered the Republic with the avowed intention of 
reducing it to subjection. The whole country was 
alarmed and patriots hastily armed and hurried to 
the front. Augustus C. Allen and three brothers 
being among the first to volunteer. At the begin- 
ning of the campaign he attached himself to Capt. 
Nicholas Dawson's company. Shortly thereafter, 
however, he and a man named Lindsey became 
dissatisfied with what they considered the injudi- 
cious course that Dawson appeared resolved to 
follow, and told him that he should seek to effect 
a juncture with other Texian troops before meeting 
and attacking the force under Woll, provided as it 
was with artillery. Upon Dawson flatly refusing 
to be guided by this advice, they left the company, 
and by doing so they saved their lives. They at 
once joined other commands, under Caldwell or 
Hays, and did their full share of fighting, and did 
not return to Houston until Woll recrossed the Rio 
Grande into Mexico never to return. On leaving 
Texas, Augustus C. Allen went first to British Hon- 
duras, where he remained six months, and then 
loaded his goods on a vessel and shipped them to 
the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, where for a season he 



stayed his wandering steps. In four months' time 
he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of Spanish 
to transact all his business and keep his books in 
that language ; established a mercantile house and 
employed wood choppers to cut mahogany in the 
forests. In addition he shipped goods to all parts 
of the isthmus on pack-mules and on the backs of 
natives, paying his native employees in goods which 
they were eager to procure. Doing a very heavy 
business, he took an Englishman, Mr. Welsh, in as a 
partner. They entered extensively into the mahog- 
any trade, bought vessels and shipped many car- 
goes of the valuable wood to Europe. Mr. Allen 
was United States Consul for the isthmus during 
his stay. He and the Mexican President, Juarez, 
were personal friends, and he could at all times 
secure influence and concessions from that ruler. 
Finally his health again failed and, realizing his 
condition, he recognized that the inevitable was 
near at hand. He closed out his business affairs 
and went to Washington, D. C, to surrender the 
consulship he was no longer physically able to fill. 
This was in 1864. When he arrived in Washington 
the weather was severely cold. The sudden change 
from an extreme southern climate to one so much 
further north affected his lungs (always weak) and 
he was stricken down with pneumonia and died 
after a few days of intense suffering. Kind friends 
from New York City were with him during his last 
illness until he breathed his last. " Life's fitful 
fever" over, at last the suffering body found 
repose. He lies entombed in Greenwood cemetery 
on Long Island in the loved soil of his native 
State. The sighing winds from the sea sweep 
over and birds sing in the branches of the trees 
that grow about his grave. 



ROBERT m. HENDERSON, 

SULPHUR SPRINGS. 



Hon. Robert M. Henderson, of Sulphur Springs, 
one of the best known public men in the State and 
a man who has always commanded a large political 
and personal following, was born in Huntington, 
Tenn., February 18, 1842, and educated in the 
common schools of Tennessee and Texas. 

His parents were Dr. A. A. and Mrs. Agnes P. 
(Murray) Henderson, both Tennesseeans by birth, 
who came to Texas in 1856 and settled at Paris. 



Mrs. Henderson died September 20, 1866, in Lamar 
County, and is buried there. Her husband died in 
November, 1873, at Sulphur Springs, in Hopkins 
County, Texas. 

The subject of this memoir entered the Confed- 
erate army in 1861, before reaching his niajoritj', 
as a private soldier in Company A., Ninth Texas 
Infantry, and served throughout the war, during 
which period he rose to the position of Captain, and 



360 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Adjutant of Col. (afterwards United State Sena- 
tor) S. B. Maxej^'s Regiment, his promotion being 
due to gallant and meritorious service. He served 
tlirough the Mississippi campaign and the hundred 
days fighting of the Georgia campaign, when John- 
ston and Hood were falling sullenly back toward the 
sea, contesting at every step the Irresistible advance 
of Sherman's army. Among other battles, he partic- 
ipated in those at Shiloh, Chickamaugua, Nashville, 
and Altoona Mountain. He was wounded severely at 
Shiloh, left on the field, captured, and, as soon as he 
was sufficiently recovered, sent to Johnson's Island, 
where he remained three months, until exchanged, 
after which he immediately rejoined his command. 
He was also severely wounded at Cartersville, Ga., 
but escaped capture. After the sun of the Confed- 
eracy had set to rise no more, he returned to his 
home in Texas and engaged in farming for two or 
three years, and then commenced the study of law 
under his old regimental commander, Gen. Maxey, 
at Paris, and in 1870 secured admission to the bar 
and entered upon the practice of his profession at 
Sulphur Springs, to which place he removed. After 
six years, during which time he met with a liberal 
measure of success, he retired from the bar to 
engage in the private banking business at Sulphur 
Springs, in which he continued until 1885, when 
he was appointed by President Cleveland Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the Fourth Dis- 
trict of Texas, which position he held until 
October, 1889, when the Republicans again assumed 
control of the Government and the Republican 
President appointed his successor on purely' parti- 



san grounds. Since that time. Col. Henderson has 
been engaged in the real estate and insurance 
business. Col. Henderson has been an active 
worker in the organization of the U. C. V. of the 
State. In 1894 his friends placed his name before 
the people as a candidate for the Democratic nom- 
ination for State Comptroller of Public Accounts 
and he went into the convention with a following 
that seemed to insure his nomination on the first or 
second ballot. They claim that his failing to 
secure the nomination was due to political chican- 
ery and to no want of strength upon his and no 
want of loyalty upon their part. He served two 
terms as a member of the State Democratic Ex- 
ecutive Committee and was for ten 3'ears Chairman 
of the Democratic Executive Committee of the 
Fourth Congressional District. He has always been 
a constant and earnest Democrat and has been 
looked to as a leader in his section in every con- 
test that has occurred for many years past both 
there and in the State at large. He is a " Sound 
Money " Democrat, and this year (1896) a member 
of the State ' ' Sound Money' ' Executive Committee. 

December 9th, 1873, he was married to Miss 
Virginia C, daughter of Dr. H. H. Beck, of Sul- 
phur Springs. They have five children, viz: Mur- 
ray Maxey, aged twenty-one years ; Mary Agnes, 
aged eighteen years ; Robert Beck, aged fifteen 
years ; Thomas Louis, aged twelve years, and 
Ralph Maurice, aged ten jears. 

Col. Henderson is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and has been a Knight Templar since 
1870. 



REV. H. C. HOWARD, 



COLUMBUS. 



Rev. Horatio C. Howard, the learned and much 
beloved Episcopal minister at Columbus, was born 
at Bristol, England, October 22, 1S23. In 1827, 
his parents, John and Matilda I. Howard, moved to 
America with their family and established them- 
selves in Pliiladelphia, Pa. 

The subject of this notice has resided in Colum- 
bus since 1879, and has been thrice married: to 
Miss Jane F. Cox, in 1844 ; to Miss Margaret O. 
Allen (daughter of the late Rev. Thomas G. Allen, 
of Philadelphia), in 1858, and to Miss Sue S. Staf- 



ford (daughter of Robert and Martha Stafford, of 
Waynesville, Ga.), January 19, 1881, and has 
three children, born of his first and second mar- 
riages: Alfred R., treasurer and secretary of the 
International and Great Northern Railroad ; T. G. 
Allen, and Margaret M. Howard. Mr. Howard 
has been for many years a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, in which he has attained the 32°. He is 
an earnest and devout Christian pastor, and i 
beloved by his flock and a wide circle of friends 
throughout Texas. 




fUtJJU l^lo-m 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



361 



WALLER S. BAKER, 

WACO. 



Hon. Waller S. Baker was born March 30, 1855, 
in Lexington, Fayette County, Ky., a son of John 
H. and Amanda (Saunders) Baker, came to Texas 
with his parents in 1859, and was reared at the 
family homestead on Tonk creek, McLennan 
County. He was educated at Baylor University, in 
the city of Waco, from which Le graduated in June, 
1875. After leaving the University he immediately 
began the study of law in the office of the late 
Thomas Harrison and, April 10, 1876, was admitted 
to the bar, since which time he has been actively 
engaged in the practice of his profession and has 
made his way to a distinguished position at the 
bar. From the beginning of his career he has 
taken a deep interest in public affairs and for 
many years past has been one of the most trusted 
and capable leaders that the Democratic party can 
boast in this State, but at no time has either sought 
or desired public office. He has been sent as a 
delegate to nearly every State Convention since 
attaining his majority. He was elected Chairman of 
the Democratic Executive Committee of his county 
in 1884, and was unanimously, and without solici- 
tation on his part, nominated to the State Senate 
in 1887 and overwhelmingly elected at the polls. 
In 1892, at the Lampasas State Convention, he 
received the Democratic nomination for elector from 



the Seventh Congressional District and January .3, 
1893, cast his vote for Cleveland for President and 
Stephenson for Vice-President. At the State Con- 
vention, which met in the city of Houston, August 
16, 1892, to nominate State officers, he was unani- 
mously and without opposition elected Chairman of 
the State Democratic Executive Committee. This 
was at a time when all eyes were turned in search 
of a man whose generalship could lead the Demo- 
cratic hosts to victory against the combined efforts 
of the Populists, Republicans and disgruntled wing 
of the Democratic party. He was selected for the 
trust. How well he met the great responsibility that 
he was called upon to shoulder is attested by the 
overwhelming victory won in favor of Hon. James 
S. Hogg for Governor. Mr. Baker was married to 
Miss Mary M. Mills, January 14, 1886, in Waco, 
Texas. She is the daughter of Mrs. Mattie Bonner 
Mills and Samuel D. Mills (deceased) of Galveston. 
Mr. Baker is one of the most notable figures in 
public life in Texas to-day. An excellent lawyer, 
genial and affable in social life, he enjoys the confi- 
dence and friendship of his fellow-members of the 
bar and all who know him personally. A true and 
tried popular leader, his name is one that needs but 
to be mentioned to send a thrill through a Demo- 
cratic assembly. 



W. T. ARMISTEAD, 



JEFFERSON. 



Hon. W. T. Armistead, for many years past a 
leading lawyer of East Texas and for several terms 
a distinguished member of the Texas Legislature, is 
a native of Georgia and was born in that State on 
the 25th of October, 1848. He graduated from 
the University of Georgia in 1871. In 1864 he 
enlisted in the Confederate army as a private, 
participated in engagements around Atlanta, was 
wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. , and was 
made a prisoner at Gerard Aba during the closing 
scenes of the war. He had, however, been pro- 
moted and commissioned Captain before he was 
captured. 



Mr. Armistead came to Texas immediately after 
his graduation and located at Douglassville, in Cass 
County, Texas, where he taught school. He moved 
to Jefferson, Texas, in 1872, and commenced the 
practice of law in 1873, which he continued for 
many years as a copartner of Honorable D. B. Cul- 
berson, under the firm name of Culberson & Arm- 
istead. He has since practiced alone. 

He has been elected a delegate to every Demo- 
cratic State Convention since 1874. 

He was elected to the House of Representatives 
of the Eighteenth Legislature and was re-elected to 
the Nineteenth by an increased majority. He was 



362 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



elected Senator to the Twentieth and Twenty-first 
legislatures from the Fourth Senatorial District over 
Hon. D. S. Hearne, by nearly 5,000 majority. He 
was elected to the House of Representatives of the 
Twenty-third Legislature from Marion County and 
wielded an influence second to that of no other 
member of that body. He is a Knight Templar 
Mason, a member of the Baptist church, the Legion 
of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Work- 



men. As a lawyer he has met with uncommon suc- 
cess and has won for himself a place in the front 
rank of his profession. To a broad knowledge of 
the principles and practice of law, he adds the power 
and grace of a finished logical and magnetic orator. 
He has done yeoman service for the Democratic 
party and should he consent to remain in public life 
the people will doubtless confer further honors 
upon him. 



GEORGE HOBBS, 



ALICE. 



George Hobbs was born in Derbyshire, England, 
January 21, 1841, and came to Texas with his par- 
ents (James and Sarah Hobbs) and brothers and 
sisters in November, 1852, as a passenger on the 
sailing vessel, "Osborne," the voyage from England 
to New Orleans requiring seven weeks and from 
New Orleans to Corpus Christi one week. The 
family were a part of the immigrants introduced 
into Nueces County by Capt. H. L. Kinney, and 
had contracted for one hundred acres of land near 
Corpus Christi, then a village containing only sis 
houses. Hostile Lipan Indians infested that section 
of the State, rendering life and property insecure 
outside of the settlements. The bead of the 
family found the condition of the country so dif- 
ferent from what it had been represented to him 
that he concluded not to open a farm or stock 
ranch, rested a month in Corpus Christi, and then, 
with his family, moved to the town of Nueces, 
where eight or ten families soon followed. Here he 
resided until the time of his death, which occurred 
in August, 1868. His wife died of yellow fever in 
Corpus Christi in 1854. They left seven children : 
Rebecca, who married a Mr. Mitchel in England, 
and did not come to America with her parents ; 
William ; Sarah, now Mrs. Reuben Holbein ; 
James, George, Priscilla, now Mrs. Thomas 
Beynon, and Miriam, the wife of George Littig, 
who died soon after their mai-riage. All of the 
boys joined the Confederate arm}' during the war 
between the States and made enviable records as 
soldiers. George volunteered as a private in Capt. 
Matt Nolan's company, Pyron's regiment, Sibley's 
brigade. The companies of Capts. Nolan and 
Tobin (detailed for duty on the Rio Grande), were 
sent from Laredo to Brownsville and took charge 



of the United States posts and arsenals, when the 
United States forces evacuated that territory 
at the beginning of the war. Later Mr. Hobbs 
participated in the famous battle of Galveston, 
which resulted in the recapture of that city by the 
Confederates, and not long thereafter was a mem- 
ber of the " Belle Crew " of volunteers that boarded 
and captured at Sabine Pass the " Morning Light," 
a Federal war vessel carrying six guns. After 
taking the vessel and finding that she was of too 
heavy draft to be brought across the bar into the 
harbor, she was left in the charge of a single 
private, Eugene Aikin, of Nolan's company. Next 
day the United States mailship hove in sight, and, 
drawing alongside to discharge and receive mail as 
as usual, requested that an officer be sent aboard. 
Aikin replied in a ferocious and stentorian voice 
that the "Morning Light" had been captured by 
the Confederates, ordered imaginary marines to 
quarters and imaginary cannoneers to clear the 
guns. The captain of the mail steamer lost no time 
in putting out to sea under a full head of steam and 
left Aikin master of the situation. The day fol- 
lowing this humorous incident, worthj- to bring a 
smile to the physiognomy of grim-visaged war, 
the " Morning Light," was burned to prevent her 
from being retaken b}' the Federals. Nolan's com- 
pany, of which Mr. Hobbs was a member, was next 
ordered to Lake Charles, La., where it was sent to 
watch and report upon the movements of Gen. 
Banks and did courier, scouting and picket duty for 
eight months. It was then ordered back to Texas 
for coastguard duty at Cedar Lake and afterwards 
at Padre Island, which he performed until the end 
of the war. The close of hostilities found Mr. Hobbs, 
to use the expressive vernacular of the times, " flat 




GEN. boonp:. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



363 



broke." December 31, 18G7, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Margaret Beynon, and shortly 
thereafter made his home in Corpus Christi, where 
he followed various occupations until he started in 
business as a merchant in 1872. In 1875 he moved 
to Collins, situated on the hne of the Mexican Na- 
tional Railroad, where he continued merchandising 
during the following twelve years and was for 
eleven years Postmaster. He then moved to 
Alice, where he has since resided, and is now a 
dealer in general merchandise, carries one of the 
largest stocks of goods west of San Antonio and 
conducts a large and paying business. He built 
the first house in Alice, erected in May, 1888, one 
month before the railroad reached the place. He 
was one of the men who christened the village 
Alice, a name selected in honor of the wife of Mr. 
R. J. Kleberg, youngest daughter of the late Capt. 
Richard King, of Nueces County, and has done 
much for the upbuilding of the place, which is now 
a thriving town of twelve hundred souls. Mr. 
Hobbs has four children — Philip, Felix, Ruf us 
and Nettie. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, and Democratic party, 
but has never taken an active interest in polities. 
In 1872 he joined Lodge, No. 189, A. F. and A. M., 
at Corpus Christi ; and is a faithful member of the 
Masonic fraternitv. At the time his parents made 
their home in Southwest Texas, that part of the 
State was almost as far removed from the beaten 
tracks of civilization as Central Africa is to-day, 
but notwithstandinsf that fact a few brave and 



hardy pioneers settled within the limits, determined 
to establish homes, conquer the wilderness and act 
as the vanguard of the tide of population that was 
to come pouring in in later years. In 1852 the 
year the Hobbs family located in Nueces Count}', 
Capt. Van Buren, of the United States army, was 
ambushed and mortally wounded by an arrow 
shot from the bow of a Lipan Indian. He was 
nursed by the subject of this memoir, then a 
boy of eleven years of age, until death relieved 
him of his sufferings about a week later. The 
hostility of the Indians was unrelenting, but 
they were soon taught to fear the vengeance, if 
they did not respect the rights, of the settlers. 
Mr. Hobbs' childhood, youth and early manhood 
were passed amid trials and scenes of danger 
that developed the full strength of his character 
and gave him that firmness and self-reliance that 
has since enabled him to win his way to success in 
the face of difficulties that few men would have 
found it possible to overcome. His educational 
opportunities were restricted but he took full ad- 
vantage of such as were within his reach. What 
he learned from text-books has since been sup- 
planted by the wider knowledge obtained in the 
school of experience, extensive reading and asso- 
ciation, and he may be justly described as a strong, 
well-poised man. He has led a quiet, peaceful 
life, and made it a rule to attend strictly to his 
own affairs. No man in Nueces County is more 
highly respected or generally liked by all who 
know him. 



H. H. BOONE, 



NAVASOTA. 



To the iniquitous religious persecutions which pre- 
vailed throughout Europe during the greater part 
of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, America 
owes a large proportion of its population. From 
this source came not only the "Pilgrim Fathers," 
but the Catholics under Lord Baltimore, the Hugue- 
nots and the Scotch and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. 
The influence of the last named of these has per- 
haps been more far-reaching than that of any of the 
others, because the Scotch showed a greater dispo- 
sition to migrate, were a hardier and more inde- 
pendent people, were better fighters, and were thus 
better equipped to withstand the hardships and 



vicissitudes of a new country and to solve the 
pressing problems of civilization. So it happens 
that the terms, "of Scotch" and " Scotcn-Irish 
origin " are of so frequent occurrence in the 
biographical literature of this country. 

The subject of this brief notice is of Scotch 
ancestry, "old blue-stocking Presbyterians " says 
family -tradition. Two of his paternal ancestors, 
great-grandfathers, Boone and Greene, were officers 
in the Revolution. His father was Joseph Greene 
Boone and his mother bore the maiden name of 
Harriet N. Latham — the former a native of North 
Carolina, belonging to the historic Boone family of 



364 



INDIAN ]YARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



that State, and the latter a native of New York. 
Joseph Greene Boone and wife migrated from 
North Carolina in 1827 and settled in Tipton 
County, West Tennessee, when that was a compara- 
tively new country. " Mountain Academy neigh- 
borhood," where they settled, was made up mostly 
of Presbyterians who had been attracted to that 
vicinity hy Church ties and were kept there 
through the influence of the academy, which had 
been founded by a pioneer Presbyterian minister, 
the Eev. James Holmes, a graduate of Princeton 
College. In that neighborhood H. H. Boone was 
born, February 24, 1834. In 1842 his parents 
moved to DeSoto County, Miss., where, nine years 
later, his mother died, and whence in 1852 his 
father, accompanied by his two sons, the subject 
of this sketch and an elder brother, came to Texas, 
settling in the "old Rock Island neighborhood," 
in what was then Austin, now Waller County. 
The boyhood and youth of H. H. Boone were thus 
passed in the three States, Tennessee, Mississippi 
and, Texas. His education, begun under the Rev. 
Mr. Holmes at Mountain Academy, in Tipton 
County, Tenn., was continued under the tuitor- 
ship of Professor John A. Rousseau (brother of 
the Federal general of that name) in Mississippi, 
and, after coming to Texas, at Austin College, 
Huntsville, under the direction of the Rev. Daniel 
Baker, the distinguished Texas pioneer, Presby- 
terian minister and teacher. While in Austin Col- 
lege he took up the study of law, first under Judge 
W. A. Lee, and afterwards under Col. Henderson 
Yoakum, the historian, and Judge Royal T. 
Wheeler, of the Supreme Court of Texas. The 
illness of his father caused him to quit college four 
months before graduation, but not until he had 
obtained his license to practice law. For four 
years after returning home he gave his attention to 
the management of his father's plantation, until 
1869, when he began the practice of his profession 
at Hempstead. 

When the late war came on between the North 
and South young Boone, like hundreds of others, 
was filled with the war-spirit and at once offered 
his services to the Confederacy, enlisting, in Feb- 
ruary, 1861, as a private in Col. John S. (" Old 
Rip") Ford's regiment, with which he proceeded to 
the Rio Grande frontier and participated in the 
cajiture of the Union posts in that vicinity. Not 
wishing to do garrison duty he returned hoine after 
the capture of the posts and again enlisted in a 
six months' company under Capt. McDade, with 
which he was assigned to duty at Dickinson's 
Bayou and in the vicinity of Galveston. A short 
time before the expiration of his term of enlist- 



ment in this command he was detailed as recruiting 
officer to assist Maj. Edwin Waller in raising a 
cavalry battalion. Five companies were recruited 
from the lower Brazos country which, after rendez- 
vousing at Hempstead, left that place July 4, 1862, 
under orders to go to Louisiana. At Vermillion, 
La., a sixth company under Capt. Joseph E. 
Terrell, from Fort Worth, was added and Waller 
then becoming Lieutenant-Colonel, Boone was made 
Major. The command was attached to Sibley's 
(afterwards Green's) brigade and was in active 
service from that time on along the Louisiana, 
Texas and Arkansas border. Maj. Boone was in 
all its operations up to September 29, 1863, when 
he was wounded in the affair at Fordoche, La., 
losing his right arm and the first two fingers 
and thumb of his left hand. By these wounds he 
was disabled for further field service. Marrying 
Miss Sue H. Gordon, of Washington, St. Lan- 
dry's Parish, La., he returned to Texas and 
reported to Gen. Magruder, then commanding the 
department of Texas, for such duty as he was able 
to perform. He was assigned to post duty at dif- 
ferent points, and remained in the service till the 
surrender. 

After the war Maj. Boone removed from Hemp- 
stead to Anderson, in Grimes County, where he re- 
sumed the practice of the law in partnership with 
Hon. I. G. Searcy, and continued in the active prac- 
tice of his profession until 1876, when, having been 
made the nominee of the Democratic party for 
Attorney-General of the State, he accepted the 
nomination, was elected and served one term. On 
the expiration of his term of office he moved to 
Navasota, where he again took up his professional 
duties, which he has since followed to the exclusion 
of everything else, although a number of times im- 
portuned bj' his friends to again enter the political 
arena. 

As a lawyer Maj. Boone has achieved consider- 
able reputation, and justly so, for he possesses all 
of the attributes of a successful practitioner, a clear 
legal mind, sensitive conscience and diligent habits. 
He h.-xs been in the practice now for thirty-odd 
years and still he pursues the arduous duties of his 
profession with all the enthusiasm of youth. In ac- 
cepting cases he is careful, exacting sincerity from 
his clients, and in the preparation of causes for 
trial he is diligent and faithful, fair in his state- 
ments before the jur3', courteous to adverse counsel 
and circumspect to the court, a logical thinker, able 
and earnest speaker. Measured by pecuniary gain 
he may be said to have met with success, for by 
means of his profession he has accumulated some 
property after having reared and made ample edu- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



365 



cational provision for a large family of children. 
He is spoken of by those who linow him best in 
terms of sincere respect, being regarded as a good 
citizen, beloved neighbor, earnest, liberal, progres- 
sive and charitable without stint. Naturally he has 
a warm place in his heart for his old comrades and 
he in turn has been the recipient of many marks of 
esteem at their hands. He was chiefly instrumental 
in organizing the first camp of Confederate veterans 
at Navasota, the camp being being named for him but 
afterwards changed at his suggestion to " Camp W. 
G. Post" in honor of the memory of one of its de- 
ceased members. At the general reunion of the 
Confederate Veterans of the United States, of Hous- 
ton, in May, 1895, he was elected Commander of 
the Division of Texas, which position he is now 
filling. 

In politics Maj. Boone is a Democrat — " Jeffer- 
sonian Democrat" — but not of the variety of 
which the public has heard so much in recent years. 
His confession of faith excludes all of the sump- 
tuary and paternal schemes of legislation which have 



recently been paraded under the banner of " Jeffer- 
sonian Democracy." He believes in local self- 
government and in the fullest measure of personal 
freedom consistent with the public good. The ele- 
vation of the citizen — opportunity for the highest 
possible development of the individual — should, in 
his judgment, be the true end of popular govern- 
ment, and this is to be attained not by ever-recur- 
ring appeals to the law-making bodies of the land 
nor by the practice of any form of political fetish- 
ism, but by the unwearing exertion of the individual 
himself under a government that guarantees to him 
but one equality, namely, equality before the law. 
He has always held himself in readiness to work for 
his party and has done it good service in times past. 
Such service, it may be added, has sprung from his 
interest in the men and measures of his choice and 
not from any expectation of reward. The exacting 
duties of a laborious profession and the claims of 
family to which he is devoted with rare fidelity long 
since shut out any hope he may have entertained of 
a public career. 



F. R. GRAVES, 

KARNES CITY. 



Russell Graves, a prominent planter of Lowndes 
County, Ala., came to Texas in 1838 with his 
family and located near where the town of Hunts- 
ville now stands, in what was then Montgomery 
(now Walker) County, and three years later re- 
turned to Shelby County, where he was (as a 
regulator) an active participant in the war waged 
for many years between the regulators and the 
moderators. Here Frank R. Graves, the subject 
of this notice, was born on his father's farm in 
1852. He was principally educated in the common 
schools of Ellis County, his parents moving to that 
county and settling near Red Oak in 1857. His 
mother, Mrs. Esther G. Graves, died in 1865 and 
in the following year the remaining members of the 
family moved to Montgomery County, Ala., and 
lived there until 1875, when they came back to 
Ellis County, Texas. 

Frank R. Graves was united in marriage to Miss 
Amanda Ryburn, at Waxahachie, in 1878, and soon 
after went to Alvarado, Johnson County, where he 
engaged in the hardware business. They have 
three children: Davy, Esther and Frank. 



In the fall of 1882 Mr. Graves failed in 
the hardware business, came to .4.ustin with his 
family in 1883 and in September of that year 
entered the law department of the State University. 
When he reached Austin, he had only sixty-Bve 
dollars in money, a wife and three children. He 
sold books in the afternoons and during vacations 
to earn enough to meet expenses and succeeded in 
supporting himself and family. He attended the 
University eighteen months and was admitted to 
the bar at the December Term of the District Court 
in 1884. While a member of the senior law class 
he was elected County Attorney of Karnes County, 
in January, 1885, by the Commissioners' Court of 
that county, having been, without his knowledge, 
recommended by friends who had learned his worth. 
He held the position for four years and made a 
reputation that afterward brought him a large and 
lucrative practice. He has for many yea' s been 
upon one side or the other of nearly every impor- 
tant case tried in his section of the State. 

Mr. Graves was elected to the Twenty-second 
Legislature in 1890 from the Eighty-second Repre- 



366 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



sentative District, composed of Karnes, Atascosa 
and Wilson counties ; served upon a number of 
important committees, soon took ranii in the House 
as a man of very superior capacity and made a 
record that fully justified the flattering expectations 
of his friends. He was re-elected to the same 
position in 1892 and served in the Twenty-fourth 
Legislature. 

He was a member of the Democratic Executive 
Committee for 1892 to 1894. 

He was one of the founders of the Kansas Re- 
porter, the first newspaper published in Karnes 
City. 



He is and has been since 1890 the senior member 
of the law firm of Graves & Wilson at Helena and 
Karnes City. 

His son Davy was a popular Page in the Twenty- 
third Legislature. 

This biography contains the brief outlines of a 
life that should cheer every young man who is 
struggling against adversity and to whom the way 
that leads to success and a competency seems 
blocked by insurmountable obstacles. While 
fortune is capricious in her gifts, she owes a debt 
to such men as Frank R. Graves which she will 
never fail in due time to pay. 



JOSEPH E. WALLIS, 



GALVESTON. 



Joseph Edmund Wallis, a member of the well- 
known firm of Wallis, Landes & Co., was born 
in Morgan County,' Ala., in 1835. His parents 
were Maj. Joseph and Elizabeth Crockett Wallis, 
both connected with some of the most distinguished 
families that the South can boast. His father was 
a lineal descendant of the famous Sir William Wal- 
lace, whose name is indissolubly connected with 
the most glorious epoch of Scottish history. 
Owing to a family disagreement, an American 
ancestor changed his name to Wallis, and it has so 
remained in the branch of the family to which the 
suliject of this memoir belongs. Maj. Joseph 
Wallis was for many years a wealthy planter in 
Alabama and Mississippi, owning lauds in both 
States, and for a long time planting in partnership 
with Governor Chapman, of Alabama. In the 
winter of 1848 he determined to move to Texas. 
His eldest son, John C, brought the slaves over- 
land, whilst he moved the family by water, only 
leaving behind his eldest daughter, Emily, who had 
married Joseph Toland, a wealthy planter of 
Lowndes County, Miss. He located at Chappell 
Hill, Washington County, Texas, and continued 
planting. In October, 1849, his second daughter, 
Elmina Carolina, was married to Dr. .John W. 
Lockhart, of Washington County. 

When Maj. Wallis removed to Texas his second 
son, Joseph Edmund, was thirteen years of age, 
and had gone to school but a limited time. In the 
fall of 1849 (in Texas), he spent one session at 
Professor Ulysses Chapman's school. At the age 



of fifteen he spent one year (1850) in merchan- 
dising at Chappell Hill, then, selling out, he passed 
the two sessions of 1851 and the spring session of 
1852 at the Chappell Hill Male College, then in 
its prime, thus acquiring a fair education. In the 
summer of 1852 he again resumed merchandising 
at Chappell Hill, and continued about four j'ears, 
being the Postmaster during the time. His father 
now wishing to retire from active business, divided 
his property among his children. This caused 
Joseph Edmund to close out his mercantile business 
and turn his attention to planting. When the war 
began he had accumulated considerable property, 
and was turning out his hundred bales of cotton 
annually. On February 12th, 1860, he married 
Miss S. Kate Landes, daughter of Col. D. Landes, 
of Austin County, Texas, formerly of Kentucky. 

His father was particularly noted for his great 
industry, energy, perseverance and public spirit, 
and was always a leader in public enterprises 
wherever he lived ; notabl}' in this connection, he 
was the first one in Texas to advocate and start 
with Col. D. Landes and Isaac Applewhite, of Wash- 
ington County, the construction of the now great 
Houston & Texas Central Railway, but was soon 
joined by such spirits as Paul Bremond, Harve3' 
Allen and others of Houston, and later with other 
associates, put under construction the Washington 
R-.uiroad from Hempstead to Brenham, now the 
western branch of the Houston & Texas Central 
Railroad. During his residence in the State he was 
engaged in many other enterprises, was a leading 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



367 



citizen in ever3' respect, and at one time a prominent 
candidate for the Legislature, being defeated by 
Judge James E. Sheppard by a small majority. 
During tbe secession agitation he indorsed the 
opinion of his friend Gen. Sam Houston that 
these questions should be settled in the halls of 
Congress and at the ballot-box, not on the battle 
field, but the conflict once inaugurated, he was 
a zealous supporter of the Southern cause, and 
cherished a great desire to live and see the result 
of the war, but during 1864 his health was 
greatly impaired, and after several months of 
suffering he died March 15th, 1865, in the 64th 
j'ear of his age. Early in the war his two sons 
obeyed their country's call and entered the Con- 
federate service, John C. as Captain of Company 
B., Twentieth Texas Infantrj', commanded by Col. 
H. M. Elmore, and Joseph E. as a private in the 
same company. The regiment did duty on the 
coast of Texas and was engaged in the celebrated 
battle of Galveston — a sharp and hotly contested 
affair and one long to be remembered by both sides. 
They both continued in the service until the sur- 
render. 

Immediately thereafter the brothers John C. and 
Joseph E. Wallis, and Henry A. Landes (a 
brother-in-law of Joseph E. Wallis) determined 
to close out their planting interests in Washington 
and Austin counties and form a copartnership 
under the style and firm name of Wallis, Landes 
& Company, as wholesale grocers at Galveston. 
The firm entered vigorously into business and con- 
tinued prosperousl}' without any change in its 
naembership until May 9lh, 1872, when John C. 
departed this life in the full vigor of manhood. 
The firm of Wallis, Landes & Company, after the 
death of John C, continued under the same firm 
name and style by the two surviving partners, the 
interest of the deceased partner having been with- 
drawn at the time of his demise, and continues 
the same to this date, only increasing the member- 
ship of the firm by the admission of Charles L. 
Wallis, eldest son of Joseph E. Wallis, in 1882. 
At the close of the war the subject of our sketch 
moved his family to Galveston. He has now four 
living children, viz., Charles L. Wallis, Dan E. 
Wallis, Pearl Wallis Knox, and Lockhart H. Wallis. 

Mr. Wallis, both in civil and military life, has 
discharged every duty devolving upon him as a 
citizen in a manner to entitle him to and secure for 
him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he 
has been brought in contact. In commercial pur- 
suits he has been called to fill many places of trust 
and honor on boards of directors in the various cor- 



porations, banks, etc., of the city. A number of 
these he now fills. He took an active part in the 
building of the Gulf, Colorado «fc Santa Fe Rail- 
road, giving to it freely both of his time and money. 
He followed it closely in all of its vicissitudes and 
was a director of the company from the beginnin<^ 
until 1886. He was one of the syndicate of sixteen 
who rapidly constructed the road after its purchase 
from the old company in the spring of 1879. He 
was one of the most active and effective of the 
workers whose efforts have secured adequate appro- 
priations from the Federal government for the deep 
water improvements at Galveston. He is an officer 
or director of the following corporations, to wit: 
One of the five directors of the City Company, the 
oldest and wealthiest in the city ; vice-president of 
the Texas Guarantee & Trust Co. ; director of the 
Galveston & Houston Investment Co. ; vice-presi- 
dent of the Galveston & Western Railroad Co. ; 
director of the Gulf City Cotton Press Co. ; a mem- 
ber of the Cotton Exchange : stockholder in nearly 
all the corporations of the city and many of the 
National Banks of this State, and also some cor- 
porations of the North, and generally a strong 
promoter of the new railroad enterprises. 

During all his residence in Galveston he has been 
closely identified with all its commercial enterprises, 
upon which he believes depends the city's success 
in the future. He takes but little interest in politi- 
cal affairs. Since the war he has voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket, but previous to that time he was a 
Whig, but not old enough to cast a vote against his 
relative, James K. Polk, when he was elected Presi- 
dent of the United Stales. His hand and purse 
are always open to worthy charities, and he gives 
cheerfully and liberally of his means to all public 
enterprises. Naturally modest and retiring in his 
disposition, when not occupied in business he pre- 
fers to enjoy the privacy of his comfortable and 
beautiful home and the society of his iuterestino- 
family. He has never held a membership in any 
church, but with his wife is an attendant upon the 
Presbyterian and contributes to its support. Their 
parents on both sides were Presbyterians in belief 
and this is consequently the church of their choice. 
Like his early ancestor, the famous Scottish " Wal- 
lace of Elerslie," the first of the name of whom 
history gives an account, who lived nearly a thou- 
sand years ago, he is tall and of slight stature, his 
eyes are dark grey and his hair. With a strong 
constitution, a firm will, temperate habits, good 
health and a cheerful temperament, he bids fair to 
be spared for many years of business usefulness 
and service to the city where his lot is cast. 



368 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



CHARLES L. COYNER, 

SAN DIEGO. 



Charles Luther Coyner, one of the most brilliant 
and successful law^'ers in West Texas, and a man 
who has acquired some distinction as a newspaper, 
literary and political writer of merit, was born in 
Augusta County, Va., February 8th, 1853, in the 
old stone house built by his grandfather in 1740. 
His parents were Addison H. and Elizabeth Coyner. 
His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Brown. 
Mr. Coyner is descended from Archibald, Duke of 
Argyle, and Governor Roane, who served at dif- 
ferent times as Governor of North Carolina and 
Tennessee. The family has been traced back as 
far as 1620, members of it distinguishing themselves 
in the Thirty Years War. Three representatives 
(from Virginia) were officers in the Revolutionary 
War that severed the American Colonies from Great 
Britain, and three in the War of 1812, and in the 
war between the States, one company, alone, from 
Augusta County, contained twelve Coyners, all 
good soldiers. The Coyner family is the most 
numerous in the valley of Virginia and especially 
in Augusta County, where over seven hundred 
members reside and one hundred and forty register 
as Democratic voters, — there is not a Readjuster 
among them. 

Mr. Coyner has a brother who was Captain of 
Company D., Seventh Virginia Cavalry, Army of 
Northern Virginia, and who was killed in battle 
September 13, 1863. 

The subject of this notice received his education 
in local district schools and at Forest Academy. 
He came to Texas in the autumn of 1877, located at 
Kaufman, read law under Hon. A. A. Burton, min- 
ister at one time from the United States to Chili. 
He was admitted to practice in the district and 
inferior courts of the State of Kaufman, Texas, in 
1877, and in the Supreme Court at Tyler soon 
thereafter. 

Mr. Coyner now resides at San Diego and was 
County Attorney of Duval County from 1886 to 
1895, when he resigned to accept the office of 
County Judge of that County. He went back to 
Augusta County, Virginia, on a visit, and, January 
3, 1884, married Margaret, youngest daughter of 
Dr. Wm. R. Blair, of that county. Mrs. Coyner is 
descended from the family of Blairs, one of whom 



founded William and Mary College, Virginia. One 
of the family of Blairs was Governor of Virginia in 
1768, and another was appointed, by Washington, 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. 

Mr. and Mrs. Coyner have no children. Mr. 
Coyner was secretary of the Democratic Executive 
Committee of Duval County for eight years and 
held the chairmanship of that body from 1892 to 
1894. He has been a delegate to every Democratic 
State Convention held since he made his home in 
Texas and has been one of the most active and 
effective workers who have secured party success 
in his section of the State. He has often been 
urged to accept the nomination for and election to 
the Legislature, but has in each instance declined, 
preferring to devote himself to his large and lucra- 
tive law practice and having no desire to accept any 
reward, in the way of political preferment, for the 
yeoman service which he has willingly and patrioti- 
cally rendered in the interest of good government. 
He was appointed County Judge of Duval County, 
without any effort upon his part, having made no 
application for the position. He was appointed 
County Judge of Duval County April 17th, 1895, 
and now holds that office. He received the unani- 
mous vote of the Commissioners' Court, the ap- 
pointing power, and resigned the office of County 
Attorney. His term expires in the fall of 1896. 

One of the highest compliments ever paid Judge 
Coyner was the indorsements he received from 
Governor Jas. S. Hogg, Hon. Horace Chilton, 
ex-Governor Hubbard and others, for appointment 
by President Cleveland to the office of Third Audi- 
tor of the United States Treasury, an office that he 
would have filled with credit to himself and to the 
State of Texas. He has made a fortune at the bar 
and stands deservedly high in his profession. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, Masonic 
Fraternity and Independent Order of Odd- Fellows. 
While owner of the Athens Journal and part owner 
of the Henderson County Narrow Gauge, both 
published at Athens, he acquired a State-wide 
reputation as a polished, trenchant and able writer, 
to which he has since added by contributions to 
some of the leading magazines of the countr}'. 




-^ 



\ 



Richard Kini 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEliS OF TEXAS. 



369 



RICHARD KING, 

NUECES COUNTY. 



Richard King was born in Orange County, N. Y., 
July 10, 1825, and at eight years of age was ap- 
prenticed to a jeweler ; but, being put to menial 
work and unjustly treated, slipped aboard the ship 
Desdemo7iia, bound for Mobile, Ala., and con- 
cealed himself in the hold. When the vessel was 
four days out, he was discovered and carried 
before the captain, who, although a stern and 
weather-beaten old salt, treated him kindly, and 
gave him a fatherly lecture, characterized by much 
sound and wholesome advice which the boy after- 
wards profited by. 

At Mobile he was employed as cabin boy by the 
celebrated steamboatman, Capt. Hugh Monroe, 
and later worked in the same capacity under Capt. 
Joe Holland on the Alabama river. Capt. Hol- 
land took quite a fancy to him and sent him to 
school for eight months in Connecticut. Return- 
ing to Mobile, he continued with Capt. Holland 
until the commencement of the Seminole War, 
and then enlisted in the service of the United 
States, and participated in many of the stirring 
events of that campaign. He was on the Ococho- 
hee when Col. Worth, afterwards a distinguished 
officer in the Mexican War, enticed aboard and 
captured Hospotochke and his entire band of 
warriors, an event that had much to do with bring- 
ing hostilities to a speedy and successful close. 
After the Seminole War, he steamboated on the 
Chatahoochie river until 1847, and then went to 
the Rio Grande, where he acted as pilot of the 
steamer " Corvette," of the Quartermaster's De- 
partment of the United States army, until the close 
of the Mexican War. 

The vessel was commanded by Capt. M. Kenedy, 
whom he had previously met, and who remained 
through all subsequent vicissitudes and changes 
his life-long friend. Peace having been declared 
between the United States and Mexico, and the 
armies disbanded, Capt. King bought the " Col. 
Cross," and followed the river until 1850, when he 
formed a copartnership with Capt. M. Kenedy, 
Capt. James O'Donnell, and Charles Stilliman, 
under the firm name of M. Kenedy & Co. 

Between that period and the close of the war 
between the States, they built, or purchased, 
twenty steamers, which they operated to great 
profit in the carrying trade on the Rio Grande. 
Capt. O'Donnell retiring from the partnership, the 



new firm of King, Kenedy & Co., was formed, and 
continued the business until 1874. 

In the meantime (1852), Capt. King traversed 
the coast country lying between the Rio Grande 
and the Nueces river and shortly thereafter estab- 
lished the since famous Santa Gertrude's ranch, to 
which he soon moved his family. 

In 1860 Capt. Kenedy acquired an interest in the 
property which was augmented by the establish- 
ment of other ranches in the course of time. They 
did business together until January 1, 1868, when 
they divided equally their possessions and dissolved 
the copartnership, as they had growing families 
and wished to avoid complications that might occur 
if either of them should die. 

The King ranches, Santa Gertrude's and San 
Juan Carricitos, comprise about 700,000 acres, 
stocked with over 100,000 head of cattle, four 
thousand brood mares and 15,000 saddle horses, 
and is supplied with all the accessories known to 
modern ranching. 

A few years since as many as 35,000 calves were 
branded annuall3'. 

During the years 1876-80 Capt. King, together 
with Capt. Kenedy and Col. Uriah Lott, built the 
Corpus Christi, San Diego & Rio Grande (narrow 
gauge) Railroad, from Corpus Christi to Laredo. 
This was the first railroad built in that part of the 
State. This road was sold by them to the Mexican 
National R. R. Co., who began building their rail- 
way system (now extending to the city of Mexico) 
by purchasing this line, which is at present their 
terminal in Texas. 

Capt. King was taken ill in the early part of 
1885 and was told that he had cancer of the 
stomach. Eminent physicians were called from 
New Orleans and confirmed the statement and told 
him that he could live but a short time. He 
received the announcement with an equanimity 
characteristic of his well-poised and heroic spirit, 
and, settling his earthly affairs in order, quietly 
waited for the inevitable, which came April 14th of 
that year, while he was stopping at the Menger 
Hotel, in San Antonio. His wife and all of his 
children were present at his bedside except Mrs. 
Atwood, who was with her husband in New Mexico 
and, owing to sickness, could not come. He was 
laid to rest the following day in the cemetery at 
San Antonio. Capt. King left all of his property 



370 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



to bis wife and made lier sole executrix witliout 
bond. 

Robert J. Kleberg, a lawyer, a trusted confidant 
and friend of Capt. King, and thoroughly familiar 
with tlie status of the property, was requested by 
Mrs. King to come to Santa Gertrude's Ranch 
for consultation, did so, and, at her urgent solici- 
tation, became manager of the ranches, although 
by so doing he found it necessary to abaudon the 
active practice of his profession. January 18th 
of the following year he was united in marriage to 
Miss Alice King, to whom he was engaged during 
the lifetime of her father. 

At the time of Capt. King's death his estate was 
about $500,000 in debt. This debt was incurred 
in the purchase of lands and making improve- 
ments. There was something to show for every 
dollar, yet it had to be met. Mr. Kleberg corre- 
sponded with the creditors and they readily agreed 
to let Mrs. King individually assume the debt and 
took her notes for the amounts respectively due 
them. All that remained to be done was to pro- 
bate the will and file an inventory in the County 
Court and this Mr. Kelberg did. The estate was 
not in court over three hours. Mrs. King has since 
paid the notes, has added more than 100,000 acres 



to her ranches, does not owe a dollar and sells 
from 20,000 to 25,000 beef cattle annually. 

When Capt. King established himself in the 
Nueces country it was practically as far removed 
from civilization and the operation of civil law, as 
Central Africa is to-day. A few Mexican settlers 
were scattered here and there, fifty or sixty miles 
apart, but were little more to be trusted than the 
bands of predatory Indians who prowled over the 
prairies. Desperadoes from Mexico and the States, 
at a later date, also, from time to time, attempted 
to effect a lodgment in the country and overawe 
and despoil the people. Sagacious and possessed 
of both moral and physical courage (all of which 
was needed in these trying times), firm, bold and 
prompt, both in planning and acting, Capt. King 
proved himself equal to these and all other emer- 
gencies and did not hesitate to hold these characters 
in check with an iron hand. 

He maintained his rights, the riglits of those about 
him, and an approach to social order. 

Starting in life a penniless boy, his indomitable 
will, strength of mind and capacity for conducting 
large affairs enabled him long before his death to 
accumulate an immense fortune, and rank as one 
of the largest cattle-owners in the world. 



THOMAS J. JENNINGS, 



FORT WORTH. 



The late lamented Gen. Thomas J. Jennings, at 
one time Attorney-General of Texas, and during 
his lifetime considered one of the ablest lawyers in 
Texas, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., 
on the 20th of October, 1801. His parents were 
Col. "William and Mariam Howard (Smith) Jen- 
nings. Col. William Jennings was for a number of 
years sheriff and a leading citizen of Shenandoah 
County. When the subject of this memoir was 
about ten years of age his father moved to Indiana 
where he had purchased five thousand acres of land 
on the Ohio river near Vevay, remained there a 
short time and then moved to Louisville, Ky., 
where he purchased a large portion of the land now 
embraced within the corporate limits of that citj'. 
This land he sold for a sum which, at this day, when 
its value had been so greatl}' enhanced, appears 
insignificant. 

After a short residence at Louisville, Col. William 



Jennings moved to Christian County, Ky., where 
Gen. Thomas J. Jennings clerked in a country 
store, attending school part of the time, until 
about seventeen years, old when he secured a school 
and taught for two or three years until he accumu- 
lated sufficient means to attend Transylvania Col- 
lege, at Lexington, Kj'., where he graduated ia 
1824, with the highest honors, having been selected 
by his classmates to deliver the valedictory. Jeffer- 
son Davis, Gustavus A. Henry, of Tennessee, and a 
number of other men, who afterwards distinguished 
themselves in law, medicine, politics, and theology, 
were his friends and fellow-students. The love he 
acquired for the classics at Transylvania College 
clung to him through life. There was, perhaps, no 
more accurate or critical Latin and Greek scholar 
in the South. He was also familiar with the French 
and Spanish languages, speaking them both. 
After graduating he taught school at Paris. Tenn., 



INDIAN WAHiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



371 



studied law, secured admission to tlie bar and, in 
copartnership with his brother, Judge Dudley S. 
Jennings, practiced at Paris about two years. The 
partnership was then dissolved and he went to 
Huntington, Tenn., where he formed a connection 
with Berry Gillespie. In 1836 he went to Yazoo 
City, Miss., and there enjoyed a large and lucra- 
tive practice until the spring of 1840, at which 
time he moved to San Augustine, Texas, and later, 
in the fall of that year, to Nacogdoches. 

In January, 1844, he married at the latter place, 
Mrs. Sarah G. Mason, the only daughter of Maj. 
Hj'de, a prominent citizen in Nacogdoches and 
formerly a leading merchant of Jackson, Tenn. 

While residing in Nacogdoches he was in part- 
nership, successively, with J. M. Ardrey and Judge 
W. R. Ochiltree. 

In 1852 he was elected Attorney-General of Texas 
and, on the expiration of his term in 1852, was re- 
elected and held the position until 185C, when he 
declined a further re-election to the office, his large 
private interests and law practice requiring his un- 
divided attention. On retiring from the attorney- 
generalship he moved to his plantation near Alto, 
in Cheroliee Count3^ 

In 1857 he was elected to the Legislature from 
that county and in 1861 to the Convention that 
passed the ordinance of secession. In the fall of 
1861 he suffered a stroke of paralysis which con- 
lined him to his bed for eighteen months and from 
the effects of which he never afterward recovered. 
In the fall of 1864 he moved to Tyler, where he 
formed a law partnership with Col. B. T. Selman. 
In 1868, having retired from this copartnership, he 
and his son, Hon. Tom E. Jennings, formed a co- 
partnership which continued for a number of years. 
Gen. Jennings remained in the practice of his 
profession until 1875, when, owing to his advanced 
years and failing health, he retired from active pur- 
suits, after being in harness as a practitioner at 
the bar for half a century. At different times 
he was a copartner of George F. Moore, late 
Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court ; Stock- 



ton T. Donley and Ruben H. Reeves, late Associate 
Justices of that tribunal. In 1877 he moved to 
Fort Worth, Texas, where he died, after a long and 
painful illness, September 23, 1881. He was a 
member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. 
He had three sons: Tom R., Monroe D., and Hyde 
Jennings. Monroe died in 1868 at Alto, Cherokee 
Count}', when nineteen years of age. Hyde is one 
of the leading citizens of Fort Worth and, as a 
lawyer, seems to have inherited the solid abilities 
possessed by his distinguished father. As a prac- 
titioner, he has for a number of years deservedly 
ranked among the foremost in the State. Tom R. 
is a lawyer at Nacogdoches and represented Naeoo-- 
doches County in the Twenty-fourth Legislature. 

Gen. Jennings' widow survived him a number 
of years, dying April 6th, 1873, in Fort Worth, at 
the home of her son, Mr. Hj'de Jennings, of which 
she had lieen an honored and beloved inmate since 
her husband's death. She was one of the sweetest 
and most lovable ladies that the old regime could 
boast. 

Gen. Jennings possessed in a marked degree 
those qualities of mind and heart that challenge 
confidence and esteem. One trait of his character, 
one worthy of all admiration, was the disinclination 
that he manifested to think or speak evil of otliers. 
Of this, the writer of this memoir had an example 
in 1857. Gen. Jennings was then a member of 
the Legislature and, upon being drawn out as to 
his opinion of the leading men of the State, took 
them up seriatim, dwelling upon the excellent 
mental, moral and social qualities of each. Senti- 
ments of jealous rivalry never disturbed the calm 
equipoise of his mind. Socially he was amiable and 
generous to a fault. He mastered every question 
he endeavored to discuss. His speeches were clear, 
forcible and logical and, when he concluded, court 
and jur}' were impressed with the conviction that he 
had exhausted the subject, as viewed from his stand- 
point. He was one of the brighest and ablest of 
the able men of his day in Texas and one of the 
purest and best as well. 



372 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JUSTUS WESLEY FERRIS, 

WAXAHACHIE. 



Judge J. \V. Ferris was born March 2Gtb, 1823, 
in Hudson, now a large citj on the Hudson river, 
in the Slate of New York. His father was Rev. 
Pliil. Ferris, an effective and zealous minister of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Young Ferris' 
early education was acquired in Cazenovia Serai- 
nary, a noted institution of learning in Central New 
York. At the age of eighteen he moved to Shelby 
County, Ky. , and soon entered the law ofHee of 
Hon. Martin D. McHenry, where he pursued the 
study of law. He graduated in 1845, at the age of 
twenty-two, with honor, in the law department of 
Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky. In 
the same year he was licensed to practice law in all 
the courts of the State. In 1846 he moved to 
Louisiana, where he studied the civil law under the 
tuition of Judge Brent, an able and distinguished 
lawyer, at Alexandria. His patron having died, he 
yielded to the solicitations of his old Kentucky 
friend. Rev. F. H. Blades, and emigrated to Texas 
in the fall of 1847, locating at Jefferson, then a 
promising young city, situated at the head of nav- 
igation on Cypress bayou, in Cass (now Marion) 
County, where he began his professional career. 
The bar at Jefferson was at that time one of the 
ablest and most brilliant in the Southwest. Here 
were congregated at the courts such legal lights as 
Gen. J. Pinckney Henderson, Col. Lewis T. Wigfall, 
T. J. and J. II. Rogers, Richard Scurry, Col. W. 
P. Hill and others, and here he underwent the 
training and discipline that in after years enabled 
him to successfully compete with the more skillful 
of the legal fraternity. After a partnership of two 
and a half years with M. D. Rogers he boldly struck 
out into the practice upon his own account and 
rapidly rose to prominence, his law briefs appearing 
in the Supreme Court Reports as far back as the 
Fourth Texas. For one year, during the presi- 
dential campaign of 1852, he edited the Jefferson 
Herald, doing good service for the Democratic 
party. This work was done chiefly at night, with- 
out detriment to his professional labors. He was 
elected to the Legislature in 1852, as representative 
and floater from the counties of Titus and Cass, 
and acquitted himself with credit and distinction, 
exhibiting ability in debate, and pushing the meas- 
ures he advocated with energy and success. The 
authorship of the common-school system, then 
adopted for Texas, is, in a large measure, justly 



attributable to him, he having prepared and intro- 
duced the bill and followed it up to its final pas- 
sage. Initiatory steps, which met with his cordial 
approbation and support, were also taken in offer- 
ing large land donations to induce the early con- 
struction of railroads. Before the expiration of 
his term of office, it became necessary for him, on 
account of ill health, to change his residence, and 
get away from the malaria of swamps and bayous. 
Therefore, in the fall of 1854, he moved with his 
familj' west of the Trinity river to AVaxahachie, 
then a small village, surrounded by rich undulating 
prairies, and beautifully situated bj' the crystal 
waters of Waxahachie creek. Recovering his health 
in a few months, his field of practice soon included 
seven counties. He was reasonably successful 
both in criminal and civil cases, taking position in 
the front rank of bis profession. Among the 
more important criminal cases in which he took 
a prominent part for the defense may be men- 
tioned those of the State v. Calvin Guest, in Ellis 
County; A. .J. Brinson, in Terrant County; and 
A. W. Denton, in Parker County, each of whom 
was indicted for murder, and acquitted after a 
closely contested and exciting trial. His bright- 
est laurels, however, were won in the civil prac- 
tice, more especially in suits involving titles to 
land. In 1858 he and Col. E. P. Nicholson, of 
Dallas, formed a copartnership which continued 
for over two years. They did a large law practice 
and, in connection with it, engaged in the business 
of buying and selling exchange, establishing two 
offices, one at Dallas and the other at Waxahachie, 
for that purpose. These exchange offices were a 
necessity at that time to emigrants, traders and 
merchants, and marked the beginning of banking in 
North Texas. In 1800 he was one of the nominees 
of the Ellis County Convention, assembled for the 
election of delegates to the convention called to 
meet at Austin for the purpose of considering the 
question of the secession of Texas from the Union, 
but serious domestic considerations compelled him 
to decline the nomination. In the following year 
he was elected by a vote of the people to the office 
of Judge of the Sixteenth Judicial District, which 
position he continued to fill until the close of the 
war, believing that by so doing he could the better 
serve his country, his constitution being too feeble 
to endure the exposure of camp life. The frontier 




JUDGE FKKRIS. 



INDIxiN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



373 



having receded, his became the border judicial dis- 
trict. Bands of outlawed desperadoes, here and 
there, roamed over the country, intimidating the 
people, overawing the authorities and defying the 
officials. Judge Ferris' moral and physical courage 
were often put to the test in the discharge of his 
official duties, but he rose equal to every occasion. 
Ho upheld the supremacy of law and order with un- 
yielding firmness. At one time threats were openly 
made against his life should he make an attempt to 
hold court, and organize the grand jur}' in Parker 
County. He, nevertheless, proceeded to the county 
seat under a guard sent to him, opened court on 
the day appointed, impaneled the grand jurj', and 
fearlessly instructed them as to the duties they were 
called upon to perform. The lawless characters 
were indicted and tried in due course of law and 
the spirit of insubordination fully and effectually 
crushed. After the war Judge Ferris returned to 
the more lucrative and, to him, more agreeable 
business of an attorney, associatiug W. H. Get- 
zendaner with him in the practice. In 1868 the 
banking house of Ferris & Getzendaner was es- 
tablished, doing a successful and profitable busi- 
ness. These gentlemen continued to practice law 
and carry on a banking business until 187G, when 
Judge Ferris withdrew from the bank in favor of 
his son, Royal A. Ferris, and formed a law part- 
nership with Anson Rainey, under the firm name of 
Ferris & Rainey. When the celebrated ease of 
the International Railroad Co. v. A. Bledsoe, 
Comptroller, growing out of a peremptory manda- 
mus suit to compel that officer to countersign cer- 
tain subsidy bonds, came before the Supreme 
Court, Judge Moore, having been of counsel for 
one of the parties litigant, was disqualified and the 
court, being equally divided, was unable to come to 
a decision, whereupon Judge Ferris was commis- 
sioned by Governor Coke to sit as special judge in 
the case. After a rehearing he delivered the opin- 
ion of the court against the railroad company, 
holding that the comptroller could not be compelled 
by mandamus to execute the bonds. When a sub- 
sequent case came up for hearing before the same 
court, with Justice Moore upon the bench, it was 
sought to reverse the ruling made as aforesaid, but 
such reversal was not permitted long to stand. The 
law as defined by Judge Ferris was restored as 
authority by the Supreme Court of Texas, as sub- 
sequently organized, and it maintains its place to 
this day in the reports as a correct interpretation 
of the law. To give even a syllabus of the im- 
portant cases in which Judge Ferris has appeared 
as counsel, would swell this sketch beyond prudent 
limits. It is, perhaps, sufficient to say, that, as a 



lawyer and presiding, as well as special, judge, 
he has gained an honored and permanent position 
in the profession to which he has so assiduously 
devoted the best years of his life. 

He was elected in 1875 a delegate to the con- 
vention called to frame a new constitution for the 
State of Texas, and was an active and influential 
member of that body, doing faithful work on 
several important committees. He was Chairman 
of the Committee on Railroads, and the article on 
that subject prepared and reported by him, was 
adopted without opposition. While it gave every 
encouragement to railroad building, it also con- 
tained wise provisions designed to keep railway 
companies well within the control of legislative 
authority. 

He was one of the five commissioners appointed 
by Governor Coke, in 1875, to digest, amend, and 
revise the statutory laws of the State. It was the 
first revision attempted after the annexation of 
Texas to the United States. The laws constituted 
a confused mass, being very imperfect and, in 
numerous instances, conflicting. The work, al- 
though intricate and difficult, was accomplished 
in a satisfactory manner, and with credit to the 
commission. The high appreciation placed upon 
the labors of the commission is evidenced by the 
fact that the commission more recently appointed 
to redigest the laws was enjoined by law not to 
change, or alter any word or sentence, or even the 
punctuation, used in the former revision. The 
workmanship of Judge Ferris is more particularly 
exhibited in the articles on "Public Lands," 
"Statute of Frauds," "Trespass to Try Title," 
"Forcible Entry and Detainer," "Registration," 
and cognate titles. 

He was one of the delegates from Texas to the 
National Democratic Convention, held in Chicago 
in 1884, and was an active supporter of Grover 
Cleveland for the presidential nomination. The 
triumphant success of the party afterwards under 
the leadership of Mr. Cleveland, attested the wisdom 
of his selection by the convention as the party's 
standard-bearer. 

About this time Judge Ferris gave up all aspira- 
tions for office. He has since seemed to shun the 
public service, preferring the peaceful walks of a 
quiet domestic life. He also soon began to retire 
from the practice of law. The banking house of 
Ferris & Getzendaner was converted into the 
Citizens National Bank of Wasabachie, of which 
Judge Ferris is a large stockholder. He has been 
one of the board of directors ever since, was presi- 
dent of the bank for two years, and is uow its vice- 
president. 



374 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Influenced by au early attachmeut, he returned 
to Kentucky in 1850, and married Miss Mattie J. 
Crow, a daugljter of Mr. A. D. Crow, of Floyds- 
burg, in that State, — a most beautiful lady and 
distinguished for many lovable qualities. She 
voluntarily left the "old Kentucky home" with 
her Jiusband to brave the hardships of a frontier 
life in Texas, and has ever been a faithful helpmate 
as well as a loving and devoted wife. They have 
two sous: Royal A. Ferris, born August 8th, 1851, 
in .Jefferson, Texas, who was educated at the Ken- 
tucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, Kj-., and 
is now a successful capitalist and banker in Dallas, 
Texas, and Thomas A. Ferris, born February 10, 
1861, in Waxahachie, Texas, who was also educa- 
ted at the Kentucky Military Institute, and is now 
cashier and one of the board of directors of the 
Citizens National Bank, of Waxahachie. 



Judge Ferris has been a consistent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South for manj- 
years. Though not a demonstrative chuich worker 
he has ever exerted a strong, steady influence in 
favor of Christianity. His daily walk and con- 
versation have been exemplary and have indicated 
at all times \> ith certainty his position on all moral 
and religious subjects. He and Mrs. Ferris by 
industry and economy have acquired a handsome 
estate and are heavy taxpayers, owning a goodly 
share of city and country realty. They have a 
beautiful home, in the suburbs of Waxahachie, 
supplied with a large library and every comfort — 
a home blessed with pure domestic happi- 
ness. Honored and beloved by all who know- 
them, they are in their old age deservedly enjoy- 
ing the fruits of a consisteut and well-ordered 
life. 



R. S. WILLIS, 

GALVESTON. 



Richard Short Willis was born October 17, 1821, 
in Caroline County, Md. , where his father, Short 
A. Willis, settled early in the present century. 
The latter was a native of Scotland and was brought 
by his parents to this country previous to the 
Revolution, in which several members of the family 
took part on the side of the Colonies, two uncles 
of the subject of this sketch yielding up their lives 
at the battle of Brandywine for the cause of free- 
dom and against the tyranny of the British Crown. 

Four of the five sons of Short A. Willis, namely, 
Peter J., William H., Richard S., and Thomas A., 
came to Texas in youth or early manhood and have 
spent their subsequent lives. The first to come 
was Peter J., who made his advent into the new 
Republic soon after the battle of San Jacinto, in 
18.36. After a brief tour of inspection he became 
satisfied with the country and returned to Maryland 
for his brothers, William H. and Richard S , who, 
accompanying him, came back and settled on Buf- 
falo bayou near Houston. Peter J. had then just 
attained his twenty-first year, William H. was 
eighteen, and Richard S. sixteen. In the limited 
industries of the new country the lives of the 
Willis brothers was by no means an easy one, but 
they bravely performed all the labors that fell to 
their lot, emerging from the trials to which they 



were subjected stronger in purpose and better pre- 
pared for the responsibilities of the future. By 
their industry and good management they saved 
sufficient means to purchase the property then 
known as the " Ringohl Farm " on the road from 
Navasota to Washington, and there, as the reward 
of their good husbandry, they laid the foundation 
of the splendid fortune which later came into their 
hands. It was while living on this place that the 
death of William H. occurred. Early in the 
forties Peter J. Willis bought a stock of goorls and 
began the mercantile business at Washington, 
Richard S. remaining on the farm. Later Richard 
S. left the farm and joined his brother and they 
opened an establishment at Montgomery. This 
proving successful they started a branch store at 
Anderson, in Grimes County, in partnership with 
E. W. Cawthon, under the firm name of Caw- 
thon, Willis & Bro. With increased success 
they were enabled to still further extend their 
field of operations, and just previous to the 
opening of the late war they formed a partnership 
with S. K. Mcllheny, under the name of Mcllheny, 
Willis & Bro., and opened a house at Houston. 
This firm grew to be one of the most commanding 
in the State, and, notwithstanding the general 
business paral3'sis which followed the war, it con- 








X 



R_SWi 



LLIS. 




r 



MrsPkSWillis^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



375 



tinued active operations throughout the entire 
period of hostilities, met all its obligations and 
emerged from the almost chaotic condition of affairs 
sound and solvent. Upon the close of the great 
struggle Mr. Mcllheny went to Laredo, Mexico, 
and died there while a member of the firm, after 
which the Willis brothers purchased his interest 
and continued the business under the firm name 
of P. J. Willis & Bro. The Montgomery store 
was sold out at the close of the war, at which 
time the Houston enterprise began to assume 
much larger proportions. Seeing what they be- 
lieved to be an excellent opening at Galveston they 
started a store at that place. This branch of their 
business soon came to engross most of their time 
and capital and in 1868 they decided to consolidate 
their interests and accordingly removed to Gal- 
veston. From that date their operations were 
confined to their Galveston business, and not only 
this business but many other enterprises of a 
public and private nature in that city were made to 
feel the strong propulsion of their sturdj' common 
sense and sterling business ability. 

To Mr. Richard S. Willis fell the inside care and 
management of the large and ever-increasing busi- 
ness of the firm, and to his labors in this connec- 
tion he bent every energy, with the result of 
becoming a thorough master of his situation. 
Indeed later on when upon the death of his 
brother, Peter J. Willis, in 1873, the entire care 
and management of the business devolved on him, 
he could not be persuaded that the increased 
responsibilities resulting therefrom were too labor- 
ious and exacting upon him, until ill-health com- 
pelled him to discontinue the devotion of his 
personal supervision, judgment and valuable ex- 
perience entirely to the affairs and details of the 
business. He was an indefatigable worker all his 
life and not until physical infii-mities obtained the 
mastery over his iron will was he able to pull 
against the current of his earlier days. He served 
in various positions of trust and his name was 
connected from first to last with many corporate 
enterprises in the city. He was president of the 
Galveston National Bank, having brought the 
affairs of its predecessor, the Texas Banking and 
Insurance Company, to a successful termination. 
He was one of tiie promoters of the Gulf, Colorado 
and Santa Fe Railwa}', and for some years a mem- 
ber of its directory. He was chairman of the 
Deepwater Committee, a prominent member of the 
Cotton Exchange and of the Chamber of Com- 
merce; president of the Texas Guarantee & Trust 
Company, and a member of the directory of the 
Southern Cotton Press and Manufacturing Com- 
pany. Mr. Willis was devoted to business and no 



man ever left his affairs in better shape or knew 
more about the details of every enterprise with 
which he was connected. He was of rather 
reserved disposition and of marked individuality, 
possessing strong prejudices either for or against 
men and measures ; but, withal, generous and 
confiding where such feelings were required. 

On June 3d, 1847, at Montgomery, Texas, Mr. 
Willis married Miss Narcissa Worsham, a native 
of Merengo County, Ala., born August 29, 1828, 
and a daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Wor- 
sham, who emigrated to Texas in 1835, and settled 
in what is now Montgomery County, three miles 
from the present town of Montgomery. Jeremiah 
Worsham was a well-to-do planter and a highly 
respected citizen. One of his sons, Isvod Wor- 
sham, represented Montgomery County in the State 
Legislature and was a man of stirring business 
ability. Mrs. Willis has a sister, Mrs. C. H. 
Brooks, wife of Rev. C. H. Brooks, residing at 
Chappel Hill, in Washington County, the remainder 
of the family to which she belonged having passed 
away. Mr. Willis died July 26, 1892. 

Besides his surviving widow he left two sons and 
two daughters: Short A. Willis, of Galveston; 
Mrs. Kate Grigsby, of Louisville and Bardstown, 
Ky. ; Mrs. F. A. Walthew, and Richard M. Willis, 
Galveston; a daughter, Laura (Mrs. James G. 
Moody), and a son, Lee W. Willis, preceding the 
father to the grave, the former dying in 1886, the 
latter in 1888. 

The widow of this pioneer merchant is herself 
one of the oldest Texians now residing in the city 
of Galveston, having lived on Texas soil continu- 
ously for sixty years. Coming to the country 
while it was yet Mexican territory, she has lived 
to see many changes and has witnessed both the 
peaceful and violent revolutions which have gone 
on around her, having lived under five different 
governments — that of Mexico, Texas, the United 
States, the Confederate States, and again that of 
the United States. She has witnessed the gradual 
expulsion of the red man and the steady advance- 
ment of the white race. She saw the country 
change from a dependency to an independent 
republic and was not an uninterested spectator 
when the new but vigorous republic asked for ad- 
mission to the American Union. She witnessed the 
movement that made Texas free, and the peaceable 
settlement by which it became one of the sister- 
hood of States. 

Mrs. Willis has led an eminently domestic life, 
but since the death of her husband has given more 
or less of her attention to business, with the result 
of keeping his business in the same admirable con- 
dition in which he left it. 



376 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JUDGE WILLIAM PITT BALLINGER, 

GALVESTON. 



The distinguished subject of this sketch was born 
in Barboursville, Knox Count}', Kj'., September 25, 
1825, and died at his home in Galveston, Texas, 
January 20, 1888. 

His grandfather, Col. Richard Ballinger, was a 
native of Virginia, and an Aide-de-Camp of Gen. St. 
Clair at the time of that officer's defeat by the 
Indians. He settled early in Kentucky; was the 
first clerk of Knox County ; was, later, a member 
of the State Senate ; lived to a great age, and sus- 
tained throughout the highest personal character. 

His father, James Franklin Ballinger, was a native 
of Barboursville, Ky., and, for the greater part of 
his life, clerk of the courts of Knox County. A 
soldier of the War of 1812, at the age of seventeen 
years he was taken prisoner upon Dudley's defeat, 
and forced to " run the gauntlet " for his life. He 
was a presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1837. 
He removed to Texas in 18G8, and died at Houston 
in 1875, in the eighty-second year of his age. 

W. P. Ballinger's early education was derived 
from the schools of his native town ; a two years' 
course in St. Mar3''s College, near Lebanon, Ky., 
and a faithful training in his father's office in the 
practical details of court business. His health re- 
quiring a milder climate, in 184.3 he availed of the 
invitation of his uncle, Judge James Love, of Gal- 
veston, Texas, and moved thither, beginning the 
study of the law in that gentleman's office. Join- 
ing, as a private soldier, a volunteer company for 
the Mexican War, he was soon elected First Lieu- 
tenant of the company. Afterwards appointed 
Adjutant of Col. Albert Sidney Johnston's Texas 
Regiment, he participated with it in the storming of 
Monterey, and in other service. Returning to Gal- 
veston in the fall of 1846, he was admitted to the 
bar in the spring of 1847 and began the practice of 
law. His prompt admission to partnership in the 
firm of Jones & Butler, then enjoying the lar- 
gest practice in the city, engaged him at once 
in the most important cases in the courts. 

In 1850, upon the recommendation of the judges 
of the Supreme Court, and others, he was ap- 
pointed United States District Attorney for the 
District of Texas, and discharged the duties of that 
office with characteristic efficiency. In the same 
year he was married to Miss Hallie P. Jack, 
daughter of William H. Jack, lawyer, statesman 
and soldier of Texas long before " its birth as a 



nation." In 1854 he entered into that long endur- 
ing and mutually fortunate copartnership with his 
brother-in-law, Col. Thos. M. Jack, which made 
the firm name of Ballinger & Jack so broad in its 
fame, and so conspicuous in the annals of the bar. 
The memories of lawyers and of judges, the reports 
of the appellate courts, the records of the trial 
courts, the traditions of the people — all testify to 
the impress made upon their times of this emi- 
nent association of learning and eloquence. After 
many years these gentlemen admitted to partner- 
ship Hon. Marcus F. Mott, and the firm style 
became Ballinger, Jack & Mott. Col. Jack dj'ing, 
the survivors associated with themselves Mr. J. W. 
Terry, under the style of Ballinger, Mott & Terry. 
Later, upon the assumption by Mr. Terry of the 
attorne3'ship of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Railroad Company, the new firm of Ballinger, Mott 
& Ballinger was formed, composed of Judge Bal- 
linger, Mr. Mott and Mr. Thomas Jack Ballinger, 
only son of the senior, and was dissolved only by 
the latter' s death. 

The subject of our sketch was tendered a justice- 
ship of the State Supreme Court, by Governor E. 
J. Davis, in 1871, but declined it; and again, in 
1874, was appointed to the bench of that court by 
Governor Coke; but, constrained by the demands 
of his private engagements, he resigned the office 
upon the very day of his confirmation. In 1877, 
he was recommended by the Governor and all the 
judges of the higher courts, and by the Texas 
delegation in Congress, for appointment by the 
President to the vacancy on the bench of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, caused by 
the resignation of Judge Davis ; but sectional 
spirit was too powerful at Washington to admit of 
his nomination to that high post. In 1879, Gov- 
ernor Roberts tendered him the office of Com- 
missioner of Appeals, but he could not be induced 
to accept it. 

With the hope of rendering service to the State, 
he was prevailed upon to serve as a member of the 
Convention which framed the State constitution of 
1876, and found his fitting sphere of labor as a 
member of the Judiciary Committee of that body- 
His views on many important questions were not in 
accord with those entertained b}' a majority of the 
Convention. He was opposed to an elective judi- 
ciarj', as baneful and corrupting to the administra- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



377 



tion of law ; to short terms and inadequate salaries, 
believing that the tenure and compensation of 
judges should be such as to place them above the 
methods of the hustings and secure them against 
the cruelties of povertj% and to invite the best 
equipped and most efficient lawj-ers to the service 
of the State. Failing to affect the Convention with 
these convictions, he opposed the constitution 
adopted by that body and voted against it at the 
polls. 

A Whig so long as the Whig i)arty maintained dis- 
tinctive organization, Judge Ballinger alwa3-s ad- 
hered to its main political tenets. Ojjposed to 
secession, yet, when it had been accomplished, his 
heart turned with devotion to his own people and 
with them he resisted to the last the war made upon 
the South by the Federal government. One of a 
committee sent to Richmond by the people of Gal- 
veston to obtain the armament necessary to the 
defense of their city, he was, while on this mission, 
appointed Confederate States Receiver, and served 
as such until the war ended. With Col. Ashbel 
Smith, be was, after the surrender of Gen. Lee's 
army, sent by Governor Murrah to New Orleans to 
negotiate for surrender by the State and to prevent, 
if possible, its occupation by the Federal army. 
Returning to Galveston, he resumed the practice of 
law, devoting himself to it faithfully until his death. 
Although out of politics in the sense of seeking its 
emoluments, he maintained a hearty interest in all 
public questions, and valued, as one of the dearest 
attaching to citizenship, his right of free suffrage. 
While independent in bis consideration and judg- 
ment of political measures, he voted with the 
Democratic party. 



Perhaps no lawyer of Texas ever gave greater 
labor and more distinctive devotion to the science 
and practice of the law than he ; or more proudly 
realized the power, usefelness, ends and majesty 
of that science ; or gathered more abundantly 
of its rewards and honors, or deserved them 
more. 

Sagacious as an adviser ; laborious and exhaus- 
tive in preparation, taking nothing for granted and 
yielding not to the unproved dicta of names howso- 
ever imposing ; spirited and uncompromising in ad- 
vocacy; learned in the reason and in the philosophy 
of the law, as few men are, he brought to the ser- 
vice of his clients and to the aid of the courts a 
professional equipment furnished with every weapon 
of forensic conflict. 

To his fellows of the bar he habitually manifested 
that warmth of personal interest and concern so 
engaging and grateful between associates in the 
same profession, and they respected him as a lawyer 
not more than they admired him as a companion and 
prized him as a friend. 

Fitted by fortune, inclination and personal ac- 
complishments for the gracious arts of hospitality, 
nothing pleased him more than the presence of 
friends at his lovely and typical Southern home ; 
and it may be doubted whether any member of the 
bar of Texas ever imposed upon others so many 
and so delightful social obligations. 

A gentleman whose reading and reflections were 
unconflned by the limitations of his favorite science, 
but who touched life and thought at all points, the 
charm of his fireside talks made his guests forgetful 
that the law was still the exacting mistress of his 
life's toil and ambition. 



E. H. TERRELL, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



Edwin Holland Terrell, of San Antonio, latelj' 
United States Minister to Belgium, comes from a 
well-known Virginia family, and was born at Brook- 
ville, Ind., November 21st, 1848. He is the son of 
Rev. Williamson Terrell, D. D., one of the most 
popular and widely-known ministers in the Metho- 
dist Church in Indiana years ago. 

Mr. Terrell's great-grandfather, Henry Terrell, 
removed from Virginia to Kentucky in 1787, and 
was prominently identified with the early political 



history of that State. Mr. Terrell's grandmother 
was a sister of Chilton Allan, one of Kentucky's 
famous lawyers, who represented the Ashland Dis- 
trict in Congress for manj' years after Henry Clay 
had been promoted to the Senate. 

The grandfather of Edwin H. Terrell, Capt. 
John Terrell, was a gallant and conspicuous officer 
in the campaigns against the Indians shortly after 
the Revolution, and was present at Harmar's and 
St. Clair's defeats, and also took part in Wayne's 



378 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



victory over the Miamis at the Maumee Rapids, 
August 20, 1794. 

Edwin H. Terrell graduated in 1871 atDe Pauw 
University, Indiana, having won the first or valedic- 
tory honors of a class of thirty-three members. He 
afterwards pursued his legal studies at Harvard 
University, where he received his degree of L.L.B. 
in 1873. He subsequently spent a year in travel 



prominently identified with the growth and pros- 
perity of San Antonio, having been actively con- 
nected with many of the public and most progressive 
movements of that enterprising Southern city. 

Since his removal to the South Mr. Terrell has 
always taken a prominent part in the councils of 
the Republican party in this State. He was a dele- 
gate to the Republican National Conventions at 




and study in Europe, attending for a time the lec- 
tures at the Ecole de Droit «t the Sorbonne at 
Paris. 

Mr. Terrell returned to the United States in 1874, 
and entered upon the practice of the law at Indian- 
apolis, being a member of the firm of Barbour, 
.Jacobs and Terrell for some years. 

In 1877 Mr. Terrell removed to San Antonio, 
Texas, which is still his home. He has been 



Chicago in 1880 and 1888, and in the latter was one 
of the honorary secretaries and was selected as one 
of the members of the Committee of Notification. 

In 1889, when President Harrison nominated 
Mr. Terrell as the U. S. Minister to Belgium, the 
San Antonio Daily Express (Dem.) said editori- 
ally:— 

" In appointing Mr. Terrell to the Belgian min- 
istry, President Harrison secured the services of a 



INDJAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



379 



gentleman, and a sober, reliable, competent, pains- 
taking business man — one who has been a North- 
erner, and was never a carpet-bagger ; who has 
been a Eepublican, and was never a 'radical;' 
who has lived in the South, and was never spit 
upon because of his nativity ; who has exercised 
his political rights, and was never bulldozed or 
shot-gunned ; who is able to give a good account of 
himself and the people among whom be has resided. 
His selection reflects credit upon him, and upon 
the administration which knew enough to choose 
him." 

After Minister Terrell's arrival at Brussels in 
May, 1889, he had much important diplomatic work 
submitted to his attention, and during his four 
years' diplomatic experience took part in several 
noted conferences. 

In 1891 he obtained the removal by the Belgian 
government of the onerous and discriminating quar- 
antine regulations which had been applied to live 
stock shipped from the United States to Belgium 
and which had practically destroyed that industry 
in the latter country. 

Mr. Terrell was Plenipotentiary on the part of 
the United States to the International Conference 
on the Slave Trade, which was in session at Brus- 
sels from November, 1889, to July, 1890, and which 
drew up the " Slave Trade Treaty," or what is 
diplomatically known as the" General Act of Brus- 
sels.'.' In January, 1892, Secretary Blaine sum- 
moned Mr. Terrell to Washington to assist him in 
connection with the matter of the ratification of 
this treaty, then pending in the Senate and sub- 
sequently ratified. 

In July, 1890, Mr. Terrell was special Plenipo- 
tentiary for the United States in the International 
Conference which met at Brussels and drafted the 
treaty for the publication of the customs-tariffs 
of most of the countries of the world, which treaty 
was afterwards ratified by our Government. 

In November and December, 1890, Mr. Terrell 
represented the United States on what is known as 
the Commission Technique, an outgrowth of the 
Anti-Slavery Conference, which elaborated a tariff 
system for the Conventional Basin of the Congo, as 
defined in the Treaty of Berlin of 1885. 

In this special commission the United States had 
important commercial interests at stake, and during 
its sessions, Mr. Terrell obtained a formal declara- 



tion, agreed to by all the interested powers having 
possessions in the Congo basin and by all the ratif}'- 
ing powers of the Berlin treaty, guaranteeing to 
the United States and its citizens all the commer- 
cial rights, privileges and immunities in the entire 
conventional basin of the Congo, possessed by the 
signatory powers of the Treaty of Berlin. 

In 1891 Mr. Terrell negotiated with King Leo- 
pold a treaty of " amity, commerce and naviga- 
tion" between the United States and the Congo 
State, which was subsequently ratified by the 
President and Senate. 

In 1892 Mr. Terrell was appointed one of the 
delegates on the part of the United States to the 
International Monetary Conference at Brussels, and 
on its assembling he was selected as its vice-presi- 
dent. He delivered, on the part of the members 
of the Conference, the reply in French to the 
address of welcome pronounced by Prime Minister 
Beernaert of Belgium. 

Ex-Miuister Terrell is a gentleman of scholarly 
tastes and accomplishments and possesses a thor- 
ough and speaking knowledge of the French lan- 
guage. In his new and elegant residence lately 
constructed near the military headquarters at San 
Antonio he has one of the largest and most care- 
fully selected libraries in the State of Texas. 

In 1892 De Pauw University conferred upon Mr. 
Terrell the honorary degree of LL.D. 

October 1, 1893, after his return to the United 
States and to private life, Mr. Terrell received by 
royal decree of King Leopold II. of Belgium, the 
decoration of "Grand OflScer of the Order of 
Leopold," an honor rarely conferred and one 
which indicated the highest personal esteem of the 
King and the successful character of Mr. Terrell's 
mission. 

In 1874 Mr. Terrell married Miss Mary Maverick, 
daughter of the late Samuel A. Maverick, one of 
the founders of the Republic of Texas and promi- 
nent in the history of San Antonio and Western 
Texas. Mrs. Terrell died in 1890 at the U. S. 
Legation at Brussells, learing a family of six 
children. 

In 1895 Mr. Terrell was married to Miss Lois 
Lasater, daughter of the late Albert Lasater and 
niece of Col. E. H. Cunningham, the well-known 
sugar planter of Southeastern Texas. 



380 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



CHARLES LEWIS, 

HEARNE, ROBERTSON COUNTY. 



Although a uumber of settlers had taken up 
tbeir abode within the present limits of Eobertson 
Countj' previous to the Revolution of 1835-6 and 
others continued to do so during the succeeding 
years of the Republic, it was not until a much 
later date that the Brazos portion of the county 
began to fill with that thrifty class of planters 
whose intelligent and well directed labors did so 
much towards developing the wonderfully rich soil 
of that section and in giving to the county the 
excellent reputation for agriculture which it has 
since enjoyed. 

The year 1852 is marked in the history of the 
State as the one during which occurred the great- 
est immigration, previous to the late war. Rob- 
ertson County received its proportion of that 
immigration, and from that 3'ear dates the advent 
in the county of many who were afterwards dis- 
tinguished for their thrift, wealth and good 
citizenship. Of this number was the late Charles 
Lewis, of Hearne. 

Mr. Lewis was born in Farmington, Conn., 
April 14, 1822. His father was Calvin Lewis, and 
his mother bore the maiden name of Martha Root, 
both of whom were natives of Connecticut and de- 
scendants of early-settled New England families, 
the mother being a sister of the mother of the 
distinguished Federal soldier and Congressman, 
Gen. Joseph E. Hawley. Mr. Lewis was reared 
in his native place in the schools of which he 
received an excellent education. At the age of 
twenty-four he left Connecticut oa account of ill- 
health and went to Louisiana, taking up his resi- 
dence in Bozier Parish. There he met, and in 
March, 1846, married Miss Adeline Hearne, a 
daughter of William and Nancy Hearne and sister 
of Ebenezer and Horatio R. Hearne, in company 
with the latter two of whom he came to Texas in 
1852 and settled at Wheelock in Robertson County. 
Mr. Lewis had been engaged in planting in Louisiana 
and immediately on settling in Robertson County, 
opened a plantation on the Brazos. He gave his 
attention exclusively to this interest until after the 
war, up to which time he resided at Wheelock. 
After the war he lived a year on his plantation, 
then at Houston for six years, and in 1872, on the 
laying out of Hearne, moved to that place which he 
subsequently made his home till his death. He 



was one of the first to locate at Hearne and erected 
there the first business building and the first dwell- 
ing. He was one of the earliest and always one of 
the most steadfast supporters of the town and all its 
interests. His own interests and pursuits were of 
a somewhat diversified nature, though chiefly agri- 
cultural. In the course of years he developed a 
large plantation in the Brazos bottoms and acquired 
a considerable amount of property. He stood 
among the first in a communitj' noted for then of 
sound intelligence and more than average wealth. 
Born and reared in a Northern climate, the vigor 
of his intellect lost nothing by transplanting while 
he added to it habits of unweary exertion and sound 
practical business methods. His reputation was 
that of a safe, steady-going, straight forward man 
of business and his judgment always commanded 
respect. He represented Robertson County two 
terms in the State Legislature and proved an able, 
efficient and acceptable representative. He had but 
little inclination, however, for public affairs and 
gave way in such matters to those more eager for 
popular applause and political preferment. A 
Democrat in politics, he always gave a cordial sup- 
port to the men and measures of his party. He 
was a strong sympathizer with the South during the 
war and though not in the militarj' service, he lent 
the cause very substantial aid of a kind it stood 
most in need of. 

Mr. Lewis was made a mason in early manhood 
and took great interest in the order. He was a 
charter member of the lodge at Hearne, which he 
subsequently served as master. He united with 
the Presbyterian Church at the age of sixteen and 
was a member of the same ever after, and to the 
support of this Church as well as to all worthy 
purposes he was a valued contributor. 

Mr. Lewis died October 22, 1882. He left sur- 
viving him a widow, one son and two daughters. 
His son, the late Henry L. Lewis of Hearne, was a 
large planter of Robertson County, represented 
that county in the State Legislature and was a 
man of acknowledged ability and influence in the 
State. 

Mr. Lewis's eldest daughter, Mrs. Fannie M. 
Glass, wife of F. A. Glass, died in 1889, leaving 
four children three of whom are now living. The 
youngest daughter, Mrs. Willie E. Moreland, wife 




^ 

'^W^ 




INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



381 



of Dr. A. C. Moreland, resides at Atlanta, Georgia. 
The widow with the orphaned children of her de- 
deceased son and daughter, nine in number, still 



makes her home in Hearne, where she is reckoned 
among the oldest of that place and a representative 
of the family for which the place was named. 



W. L. MOODY, 



GALVESTON. 



William Lewis Moody was born in Esses County, 
Va. , May 19, 1828, and reared in Chesterfield 
County, that State, bis parents, Jameson and Mary 
Susan (Lankford) Mood}', having moved to that 
county in 1830. His father was a gallant soldier 
in the war of 1812, and his grandfathers, Lewis 
Moody, of Essex County, Va., and William Lank- 
ford, of Chesterfield County, Va., fought for free- 
dom in the Continental lines during the Revolution- 
ary War of 1776. 

His parents raised ten children to 3'ears of 
maturity: Emily A., James H., David J., Leroy 
F., William L., Sarah E., Joseph L., Jameson C, 
Mary A., and G. Marcellus Mood}-. Of these only 
Leroy F. Moody, Mrs. Sarah E. Simmons, and the 
subject of this memoir are now living. 

In 1852 Mr. W. L. Moody came to Texas and 
located at Fairfield. Such of his brothers and 
sisters as were then living and a dear old aunt 
followed, and all settled in Freestone County. 

Mr. Moody practiced law at Fairfield for about 
two years, but his health becoming precarious he 
determined to engage in some less sedentary pur- 
suit, and accordingly, with his brothers, David J. 
and Leroy F. Moody, established a mercantile 
business at that place, under the firm name of 
W. L. Moody & Bros., thus taking the initial step 
in a brilliant, successful and widely useful career. 
In January, 1800, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Pherabe F^lizabeth Bradley, of Freestone 
County, the beautiful and accomplished daughter 
of Mr. F. M. and Mrs. (Goldsby) Bradley, 
formerly of Summerfield, Alabama, where Mrs. 
Moody was born, reared and educated. Col. and 
Mrs. Moody have three children : W. L. Moody, 
Jr., Frank Bradley Moody and Mary Emily 
Moody, all married and living in Galveston. W. 
L. Moody, Jr., married Miss Libby Shearn, of 
IJouston ; F. B. Moody, Miss Battie Thompson, 
of Galveston ; and Miss Mary E. Moody, Mr. 
Sealy Hutchings, of Galveston. Early in 1861, 
Col. Moody joined an infantry company raised in 



Freestone County and was elected captain. The 
command proceeded to the rendezvous at Hopkins- 
ville, Kj'., and was mustered into the Confederate 
States service as a part of the Seventh Texas Infantry 
which was organized upon that occasion with John 
Gregg as Colonel. Col. Moody was captured at 
Fort Donelson, Tenn., upon the fall of that post in 
February, 1862, and imprisoned first at Camp 
Douglass, III., and then at Camp Chase, Ohio, and 
Johnson's Island on Lake Erie. In September 
following he was exchanged and soon after made 
Lieutenant Colonel by promotion, was stationed for 
a time at Port Hudson, La., saw much hard service 
in Mississippi and Louisiana participating in many 
fights and fierce engagements with the enemy ; 
after the fall of Vicksburg was severely wounded at 
the siege of Jacksonville, Miss., and after many 
months of critical illness, was pronounced per- 
manently disabled and retired from field service 
with the rank of Colonel, being promoted for gal- 
lantry. As soon as health permitted he reported 
for duty and was appointed to post duty and placed 
in command at Austin, Texas, where he remained 
until the general surrender. The war ended, he 
closed out the mercantile business at Fairfield, and 
in 1866 moved to Galveston where he and his 
brother engaged in the commission business under 
the firm name of W. L. & L. F. Moody. 

Next season Mr. F. M. Bradley of Freestone 
County was admitted as a partner and the style of 
the firm changed to Moody, Bradley & Co. 

In 1871, L. F. Moody and F. M. Bradley retired 
and E. S. Jemisonof Galveston was admitted under 
the firm name of Moody & Jemison, and a branch 
house established in New York city in 1874, with 
Col. Jemison in charge. Leroy F. Moody, so long 
associated in business with his brother at Fairfield, 
at Galveston and in New York, sharing with him 
the joj's of boyhood days and in manhood the 
struggle for life and fortune, resides at present at 
Buffalo Gap, Texas, where Mrs. Sarah E. Simmons, 
Mr. Moody's sister, also resides. The partnership 



382 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of Moody and Jemison was dissolved as to the New 
York bouse in 1877, Col. Jemison remaining in New 
York and conducting that business with other as- 
sociates under the name of E. S. Jemison & Co. 
In 1881 he also retired from the Galveston house, 
and W. L. Mood^', Jr., and F. B. Moody (sons of 
Col. W. L. Moody) were admitted as partners 
under the firm name of W. L. Moody & Co. This 
firm at present is doing a general banking and cot- 
ton factorage business. Col. Mood was elected to 
the Legislature in 1874, but before the end of the 
session he was appointed by the governor financial 
agent, to effect a sale of State bonds issued for the 
purpose of restoring public credit and placing the 
fiscal affairs of the State in a sound and healthy con- 
dition. Called to perform this important service for 
the State — a service requiring for its successful dis- 
charge great influence and great capacity, as these 
were the first Texas State bonds offered f orsale in the 
money market after the war, he resigned his seat and 
went to New Y'ork and effected a negotiation under 
which $2,000,000 of Texas bonds were sold. In 
1882 he was made chairman of the deep water 
committee at Galveston and spent the greater part 
of the winter of 1882-83 in Washington City in the 
interest of what was known as the P^ads bill, a 
measure providing for the improvement of Galves- 
ton harbor. While the bill failed to become a 
law, its discussion became general, and wide-spread 
interest followed. It was the opening, as it were, 
of an educational campaign which has since so far 
progressed that all who have looked into the subject 
are now agreed a deep-water harbor on the Texas 
coast is an imperative necessity and would prove of 



incalculable benefit to the peo[)le of the Southwes- 
tern States, and of the feasibility of securing such 
a harbor at Galveston. This pioneer work of Col. 
Moody and those associated with him eventuated a 
few years ago in the appropriation of over §6,000,- 
000 by Congress, which is now being expended at 
Galveston. The work has progressed to a point 
where it is certain that when it is completed the 
result will more than realize the brightest dreams 
of its projectors and Texas have one of the finest 
harbors in the world. Col. Moody was also one of 
the early promoters of the Gulf, Colorado and 
Santa Fe Railwaj^ an enterprise that has been vastlj' 
instrumental in developing the resources and in- 
creasing the population and taxable values of the 
State. He was one of the directors of this road 
until it was sold and became apart of the Atchison, 
Topeka and Santa Fe system. He was president 
of the Galveston Cotton Exchange for twelve years. 
He has been, and is now, connected with many im- 
portant local enterprises. He is senior member of 
.the firm of W. L. Moody & Co. who besides doing 
a large and successful banking business has been 
one of the largest receivers of consignment cotton 
in the South. 

The firm in handling cotton does its own banking. 
It owns one of the finest bank buildings in the city, 
and the Moody Cotton Compress & Warehouse 
covering four full city blocks near the wharves, 
perhaps the most complete plants of the character 
in the United States. W. L. Moody & Co. are 
commission merchants and not buyers, as ail of the 
cotton received by them is handled and sold by 
them on commission. 



JUDGE A. H. WILLIE, 



GALVESTON. 



Asa Hosie Willie was born in Washington, Wilkes 
County, Georgia, October 11, 1829. His father 
was James Willie, a native of Vermont, and his 
mother bore the maiden name of C. E. Hoxie, and 
'was a daughter of Asa Hoxie, a Massachusetts 
Quaker who moved to Savannah, Georgia, earlj' in 
the present century. 

Left fatherless at the age of four, the early- 
training of Asa H. Willie devolved entirely upon 
his mother, who, however, by her ample mental 
endowments re-inforced by untiring zeal and self- 



sacrificing exertion met the requirements of the 
situation and gave her and her son the benefit of 
the best schools then in reach. At the age of six- 
teen, in February, 1846, he came to Texas and 
located at Independence in Washington County 
where he made his home for a year in the family of 
his maternal uncle. Dr. Asa Hoxie. In 1848 he 
began the study of Jaw under his brother James 
Willie at Brenham, and in 1849 was admitted to the 
bar, before he had attained the age of twenty-one, 
by a special act of the Legislature. He took up the 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



383 



practice at Breuham in partnership with his brother 
and pursued it there till 1857, when he moved to 
Austin to assist his brother in the discharge of his 
duties as Attorney-General of the State and Com- 
missioner for codifying the laws of Texas. He 
remained at Austin about a year when in 1858 he 
moved to Marshall and entered into a partnership 
with his brother-in-law, Col. Alexander Pope, with 
whom he was associated in the practice, except the 
period covered by the late war, until 186G. At 
that time he moved to Galveston which has since 
been his home. 

In 1852 Mr. Willie was appointed District Attor- 
ney for the Third Judicial District of Texas which 
then comprised the counties of Washington, Bur. 
leson, Milam, Bell, McLennan, Falls, Limestone, 
Freestone, Robertson and Brazos, and held the 
office for six months under this appointment when 
he was elected to the same and held it for a term of 
two years. In 1861, on the opening of the Civil 
War, he offered himself for service in the Confed- 
erate army and was placed on the staff of Gen. 
John Gregg with whom he served till that gallant 
officer's death, when, after a brief interval, he was 
stationed at San Antonio, and there had charge of 
the exportation of cotton during the last eleven 
months of the war. In 1866 he was elected Asso- 
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State for 
a term of nine years, but at the end of fifteen 
months was removed along with his associates, 
George F. Moore, Richard Coke, George W. Smith 
and S. P. Donley, by Gen. Griffin, the military 
commander of Texas. In 1872 he was elected from 
the State at large to the Fortj'-third Congress and 
served his full term but declined a re-election 
because he wished to devote himself to the law. 
Resuming practice he was actively and exclusively 
engaged in it till 1882, when having been made the 
nominee of the Democratic party for Cliief Justice 
of the Supreme Court of Texas, he was elected to 
that office and held the same until his resignation 
March 3, 1888. Since that time he has not held 
any public positions but has given his time and 
attention wholly to the practice of his profession 
being now senior member of the well-known law 
firm of Willie, Campbell & Ballinger of Galveston. 

Thus for a period of f orty-tive years Judge Willie 
has had to do in varying capacities and more or 
less actively with the legislative and judicial history 
of Texas upon which he has left the imprint of his 



talents and character in a marked degree. He has 
always enjoyed a wide personal popularity both 
among the people and with the members of the bar 
as has been evidenced by the votes received by him 
and the expressions of esteem and good-will ten- 
dered through resolutions and the newspapers when 
his name has been suggested for positions of pub- 
lic trust. The vote cast for him for Chief Justice in 
1882 gave him the largest majority which up to 
that time had ever been received by any candidate 
in Texas, his vote being 190,000 out of 200,000 
cast for that office. It was a source of much sur- 
prise and regret to the people throughout tlie State 
when Judge Willie resigned his place as Chief Jus- 
tice but it was a step which was forced on him by 
the inadequacy of the salary as stated by him in 
his letter to the then Governor accompanj'ing his 
resignation. 

Judge Willie has at all times since taking up his 
residence at Galveston manifested an abiding faith 
in the future of that citj' and has lent his aid on 
all proper occasions to everything tending to pro- 
mote its growth and welfare. In March, 1874, while 
in Congress he delivered in the House of Repre- 
sentatives one of the ablest pleas and most con- 
vincing arguments in behalf of appropriations for 
the improvement of the harbor, made during that 
session of Congress on commercial matters. 

It is however as a lawyer and a member of the 
State judiciary that Judge Willie is best known and 
as such that he has achieved the most solid results. 
His chosen profession has been the ambition of his 
life and he still pursues its arduous duties with the 
enthusiasm of youth. 

In politics Judge Willie has always been a 
Democrat. He voted for secession but when the 
war was over he accepted the results in good faith, 
and has since given his support to all those meas- 
ures of a practical nature looking to the rehabili- 
tation of Texas and placing it where it is destined 
soon to be : first in the grand sisterhood of States. 

At Marshall, Texas, on October 20, 1859, Judge 
Willie married Miss Bettie Johnson, a native of 
Bolivar, Tenn., and a daughter of Lyttleton and 
Mary C. Johnson, the former of whom died when 
his daughter, Bettie, was an infant, the mother 
being subsequently married to William C. Harper 
of Brandon, Miss. Judge Willie and wife have 
had ten children born to them, five of whom are 
living. 



384 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



THE STANDEFERS, 

OF BASTROP. 



More than a century ago, three brothers of the 
name of Standefer, came from England, and set- 
tled in this country, one in Virginia, one in South 
Carolina, and one on the Western frontier. From 
this last Anderson Standefer was descended, being 
probably a son. About the beginning of the 
present century he married and moved to that part 
of Illinois known as the " American Bottoms," 
where he lived till his death some eight or ten 
years later. He left surviving him a widow, three 
sons, James Williamson, William Bailey and Jacob 
Littleton, and a daughter, Sarah. Shortly after 
her husband's death, the widow Standefer moved 
from Illinois to Alabama, and settled in Franklin 
County. From there the family came to Texas 
ten years later in 1827, and for a time (about 
a year) lived near the line of what is now Brazoria 
and Ft. Bend Counties, then designated by the 
general name of Austin's Colony. In 1828 they 
moved up on the Colorado, and the widow having 
married Lemau Barker, they all settled in what 
was then called Barker's Bend of the Colorado, 
about five miles from the present town of Bastrop. 
That was then on the extreme frontier of Texas, 
and the three sons of tliis pioneer family, James 
Williamson Standefer, William Bailey Standefer, 
and Jacob Littleton Standefer, becoming identified 
with the history of the country, bore an honorable 
part in the same during the struggles which fol- 
lowed. All three of them were in Houston's arm}', 
and took part in the battle of San Jacinto, besides 
serving in numerous Indian campaigns, under 
those distinguished leaders, John H. Moore, 
Matthew Caldwell, Ed. Burleson, and the McCul- 
loch brothers, Ben and Henry. They never held 
any public positions of note, though the eldest, 
James W., was a commissioner in connection with 
the capital location proceedings at Austin, when 
that place was first made the temporary seat of 
government. But in the military defense of the 
country they were active and in some degree con- 
spicuous. James W. Standefer married just previ- 
ous to the family's coming to Texas ; the other 
two, William B. and Jacob L,., and the daughter, 
Sarah, married after settling in Bastrop County. 
William B. Standefer died in Bastrop County some 
twelve or fourteen years since, an honored and 
respected citizen, and Jacob L. still lives there, 
being a resident of Elgin, where he is held in 



equally high regard. James W. Standefer after 
the death of his wife, Sarah Kive Standefer in 1879, 
went to Lampasas, where he made his home till 
his death February 19, 1892, being then in the 
eighty-fourth year of his age. He was one of 
those brave, generous, patriotic men to whom 
Texas is so greatly indebted for what it now is as 
a State and who profited so little by his long resid- 
dence and arduous services. He has been for 
more than forty years previous to his death a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church and for about fifty 
years a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

The sons and daughters of James W. and Sarah 
Standefer who became grown, thirteen in number, 
were: Elizabeth, now widow of David Scott; Mary 
widow of Jonathan Scott, both residing in Bastrop 
County ; William Johnson Standefer of Lampasas ; 
Thomas Standefer of Burnet County ; Sarah widow 
of N. B. Scott, residing on the line of Lee and 
Bastrop Counties ; James Standefer who died some 
years since in Bastrop County ; Jane the widow of 
W. C. Lawhon, of Bastrop County ; Richard N. 
Standefer, who died in 1889 in Bastrop County ; 
Elvina, Mrs. Kemp of San Antonio ; Arminta 
widow of Richard Favors of San Saba County ; 
Arinda widow of Thomas Wolf, of Burnet County 
and Ellen the wife of George Wilson, of William- 
son County. 

The data is not at hand to give in this connection 
the names of the descendants of William B., Jacob 
L. and Sarah (Mrs. J. L. Litton) Standefer but 
the following facts concerning James W. Standefer's 
descendants may be added. His three sons 
William J., Thomas and Richard N., were soldiers 
in the Confederate army during the late war, the 
eldest as a member of McMillen's Company, 
Nelson's Regiment, with which he served a year 
when he raised a company of his own for frontier 
service, and the other two as members of Capt. 
Highsmith's Company, Parson's Regiment. Thomas 
Standefer was wounded at Cotton Plant, Arkansas, 
and Richard V., at Yellow Bayou. All were good 
soldiers and all are or were good citizens. 

Richard Vaughn Standefer, born in Bastrop 
County, Texas, December 30, 1838, was reared in 
his native county and there spent his entire life 
except the time he was in the Confederate arm}'. 
September 11, 18(j6, he married Miss Tex Gatlin, 
of Bastrop County, and shortly afterwards taking up 




^^^^ '-^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



385 



mercantile pursuits (being incapacitated for active 
outdoor worii by wounds received during the war) 
was engaged in merchandising in Bastrop County 
till his death May 23, 1889. He met with good 
success and left his family well provided for. A 
widow and six children survived him, though a son 
and daughter have since followed him to the grave. 
His children are Nannie Olive now Mrs. M. L. 
Hines ; Woody Allison who died in 1892 at the age 
of fifteen; Lula Love who died in 1895 at about 



the same age ; Charles Herbert, Dick Hunter and 
Grace Vaughn. 

Mrs. Tex Standefer widow of Richard V. Stande- 
fer also comes of old settled families, her father 
Thomas Gatlin, having come to this country in 
1840 and her mother, Nancy R. Christian, in 1832. 
She being a daughter of Thomas Christian who 
was killed by the Indians at the time Wilbarger was 
scalped. (See account of this elsewhere in this 
volume.) 



DEWITT CLINTON GIDDINGS, 

BRENHAM. 



This well-known ex-iuember of Congress, lawyer 
and banker, was born on the 18th of July, 1827, in 
Susquehanna County, Penn. His father, James 
Giddings, a native of Connecticut, was in early life 
a ship captain, and in later years a farmer in Sus- 
quehanna County, where he died in 1863. 

The earliest account in this country of the family 
(which is of Scotch extraction) is of George Gid- 
dings and bis wife, who emigrated to America in 
1635. Memiiers of the family joined the patriot 
army at the beginning of the Revolution and re- 
mained in the ranks until victory perched upon the 
Continental colors and the independence of the 
colonies was won. 

Col. Giddings' mother, Lucy (Demming) Gid- 
dings was a native of Connecticut. The Demmings 
are of French descent. Representatives of the 
family were early emigrants to America. In the 
Revolutionary War they associated themselves with 
their fellow-colonists and fought for intlependence. 

Mrs. Giddings was a woman of rare force of 
character. She reared a large family, and her sons 
proudly boast that to the lessons of self-denial, 
industry and love of freedom taught them by her 
is due whatever of success has attended them. 
Col. Giddings was the youngest son. As his broth- 
ers finished school and attained maturitj', one by 
one they left the old home and the dull routine of 
farm life. Wishing to keep his youngest boy with 
him, his father refused to educate him as he had 
the others; but Col. Giddings determined to se- 
cure a liberal education, and this he obtained in 
the best schools of New York, earning the money 
to defray his expenses by teaching country schools. 
At the age of twenty he was for a short time 



a civil engineer on a railroad, but in 1850 com- 
menced reading law at Honesdale, Penn., under 
the direction of Earl Wheeler, a distinguished lawyer 
of that State, and in 1852 came to Texas, whither 
he had been preceded by five brothers. The eldest, 
Giles A., a civil engineer, came to Texas in 1833, 
and in 1836, on his return from a campaign against 
the Indians, in which he had been engaged for 
several months, learned that Houston's army was 
retreating, and, with his companions, hastened to 
join it. Three days before the battle of San Jacinto 
he wrote his .parents a letter, full of the purest 
patriotism, telling them that if he fell, they would 
have the joy of knowing that their son died " fight- 
ing against oppression and for the rights of man," 
a letter that was almost prophetic, for he received 
wounds during the battle from which he died the 
second day of Maj' following. The subject of this 
memoir, Col. D. C. Giddings, on settling in Texas, 
associated himself in partnership with his brother, 
J. D. Giddings, for the practice of law at Brenham. 
In 1860 he married Miss Malinda C. Lusk, a 
daughter of Samuel Lusk, an early pioneer, who 
was an active participant in the Texas revolution, a 
member of the Convention which framed the Con- 
stitution of the Republic of Texas, and for many 
years Count}' Clerk of Washington County. They 
had five children, only three of whom survived in- 
fancy, viz. : Dewitt Clinton, Mary Belle (who mar- 
ried E. H. Cooke and whose death occurred in 1895) 
and Lillian Giddings. Col. Giddings opposed the 
idea of secession, believing that Southern rights 
could best be secured within the Union ; but, when 
the State seceded, he went with her heart and soul. 
He entered the Confederate army in 18C1 as a 



386 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



private in the Twenty-first Texas Cavalry and was 
elected Captain and sboitly after Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, though, owing to tlie absence of his superior 
officer, he was virtually Colonel, commanding the 
regiment in all its engagements. He served in the 
Trans-Mississippi department. Wliile scouting near 
Helena, Ark., he was taken prisoner after a fight, 
in which he with sixty men had killed, wounded or 
captured ninetj^-eigbt of tbe enemy, and was sent 
to St. Louis. After being retained six weeks he 
was exchanged and rejoined his command and was 
with Marmaduke in his raid into Missouri and par- 
ticipated in most of the fights in liie Louisiana cam- 
paign. As a soldier and officer he was much 
esteemed by his men and by his superior officers. 
The following official order of Gen. Wharton attests 
his courage : — 

"Headquarters Wharton's Cavalry Corps. ) 
" In the Field, May 24, 1864. S 
" General Order No. 8. 

" The Major Gen'l Com'd'g, takes pleasure in 
calling the attention of the troops under his com- 
mand, to the gallant conduct of Lt. Col. D. C. 
Giddings and four companies of the Twenty-first 
Texas Cavalry, under his command on the 21st April, 
1864, two miles this side of Cloutierville, La. 

" On this occasion Lt. Col. Giddings, with these 
four companies, made a most gallant charge 
against the enemy, greatly superior to him in 
number and strongly posted behind fences an<l 
houses, driving them from their positions and 
holding it until re-enforcements was sent him. 
Not only on this, but several other occasions has 
the chivalry and daring of Lt. Col. Giddings been 
personally marked with pleasure by the Maj. Gen'l 
Com'd'g. 

" By order of 
" (Signed) Maj. Gen'l Jno. A.Wharton. 
" B. H. Davis, 

" A. A. A. Gen'l. 
" Official." 
" CowLES A. A. A. G." 

After the waning star of the Confederacy had 
sunk to its nadir in the night of defeat that closed 
the long struggle between the States, he returned to 
Brcnham, resumed the practice of law and devoted 
his energies to the upbuilding of his shattered for- 
tunes. In 18G6 lie was elected and served as a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention. In 1870, 
when the Democratic Convention met in Houston 
to select a candidate for Congress, it was regarded 
as a foregone conclusion that the nominee was 
doomed to defeat. One by one prominent men de- 



clined the doubtful honor, until at last Col. Gid- 
dings' love of country was appealed to, and he 
cousenteil to make the race. At first he had no 
hope of winning ; but, when he took the stump and 
saw the enthusiasm of the people, his courage rose 
and he bent all his energies towards success. 

He canvassed the district, then comprising about 
one fourth of the State, in a buggy; and a great 
part of the time his friends were under grave appre- 
hensions of his assassination at tiie hands of the 
Davis police. Over a large part of the district he 
was preceded by a negro company of these police 
who daily threatened to arrest him and i)ut him in 
irons. He went on, however, with unfaltering 
courage. He delivered sixty speeches in forty 
days, and arraigned in scathing terms the Davis 
regime, and tlie people responded to his call and 
elected him by a good majorit}' over his carpet-bag 
opponent. Gen. Wm. T. Clark. Notwithstanding 
the prefi-rence expressed by the people at the polls, 
Governor E.J. Davis gave the certificate of election 
to Gen. Clark. 

Col. Giddings contested for the seat before the 
National House of Representatives and presented so 
strong a case that he was seated by a unanimous vote, 
a remarkable incident in view of the temper of that 
body. It was the first of the few instances in which a 
carpet-bagger was ousted from a seat in Congress. 
'This determined fight broke the backbone of Re- 
publican rule in Texas, and the carpet-bagger went 
down, to rise no more. Col. Giddings was re- 
elected in 1873, over bis Republican opponent, 
A. J. Evans, and again in 187(5, over Col. G. W. 
Jones, who made the race as an independent 
Democrat. In Congress Col. Giddings proved 
himself an able advocate of the rights of the 
States, a determined champion of the cause of 
honest government, and (true to his patriotic 
Revolutionary lineage) a vigilant and fearless 
tribune of the people. He was inflexible in his 
adherence to the principles enunciated by the 
Democratic part}', not merely from a spirit of 
partisan loyalty, but because he recognized that 
its representatives were seeking to prevent the 
depredations of a passion-swayed and unreasoning 
majoritj', who seemed bent upon trampling the 
constitution of the fathers in the dust, reducing 
the Southern States to the condition of conquered 
provinces, plundering the treasury, heaping up an 
enormous debt for posterity to pay, enthroning 
venality in high places, and changing the very 
spirit and genius of our constitution. No crisis so 
appalling had before arisen in this country since 
the year 1800, when Mr. Jefferson and his com- 
peers saved the constitution, as they expressed it, 



INDIAN WARS xiND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



387 



"at the last gasp." It was a time when timid 
men remained silent and inactive, waiting fearfully 
for the end ; when men who were esteemed Viold 
spolfe in bated whispers. Yet in those dark and 
stormy days the South and Southern rights were 
not without defenders at the seat of govern- 
ment, at the point from which all danger was 
to be apprehended. They raised their voices in 
the halls of Congress and offered a brilliant 
opposition which has few parallels in parlia- 
mentary history and, in the face of which the 
party in power did not dare to advance to the 
carrying out of its nefarious purposes. The tem- 
pest broke its force against the breasts of this de- 
voted band, who threw themselves between its fury 
and a defeated, plundered, disfranchised and 
defenseless people. Never were a people and a 
people's interests more faithfully represented. Col. 
Giddings moved conspicuous in all these engage- 
ments. He made a record that entitles him to the 
gratitude of every Texian, every Southern man, every 
lover of constitutional freedom, and that entitles his 
name to a place in the long roll of honor which it is 
the purpose of this volume to record upon the pages 
of the State's history. As a lawyer he ranks de- 
servedly high in his profession. It was in this 
capacity that he i-endered the State signal service. 
During the war Texas had sent $300,000.00 of 
United States bonds to Europe to be sold and the 



proceeds applied to the buying of arms and sup- 
plies. Part of them had been sold and proceeds 
partly used when the fall of the Confederacy came. 
The bonds and money not used were deposited with 
bankers. Payment of interest being refused by 
the United States on the bonds that had been sold, 
the holder of the bonds attached the unsold bonds 
and enjoined the bankers against paying the money 
on deposit to the State of Texas. 

Several lawyers had been engaged to recover this 
property, but their efforts were fruitless. Governor 
Coke during his first term as Governor, appointed 
J. D. and D. C. Giddings as agents in the matter 
for the State. They took the case, and after much 
work and a trip to Europe, Col. Giddings brought 
back and turned over to the State the sum of $339,- 
000. As a banker and business man he has evinced 
sagacit}', liberality and public spirit, conducting his 
financial ventures to a successful issue and aiding, 
with expenditure of time, influence and money, all 
worthy enterprises inaugurated for the benefit of 
the community and section in which he lived. Col. 
Giddings is still mentally and physieall)' vigorous. 
Eipe in experience, full of years and honors, he 
is pursuing the quiet tenor of his useful life 
surrounded by loving friends and enjoying the 
respect and confidence of a people whom he has 
served faithfully and well in time of peace and 
war. 



GEORGE W. BURKITT, 

PALESTINE. 



Parton, who was America's most celebrated bio- 
graphical writer, once said, " Give me the facts con- 
cerning the lives of the active and useful men of a 
commonwealth and I will produce from them its 
entire history," thus emphasizing the fact that the 
busy, active men, are the history-makers. To this 
number belongs the subject of this notice. 

He was born in County Derry, Ireland, Novem- 
ber 12, 1847 ; came to America early during the 
war between the States ; worked on a farm at 
Morris, HI., and then sought and found employ- 
ment with a contracting firm who were engaged in 
grading on the road-bed of the Union Pacific Rail- 
way ; drove a team for them for about two months, 
when he was put in charge, as foreman, of a gang 
of men and continued in that capacity for about 



five months ; then resigned that position, purchased 
a team and worked on the grade east and west of 
Salt Lake, in the Green river valley, thereby in- 
creasing his income to five dollars per day; re- 
mained on the work until the grade was completed 
in 1869 ; then sold his team and went to Junction 
City, Kan., and engaged in subcontracting on the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railwaj' grade, which 
he continued until 1872; then came to Texas and 
continued in the same line of business at Longview 
on the Texas & Pacific Railway and later graded 
portions of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San 
Antonio Short Line, now a portion of the Southern 
Pacific system ; next was a subcontractor on the 
International & Great Northern Railway and not 
long thereafter took a general contract of construe- 



, INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



tion for the same company on their line from Rock- 
dale to Austin ; then built, complete for rolling 
stock, the Triaity «& Sabine Railway from Trinity 
to Colmesneil, a distance of sixty-six miles ; next 
job was the construction of the line from Gaines- 
ville to Henrietta, a distance of seventy-two miles ; 
also built the Santa Fe line from Montgomery to 
Conroe, fourteen miles, and later the Taylor, 
Bastrop & Houston, from Bastrop to Boggy-Tank, 
fifty-four miles, and in 1893 he continued the road 
from Boggy-Tank to Houston, both sections com- 
prising one hundred and fifteen miles, and from 
Smithville to Lockhart on the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas the same year, and also built extensions from 
Wichita Falls to Henrietta, sixteen miles, and the 
Velasco Terminal, twenty-two miles; associated at 
various times with Mr. D. Murphy, when the busi- 
ness operated under the firm name of Burkitt, 
Murphy and Burns, when the business was run 
under the firm name of Burkitt & Murphy, after- 
wards Burkitt, Burns & Co. 

This is a history of railroad building that is as 
yet unapproached by any man in the State of 
Texas, the total mileage figuring up to many miles 
of completed road. 

Mr. Burkitt is a promoter of and president of 
the Palestine & Dallas Railroad, which is soon to be 
built between the two cities. As opportunity 



afforded, he acquired large tracts of land and his 
holdings now amount to about 3.5,000 acres and 
has sold about $250,000 worth of land, principally 
to Germans on eight and ten days' time, who are 
paying promptly according to contract. These 
lands are both improved and unimproved and lie in 
seventeen counties in the State. 

Mr. Burkitt has by contract supplied railroad 
ties in large quantities to various roads for some 
ten years past, the timber being cut, in many 
instances, from his own land. 

He is closely identified with the banking interests 
of Texas. In 1887 he was active in the organiza- 
tion of the First National Bank of Palestine and is 
now one of its directors and its vice-president. 
This was the first national banking house in the 
city. He is a director of the Taylor National Bank, 
of Taylor, Texas, organized in 1868. He owns 
stock in the First National Bank of Stephenville, 
organized in 1889, and is likewise a stockholder in 
the First National Bank of Orange, established in 
the same year. He is president of the Taylor 
Water Works and Ice Company and a stockholder 
in the Palestine Cotton Seed Oil Co., of Palestine. 

Mr. Burkitt married at Houston, in 1880, Miss 
Mary Hartlej', a daughter of William Hartley, a 
business man and mill owner of that city. They 
have one son, George, and a daughter, Bessie. 



WILLIAM VON ROSENBERG, 



HALLETTSVILLE. 



Wra. Von Rosenberg, a leading citizen and finan- 
cier of Southwest Texas, was born in Washington 
County, Texas, August 9, 1863, and moved with 
his parents to Round Top, in Fayette County, in 
1867 ; acquired the rudiments of a good English 
education in the public schools of that place, and 
in 1876 entered the college at New Braunfels, 
Texas, where, during the following two years, he 
completed his education. In 1878 he accepted 
employment at Bellville, Austin County, Texas, 
where he learned the mercantile business in the 
large retail establishment of C. F. Hellmuth. He 
remained with this firm for ten years, working him- 
self up from the lowest to the highest position in 
the house in three years. In June, 1888, he em- 
barked in the general mercantile business on his 
own account, at Halleltsville, Texas, taking his 
younger brother. Otto Von Rosenberg, into part- 



nership with him, and establishing the firm of Rosen- 
berg Bros. By fair, liberal and honest business 
methods this firm has become one of the largest 
and is known as one of the most reliable and suc- 
cessful business houses in Southwest Texas. It 
does an annual retail business of from $75,000.00 
to $100,000.00 and handles everything in the way 
of general merchandise, agricultural implements, 
etc., needed to supply the trade of that section. 
The Messrs. Von Rosenberg are also large cotton 
buyers, the principal product raised in that part of 
Texas. They handle annually from 7,000 to 10,000 
bales, buying principally for correspondents in 
Eastern States, but also largely for export to 
Liverpool and other European points. They have 
acquired large landed interests in Lavaca, Jackson 
and Wharton counties. 

In 1891, finding their business constantly increas- 




Francis 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



389 



ing, they erected commodious brick buildings in 
Hallettsville, and added to their business a banlving 
department, which from its inception has met with 
a liberal patronage from the business community. 



Mr. Wm. Von Rosenberg was married at Belle- 
ville, Texas, May 9, 1889, to Miss Metta Bross- 
mann, daughter of Mr. C. H. Brossmann, County 
Treasurer of Austin County. 



FRANCISCO DE PAUL GONZALES, 



GALVESTON. 



The subject of this sketch, Francisco De Paul 
Gonzales, was born at Guanajuata, Mexico, on the 
9th day of April, 1826. His grandfather and 
father were both officers in the Spanish army, 
having gone to Mexico, from Spain, with the Span- 
ish troops, at the time of the expedition of Barra- 
das, and subsequently settled here. 

Mr. Gonzales, with his younger brother Thomas, 
received his elementary English instruction in the 
State of Illinois, but while still quite young, he was 
sent to Spain, to complete his education in the 
Monastic College of his ancestral home, at Valla- 
dolid. Here he was received with the demonstra- 
tive hospitality, the pomp and ceremony usually 
accorded to the sons of the old Spanish Grandees. 

Returning from Spain, Mr. Gonzales made his 
home in New Orleans, where his mother was already 
living. His rare grace and charm of manner, his 
fine conversational powers, and the dignity of his 
distinguished presence, soon won for him the esteem 
and admiration of the fastidious citizens of that 
metropolis of the South. 

After a period, fired by the spirit of adventure 
and enterprise which at that time stirred the hearts 
of so many young men, Mr. Gonzales resolved to 
seek his fortune in the new State of Texas. Ac- 
cordingly he located at Brownsville, and for many 
years carried on an extensive and lucrative trade 
with the interior of Mexico. 

It was during this time of commercial prosperity 
and happiness, that he married the acknowledged 



belle and beauty of the Lone Star State, Miss 
Martha Anne Rhea, the granddaughter of Governor 
Sevier, and the daughter of the late Judge Rhea, 
who, at that time, was Collector of Customs at 
Point Isabel. In 1856, Mr. Gonzales, with his 
family, moved to Galveston, and for years was a 
prominent cotton factor. After the death of his 
wife, in 1874, he retired from active business and 
devoted his time exclusively to his children and his 
consular office — as during the entire time of his 
residence in Galveston, he was Consul for Mexico. 

He had five children, two sons — Francis Edward, 
who died August 9, 1885, and Joseph Maurice, 
who died March 28, 1893 — and three daughters, 
Marie Therese, Helen, and Martha, still living. 
Helen, married to Theodore Demetrius Murcou- 
lides, has two children, Theodore Demetrius, Jr., 
and Marie Stella Murcoulides. Mr. Murcoulides, 
who was born and educated in classic Athens, but 
now a citizen of Smyrna, a city in Asiatic Turkey, 
is in Galveston, managing the business of the 
world-renowned Ralls House. 

Mr. Gonzales was by faith and practice a Romian 
Catholic. With an inflexible belief in the dogmas 
of his Church in the broadest sense he obeyed its 
commandments. 

With strict principles and exclusive tastes, he 
devoted himself to his children and his friends with 
an ardor second only to that which he bore to the 
divine symbol of his faith. Francisco de Paul 
Gonzales died January 16, 1890. 



390 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN C. WARD, 

BEAUMONT, 



Piesident of the Beaumont Ice and Electric Light 
Company, was born at Titus County, Texas, in 
1851. His parents were Andrew J. and Nancy 
Ward. He was educated at Beaumont where his 
parents moved when he was a boy. He resided at 
Corpus Christi and San Antonio for four years an<1 
then returned to Beaumont. His first business ex- 
perience was acquired when sixteen years of age as 
shipping clerii in a saw mill. He remained in the 
lumber liusiness for about twentj' years, beginning 
work at fifteen dollars per month and at the close of 
the time specified owned a business which he sold 
for S56,000. After the sale of his mill interests he 
embarked in the business in which he is now 
engaged. His financial success is attributed to 
perseverance, patience and judicious speculation. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 



He has been twice married, first to Miss Pickie 
Kyle, of Jasper, Jasper County, Texas, in 1877, 
and second in 1885 to Miss Belle Carroll, of Beau- 
mont. Four children were born of each union, 
viz. Westley Kyle Ward, aged seventeen ; James 
Dalton Ward, ageil fifteen ; John Keith Ward, aged 
thirteen years; Andrew Jackson Ward, living at 
Jasper County, Texas, with his aunt, aged eleven ; 
Mena Belle Ward, aged eight; Henry Levy 
Ward, aged seven ; Carrol Ward, aged four, and 
Seawillow Ward, aged two years. All of the chil- 
dren, except Andrew J., are living at home. 

Mr. Ward has had strong competition to contend 
against. His success has been due to tireless 
energy and superior capacity. He has moved 
steadily to and now occupies a leading position at 
the front among the brainy financiers of Texas. 



JEFFERSON JOHNSON, 



AUSTIN. 



There is no man better known or better liked in 
Travis County than Mr. Jeff. Johnson, the subject 
of this notice. He is identified with the agricul- 
tural interests of the county, owning a well im- 
proved farm of 456 acres at Dell Valle}', but 
resides in the city of Austin, where he has been 
for many years engaged in business. He has for 
some years past represented the Union Central 
Life Insurance Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, one 
of the leading institutions of the kind in the 
country. 

Mr. Johnson was born January 8th, 1845,- in 
Clermont County, Ohio, and completed his educa- 
tion at the Ohio Wesleyan University. His parents 
were Benjamin and Asenath (Tribble) Johnson, 
the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter 
a native of the .State of Ohio. 

Mr. Johnson came to Texas in 1879 and settled 
in Travis County, where he engaged in farming, 
and has since resided. Februar}' 5th, 1879, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Haltie Houston, daugh- 
ter of David Houston, of Cincinnati, OLiio, and 



now (1896) has five children, viz., Benjamin, 
Augusta, Adele, Helen, and Cornelia. 

He is a member of the order of Knights Templar 
in the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member 
of the Tenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, in the city of his residence. 

He was appointed one of the trustees of the 
State Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb at Austin, 
by Governor L. S. Ross, still retains that position, 
and has served through the administrations of 
Governors Ross, Hogg and Culberson, the greater 
part of the time as the President of the Board of 
Trustees, and at present occupies that resi)onsible 
position. 

He is a memlier of the Free School Board of 
Travis County, and is Chairman of the Democratic 
Executive Committee of tiie count}'. 

In 189-1 he was, prior to the assembling of the 
Democratic State Convention, chairman of Hon. 
John H. Reagan's campaign committee. 

He is a Democrat, true and tried, a man of 
exceptionally fine judgment, has the rare faculty of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



391 



always espousing the right side of an issue, is a 
thorough master of the tactics of political warfare, 
has done yeoman service for the cause of Democ- 
racy in every campaign that has been fought 
before the people since coming to Texas, has in 
every respect come up to the full measure of 
enlightened, progressive and patriotic citizenship ; 



is kind, affable, and foremost in every good work 
that has in view the betterment of social conditions 
and the prosperity of his adopted city and State, 
and, consequently, is esteemed and respected by 
all, and has many sincere and devoted friends, not 
only in Austin and Texas, but wherever he is 
known. 



J. C. HODGES, 

PARIS. 



Hon. Jacob Calvin Hodges was born near 
Boone, N. C, on the 25tli day of December, 
1849, and grew to manhood on the farm. In 
consequence of the war between the States, in 
which his father and elder brother participated, his 
opportunities for obtaining an education were 
meager. 

In 1870 he obtained license to practice law and 
soon after came to Texas, stopping a short time at 
Jefferson, from whence he went to Pittsburg, Texas, 
where he engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion. 

In the spring of 1875 he went to Paris, Texas, 
where he has since resided and been actively en- 
gaged in the practice of law and has won a distin- 



guished position at the bar. Learned in the law, 
and a powerful and persuasive speaker, he has been 
unusually successful as an advocate. 

In politics he has always been a Democrat and 
has been outspoken upon every political question. 
State and national, that has come before the people, 
and has taken an active and aggressive part in every 
campaign waged by his party since he came to the 
State. He was elected County Attorney of Lamar 
County in 1878 and re-elected in 1880 and was an 
elector at large on the Cleveland ticket in 1892. 

He is justly regarded as a tower of Democratic 
strength in North Texas and few men in the State 
have labored more zealously and effectively in the 
cause of good government. ^ -_ 



^i^v"^..-.^;^/^^^- "'^^- '^XuSTlN. '^rtU.^^^ ^^..^'..:^ dd^u^ 







This veteran Texian was born in Fayette County, 
Penn., in 1798, was reared in his native State to 
about the agej of ten, when he went to Arkansas, 
where he met! and, at about the age of twenty- 
two married Miss Mary Crownover, daughter of 
John Crownover, in company with whom and a 
brother, Andrew Rabb, he came to Texas in 1822, 
as a member of Austin's colony, but later moved on 
to the Colorado, into what is now Fayette County, 
taking up his abode on the prairie, which bears his 
name, and there built on the banks of the Colorado 
one of the Qrst grist mills ever erected in Texas, 



known as " Rabb's Mill." He received from the 
government a grant of a league of laud as a bonus 
for this enterprise and by means of it became, in a 
very substantial manner, one of the first benefactors 
of the settlers of that section. He subsequently 
built and owned a number of mills in that locality, 
the last of which was a saw and grist mill combined, 
the product of which went all over Central and 
Southwest Texas. He was a resident, at different 
times, of Fayette, Fort Bend and Hill counties and 
finally, in 1860, moved to Travis Countj', settling 
at Barton Springs, near the city of Austin, where 



.•592 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



he died June 5th tlie following year. Mr. Rabb 
volunteered in the patriot army in 1836 and was at 
the battle of San Jacinto. He was also in the 
frontier service and helped as often as occasion de- 
manded to repel the attacks of Indians, and pur- 
sued them and recaptured booty they had taken 
during their raids. He was very little, if any, in 
public life, though a public-spirited, patriotic citi- 
zen. He was liberal, active and earnest, a man of a 
strong mechanical turn of mind, and always mani- 
fested interest in industrial pursuits of some sort. 
He was a zealous member of the Methodist Church 
and a liberal contributor to his church. He gave 
the lumber to build the first Methodist church ever 
erected in San Antonio, the lumber being hauled 
from his mill in Faj'ette Count}' to San Antonio by 
Mexicans on os-carts. 

Mr. Rabb's widow survived him a little over 
twenty years, dying in 1882, in the seventy-seventh 
year of her age. She was justly entitled to be 
called one of the mothers of Texas, having come 
to the country when it was a Mexican province, and 
lived through all the changing vicissitudes of its 
fortunes for sixty years. She was living in the 
country when Texas threw off the 3'oke of Mexican 
despotism and established an independent republic ; 
she was here when the j'oung but vigorous Republic 
asked for admission into the American Union ; she 



saw Texas withdraw from the Union and again enter 
the sisterhood of States, thus living under five gov- 
ernments. She was well known to, and knew many 
old Texians, and possessed a large fund of reminis- 
cences concerning Texas people. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rabb were the parents of nine 
children, one of whom died in infancy, one at about 
the age of nine, the other seven living to maturity. 

Thej' had three sons in the Confederate army, 
viz. : Zebulon M. P., John W., and Virgil S. Of 
the seven children referred to, but three are now 
living, viz. : Virgil S., Mrs. Bettie Croft, and Gail 
T. Rabb. 

GailT. Rabb, the youngest of this pioneer familj', 
was born at Rutersville, Fayette County, Texas, in 
1847, and was reared there until he was thirteen, at 
which time, in 1860, his parents moved to Travis 
County, where he has since resided. He has been 
engaged in farming, stock-raising and milling, hav- 
ing erected tvvo grist mills. He is an eqterprising, 
well-to-do and highly respected citizen. 

Mr. Gill L. Rabb married Miss Isabella Tharp, 
of Robertson County, Texas, a daughter of Eli W. 
and Susanna Tharp, and a native of Ohio. She 
was reared, however, in Texas, her parents coming 
to this State when she was about five years old. 
The issue of this marriage has been four children: 
Derance, Walter Tharp, Mamie, and Tom Miller. 



STERLING C. ROBERTSON, 

EMPRESARIO OF ROBERTSON'S COLONY. 



Sterling C. Robertson was born in Nashville, 
Tenn., about the year 1785. He served as Major 
of Tennessee troops in the War of 1812 and 1814 
and was honorably discharged. He received a 
liberal education and was reared in the occupation 
of planting. He engaged in agriculture in Giles 
County, Tenn., but in a few years moved to Nash- 
ville. Enterprising and adventurous, and being 
possessed of large means, in the year 1823 he 
formed a company in Nashville to explore the wild 
province of Texas. He penetrated as far as Brazos 
and formed a permanent camp at the mouth of 
Little river. All the partj' returned to Tennessee, 
however, except Col. Robertson. He visited 
the settlements that had been made and, while 
there, conceived the idea of planting a colony in 
Texas. Filled with enthusiasm over this plan, he 



went to his home in Tennessee; there he purchased 
a contract that had been made by the Mexican 
government with Robert Leftwich for the settle- 
ment of 800 families. The colonial grant embraced 
a tract of land, and by the terms of the contract 
Col. Robertson was given six years in which to 
introduce the 800 families ; he was to receive forty 
leagues and forty labors of land for his services. 
In 1829, at his oven expense, he introduced 100 
families, who were driven out by the military in 
consequence of false representations made to the 
government in regard to Col. Robertson and his 
colonists. The matter was finally adjusted and in 
the spring of 1834 the colony was restored, and in 
the summer of the same year he laid out the town 
of Sarahville D'Viesca. A laud office was opened 
about October 1, of the same year, and the settle- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



393 



ments were rapidly- made, lii the summer of 1835 
he visited Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and 
Kentucky, mailing linown the inducements to emi- 
gration. He had been authorized b}' the Mexican 
government to offer to settlers who were heads of 
families one league and one labor of land, one- 
fourth of a league to single men, and to foreigners 
marrying native Americans, one league and a quar- 
ter of land. 



border he was subject to all the trials and hardships 
inseparable from contact with the wild and savage 
Indians. Enterprising and patriotic, he had manj- 
opportunities for an exhibition of those traits. 

From the campaigns of 1812 and 1814, down to 
1842, the year of his death, he was an active partici- 
pant in every struggle of his countrymen. Before 
the revolution of 1835-6 he introduced more than 
600 families into the colonies, fully one-half of the 




STERLING C. EOBKEISON. 



Col. Robertson was a delegate to the General 
Convention of 1836, was one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, and of the Consti- 
tution of the Republic of Texas. He commanded 
a military company in the spring of 1836 and re- 
ceived therefor a donation of 640 acres of land, 
having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.- 
He was a member of the First Senate of the Con- 
gress of the Republic of Texas. 

He died in Robertson County, Texas, March 4, 
1842, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. No man 
ever led a more eventful or trying life. On the 



whole number having come at his expense. It 
would require a volume to recount in detail all his 
experiences, the adventures, trials and escapes 
through which he passed from the time of his com- 
ing to the frontier until his decease. 

He was a gentleman of rare culture and was es- 
teemed, not only for the nobility of his nature, but 
for his commanding intellectuality and unselfish 
devotion to his country and the cause of constitu- 
tional freedom. He was a leader among that band 
of heroes and statesmen who laid the foundation 
for the Texas of to-day. 



394 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



GEORGE BERNHARD ZIMPELMAN, 



AUSTIN, 



The pioneers of Texas whose coming antedates 
the year 1846, are, as years pass, rapidly joining 
the "great majorilj'," and those who remain are 
representatives of an historic past, whose experi- 
ences, with the passage of time, become more and 
more interesting. 

George B. Zimpelman left his native home in 
Germany in 1845, and came to America to seek 
his fortune. He was born in the then Kingdom of 
Bavaria, July 24th, 1832. His father, John J. 
Zimpelman, was a life-long and influential citizen, 
and by occupation a prosperous farmer. He was 
also born in Bavaria, was there reared, and married 
a daughter of Valentine Ilochdoerffer, who was 
likewise a well-to-do farmer in Bavaria. 

Much had been published and circulated in Ger- 
many and other foreign countries about this time 
concerning the new Republic of Texas, and young 
Zimpelman, having caught the spirit of the hour, 
decided to make his way hither. He decided on 
New Orleans as his first American point of des- 
tination, landing there in January, 1845. He re- 
mained there about one year, and served as a 
salesman in a dry goods house, and in December 
of the same year proceeded to Texas and to 
Austin, the recently established seat of govern- 
ment. Austin was then on the extreme Western 
frontier. Settlers had, however, taken up farms 
along the Colorado and in the vicinity of the 
capital citj-. Building operations were quite livelj-, 
and, in lieu of something better, young Zimpelman 
adapted himself to the situation, and took up car- 
pentering as an apprentice, and in due time be- 
came a master carpenter. He continued in this 
business until 1854. He then became interested in 
and followed gunsmithing for two years. In 1856 
he located on a stock farm near Austin and pur- 
sued stockraising and agriculture until the breaking 
out of the great Civil War. Upon the first call to 
arms in 18G1 he promptly volunteered to defend 
the cause of his adopted country, and became a 
member of Terry's Texas Rangers, the Eighth 
Texas Cavalry, as a private, and followed his 
regiment through all of the vicissitudes of that 
sanguinary conflict, sharing in all of its victories 
and defeats, and declining all offers of advance- 
ments from the ranks, preferring to stand in line 
of battle with his comrades. The heroic services 
of Terry's Texas Rangers as an organization is 



already a matter of historic record, and needs not 
to be here recounted. Mr. Zimpelman, with his 
regiment, participated in many of the hardest 
fought battles of the conflict, and in the battles 
of Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Corinth, Shilo, and 
Chickamauga, was six limes wounded, and was 
three times wounded in the siege of Atlanta. 

After the war he returned to his farm near Aus- 
tin and resumed the peaceful avocation of stock 
raising. In 1866 he was elected Sheriff of Travis 
County, but the Radical reconstruction policy of 
the United States Government prtcluded his serving 
as such. This state of affairs soon, however, came 
to an end and, he was again elected to the office in 
1869 and re-elected in 1873, serving until 1876. 
Upon retirement from office he engaged in banking 
in the city of Austin as a member of the banking 
firm of Foster, Ludlow & Co., and continued in this 
connection until 1877 when the partnership was 
dissolved. 

No citizen of Austin has been more active in the 
upbuilding of the city and loyal to her business 
interests. Mr. Zimpelman promptly identified him- 
self with and labored for its development. He 
took active part in the establishment of the ice 
factory, street car lines, bridge across the Colorado 
river and was the first man to bring to public notice 
the possibility of a dam across the Colorado river 
for water power. He spent a considerable amount 
of money in making surveys and demonstrated its 
practicabiliiy. Mr. Zimpelman nest spent about 
three years in mining in Chihuahua, Mexico, and at 
the same time executed a contract with the Alexlcan 
Government for the surveying of public lands. He 
returned to Austin in 1888 and the following year 
he engaged in mining projects in Lower California. 

In 1893 he was appointed Postmaster of the 
city of Austin under Postmaster-General Bissell 
and has ably performed the duties of the office, 
which he still holds. There are few men in Austin 
(if indeed there are any) who have been more 
active in business and more faithful in fulfilling the 
duties of office (which Mr. Zimpelman holds to be 
a sacred trust) than the subject of this brief sketch. 
Mr. Zimpelman was married in Travis County to 
Miss Sarah C, daughter of Thos. Matthews, a 
farmer and a pioneer of 1850. Mrs. Zimpelman 
died in 1886, leaving three sons and two daughters, 
Mary Louise, who became the wife of Hon. Chas 



INDI^LN WARS AS^D PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



395 



H. Howard, both now deceased; Tbos. M., of 
Austin; Joseph L. , George W., of Utah, and a 
Miss Waldin, now assistant money order clerk in 
the Austin post office. 



Mr. Zimpelman is a member of long and high 
standing in the order of Free and Accepted Masons, 
and enjoys the full confidence and esteem of a wide 
circle of loyal friends. 



THOMAS MOORE, M. D., 

WACO. 



Dr. Thomas Moore was born in Mercer County, 
Ky., August 6lh, 1815. His parents were John 
and Phoebe (Westerfleld) Moore. 

John Moore, also a native of Kentucky, was born 
in 1789 and was the son of Thomas Moore (born in 
1755), who was the son of Simon Moore, who, when 
a young man, emigrated to Kentucky with Daniel 
Boone's colony ; his ancestor was Thomas Moore, 
who emigrated to America from England. 

Dr. Moore was the eldest of the children born to 
John and Phoebe (Westerfleld) Moore, and the 
only one now living of a large familj*. His father 
served in the volunteer force in the Northwest under 
Gen. William Henry Harrison in the War of 1812. 
He was a farmer and school teacher by occupation, 
and died in Lawrence Count}', Ala., in 1863. His 
widow survived him until 1875, when she departed 
this life at Waco, Texas. They were active mem- 
bers of the Church of Christ. In 1836 young 
Moore began the study of medicine in Glasgow, 
Ky. , in the office of Dr. W. D, Jourdan. In the fall 
of 1837 he commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion in Allen County ; later practiced in Warren 
and Simpson Counties, Ky., until 1845; and then 
moved to Limestone County, Ala., where he 
remained until 1853, in which year he moved to Bur- 
net County, Texas, where he continued actively 
engaged in practice. As a physician he was skill- 
full and his professional labors became so extensive 
and arduous as to result in such serious impairment 
of his health that he abandoned the practice of 
medicine. He then began the study of law, was 
admitted to the bar and was soon earnestly and 
successfully engaged in the pursuit of his new 



profession, practicing in the various courts of 
Texas. 

He has never been a politician in the strict sense 
of the term. He has never sought office, and has 
never accepted office, save when called upon to do 
so by the voice of the people. He was a member 
of the Secession Convention of Texas. In that 
body he served as a member of the Committee on 
Federal Relations and aided the chairman of that 
committee in preparing the address to people of 
Texas advocating secession. During the war he 
was appointed, by Judge T. J. Devine, one of the 
Confederate States receivers for the court at Austin, 
which position he held until the close of the war. 
In 1866, while A. J. Hamilton was Provisional 
Governor, Dr. Moore was, with his son, John 
Moore, and some others, arrested by the military 
authorities on the charge that they were opponents 
of and inimical to the policy of reconstruction that 
was being pursued. He was taken to Austin and 
held in prison there seventy-eight days, when he, his 
son and their companions, were released, after being 
brought before a magistrate and giving bond. In 
1867 Dr. Moore moved to Waco, where he has 
since resided and devoted himself to the practice of 
law. He was united in marriage in Glasgow, Ky., 
March 9, 1837, to Miss Eliza J. Dodd. Theyliave 
had eight children, five sons and three daughters, 
born to them, viz. : John, Thomas P., Luke, James 
I., Bart, Emily A., now Mrs. Frazier, of Bosque 
County ; Ida, now Mrs. Hays, and Jennie, now 
Mrs. Muenenhall. 

March 9, 1887, they celebrated their golden wed- 
ding, which was made a great event in Waco. 



396 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



M. L. OPPENHEIMER, 



EAGLE PASS. 



The history- of Ibe later material growth of Eagle 
Pass is as phenomenal as its Indian and pioneer 
history is thrilling and instructive. 

The bustling, ambitious and tireless men of 
business soon followed in the wake of the pioneers 
and pushed the work of permanent development in 
agriculture and commerce to its present stage of 
growth and advancement and for this reason the 
brief facts touching the leading men and financiers 
of this latter historical epoch should find a becom- 
ing place in this history. 

Mr. Oppenheimer belongs to and is identified 
with the history of Eagle Pass and his rise in the 
business and financial world is a fair illustration of 
what push, perseverance and well-directed industry 
will accomplish in a new and growing country. 

Mr. Oppenheimer is a native of Bavaria and was 
born November 16th, 1852. He left his native 
home and came to America alone, and went direct 
to San Antonio about the year 1867, when a youth 
of about fifteen years. He secured a clerkship in 
the store of a relative, B. Oppenheimer (now de- 
ceased), then a leading merchant of that city, and 
later represented the house as travelling salesman 
in the Rio Grande valley. He thereafter worked 
for the mercantile house of Goldfrank, Frank & 
Company, of San Antonio, as accountant, for about 
six years. For the following three years he repre- 
sented his former employer, B. Oppenheimer, on 
the Rio Grande and for one year the firm of Leon 



& H. Blum, of Galveston, in the same region. Mr. 
Oppenheimer, having ever an eye to the best chance, 
became impressed with the advantages afforded by 
the existing business situation and future prospects 
of Eagle Pass, resigned his position, purchased a 
stock of general merchandise and in 1881 embarked 
in business at that place. The venture proved a 
financial success and he made money. He con- 
tinued in trade until 1892 and then purchased an 
interest in the banking business of S. P. Simpson 
«& Company, the oldest banking house west of San 
Antonio, and in 1895 became sole owner of the 
institution. He transacts a large volume of busi- 
ness annually on a safe and conservative business 
basis and his bank is one of the strong financial 
institutions of Southwest Texas. Mr. Oppen- 
heimer's rise in the world, from an humble begin- 
ning as a poor boy from a foreign land, has been 
steady and honorable. He is a good man for his 
city, takes a just pride in its institutions, and aids 
liberally with his influence and ample means all 
movements tending to its advancement and well- 
being. He is president of the Texas-Mexican 
Electric Light & Power Company and connected 
witli other leading enterprises. Mr. Oppenheimer 
married an estimable San Antonio lady in 1883 and 
they have three children : Leonidas, Alexander and 
Ella. They have a spacious and attractive home 
and are esteemed for their excellent social accom- 
plishments. 



WILLIAM P. HARDEMAN, 



SUPERINTENDENT CONFEDERATE HOME. 



Gen. AVilliam P. Hai-deman is one of the very 
few men now living who has served Texas in every 
military struggle from her first permanent colonial 
settlement. Though now eighty years of age, he 
retains his mental faculties unimpaired and to a 
singular degree his physical activit}'. 

He was born in Williamson County, Tenn., the 
4th day of November, 181G. His family has been 
distinguished in tlie early history of the Southern 



States. His grandfather, Thomas Hardeman, was 
a member of the first Constitutional Convention of 
Tennessee. His father, Thomas J. Hardeman, 
served several terms with marked distinction as a 
member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. 
He was the author of the rescjlution of the Texas 
Congress which gave the name of Austin to the 
capital of the State. The mother of Gen. Harde- 
man was the daughter of Ezekiel Polk, of Irish 



INDIAN WAHS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



397 



descent, who was a signer of the Mecklenberg 
Declaration of Independence in Nortli Carolina. 
The Hardemans were of Welsh origin. The blood 
of Wales and Ireland thus mingling in the veins of 
William P. Hardeman, it is not strange that an 
ardent love for independence and a hatred of 
oppression, in every form, should have marked his 
career. 

His father reached Texas with his family in 183.5, 
just at the time when the colonists were preparing 
for unequal war with Mexico. Burleson Milam, 
Frank Johnson, and others, had determined to 
capture the garrison at San Antonio. Their fol- 
lowers were the frontier hnnters and almost their 



sponded with alacrity by volunteering, and started 
for San Antonio with twenty-one men. His 
father demnnded that bis name should be entered 
in the muster roll as a volunteer and it was so 
written. Houston, who had heard from the servant 
of Travis of the massacre at the Alamo, fell back 
from Gonzales. Hardeman, with the little band of 
twenty-one men, was not so fortunate, for, know- 
ing neither the fate of Travis nor the retreat of 
Houston, they rode in upon the Mexican pickets 
and narrowly escaped capture. The horses were 
exhausted by forced marches to reach the Alamo 
and Capt. Dimmit, who was in command, ordered 
them to abandon their horses, which they did, and 





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4 


WM 


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(;KX. W.M. p. IIAKDKM.AN. 



only weapons were the hunter's rifle. Artillery 
was especially needed, and W. P. Hardeman, then 
but nineteen years old, accompanied his uncle, 
Bailey Hardeman, and a few neighbors to Dimmit's 
landing, below the mouth of the Lavaca river, and 
procured an eighteen pound cannon, which had 
been brought on a schooner from Matagorda Pass. 
On the march the force was increased to seventy- 
five men, among whom were twenty men known as 
the Mobile Grays. Marching rapidly with this 
piece of artillery to San Antonio, the news of the 
approaching reinforcement reached Gen. Cos in 
advance and precipitated his surrender, which 
occurred before the artillery arrived. 

In the spring of 1836, when Travis, hemmed in 
with his men, appealed from the Alamo for help, 
young Hardeman, then not twenty years old, re- 



retreated on foot down the Guadalupe, marching 
four days without food. On their return, Bailev 
Hardeman, who was a member of President Burnet's 
cabinet, ordered W. P. Hardeman back from 
Harrisburg to Matagorda County, with a commis- 
sion for John Bowman to raise a company, and to 
remain in the county. On his arrival he found but 
four men in that county, among whom was one who 
had just escaped the Fannin massacre. The trip 
was one of exposure and hardship ; no shelter, no 
food, except such as he carried in his saddlebags. 
Swimming the San Bernard river and sleeping, wet 
and uncovered on the prairie at night, he at last 
reached Harrisburg, but sick, exhausted and unable 
to accompany his brother, Munroe Hardeman, with 
the army. In 1837 he ranged the frontier with 
Deaf Smith four months. On the 22d of February, 



398 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



1839, he was with Col. John H. Moore in the fight 
with the Cotnanche Indians at Wallace's Greek, 
seven miles above San Saba. In April, 1839, he 
was in the Cordova fight, under Burleson, four 
miles east of Seguin. He served as a member of 
the celebrated mounted company commanded bj' 
Ben McCulloch, during the Mexican War of 1846. 
He has been married tliree times and farmed on the 
San Marcos river until sent by his county to the 
State Secession Convention of 1861. In politics 
Gen. Hardeman is a Democrat of the strict con- 
struction school and, believing that secession alone 
could preserve the institutions of the South from 
Federal aggression, he voted for secession and on 
many a bloody field he sought to establish it with 
arms. He joined the command destined for Arizona 
and New Mexico with a full company of young 
men, the very flower of the Guadalupe valley, and 
became senior Captain in the regiment commanded 
by Col. Riley, in which the lamented William R. 
Scurry was Lieutenant-Colonel, and Henry Raguet 
was Major. At the battle of Val Verde, he was 
promoted for distinguished gallantry on the field 
and became the Major of the regiment. The 
charge on McRae's battery, made by the Con- 
federates at Val Verde, is one of the most re- 
markable in the annals of war. In this battle 
Hardeman was wounded. During that expedition 
Hardeman was sent to Albuquerque with Capts. 
Walker and Copewood, to hold the plain with 
150 men. In that town all the ammunition, re- 
serve supplies, and medicines for the army, were 
stored. Fifteen hundred Federal soldiers attacked 
the position. Hardeman was advised of their ap- 
proach and could have retreated, but his retreat 
meant the surrender of the army, for behind it was 
a desert, destitute of supplies. For five days and 
nights, his men never leaving their guns, he sus- 
tained the attack and held the position until rein- 
forcements arrived from Santa Fe. This defense 
saved the army. A council of war was held the 
night before the army began to retreat from Albu- 
querque. The situation was fully discussed, but 
no oflScer proposed any definite action, until Maj. 
Jackson called on Hardeman, who was present, to 
express his views on the situation. Gen. Sibley 
then invited Hardeman to speak. He remarked 
that it was manifest that the enemy could reinforce 
quicker than the Confederates, and the sooner the 
army got away the better. He was the only man 
who had the moral courage to advise a retreat, 
which all knew was inevitable, and his advice was 
promptly adopted by Gen. Sibley. 

When the retreat began. Gen. Green's regiment 
was attacked at Peralto. It was saved by the 



timely return of Hardeman, who was then in com- 
mand of his regiment and who had started to cap- 
ture Fort Craig, then garrisoned by Federal troops 
under Kit Carson. His men waded the river, which 
was full of floating ice, during the night. The line 
of retreat was across the mountains to a point on 
the river below Fort Craig. To Hardeman is due 
the credit of saving the artillery on that retreat. 
On the arrival of the army at El Paso he was 
ordered by Col. Riley to go to the interior of 
Texas and recruit. Here was exemplified Harde- 
man's unselfish devotion to duty. His first im- 
pulse was that of joy at the prospect of soon seeing 
again his wife and children, but he knew that his 
long experience as a frontiersman lietter qualified 
him to take the regiment safely across the plains, 
than any other one in the command, and he asked 
Gen. Sibley to countermand the order. He was in 
the battle of Galveston, with the land forces, on 
January 1, 1863, when the Federal boats were 
either captured or driven from the harbor and a 
Massachusetts regiment captured. 

After the battle of Galveston, Gen. Magruder 
requested Hardeman, then Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the Fourth Regiment, to resign, and accept com- 
mand of Peter Hardeman's regiment, for the pur- 
pose of organizing a new force to return to 
Arizona. Afterward, when Col. Riley fell at 
Iberia, Louisiana, Gen. E. Kirby Smith ordered 
Hardeman Ijack to command his own regiment, 
with which he remained until the close of the war. 
After his return to his old regiment he participated 
in the disastrous night attack on Fort Butler. Lieut. 
Wilkins was present when Gen. Geeen requested 
Hardeman's opinion about making the attack. 
Hardeman said that many good men would fall 
and nothing could be gained, for the river was full 
of gunboats and, if the night attack should be 
successful, the enemy would recapture the fort next 
day. He added: "If the attack is made I will 
lead my regiment in the fight." Green's orders to 
attack were imperative and the result was more 
disastrous to the command than any other battle of 
the war In this attack Hardeman was again 
wounded. With 250 men he met the advance of 
the army, under Gen. Banks, near Pleasant Hill. 
With his small force he stubbornly resisted the 
march of the Federal arm}^ retreating and fighting 
at every step, until night. At night the enemy 
camped on the south side of a creek near the old 
mill and Hardeman, with his little force, rested for 
a time in the woods on the other side. In the 
night, at ten o'clock, he put his men in motion and 
fiercely charged the whole Federal army. The 
strength of the attacking force was not known and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



399 



the enemy moved back two miles and camped. 
This enabled the Confederate troops to fall back 
next morning and take position at Mansfield, where 
the decisive battle of the campaign was fought. In 
that battle Gen. Hardman commanded Green's 
brigade and to the fact that under his leadership it 
struck the Federal line in flank and rear, at the 
moment that the infantry of Jlouton's Division had 
been brought up standing in front of the 13th Corps 
of the Union army, unable to advance further in 
the face of a deadly fire delivered from behind a 
breastwork of rails, was chiefly due the victory 
that the Confederates won in that engagement. To 
this fact Lieut. Dudley Avery, of Gen. Mouton's 
staff, bore eloquent testimony in a letter written to 
Gen. H. H. Boone a few years ago, in which he de- 
scribed the magnificent charge made by Mouton's 
infantry and spoke of the part Gen. Hardeman 
played upon that bloody and hard fought field. 

In that desperate battle nearly every company 
officer of Hardeman's regiment was killed or 
wounded. The following da}' he participated in 
the battle of Pleasant Hill. Banks was now in 
full retreat, but with an army far stronger than his 
pursuers. The eventful campaign which resulted 
in driving him back to Lower Louisiana, lasted forty- 
three days, thirty-nine of which were days of fight- 
ing, with Hardeman nearly always at the front. 
The retreat terminated in the battle of Yellow 
Bayou, in which Hardeman commanded the division. 
Among the many compliments received by Harde- 
man's regiment from superior officers, should be 
mentioned that of Gen. Dick Taylor, who wrote 
that their charge at Franklin saved the array. 
Here Col. Riley was killed and Hardeman then be- 
came the Colonel of the regiment and was subse- 
quently commissioned Brigadier-General by the 
War Department. 

When peace was restored Gen. Hardeman went 
to Mexico, where he was employed to survey lands 
in Durango and Metlakauka. He returned home 
in 1866 and engaged in cattle speculation to restore 
his fortunes, but this resulted unfortunately. He 
entered the army in 1861 wealthy ; at the close of 
the war he found himself poor. 

When Coke was inaugurated as Governor in 1874, 
armed resistance was threatened by ex-Governor E. 
J. Davis, who refused to recognize the election. 
Gen. H. E. McCulloch, who had been placed in 
command of the capitol grounds and buildings, 



became sick, and Guy M. Bryan, Speaker of the 
House, appointed Gen. Hardeman, Col. Ford and 
Col. William N. Hardeman as assistant Sergeant- 
at-Arms, to protect the Legislature and public 
buildings, and to keep the peace. In open session 
of the House he said to them : "You love Texas ; 
you have seen much service in her behalf during 
three wars ; you are experienced and accustomed 
to command men. A great crisis is upon Texas; 
she never needed your services more than now." 
The crisis was manifest. Davis was relying upon 
Grant, wlio was then President, to sustain him in 
his usurpation, but in this he was deceived. The 
capitol grounds swarmed with armed negroes, who 
were influenced by corrupt whites, greedy to retain 
power. For eight days and nights the Hardemans 
and Ford were at their posts, and the Speaker of 
the House, writing of their services, said: "They 
showed tact, fidelity and efficiency. Twice they 
prevented bloodshed." When the crisis had passed, 
in open session of the House, he addressed them as 
follows : " Faithful servants of Texas, I have asked 
you to come here, that in the presence of the House 
of Eepresentatives of the people of Texas, in their 
name, as the Speaker, and in the name of every 
man, woman and child of Texas, to thank you for 
the invaluable services you have rendered them. 
But for you, Texas might have been drenched in 
in blood and remanded back to military rule, which, 
in my humble judgment, you largely contributed 
to avert by your consummate tact, true courage 
and patriotism. You are discharged." 

By Governor Coke he was appointed Public 
Weigher at Galveston ; by Governor Roberts, In- 
spector of Railroads; by Governor Ross, Superin- 
tendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, and by 
Governor Culberson, Superintendent of the Con- 
federate Home, at Austin, which position he now 
holds. 

His early life was spent in camp and field with 
the pioneer hunters and rangers of the Republic 
and, yet, it would be difficult to find in any social 
circle a man more gentle in his bearing and refined 
in his manners. He acts now with another genera- 
tion which knows nothing of the hardships and 
perils which created Texas and, yet, the death of 
no living man would be more sincerely deplored, 
not only by her old soldiers, but by the citizenship 
of Tex'as at large, than would that of. Gen. William 
P. Hardeman. 



400 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ANDREW H. EVANS, M. D., 

EAGLE PASS. 



Andrew H. Evans, a well-known cilizen and suc- 
cessful physician of Eagle Pass, is a native of Ken- 
tucky and was born at High Grove, in Nelson 
County, March 12, 1856. His father, Walter M. 
Evans, was a successful farmer and a native of the 
same State, and married Miss Sarah E. Oliphant, a 
member of an old Kentucky family and a descend- 
ant of the Oliphants of Virginia. 

Dr. Evans spent his boyhood and youth on the 
farm and received an academic education at Bards- 
town, Ky. His tastes did not incline him to agri- 
cultural pursuits and he entered upon the study of 
medicine, and took a course of study at the Medi- 
cal University at Louisville, Ky. , graduating there- 
from in the class of 1880, and returned to his native 
town of High Grove, where he commenced the 
practice of his profession. He, in 1883, attended 
lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
New York, and in 1884 received his diplomas from 
the institution, and almost immediately thereafter 
located at Eagle Pass, Texas, where an uncle, A. 
M. Oliphant, an able lawyer, of ten years' residence 
in that city, then resided. 

Dr. Evans' profession abilities, great energy and 
excellent social qualities soon drew about him a circle 
of warm personal friends and brought to him a large 
medical practice, 'and since his coming, little of im- 
portance in the line of material growth and social 
advancement has transpired that Dr. Evans has not 
promoted and fostered with his moral support and 
ample means. He has served his people for eight 
consecutive years as a member of the Board of 



Trustees of the city free schools, where his influence 
has had a salutary effect in elevating the grade and 
standard of scholarship and the general develop- 
ment of the local free school system. 

Dr. Evans has for ten years past held the office 
of city or county physician at Eagle Pass, and now 
holds the respectable position of State quarantine 
officer. He is one of the directors of the First 
National Bank of Eagle Pass, is a director of the 
Eagle Pass Board of Trade, and a director and 
vice-president of the Mesquite Club, a close organi- 
zation of the business men of the city, with luxuri- 
ously equipped club-rooms. The club was organ- 
ized for the promotion of business fellowship and 
rational enjoyment. He is also one of the vestry- 
men of the local Episcopal church. 

Dr. Evans has been twice married, first at Higli 
Grove, Ky. , in 1884, to Miss Hattie Harris, who 
died in 1887; and second, in 1891, to Miss Lulu 
Burke, a daughter of T. S. Burke, M. D., of Cor- 
pus Christi, Texas, a lady of fine domestic tastes 
and social culture. Dr. and Mrs. Evans have one 
child, a daughter. Lulu. Dr. and Mrs. Evans are 
communicants of the Church of the Redeemer (Epis- 
copalian) and valued and influential members of the 
society circle of the city. Dr. Evans stands high 
in his profession and is esteemed as one of the 
most energetic, enterprising and useful citizens of 
his city. He possesses great energy and is a tire- 
less worker. Withal, Dr. Evans is a practical busi- 
ness man and successful financier and is regarded 
as one of the substantial citizens of Eagle Pass. 



L. E. GRIFFITH, M. D., 

TERRELL. 



Dr. L. E. Griffith, Sr., was born at Clarksburg, 
Montgomery County, Md., January 9th, 1813. His 
parents were Rev. Alfred Griffith, a native of Mont- 
gomery County, Md., and Miss Catherine Griffith, itee 
Miss Catlierine SchoU, a native of Maryland. The 
subject of this notice left his home in the spring of 
183G and came to Texas and located at San Augus- 



tine, nine days after the battle of San Jacinto, and 
there practiced his profession until 1842, in which 
year he removed to Paris, in Lamar County, Texas. 
He remained there but a short time, as the country 
was so sparsely settled that there was not much 
business for physicians. Paris at that time con 
tained but two log houses. In the larger one of 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



401 



these were kept the county records, together with 
groceries, general merchandise and whisky, which 
was a leading article of traffic and untaxed. It 
was a rare thing to see a drunken man, notwith- 
standing nearly every body drank liquor, it being 
considered a great medicine and preventive of 
chills. In the other building was a blacksmith 
shop. The same year he went to Clarksville, Red 
River County. In the winter of 1846 the Doctor 
removed to Sabine County, near Milam, the then 
county seat, where he practiced medicine for about 
twelve years, removing to Nacogdoches in Januarj', 
1857, where he remained about twenty-seven years, 
engaged in the practice of his profession and 
merchandising. In the spring of 1883 he removed 
to Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas, where he has 
since resided. 

He was an active practitioner for upwards of 
fifty years and was familiarlj' acquainted with nearly 
all of the noted men of Texas of early days. Gen. 
Sam Houston was his first patient in Texas, the 
Doctor attending him after his return from New 
Orleans, where the General had gone to receive 



medical and surgical attention after having been 
wounded in the battle of San Jacinto. For a time 
during 1846, while the Mexican War was in pro- 
gress, Dr. Griffith was in charge of a field hospital 
at San Antonio. 

Eight children have been born to him, four of 
whom, three boys and one daughter, are living. 
His wife dying some years since, his maiden 
daughter has charge of the household and is caring 
for him in his declining years. One of his sons, L. 
E. Griffith, Jr., is in the drug business at Terrell ; 
another son, Dr. W. C. Griffith, is a practicing 
physician at Terrell, Texas, and the third son, T. B. 
Griffith, is engaged in the Land, Loan and Insur- 
ance business at Terrell, Texas. 

Although Dr. Griffith is quite a small, spare 
man, his general health is much above the average, 
and he bids fair to reach the one hundred years 
mark. 

Rather retiring in disposition, he is very jovial 
and talkative when once interested and can relate 
anecdotes and reminiscences of early days in Texas 
which are very interesting. 



D. H. TRENT, 

GOLDTHWAITE. 



Daniel Henry Trent was born near the town of 
Faj-etteville, "Washington County, Ark., in 1842. 
His father was John Trent, and his mother bore 
the maiden name of Jane Conner, natives, prob- 
ably, of Tennessee or Kentucky, but early settlers 
in Arkansas. The father was a type of that class 
of men common on the Western frontier fifty years 
ago, whose memory has survived to this generation 
only in the fireside stories of a few of their number 
of exceptional prominence like Boone, Crockett, 
and Carson. Such men cared but little for wealth 
and less for the applause of the world. Their 
home was in the forest ; their pursuits those of the 
chase, which yielded them both the necessities and 
the luxuries of life. John Trent moved with his 
family to Texas in 1850, and was a resident, suc- 
cessively, of Bastrop, Williamson, Burnet, and 
Llano Counties. 

Growing up on the frontier, where the training 
of the young was restricted to a desultorj' sort of 
drilling in domestic duties, far from any schools 
worthy of the name, the early years of Daniel H. 



Trent were passed in a manner exceedingly unfav- 
orable to future success. His entire schooling did 
not amount to two months, and he had no oppor- 
tunities to neutralize these disadvantages in any 
industrial or commercial pursuits. Still, fortune 
favored him with a liberal endowment of energy, 
application and force of character, which qualities 
bore good fruits in after years. When about 
fifteen he began to " work out" at twenty-five 
cents a day, and soon coming to have a little 
money he was fired with an ambition to accumulate 
a fortune and become independent. He was, even 
at that earlj^ age, the chief dependence of his 
father's family, to discharge his duly to whom he 
obtained permission to hire himself out on con- 
dition that he turn over the bulk of his wages to 
the family, being allowed to retain the balance for 
his own use. He hired to one Eldredge, then 
engaged in freighting between Port Lavaca and the 
town of Burnet, for fifteen dollars a mouth, ton of 
which was to be paid to his father. He worked 
for Eldredge for six montlis, earning S90, lhirt3- of 



402 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



which fell to his share, $60 going to his father. 
This $30 he invested in a sow and pigs, and adding 
to the number others which he purchased with his 
meager earnings, he fattened the lot and drove 
them through to Washington County, where he 
sold them for something over a hundred dollars. 
About this time occurred one of the early Indian 
raids into Llano County, and a demand being 
created for firearms, young Trent went to Austin 
and invested the proceeds from the sale of his hogs 
in six shooters, which he readily sold at a good 
profit among the settlers of Burnet and Llano 
Counties. He then invested what money he had 
in two cows, which had running with them their 



could find hearing his brand and purchasing others, 
got together a herd of about 1,500 head. These 
he moved to Coleman County, then on the extreme 
western limits of the settled portion of the State. 
Later, establishing himself on the Clear Forlv of 
the Brazos, in Fisher and Jones County, he de- 
veloped a large ranch, staying by his interest 
through all its ups and downs until 1882, when the 
cattle boom being at its higliest, he sold his ranch 
and brand to .Steptoe and Stephens, of Abilene, for 
$100,000, the property a short time afterward 
passing into the hands of S. P. Moore, of Chicago, 
at an advance of $10,000. Mr. Trent was wise 
enough to see that the cattle business had reached 




D. H. IKEXT. 



calves, and a heifer, and with these began his 
career as a " cowman." The war coming on 
a short time afterward the cattle business, in com- 
mon with all other kinds, was practically broken 
up, and Mr. Trent followed it in only a desultory 
sort of way, his time being chiefly occupied in 
helping to defend the frontier against the Indians, 
who began to be especially troublesome with the 
opening of hostilities between the North and 
South. The years from 18C1 to 1865 are memor- 
able in the history of the State, for the trials and 
hardships which they brought to the people of the 
frontier, in all of which Mr. Trent shared, bearing 
his part of the common burden, and promptly 
responding when duty called him to the field jf 
action. 

After the war he gathered up what cattle he 



liigh- water maik in 1882, and disposed of tlie bulk 
of his holdings before the fall in prices. He con- 
tinued in the business, however, establishing another 
ranch in the same locality which he still owns, and 
acquiring title to other brands. Later he has 
engaged some also in tlie horse business. 

Seeking new fields for investment he, in 1886, 
bought $48,000 of the $75,000 stock of the First 
National Bank of Brownwood and increasing the 
capital to $100,000 was made president of that 
institution, which position he has since held. Two 
years later he established a private bank at Gold- 
thwaite on a capital of $25,000 and conducted this 
as a private concern till January, 1892, when the 
stock was increased to $50,000 and the bank 
nationalized, becoming the First National Bank of 
Goldthwaite, of which he was made president, and 




SAMUEL H. SMITH. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



403 



holds that position now. For the past eight or ten 
years, although retaining some ranching interest, 
Mr. Trent has devoted his attention mainly to 
banking. His home is at Goldthwaite, where he 
settled in 1887, shortly after the town was laid out, 
and he spends his time between that place and 
Brownwood. 

Such is a brief outline of what has been an ex- 
ceptionally active and, in some respects, eventful 
career. Mr. Trent has not been a public man in 
any sense of the word, but tlie value of his ser- 
vices to the State is not to be measured by the 
standard applied to public men. He has rather 
occupied the position of scout to the advancing 
army of civilization. The contests in which he 
has been concerned have been the hand-to-hand 
sort where the issue has turned on the personal 
merit of the contestant. Beginning his life as a 
cowboy on the range, when his only companion was 
his pony, his best defense against hostile Indians 
a pair of six shooters, his bed at night the earth, 
and his covering the sky, with a chorus of coyotes 
to lull him to slumber, he has followed the cattle 
business through all its evolutions, experi- 
encing its hardships and its pleasures, its 
alternating hopes and disappointments ; and now 
after a third of a century so spent he is one of the 
few " cowmen " of Texas who have practically 
retired from that business with a fortune. The 
success of such a career argues the possession of a 
combination of qualities that is as rare as those 
which illumine the supposedly higher walks of life 
with their achievements and fill the pages of his- 
tory with more or less renown. Yet Mr. Trent is 
far from making any boast of his success. It is 



doubtful, in fact, if he fully realizes the significance 
of what he has done. He has been so absorbed in 
the labors which he has assumed that he has never 
stopped to consider the magnitude of the obstacles 
be has encountered or to weigh the effort required 
to overcome them. 

As a citizen he has actively interested himself in 
the preservation of law and order and has thrown 
the weight of a strong personal example in favor 
of whatever is calculated to stimulate industry 
or improve the country in which he makes his 
home. He feels an especially friendly interest in 
education, for knowing from experience the disad- 
vantages under which one labors who has not had 
the benefits of schooling, it is his wish that the 
rising generation may not be so hampered in the 
race of life. He is a member of the Masonic 
order. Lodge No. 694, of Goldthwaite, in which his 
social instincts find proper expression. Steady, 
temperate and economical in habits, his private life 
meets the demands of good citizenship. He is 
quiet and retiring in disposition, but thinks and 
acts for himself. 

Mr. Trent has been three times married and is 
the father of seven living children. His three 
eldest, issue of his first marriage, are grown, these 
being Mrs. Emily Lindsey, wife of F. H. Lindsey, 
of Abilene, Texas ; Mrs. Mary Ellen Thompson, 
wife of William H. Thompson, assistant cashier of 
the First National Bank of Brownwood, and 
William H. Trent, cashier of the First National 
Bank of Goldthwaite. His four remaining chil- 
dren are small, these being Ida Belle, issue of his 
second marriage, Alma, Letrice and Daniel Albert, 
the last three being offspring of his last marriage. 



SAMUEL H. SMITH, 

ROCKPORT. 



Maj. Samuel H. Smith was a substantial citizen 
of Rockport, a large property holder, and identi- 
fied with the development of the material resources 
of the Gulf region of Southwest Texas. 

He was born near the town of Montgomer}', in 
Montgomery County, Texas, May 25, 1839, and 
was the oldest of four children born to John and 
Catherine (Gillette) Smith, the former of whom 
was a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. 
Mr. John Smith was one of Stephen F. Austin's 



first colony of 300, and located his headright on 
the Nueces river near Rockport. He was a relative 
of Governor Henry Smith, Provisional Governor 
of Texas during ttie Texas Revolution of 1835-6. 
He served as a soldier through the Texas Revolu- 
tion, took part in the battle of San .Jacinto and 
was a participantin the expeditions against Mexico. 
After living for a time in Montgomery County, he 
removed to Grimes County, where he died in 1848. 
He was an especial friend and supporter of Gen. 



404 



INDIAN WAIiS AND PWNEERS OF TEXAS. 



Sam Houston. He was the first sheriff of and 
built the first cotton gin in Montgomery County. 

Samuel H. Smith grew up in Montgomery, 
Grimes and Guadalupe counties and in 1857 moved 
to Bee County and engaged in stock raising. In 
1861 he espoused the Confederate cause and joined 
Downley's company, First Texas Cavalry. He 
was made Lieutenant of the company, then Assist- 
ant Quartermaster, later Captain and finally Major. 
He also served through several campaigns as Com- 
missary of Buschell's brigade. At the close of 
the war he returned to Bee County, where he en- 
gaged in raising, buying and shipping cattle. He 
was one of the chief promoters of the enterprise 
that resulted in the establishment of a meat-packing 
house near Eockport, which for a time did a large 
business. In 1867 he located in Aransas County, 
in order to secure beef cattle for this packing 
house. His operations in stock were on an exten- 
sive and successful scale and he built up a consid- 
erable fortune in ranch lands, cattle and real estate 
in and about Eockport, of which thriving little 
city he was thereafter (until the time of his death, 
which occurred at Eockport, April 25th, 1895), an 
esteemed and influential citizen. 



He took, also, a prominent part in securing 
harbor improvements at Aransas Pass and was an 
officer of the first company organized for that pur- 
pose. 

September 15th, 1874, he married Miss Clara 
Hj'nes, daughter of Judge John Hyncs, a pioneer 
who came to Texas with his father from Ohio, in 
1836 and located on Hynes Bay, in Eefugio County, 
where he was one of the first white settlers. He 
served as County Judge of Eefugio County and 
was for many years an honored and exemplary 
citizen of that count}', dying there at his home on 
Hynes' Bay, in 1887, at sixty-three years of age. 

Mrs. Smith was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 
December 29, 1854. 

She has seven children: Tiny, John H. and 
James H. (twins), William H., and Samuel H. 
(twins), Grace and Hynes. 

Maj. Smith was for two terms Mayor of the 
city of Eockport and was vice-president of the 
Aransas Pass First National Bank. 

The family are all members of the Catholic 
Church. Maj. Smith embraced that faith before 
his death. 



ROBERT M. WILLIAMSON, 



("THREE-LEGGED WILLIE.") 



Was born in Georgia ; in early life was alllicted 
with white swelling, which stiffened one of his 
knees ; moved to Texas and located at San Felipe 
in 1827 and engaged in the practice of law ; was 
Alcalde in 1834 ; was Captain of a company that 
served against the Indians in 1835, and was a mem- 
ber of a Committee of Safety at Bastrop, where he 
then lived ; served in the General Consultation of 
that year: was District Judge in 1836 ; was elected 
to the Texas Congress in 1840 and until annexation 
was re-elected to that body from Washington 
County ; and for several years represented that 
county in the Slate Senate after annexation. In 
1857 he had a severe attack of sickness, which 
seriously affected his intellect. " The death of his 
wife," says Thrall, " a daughter of Col. Edwards, 
of Wharton County, occurred shortly afterwards.' 
From these combined shocks his mind never entirely 
recovered, until the time of his death, which tran- 



spired peacefully and calmly on the 22d of Decem- 
ber, 1859, in Wharton County." 

Alluding to the one fault, or failing, that he pos- 
sessed, one of the "fears of the brave and follies 
of the wise, " which was to be ascribed to the temper 
of the times in which a large portion of his life was 
spent, the wild and disorderly state of societ}' then 
existing, a biographer in recording his demise closes 
the notice with the following sentence: — 

"May I supplicate for Eobert M. Williamson 
(who, if he was a great sinner, was also a great 
sufferer) the kind charity of all Christians, and 
close this article with the following lines, from the 
Light-House, which no voice sang so sweetly as his 
own: — 

'"In life's closing hour, when the trembling soul flies 
And death stills the heart's last emotion, 
Oh! theu may the seraph ot mercy arise, 
Lilie a star on eternity's ocean.' " 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



405 



The following are extraeis from a speech deliv- 
•ered by Hon. George Clark, of Waco, before the 
Texas Senate, the night of March 21, 1891, pre- 
senting a portrait of Judge Williamson, which has 
since adorned the walls of the Senate chamber. 
Lieutenant Governor Pendleton's speech in reply 
was equally felicitous :^ — 

" Mu. President AND Senators: This picture is 
a true and life-like portrait of one of the old 
fathers of Texas, a meml)er of Austin's colony. 



together ill Texas from the four corners of the earth 
an array of giants to do His work, for indeed may 
it be truly said 'there were giants in those days.' 
Few in numbers, but with a resolution of purpose 
tliat recognized no such word as fail, they came upon 
this fair land as tiie vanguard of a mighty civiliza- 
tion. * * * 

" Soldiers never make States. This is the work 
of a different order of men. * * * j have some- 
times thought that we have done an unintentional 
injustice to the fathers of Texas. We often think 




THREE-LEGGED WILLIE. 



the friend of Houston, the compatriot of Jack and 
of Archer and Wharton, the trusted counselor of 
Milam, the intimate associate of Travis and of 
Johnson; the Mirabeau of our revolution, a man 
whom it were base flattery to call ' the noblest 
Roman of them all,' for Rome, even in the palmiest 
daj's of her grandeur, never had such a man. This 
is a true picture of Three-Legged Willie, painted as 
be would have had himself painted in life — just as 
he was. 

"As we gaze upon that face and recall again tlie 
earlier days of our most romantic history, it would 
seem that Providence in the exercise of His benefi- 
cence to man had purposely raised up and gathered 



of their prowess as soldiers, and never weary in 
recounting to our children their deeds of heroism. 
But we are prone to forget that this was the smallest 
part of their contribution to civilization and to 
humanitj'. San Jacinto might have been won by 
barbarians, for even barbarians love liberty, but 
Texas could only have been made by patriots and 
statesmen. The men who fought there knew that 
victory meant only the beginning of their task, and 
the echoes of the ' twin sisters ' had scarce died 
away before they set themselves to the grand work 
of laying the foundations and erecting the frame- 
work of a great State. 

"Hitherto the boast of the English-speaking 



406 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



people that every man's house was bis castle, into 
which even the king could not enter except upon 
invitation, had been only partially true. The king, 
perhaps, could not cross the sacred threshold, but 
his sheriff could and, after entrance, seize upon the 
household goods and household gods of the unfor- 
tunates and drive their loved ones out into the cold 
world without shelter, food or raiment. How queer 
it is that this barbarism was first arrested by the 
old fathers of Texas, who sat and deliberated in 
a log hut for a capitol. It seems strange now, as 
we look backward, that no other civilized people 
detected a wrong in the merciless seizure of the 
home by the officer of the law, and that it remained 
for the pioneers of Texas to establish and promul- 
gate a great principle in the economy of government 
which has been since adopted and followed by 
every American State and Territory. The world 
owes to Texas the conception of this grand idea, 
that the homes of a free people are above the law 
and beyond the law, and that ro matter how 
urgent the demand, no matter the misfortunes that 
may betide, or the consequences that may follow, 
the abiding place of the family shall be sacred. 
In the storms that are sure to come this will be the 
sheet-anchor for our safety, for the preservation of 
the home begets patriotism and conservatism ; and 
capital can never lay its hand upon these people 
and make them aught but freemen. * * * 

" And blessed be the men who conceived and 
carried out the grand idea of the homestead, of 
whom Three-Legged Willie was the chief. 

" Another thought that seemed to pervade the 
minds of our early fathers in the construction of 
our government was, to banish the ' quirks and 
quibbles of the law,' so that our courts should be 
able to dispense speedy and substantial justice to 
the citizen without embarrassment, delay or chi- 
canery. • * » The code practiced in most of 
the States to-day is the fruit of Texas' example 
and inspiration. * * * 

"Another prominent idea in the minds of our 
fathers was the necessity of a general diffusion of 
education among the people of the State. * * * 
Indeed, so liberal has been their provision, a lapse 
of fifty years finds us quarreling among ourselves 
as to how we shall spend it. * * * 

"But why go further in enumerating the many 
other ideas prominent in our early days? Not 
only this, but many nights could be spent in re- 
counting to each other the manifold features which 
characterized the formative period of our history. 

" I have only referred to one or two of the more 
prominent, in order to demonstrate, especially to 
our young people, the magnificent thought and 



statesmanship of those men who redeemed and 
made Texas, and with and among whom Robert 
M. Williamson lived and labored, prmws inter 
ixires. 

"In addressing myself to the man as be was, 
I am admonished by my own instinct that my 
powers are wholly inadequate to the task. To 
properly delineate him, lawyer, judge, statesman, 
soldier and patriot, he who essays the task should 
have known him in life, have seen him upon the 
field, been with him in the council and at the bar, 
and mingled with him in the daily walks and con- 
versations which go to make up human life. His- 
tory at best deals only in fragments, and tradition 
often loses its thread in the memories of men. 

" Only a few, very few, comrades of Judge Wil- 
liamson are spared to us, and to these we are indebted 
for the glimpse obtained of his achievements and 
character. Of Scotch descent, he came of good old 
Revolutionary and fighting stock, his grandfather 
having been a Colonel in Washington's army, and 
his father a soldier in the War of 1812. Endowed 
by nature with a broad intellect, with splendid 
powers of analysis and oratory, and an energy of 
purpose and an inflexibility of will rarely equaled, 
he naturally turned to the bar as a proper field for 
his labors, and at once sprang into prominence as a 
law3'er in his native State and Georgia and in the 
adjoining .State, Alabama, to which he moved. The 
years 1828-9 found him a citizen of Texas and 
here his fame as an orator and statesman was won. 

"The troubles and oppressions of the colony 
appealed most strongly to his manhood and his 
patriotism, and his clarion voice was soon raised for 
liberty and independence. The nature of the man 
admitted neither of truckling nor compromise. He 
was an absolute separalionist from the beginning, a 
bold champion of the rights of the people of Texas, 
not only to self-government but unqualified inde- 
pendence. With a patriotism and an eloquence at 
least equal to Patrick Henr3', conjoined with a rug- 
gedness of expression that Henry never possessed 
and which often swept his audience like a cyclone, 
he went before the people of the several colonies 
and preached the gospel of a pure and unadulterated 
liberty. The fires of patriotism he kindled were 
soon burning with bright fervor, a mere handful of 
patriots resolved to be free, and then followed in 
quick succession, the affairs of Turtle Bayou, 
Anapuca, Velasco, which quickened the revolution 
into life, and then the storming of Bexar, the heroic 
holocaust of the Alamo, the butchery of Goliad, the 
splendid and decisive victory at San Jacinto, and 
then free Texas. The best historian of Texas so 
far pays this just tribute to the man of whom I 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



407 



speak that after thorough and minute investiga- 
tion of the records and history of Texas be was con- 
strained to say that Robert M. Williamson had done 
as much, if not more, than any other man in pre- 
cipitating and sustaining the revolution of 1835-36. 
This is the verdict of contemporary history, and 
will be the verdict of posterity for all time. With 
a price upon his head that betokened no quarter if 
captured, singled out with W. B. Travis from all 
his compatriots as an object of special vengeance 
by the usurper and invader, be faced the storm, 
defied the tj'rant, redoubled his almost superhuman 
efforts to free bis country, knowing that bis good 
life would be the penalty for a failure, and won by 
the blessing of God. 

" Soon after the inauguration of the new govern- 
ment be was appointed a judge of one of the dis- 
tricts, which made him ex-officio a member of the 
Supreme Court. After that be was Senator in 
Congress or Representative in the Lower House of 
the Republic or State until the close of his public 
career, about 1850 or 1851. A few of bis old fel- 
low-senators and members, still left to us, love to 
dwell upon the man and never tire in recounting 
his splendid bursts of eloquence, his withering 
sarcasm and ridicule, bis keen sense of humor that 
often destroyed an adversary with a single shaft, 
bis absolute freedom from fear, and bis unwavering 
honesty. Many of the great measures of legisla- 
tion in use and effect to-day bear the imprint of 
his genius, and the jurisprudence of the Senate is 
indebted to him for some of its most salutary fea- 
tures. He passed away from us in the year 1859, 
at bis home in the county of AVharton, a county 
rich in reminiscence and in the deeds of the many 
eminent sons she has given to the State. 

" In looking over the career of Judge Williamson, 
if I were called upon to select the most prominent 
of bis many prominent characteristics, I should 
say that bis greatest virtues were sterling honesty, 
inflexible patriotism and an utter abnegation of 
self. He was too big a man to think of himself, 
too honest to build himself up at the expense of 
others, and too patriotic to tolerate with any 
degree of patience any measure that could by 
remote probability turn to injure the State or de- 
stroy the rights of the people. 

" He belonged to his friends and not they to him. 
His warm and generous nature forbade him to 
refuse a favor, and bis knightly courage never per- 
mitted him to turn bis back upon a foe. In all the 
corruption naturallj' incident to the revolution and 
the acquisition of a princely landed domain by the 
Republic, he walked upright before God and man, 
and came out without the smell of fire even upon 



bis garments. Nay, better even than this. He 
was ever the implacable foe of the land thief and 
the defender of the people's heritage. His eagle 
eye always saw through the flimsy veil of the 
jobber and detected at a glance the sinister pur- 
pose attempted to be concealed under the disguise 
of the public good ; and every act and vote and 
thought of the man during his long and eventful 
career in our legislative balls, attest his nobleness 
of soul and his incorruptibility of purpose. He 
was always, and upon all occasions, the people's 
steadfast friend, and never spoke to them with a 
forked tongue. Too honest to tolerate deception 
he despised with loathing unutterable the slimy 
arts of the demagogue, and crushed with his de- 
nunciation the tricks of the politician. Men 
always knew how and where be stood and bis 
simple word constituted bis bond. And yet he 
carried in his breast a heart full of loving kind- 
ness for ail, and a charity bounded only by the 
limit of his resources. Take him all in all we 
scarce shall look upon bis like again. Faults he 
had, like other men, but these faults sprang from 
the youthful buoyancy of a heart that refused to 
grow old with age. He loved ' the boys ' and he 
remained one of them until he died. 

" He may not have suited these times, but the 
man and the hour met in the rugged days of our 
earlier history, and the man was always equal to 
the hour. 

" In debate upon the hustings he was matchless. 
In forensic tilts with bis professional brethren at 
the bar he may have been equaled by some but he 
was excelled by none. In the councils of the State 
he was a patient investigator in committee, but a 
very thunderbolt on the floor. Upon the bench be 
was the urbane judge and finished gentleman, tol- 
erant of argument, painstaking in conclusion and 
inflexible in judgment. Tradition informs us that 
on one occasion he was specially commissioned by 
the President of the Republic to go to a distant 
county and there hold a term of court. The 
county was torn and rent into factions, and instead 
of raising crops the people had been devoting them- 
selves chiefly in the task of cutting each other's 
throats. As a consequence no courts bad been 
held for years in the county, and none was wanted, 
for the obvious reason that it would prove exces- 
sively inconvenient to most of the citizens to be ' 
forced to plead to indictments for murder. Just 
before court convened a large mass meeting of 
citizens was held, which adopted a resolution that 
no court should be held. When Judge Williamson 
took his seat upon the bench a lawyer arose and 
after a few prefatory remarks read the resolution 



408 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEUS OF TEXAS. 



and sat down. The court room was crowded with 
armed and angry men determined to carry their 
point. The judge blandly asked the lawyer if he 
could cite any law for such a proceeding, as it 
appeared novel to him. The lawyer arose, and 
pulling out a bowie-knife laid it on the table and 
said: 'This is the statute which governs in such 
cases.' Quick as thought and with an eye flashing 
fire the Judge drew a long pistol, drew it down on 
the lawyer, and in tones that meant more than was 
said, replied: 'And this is the constitution which 
overrides the statute. Open court, Mr. Sheriff, 
and call the list of grand jurors for the term.' The 
court was held and without any conflict between the 
' statute' and the ' constitution.' 

" An old friend of Judge Williamson who himself 
has borne a most distinguished part in the affairs of 
the vState, writes of him now as follows : ' Upon 
the organization of the government of the Republic 
Judge Williamson was selected to fill the important 
position of Judge of the Third Judicial District. 
He then removed his residence to Washington 
County, where he continued to make his home till 
about two years previous to his death. To evolve 
law and order out of the wild and discordant ele- 
ments of a revolutionary and frontier people is no 
slight undertaking. The restraints of family and 
the check which society imposes in older and better 
regulated communities were powerless here. The 
wild and daring spirits attracted hither by the love 
of excitement and adventure, too frequently after 
the war was over, degenerated into lawless reckless- 
ness. To restrain and subdue this spirit no more 
judicious appointment could have been made. To 
great force of character and undaunted personal 
courage Judge Williamson united great suavity of 
manner and calmness of judgment. These qualities 
inspired the admiration and commanded the love 
and respect of the bold borderers. Did time and 
space permit I might enrich this sketch with many 
an amusing anecdote of that period. After suc- 
cessfully establishing regular judicial proceedings 
and inaugurating the new order of things conse- 
quent upon the achievement of an independence 
Judge Williamson withdrew from the bench. From 
this time until about the year 1840, he assumed the 
practice of law. 

" ' He was induced then to become a candidate to 
represent Washington County in the Congress of 
the Republic; was easil}' elected, and from that 
time until 1850, with but a single exception, he 
represented that district in one or the other branch 
of the Legislature. In the stormy times which fol- 
lowed the dissolution of one form of government 
and preceded the institution of another, Judge 



Williamson wielded a controlling influence. While 
it is not claimed for him that he originated many 
great measures, yet as a conservative power his 
influence was widely felt and acknowledged. He 
stood erect as a faithful and incorruptible sentinel 
over the rights and interests of the State. 

" ' Having no selfish ambition to gratify-, careless 
of money to a fault, he was inaccessible to the 
threats or flatteries of the cormorants whose object 
it was to prey upon the public treasury or the pub- 
lic domain. Individuals who had bills of doubtful 
merit before Congress or the Legislature feared the 
sleepless eye and withering invective of Williamson 
more than the opposition of all others. The good 
that he thus achieved for the country is incalcul- 
able. 

" 'When mad extravagance ruled the hour and 
the country seemed on the verge of destruction, 
his voice was heard loudest in stern rebuke of such 
evil practices. In the darkest hours of the Repub- 
lic, in 1842, when peace and credit and even hope 
itself had almost fled from our midst, again his 
clarion notes were heard cheery and blythe and 
hopeful to the end. He deserved the guerdon of 
merit which the Roman Senate awarded Varro when 
the Carthagenians were assaulting the very gates of 
Rome. ' For,' says the historian, ' while the weak 
fled in dismay and the bold trembled, he alone did 
not despair of the Republic' 

" When the great question of annexation came 
to be considered in 1845, Judge Williamson was its 
unflinching advocate. He was a member then of the 
Congress of the Republic of Texas, which accepted 
the overture of the United States and ratified Presi- 
dent Jones' call for a Convention and the appor- 
tionment of representation (a most difficult and 
delicate point). The stirring events of the past 
ten or fifteen years had not been favorable to study. 
The exciting political question of the day opened a 
wider field to the ardent temperament of William- 
son, and after once engaging therein he never again 
regularly resumed the practice of his profession. 
His last appearance before the public was as a can- 
didate for Congress, when he was defeated by a 
few votes by the Hon. Volney E. Howard. The 
result was attributed by Judge Williamson's friends 
to the late period at which he was announced and 
to his want of acquaintance on the Rio Grande, 
where a large vote was polled. From that time he 
led a quiet and retired life upon a small farm near 
Independence, in Washington County, devoting 
himself exclusively to the education of his children. 
Although his opportunities for acquiring wealth and 
independence were unequaled by those of any other 
man, j'et he was of such generous and improvident 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



409 



nature that be was often embarrassed in his pecu- 
niary affairs. Like Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Monroe 
and many other great men, he not unfiequently felt 
the iron pressure of ' Res Aucjusta domi.' It may 
be stated as creditable to his integrity that in the 
midst of corruption and speculation, he lived and 
died in poverty. 

" ' He was in many respects a remarkable man. He 
possessed a wonderful hold upon the affections of 
the masses, over whose passions and sympathies his 
control was unbounded. The reckless daring of 
his own character contributed largely to this influ- 
ence. This, aided by a generous, unselfish spirit 
and captivating manners, made him wherever known 
the idol of the people. Inacessible to threats or 
bribes, he was an upright and honest judge, who 
who unflinchingly administered tiie law. In Con- 
gress and the Legislature he had no selfish purpose 
to subserve ; he was therefore the able and watch- 
ful guardian of the people's rights. His intercourse 
with liis brethren of the bar was marked by great 
courtesj'. Toward the younger members he ever 
extended a helping hand and breathed a kind word 
of encouragement. The writer is but one of hun- 
dreds who remember gratefully the kindness ex- 
tended to them in days past by Judge Williamson. 
The eloquence of Judge Williamson more nearly 
resembled that of John Randolph than of any other 
historical character. 

" ' When fully aroused there was a iire and vigor 
in his speech that surpassed description. True, 
there was quaintness and eccentricity, but it was 
all stamped with the originality and power of 
genius. 

" ' He was not only a wit of the first class, but a 



humorist also; and, like all great humorists, he 
bore a burden of melancholy which was only 
heightened by these sudden sallies, as the storm 
clouds are illumined by the sheet lightning. 

'• ' In an appeal to the people and as an advocate 
before tlie jury he was unsurpassed.' 

" And now, gentlemen of the Senate, with a loving 
heart, and with filial pride most commendable, his 
son, born amid the stirring scenes which demon- 
strated his father's greatness, presents this picture 
to the State to adorn the walls of this chamber. 
As a work of art it speaks for itself and reflects 
luster upon the artist, but as a picture of a grand 
patriot it is meet and proper that every child of 
Texas who may hereafter study our history should 
look upon that face and draw therefrom inspiration 
of that patriotism which loved Texas more than all 
things else, and never faltered in the defense of 
her rights or the protection of her honor. 

" Men may come and men may go but in all the 
tide of time and amid the splendor of a mature 
development Texas will never have a more devoted 
son nor one who served her more unselfishly than 
Robert M. Williamson. 

" In the approaching struggle of the people for 
supremacy over the grasp and greed of capital, 
would to God that another 'Three-legged Willie' 
could appear upon the scene as a great tribune of 
the people. 

" God will take care of the liberties of this people, 
and circumstances will evolve the valiant defender 
of the true faith, endowed from on high with a 
courage and sagacity equal to the occasion and an 
honesty of purpose to which the howling demagogue 
of to-day is an entire stranger." 



JOHN N. METCALF, 



MERIDIAN, 



John N. Metcalf, sheriff of Bosque County, 
Texas, was born in Scott County, Miss., in 1855. 
He was the second in a family of six children born 
to A. W. H. and Ann (Liverman) Metcalf. His 
parents were natives of Alabama. 

His paternal grandfather, A. H. Metcalf, moved 
from North Carolina to Tennessee, from Tennessee 
to Alabama and thence to Mississippi ; was a pioneer 
in those States and being a very firm, public-spirited 
and popular man was elected to and served with 



distinction in their respective legislatures ; fought 
as an officer under Gen. Jackson at the battle of 
New Orleans in 1815, and died in Mississippi about 
the j-ear 1854, after a long and useful career. 
A. W. H. Metcalf was a farmer and also figured 
in public life in Mississippi, serving as County 
Clerk and County Judge and filling other offices. 
Died on his farm in Mississippi in 1863. 

The subject of this biographical notice was reared 
in Mississippi ; moved to Texas in 1876 and located 



410 



INDIAN WAIiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



on a farm on the Brazos river in Bosque County, 
and soon, in connection witli tliis pursuit, engaged 
in stock raising; in 1887 was appointed Sheriff 
and served four years; in 1892 was elected to the 
office and re-elected in 1894. 

He was married in 1888 to Miss Lelia Bifle, a 
native of Bosque County, and daughter of John 
Bifle, an early settler, who was also Sheriff of the 
county for a number of years. Two children have 
been born to them : Addie, and an infant daughter. 

Mr. Metcalf is a Eoyal Arch Mason, a member of 



the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Meridian and of the 
Commandery at Cleburne. He is also a member 
of the Slieriffs' Association of Texas. Since 1885 
be has made his home at Meridian. He is still 
identified with the farming interests of his section, 
owning a fine prairie farm near Meridian, consist- 
ing of two hundred acres under cvltivation and 
several hundred in pasture. He has made and is 
maliing a most valuable and acceptable public 
official and is considered one of the most vigilant 
and efficient sheriffs in Texas. 



THOMAS CARSON, 



BROWNSVILLE- 



Hon. Thomas Carson, of Brownsville, Texas, 
was born in County Down, Ireland, March 12th, 
1838 ; received a liberal education in the Church 
of England and parish schools ; when seventeen 
years of age came to America; had various ex- 
periences, and, after engaging in the cotton bus- 
iness at Mobile, Ala., for some time, became 
business manager for Charles Slillman, and moved 
to Brownsville, Texas, in 1871, where he could 
give his personal attention to the diverse and 
extensive interests of that pioneer investor in land 
within and adjacent to the limits of that city. 
Since the death of Mr. Stillman he has managed 
the affairs of the estate. 

He has pointed the way for many extensive 
enterprises, which would have placed Brownsville 
in a much more exalted position than she occupies 
to-day had he been properly supported and sec- 
onded by the community at large ; but, the spirit 
of conservatism, and the hesitancy to disturb the 
primitive business methods of this completelj' iso- 
lated city, have acted as constant stumbling blocks 
in his way, and prevented progress, to a great 
degree. Nevertheless, he knows that the value of 
his plans remains undiminished, and quietlj' bides 
the time when his work will be appreciated at its 
true worth. 

In connection with the Stillman estate, he has 
had 1,200 acres in the citj' of Brownsville plotted 
into lots, and placed in marketable shape, bj' the 
New York and Brownsville Improvement Com- 



pany. He is agent for a tract of land on which 
is situated La Sal del Eey (the King's Salt), one 
of the most wonderful salt lakes in the world ; has 
interests in immense fisheries on the coast of Mex- 
ico, near Tampico, and is a joint owner of Mexican 
silver and lead mines. 

In an official capacity, the Hon. Thomas Carson 
has been closely connected with the city and county 
governments for a long term of years. He has 
been successively installed as Mayor at every elec- 
tion since 1879. In the fall election of 1892 he 
was elected Judge of the County Court of Cameron 
County, which of necessity vacated his office of 
Maj'or; but he continued to act in the latter 
capacity until his successor was legally elected. 
His services as a County Commissioner were grace- 
fully acknowledged by the citizens of the county by 
placing him on the bench in 1892, where he has 
presided with dignity, and exerted a powerful in- 
fluence for good. 

Mr. Carson has been a principal promoter of 
ever3' public movement inaugurated in recent years 
for the upbuilding of the town and section in which 
he resides, and has thoroughly identified himself 
with their best interests socially, financially and 
politically, and no citizen of Brownsville is more 
generally and highlj' esteemed. 

He was married in Mobile, Ala., January 20th, 
1870, to Miss Lydia C. Truwit. They have one 
of the most elegant and best appointed homes in 
Brownsville. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



411 



GEORGE S. BONNER, 



COOKE COUNTY. 



George S. Bonner, until the time of his death a 
leading citizen of Cooke County, this State, came 
to Texas from Tennessee in 1840 and settled first 
in Lamar County, where he remained until 1861. 
In the latter year he moved to Cooke County and 
established himself as a farmer and stock-raiser on 
Elm creek, six miles distant from the town of 
Gainesville. His wife still survives and resides 
with her son, Mr. George M. Bonner, in Cooke 
County. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
George S. Bonner, viz. : Martha, now Mrs. John 
Gillam, of Runnels County ; Sallie, now Mrs. E. 
C. Peery, of Gainesville ; Tennie, now Mrs. Judge 
Lindsay, of Gainesville ; Duckie, now Mrs. T. P. 
Aiheart, of Colorado; George M., of Cooke 
County ; and Kate, who married Mr. G. W. Lindsay, 
but is now deceased. 

December 21st, 1863, hostile Indians from the 
Territory made a foray into Cooke County for pur- 
poses of murder and robbery. Two of these 
Indians rode up to the Bonner home in sight of the 
house and drove off with them two horses belonging 
to Mr. George S. Bonner. 

He at once armed himself, mounted and started 

pursuit. He followed them for several miles 

when he came upon about three hundred mounted 

Indians. They started after him, but he succeeded, 

by hard riding, in effecting his escape. 

Mrs. Bonner, with her little son, had walked about 
a mile from the house, and she had climbed a tree 
to see if she could see her husband, and he, seeing 
her as he approached, called to her to go back. 
The Indians, hearing him calling, thought he was 
calling to men behind the hill and slackened their 
speed, which enabled him and his wife and child to 
get back to their home. One of his daughters, a 
widow, Mrs. Martha Milliken, now Mrs. John 
Gillam, of Runnels County, prepared for their 
coming. When they first leftshe gotonan oldfamily 
horse and started to town for help, but the horse 



scented the Indians and refused to go farther, aud 
she returned to the house, and there gathered up 
all the axes, hatchets and pitchforks about the place 
to arm the household. Mr. Bonner stood in front 
of the house with his gun and frightened the 
Indians away by shouting to imaginary supporters, 
" Come on boys, we can kill them all." The 
Shannons, a family living out on tlie prairie, heard 
the Indians coming, and started for Mr. Bonner's 
house. They were overtaken by the Indians and 
Mr. Shannon and a little nephew were shot four 
times each with arrows, but all managed to make 
their way in and the wounded afterwards recovered. 
Some men who were hunting saw the savages com- 
ing and rushed to town to notify the people that 
the whole country was alive with Indians, and at 
about the time that Mr. Bonner took his stand in 
the yard, twenty-eight men from town came up. 
The Indians had crossed the creek and formed in 
line opposite. The twenty-eight men thought the 
Indians too many for them, did not charge them, 
and in retreating hadjone of their number killed. 
He was carried toJMr. Bonner's house and taken to 
town the following day. Mrs. Milliken was ready 
to fight and wanted all others to do so. After kill- 
ing the man referred to, the Indians left and Mr. 
Bonner's daughters were safely convej'ed to town 
that night. He, with the remainder of his family, 
followed the next day. They did not move back 
to their country place for several years thereafter. 
They returned to their home eventually, however, 
and were there at the time of the formidable Indian 
raid of 1868. Mr. Bonner died in April, 1864, 
following the last mentioned raid, and is buried in 
Gainesville. This pioneer family encountered its 
full share of the dangers and hardships incident to 
the settlement of the country, and its members have 
always been among the most useful and highly 
respected citizens of the communities in which they 
have made their homes. 



412 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



DAVID HIRSCH, 

CORPUS CHRISTI, 



Was boru April 24, 1834. His parents were 
Judab and Henrietta Hirsch, of Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, botli of whom died before he came to America. 
He was educated at Darmstadt and left home in 
1852, and went to Havre, France, where he secured 
a position as clerk in an emigrant furnishing store, 
where he remained until 1853, and then took pas- 
sage to New Orleans, from which city he, with three 
hundred other passengers, started to St. Louis, 
Mo., aboard the Mississippi steamer Uncle Sam. 
Cholera broke out on the boat and fifty-three pas- 
sengers died before reaching Memphis, where Mr. 
Hirsch left the vessel and took another for St. 
Louis. There he secured a place with Greeley & 
Gail, grocers. The house still exists under another 
name. He remained with this house until Octo- 
ber, 1854, when he moved to Texas. Landing at 
Indianola, he proceeded from that port to Gonzales 
where he began peddling afoot. In a short time 
he was able to get a horse, with which he continued 
the business until the fall of 1858, and then moved 
to Belton, in Bell County and opened a general 
store, which he continued to conduct until late in 
1863, when he moved to Matamoros, Mexico, where 
he remained until the close of the war and made 
money. In 1865 he moved to New Orleans and en- 



gaged in business there. In 1899 he returned to 
Texas, making his home at Corpus Christi, where 
he built up one of the largest mercantile establish- 
ments in the State. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette 
Weil, of Lockhart, Texas, May 14, 1860, who died 
at Corpus Christi, May 11th, 1873, leaving two 
children, Hattie, now the wife of Silus Gunot, of 
San Francisco, and Joseph, also living in San Fran- 
cisco, where he is manager for M. A. Gunot & Co. 

July 9, 1878, Mr. Hirsch married Miss Olivia 
Benedict, of New Orleans. Two sons have been 
born to him by this, his second marriage, Alcan, 
born in 1885, and Mark, born in 1887. Mr. Hirsch 
retired from the dry goods business in 1878 and 
bought wool and loaned money until 1890, when 
he organized the Corpus Christi National Bank, of 
which he has since served as president and owns a 
majority of the capital stock. When he landed at 
Indianola in 1854 he borrowed six dollars to pay 
his way from that place to Gonzales. 

He is now considered one of the wealthiest men 
in Corpus Christi. The measure of success that he 
has achieved has been due to the possession of 
business talents of an unusuallj' high order, personal 
integrity, industry and economy. 



SIMON H. LUMPKIN, 



MERIDIAN. 



Simon H. Lumpkin, one of the leading citizens 
of Bosque County and a prominent lawyer of Cen- 
tral Texas, was born in June, 1850, in Faiifleld 
District, S. C. He was the ninth in a family of 
twelve children born to Abram F. and Patience 
Partridge (Pickett) Lumpkin, natives of South 
Carolina and descendants of old colonial families. 

On the paternal side two brothers, William and 
Joseph, were soldiers in England and came to 
America in 1765 with Gen. Braddock, marched 
with his army over the Allegheny Mountains and 
fell with him into the disastrous ambuscade on the 
Monongahela river, where Joseph was killed and 



William badly wounded. On account of his wound 
William Lumpkin was discharged from the army 
and settled on the James river, where he married 
and became a planter and the father of a family 
of four sons: Joseph, Thomas, Robert and Squir- 
relskin, who became the progenitors of all the 
Lumpkins now in the United States. Joseph and 
Squirrelskin moved to Georgia, where they married 
and reared families whose descendants have lield 
the highest otflces in the gifo of the people of that 
State — one becoming governor and another chief 
justice of the Supreme Court, both well remem- 
bered throughout the land. Robert remained in 




"!j^ ' -«* - 




Vr<^?^!^^^^^ 



0^^<^ ^^ii^^l^'^X^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



413 



Virginia and of his family little is known to the 
writer. Thomas moved to South Carolina, where be 
married Miriam Ferguson, a daughter of the noted 
Tory Ferguson, who was captured at the battle of 
the Cowpens by Gen. Marion. This couple were 
the grandparents of the subject of this memoir 
and of Dr. J. J. Lumpkin, of Meridian, Texas. 
To Tliomas and Miriam Lumpkin two sons were 
born, Bradshaw and Abram Ferguson Lumpkin, 
the latter the father of Simon H. and Dr. J. J. 
Lumpkin. 

Bradshaw Lumpkin is still living in South 
Carolina and is now nearly one hundred years 
old. He participated in many battles with the 
Indians in Florida, took part in the Texas revolu- 
tion and war between the United States and 
Mexico. His brother, Abram F. (a farmer), when 
the war between the States began, entered the Con- 
federate army and served until its close. Six of 
his sons (three of whom yielded up their lives 
on the battle-field) also entered the army. Those 
who fell in the defense of the South were: 
William, killed February 4, 1865, while on 
detailed scouting duty near Richmond, Va. ; Philip 
P., killed in the battle of Cold Harbor, May 31, 
1864, and Abram Joseph, killed in the battle of 
Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. The other sous are 
still living. Mr. Abram F. Lumpkin died Feb- 
ruary 25, 1875, and his wife January 13, 1892. 
Simon H. Lumpkin, the subject of this notice, 
completed his literary education at Wafford Col- 
lege, S. C, and Transjdvania University, Lexing- 
ton, Ky. ; taught language in a private school at 
Lexington for a time ; taught school for about 
a year at Centerville, Ga. ; in October, 1873, 
moved to Texas, and became principal of the La 
Grange College ; remained at the head of that 
institution for about a year, and in November, 



1874, was admitted to the bar, having assiduously 
studied law at leisure moments during the pre- 
ceding four years. Soon thereafter he moved to 
Bosque County and entered upon the practice of 
his profession. He was very successful from the 
start. At first he took criminal as well as civil 
cases, but for years past he has confined himself 
strictly to civil business. He practices in all the 
State courts and in the United States Supreme 
Court, and is considered one of the ablest lawyers 
at the bar of Central Texas. He has been active 
in politics as a Democratic leader, has attended 
the various conventions, served as a member of 
State and county executive committees, and has 
done yeoman service upon every occasion when 
a battle was on for party supremacy. He was 
married April 4, 1876, to Miss Laura Alexander, 
the third white child born in Waco, and daughter 
of Capt. T. C. Alexander. vShe is also a grand- 
niece of the noted Rev. Bob Alexander, the pioneer 
Methodist preacher of Texas. She graduated at 
the University of Waco in 1872. Of this union 
three children have been born: Jimmie (a daugh- 
ter), Abram and Ora. The family are all members 
of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Lumpkin is a 
member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. frater- 
nities. He has an elegant residence in Meridian, 
and the grounds are tastefully adorned, and he 
has a fish lake on the place. He also owns among 
other realty nine farms in the county, aggregating 
three thousand acres, which he is constantly im- 
proving. In 1887 he bought out the lumber yard 
in Meridian, and in 1891 also bought the lumber 
interests at Walnut Springs, and is doing a thriv- 
ing business at both places. His success in life 
has been due to the possession not only of natural 
abilities of a high order, but constant studj', firm- 
ness of purpose and unbending integrit}'. 



THE HARDINS, 

OF LIBERTY. 



The Hardin family are known to be descendants 
of a widow lady who emigrated from France to 
America, landing in Philadelphia with four sons, 
John, Henry, Mark and Martin Hardin. Her hus- 
band, in some of the internal commotions in France, 
had to flee for his life. Whether he was pursued 
and killed, or died by other casualty, is unknown. 
He was never heard of bj' his wife after bidding her 



adieu and riding away. From the best information 
that can be obtained, she was one of the Hugue- 
nots who came to America to escape persecution liy 
Louis XIV., in the year 1685. William Hardin, the 
grandfather of Frank Hardin, subject of this 
memoir, is supposed to have been a grandson of 
this widowed lad}-. 

Frank Hardin was born on the 25tli day of 



414 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



January, 1803, in Franklin County, Ga., and was 
the fourtli son of Swan and Jerusha (Blackburn) 
Hardin. His father moved to Maury County, Tenu., 
with his family, when Frank was three or four years 
of age, and resided there until about 1825. In that 
year Frank Hardin came to Texas, and about the 
same time four brothers, Augustine B., William, 
Benjamin W., and Milton A., and his father came 
to the then Mexican province, and they all settled 
in what is now Liberty County, on the east side of 
the Trinity river. His first employment after be- 
coming settled in his new home was to split rails, in 
company with his brother A. B. Hardin, for an old 
man living on the Trinity river, and the same year 
they made a crop of corn without plow or hoe, cul- 
tivating it with "hand-spikes." The first ofHcial 
position that Frank Hardin is known to have held 
was that of municipal surveyor, in the year 1834. 
He was afterward appointed surveyor by Commis- 
sioner Jorge Antonio^Nixon, under which appoint- 
ment he located and surveyed in 1835 many of the 
old leagues granted by the Mexican Government to 
colonists introduced into Liberty and adjacent 
counties, under Vehlin's empresario contract. On 
the Gth of March, 1836, he enlisted in Capt. Wm. 
M. Logan's company of volunteers, of which com- 
pany he was elecied First Lieutenant. This com- 
pany was raised from Liberty and vicinity, 
and joined Gen. Sam. Houston's army at once, 
and was a part of Sherman's regiment of 
infantry, which performed such gallant service in 
the battle of San Jacinto. After participating in 
that memorable and glorious engagement, which 
deserves a place among the important and decisive 
battles of the world's history, he remained with the 
army for three months— until his term of enlist- 
ment expired. He then returned home and very 
soon afterwards raised and organized a company, 
of which he was made captain, and joined an ex- 
pedition against the Indians, and went up the Brazos 
river as far as the Waco village. He was several 
months in this service. Under the act passed by 
the Congress of the Republic providing for the 
national defense, he was, on the 9th day of Janu- 
ary, 1837, appointed by the President, a Captain, 
for the purpose of organizing the militia of liberty. 
December 19th of that year he was also appointed 
by President Houston surveyor for the county of 
Liberty. At an election held in the county Septem- 
ber Gth, 1841, under an act of Congress, approved 
January 24th, 1839, he was elected Colonel of the 
second regiment, of the second brigade, of the 
militia of the Republic of Texas, E. Morehouse, 
Brigadier General, with headquarters at Houston, 
which position he held for several years. In 1842 



he was again elected surveyor of Liberty County 
and in 1857 elected as representative from that 
county and served as a member of the Seventh 
Legislature of the State of Texas. He was not 
fond of public life and never accepted official posi- 
tion, after the independence of Texas was secured, 
except at the urgent solicitation of the people. 
He resided in the county for over fifty years, and 
died at his residence in the town of Liberty on the 
20th of April, 1878, and was buried on the anni- 
versary of the battle of San Jacinto. 

Benjamin Watson Hardin, the oldest of the five 
brothers who came to Texas, was for many years 
Sheriff of Liberty County, and died at his home- 
stead near the town of Liberty, January 2d, 1850. 

Augustine Blackburn Hardin, the next in age, 
was a member of the General Council of Texas 
held in 1835, and also of the Consultation at San 
Felipe de Austin, the same year, representing the 
municipality of Liberty, and showed himself in 
those bodies to be a stanch patriot, a determined 
advocate of resistance to Mexican tyranny, and a 
firm supporter of the views of those who favored a 
declaration of Texian independence. He died in 
Liberty County, July 22, 1871. 

William Hardin, the third brother, was one of 
the ten original proprietors of what is now the 
city of Galveston. Under the Mexican govern- 
ment, previous to the revolution, he was Primary 
Judge of the Jurisdiction of Liberty, Department 
of Nacogdoches. He took an active and leading 
part in the revolution which separated Texas from 
Mexico, was a man widely influential, and was 
highly respected by all who knew him. He died at 
Galveston, in July, 1839. 

Milton Ashley Hardin, the youngest of the five 
brothers, was also in the service of Texas during 
the revolution. He died at Cleburne, Texas, in 
1894. 

Hardin County, Texas, was named after the 
" Hardins of Liberty," a deserved honor to a 
family whose name is linked by so many sacred 
memories, and by such valiant and self-sacrificing 
service, to the history and imperishable glory of 
the Republic and State of Texas. 

Mrs. Cynthia A. Hardin, wife of Frank Hardin, 
was born October 29, 1812, in St. Mary Parish, 
La., and was the second daughter of Christie 
O'Brien and Ann Dawson Berwick, his wife, who 
resided many years and both died at Berwick's 
Bay, in St. Mary Parish, La. She came to Texas, 
a few years before her marriage, to reside in the 
town of Liberty with her sister, Mrs. Catherine 
Farley. She was married to Capt. Frank Hardin, 
August 15th, 1839, at the residence of Mrs. Far- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



415 



ley. Capt. Hardin resided in the town of Liberty 
with his family, until the latter part of the year 
of 1843, when they removed to the countr}', about 
nine miles northward from the town. They were 
there engaged in farming and stock-raising, until 
about the year 1857, when tliey removed again to 
Liberty. Mrs. Hardin died November 1st, 1889, 
at Dallas, Texas, while on a visit to her daughter, 
Mrs. George W. Davis, and was removed to Liberty 
for burial. 



daughters, Camilla Gertrude, wife of Judge George 
W. Davis, of Dallas; Cynthia A., wife of Capt. 
John F. Skinner, of Lampasas, Texas ; and Helen 
Berwick Hardin, the youngest child, who resides 
with her brother, Wm. F. Hardin, at the old 
family homestead in the town of Lilierty. 

The independence of Texas having been secured, 
and there being no fear of Indian depredations, 
the neighboring tribes all being friendly, the life of 
Mrs. Hardin after her marriage was a quiet one. 




MRS. C. A. HAKDIN. 



Their eldest child, a daughter, was named 
Kaleta, for the old Indian, Chief of the Coshattee 
tribe of friendly Indians — the old chief being 
especially known and designated as the " Friend 
of the White Man." This daughter died October 
7th, 1884, at the family homestead, in the town of 
Liberty. She was never married. The other chil- 
dren were two sons, William Frank and Christie 
O'Brien (the latter of whom died January 13th, 
1867, of a gunshot wound received by accident 
while hunting in the Trinity bottom), and three 



and without incident of special note. It was spent 
in the discharge of the daily routine of household 
duties, visiting neighbors (of whom, when living in 
the country, there were but three or four families) 
and entertaining friends and strangers, as well, for 
the door of the log-house in which they lived was 
open without charge to every belated traveler who 
passed that way. 

William Frank Hardin, first son of Frank and 
Cynthia A. Hardin, was born in the town of 
Liberty, May 2, 1841, and resides with his young- 



416 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



est sister at tlie old homestead in the same town. 
He was four years in the Confederate service dur- 
ing the war between the States. He first enlisted 
in Col. E. B. Nichol's regiment for six months 
service in Galveston. At the expiration of this 
term he joined the Second Battalion of Waul's 
Texas Legion, enlisting for the war, which com- 
mand was a part of Gen. Sterliog Price's division 
in the Mississippi campaign, which ended with the 
siege and fall of Vicksburg. After the surrender 
and parole of Gen. Pemberton's army, he returned 



home, where he remained until exchanged, when 
he again joined his command. The two battalions 
were afterward consolidated into a regiment, desig- 
nated as "Timmon's Regiment," Col. B. Timmons 
being in command after the promotion of Gen. . 
Waul. He remained with the army until the final 
surrender, and then returned to his old home, 
where he has since been engaged mainly in the 
mercantile business and stock-raising. He was 
once elected County Judge of Liberty County, and 
has since refused to accept official position. 



H. SCHUMACHER, 

NAVASOTA. 



This gentleman, one of the leading citizens of 
Navasota, president of the First National Bank of 
that place, proprietor of the Navasota Cotton-Seed 
Oil Mill, and a resident of Grimes County for forty 
years, is a native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Ger- 
many, where he was' born in 1832. At the age of 
fifteen he came to Texas, his father having died and 
his mother having come out the year previous to 
find a home for herself and four children. Mr. 
Schumacher reached Galveston, November 25, 
1847, where his mother had established herself, and 
there he at once went industriously to work to earn 
his own support. He learned the carpenter's trade 
and followed it as a journeyman until 1853. He 
joined the Howard Association and devoted his 
attention to nursing the sick during the visitations 
of the yellow fever in 1853 and 1854. In 1855 he 
moved to Anderson, Grimes Count}', being led to 
this step by the condition of his wife's health, she 
having been a sufferer from the fever and finally 
dying at Anderson from the effects of the disease 
several months after their removal at that place. 

At Anderson Mr. Schumacher established a sash, 
door and blind factory on a small scale, which he 
conducted with fair success until the War put an 
end to all operations of this sort. He entered the 
Confederate army in 1861 as a member of the 
Eighth Texas Infantry, Walker's Division, with 
which he went to the front early in 1862. Before his 
command was called on to do much active service 
he was taken sick and was transferred to the 
ordnance department at Anderson, where the most 
of his services in behalf of the Confederacy were 
rendered in the line of his trade as a wood-work- 



man. In December, 1865, he moved to Navasota, 
which at that time was practically the terminus of 
the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, and at once 
began to make preparations to start a sash, door 
and blind factory. He camped under a post- 
oak tree, and got out the necessarj' timbers 
and erected his dwelling and shop. The rapid 
development of the up-country then tributary to 
this point afforded him a good market for his 
product. He added a grist mill, then a gin and 
planing mill to his plant and ran them all success- 
fully until 1873. At that time he turned his atten- 
tion to the cotton-seed oil business, erecting a mill 
for the mannfacture of the various products of the 
cotton seed, his mill being the second erected in the 
State. It soon engaged his attention to the exclu- 
sion of all his other manufacturing interests, and 
he disposed of them. Mr. Schumacher's life has 
been given to business pursuits and he has achieved 
notable success. At present his time is devoted to 
his mill business and to his duties in connection 
with the First National Bank, of which he has for 
two years past been president. He was one of the 
organizers of that institution and its vice-president 
until elected president. He manifests a- proper 
interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of 
the community, and is a man in whose judgment 
the people in the country where he resides have 
great confidence and for 'whose character they have 
great respect. 

Mr. Schumacher has been three times married 
and has raised to maturity a family of ten chil- 
dren. His first marriage occurred in Galveston in 
1854 and was to Miss Louisa Koch, a native of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



417 



Germany, whose parents settled in Galveston about 
the time Mr. Schumacher settled there. This lady 
died at Anderson, Grimes County, in 1856. He 
subsequently married Miss Berryman, a daughter 
of William Berryman, who settled in Grimes County 
in 1834: and a grand-daughter of Francis Holland, 
who was the first settler in the country, taking up 



his residence here in 1824. This lady lived but a 
few years after marriage. 

For his third wife Mr. Schumacher married Miss 
Emma Horlock, a native of Pennsylvania, of Ger- 
man descent. 

Mr. Schumacher is a prominent member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 



H. B. EASTERWOOD, 



HEARNE. 



Young blood counts for a great deal in the 
affairs of this world, and nowhere for more than 
in a new and rapidly developing State like Texas. 
There is healthy stimulus to activity in a growing 
community, and fortunate, indeed, is the young 
man, who, brought up in such a community, has, 
coupled with the advantage of years, the mental 
grasp and force of character to enable him to 
understand and make the best possible use of his 
surroundings. Youth, energy, brains and ambi- 
tion are qualities that win, and the degree of suc- 
cess attained is, as a rule, directly proportioned to 
the degree in which these qualities are possessed. 

Henry Bascom Easterwood, son of William C. 
and Martha G. Easterwood, was born in Lowndes 
County, Miss., in 1856. Two years later his 
parents came to Texas and, after a brief residence 
in Bell County, settled on a farm near Port Sul- 
livan, in Milan County, where the subject of this 
notice was chiefly reared. His educational advan- 
tages were restricted to local schools. At about 
the age of eighteen he began clerking for his elder 
brother, William E. Easterwood, in a store at 
Port Sullivan, and later opened two stores for his 
brother at different points in Milan County. He 
continued clerking until 1880, when in March of 
that year he went toHearne, where, on a borrowed 
capital of $2,200, he engaged in a grocery business 
on his own account. He soon secured a good 
trade, and with the growing prosperity of that 
place has, from time to time, extended his line of 
operation until at this writing he conducts the 
largest general mercantile establishment inHearne, 
and one of the largest on the Houston & Texas 
Central Railway between Dallas and Houston. His 
two-story, double-front, brick business block, 
situated on one of the principal thoroughfares of 
the town gives ample evidence of the amount of 



business done both by the quantity of goods on 
display and in the activity about the premises. 

While giving his attention mainly to his mercan- 
tile business Mr. Easterwood has found time to 
interest himself in other enterprises, and has ac- 
quired considerable outside interests. He owns 
and conducts three good-sized farms in the vicinity 
of Hearne ; has purchased and improved a number 
of lots in that place, owns and runs a gin there ; is 
vice-president of the Hearne Building & Loan Asso- 
ciation, helped to organize a local compress com- 
pany, and was its president until its removal to 
another point ; is president of the Brazos Valley 
Lumber Company ; subscribed stock to and is sec- 
retary and treasurer of the Hearne & Brazos Valley 
Railway ; helped to organize and is a member of 
the Board of Directors of the Hearne National 
Bank, and, in fact, has had some sort of interest 
in every public enterprise that has been started in 
the community where he lives during his fifteen 
years residence there. He is open-handed and 
liberal-minded, assisting with his means and per- 
sonal effort whatever is calculated to stimulate 
industry, or in any way add to the prosperity of 
the community. He has never been in public life 
and wisely keeps aloof from the entanglements of 
politics. He has served as a member of the Board 
of Aldermen of his town, and stands ready at all 
times to honor sight drafts on his time and services 
in behalf of good government, the building up of 
local schools, and the promotion of all those things 
that tend to elevate, adorn or improve the society 
in which he moves. 

Reminded of the fact that he had met with more 
than ordinary success, and asked to what he attrib- 
uted it, Mr. Easterwood said he supposed to his 
strict attention to business. He has made it a rule 
to give his business close and undivided attention ; 



418 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



never to postpone till to-morrow what can lie done 
to-tlay ; to attend lo business first, plea&ure after- 
wards ; to emploj' strict integrity and an unfailing 
comi)liance with every obligation, verbal or writ- 
ten, and, as near as possible, to do unto others as 
he would have them do unto him. Whether his 
income has been great or small he has always lived 
within it; has avoided litigation; and in the dis- 
charge of every duty has won the confidence and 
respect of all with whom he has had business inter- 
course. The cast of his mind is practical, and he 
is well-built and strong, having a physical con- 
stitution that insures prolonged vitality, and that 
patient perseverance which moves steadily forward 
in the path marked out ; is earnest and active, 
never hesitating to do his share of the work about 
him. 



Mr. Easterwood has been as fortunate in his 
domestic relations as he has been prosperous in 
business, and, indeed, it is no doubt true that the 
one is largely attributable to the other. In 1879 
he married Miss Lillie Goldman, a daughter of 
S. L. Gohlman, an old and respected citizen of 
Houston, Mrs. Easterwood being a native of that 
place, in the society of which she was, previous to 
her marriage, a leader. The issue of this union 
has been four sons and two daughters. 

His home circle is charming and pleasant, and 
it is under his own roof and around his own fire- 
side that he realizes the best phases and the truest 
enjoyments of life, as does every man who is 
blessed with a good wife, an interesting family 
of children, and the means to properly care for 
them. 



C. H. NIMITZ, SR., 

FREDERICKSBURG. 



Hon. Charles H. Nimitz, Sr., was born in Bremen, 
Germany, November 9tb, 1826, and was educated 
in the schools of that city. He was named for his 
father. His mother's maiden name was Miss 
Meta Merriotte. His parents came to the United 
States in 1843 and located in Charleston, S. C. 
The following year he left the Fatherland, tarried 
for a time in Charleston with his father and mother, 
and then pushed westward, arriving at Fredericks- 
burg, Texas, May 8, 1846, where he has since re- 
sided and by thrift and industry accumulated a 
corafortaV)le fortune. 

April 8, 1848, he married Miss Sophia Miller. 
They have eight living children, viz.: Ernest A., 
now a resident of S:in Angelo, Tom (ireeu County ; 
Bertha, now Mrs. Nanwald, of Burnet ; Chailes H., 
Jr., who lives at Kerrville ; Sophie, wife of Otto 
Wahrmound, of San Antonio ; Augusta, who mar- 
ried a Mr. Schwerin and is now a widow residing 
at Kerrville; Lina, wife of E. O. Meusbach, of 
Waring; William, who resides at Kerrville; and 
Meta, who is married to Henry Wahrmound, of 
Fredericksburg. 

Chester B. Nimitz, who was in business with his 



father, died in 1885, when twentj'-seven years of 
age. He was a bright and promising 3'oung man. 
His death was a sad bereavement to his parents 
and devoted wife. A son was born to his widow 
six months after his death. Mr. and Mrs. Nimitz 
lost several other children, but they died when 
quite young. 

In 1861 Mr. Nimitz raised the Gillespie Rifles, 
but two months later was appointed by the Con- 
federate States Government, enrolling olHcer for the 
frontier district, and served in that capacity until 
the close of the war. Mr. Nimitz is a devout mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, 
true and tried, and has for years been a delegate to 
nearly all conventions, and an active worker for the 
success of the party. He has been a school trustee, 
school examiner and member of the board to examine 
teachers in the county, and in 1880 was elected to 
the Twenty-second Legislature, from the Eighty - 
ninth Representative District, composed of Gilles- 
pie, Blanco and Comal counties. 

He was a member of nearly all the important 
House committees and made a record of which he 
and his constituents have reason to be proud. 



INDIAN WAIi.s AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



419 



NEWTON WEBSTER FINLEY, 

DALLAS. 



Hon. N. W. Fink'}', one of the most widelv in- 
fluential men in public life in Texas, and a lawyer 
whose abilities have won for him the distinguished 
position of Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals, was 
born in Lauderdale County, Miss, (near the famous 
Lauderdale Springs). July 31, 1854, in which 
year his parents, Rev. Robert S. and Mary H. 
Finley, moved to Texas. They first settled on a 
farm near Kickapoo, in Anderson County, and 



Soon after securing license, Judge Finley formed a 
connection with H. G. Robertson, Esq., and en- 
gaged in practice in Smith County. Afterwards, 
Hon. Horace Chilton, now a United States Senator 
from Texas, became a member of the firm, which, 
under the style of Chilton, Robertson & Finle}', 
continued the practice at Tyler until 188.5, when 
the firm dissolved. Judge Finley afterwards 
formed a copartnership with Messrs. Marsh & But- 




N. W. FINLEY. 



afterwards lived at various points in Texas. They 
now reside at Tyler. Rev. Robert S. Finley 
was licensed as a minister of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South, when twenty years of age and* 
now although eight}' years of age still preaches 
occasionally. He is well known to all old Texians 
and no minister of the gospel in this State is so 
widely and generally beloved. 

N. W. Finley was educated in the common 
schools of this State, and began reading law while 
still a pupil at school. He received law lectures 
from Gen. Thomas J. Jennings, then living at 
Tyler, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1876, 
by Judge William H. Bonner, at Quitman, Texas. 



ler, a connection that lasted until Judge Finley was 
appointed to the bench of the Court of Civil Ap- 
peals at Dallas, Texas, by Governor James S. Hogg 
in 1893. Judge Finley did not seek the appointment. 
He was elected to the position in 1894, and is now 
filling it with eminent satisfaction to the profession 
and the people at large. 

He was elected chairman of the State Democratic 
Executive Committee in 1888 and was re-elected in 
1890. During his term of service in this highly 
important position, two of the most famous politi- 
cal campaigns ever fought in Texas took place and 
he managed the Democratic forces with a consum- 
mate skill that resulted in an overwhelming victory, 



420 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



made his name a household word and won for him 
the lasting gratitude of the rank and- file of the 
party. In 1884 he was nominated and elected 
Presidential Elector from his district. 

He was married in June, 1877, to Miss Alma 
Louise Woldert, of Tyler. Two children were 
born of this union : Alma Ophelia, and Mary 
Louise. 

Mrs. Finjey died in February, 1883. 

January 28th, 1886, Judge Finley was united in 
marriage to his present wife, nee Miss Minnie Lee 
Sims, of Fort Worth, Texas. Three children have 
been born to them. Nora Warena, Horace Web- 



ster and Nannie Lee. Horace W. died January 2, 
1893, aged about four years. 

Judge Finlej' is an active member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church South, and holds the oftice 
of steward in the Church, and takes great interest 
in Sunday school work. He is a member of the 
Masonic, I. O. O. F., and K. of P. fraternities, 
holding the degree of Knight Templar in Masonry. 

There are few lawyers in Texas capable of so 
truly adorning a position upon the civil court of 
last resort. He possesses a fine judicial mind and 
that learning and experience which render his ser- 
vices in the position he holds invaluable. 



H. K WHITE, 



BRYAN. 



After the revolution of 1835-6 the tide of im- 
migration, which it was supposed would pour into 
Texas upon the establishment of a republican 
form of government to be administered by Amer- 
icans, was slow in arriving, and even that which 
came made but little perceptible change in the 
condition of things, on account of the immense area 
of territory over which it was diffused. For a 
number of years the lower Brazos countr3', and 
particularly Washington Count}^ which was then 
considered the Goshen of Texas, received most of 
the intending settlers. Some, however, who placed 
the health of their families and security from attacks 
by the Indians beyond all other considerations, 
took up their residence further to the east, helping 
to swell the population of the ancient counties of 
Liberty, Harris and Montgomery, and the newer 
counties which were carved out of these. One of 
this number was James White, who settled within 
the present limits of Grimes County in 1841. He 
was from Sumter County, Ala., and brought to 
Texas a numerous and respectable household of 
children, upon whom devolved the labors incident to 
the new settlement of a new country which he, on 
account of advancing age, was soon forced to 
abandon. Three of these children, sons, now 
themselves well ou in years, are living, viz. : David 
and Joseph, in Grimes Count}-, and Henry K., in 
Bryan, Brazos County. 

Henry K. White was born in Wilcox County, 
Ala., January 19, 1828. He was just thirteen when 
his parents came to Texas. His youth was spent 



in Grimes County at the old homestead, five miles 
west of Anderson, the county seat. He remained 
with his parents until after he attained his majority 
and then left home and went to Louisiana, where he 
spent four years engaged in various pursuits, 
chiefly agricultural. He then returned to Texas 
and, taking up his residence again in Grimes 
County, there, in 1853, married Miss Amanda B. 
Noble, a daughter of Judge G. B. Noble, an old 
Texian, who for many years was a resident 
of Houston. From 1858 to 1862, Mr. White 
was treasurer of Grimes County, during which 
time and previous thereto he was engaged in 
farming, on a small scale, in that county. He 
was exempt from military service during the late 
war on account of physical disabilities. 

He lost his wife in 18G3 and in 1869 married Miss 
Hattie E. Davis, of Waco, a native of South Caro- 
lina and daughter of Dr. Jas. B. Davis. 

In 1873 Mr. White moved to Ellis County ; but, 
two years later, receiving from Governor Coke the 
appointment of superintendent of the penitentiary 
at Huntsviile, he changed his residence to that 
place and lived there for three years. He then 
settled in Burleson County, where he purchased 
land and engaged in farming. While residing there 
he represented Burleson County in the Eighteenth 
Legislature. Moving to Bryan, Brazos Count}', he 
was elected, as soon as his residence therein made 
him eligible, to a seat in the Twenty-third Legisla- 
ture, during both of which terms of service he met 
the expectations of his constituents and added to 




H. K. WHITE. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



421 



Ills reputation as a man of sound sense and business 
capacity. 

Mr. Wliite has always been identified with farm- 
ing interests and, in fact, has made agriculture his 
chief study and pursuit in life. What he has, he 
has made from this source, and what he is, he at- 
tributes to the training obtained while so engaged. 
He owns a large body of land in Burleson County, 
over 2,000 acres of which are in cultivation, and 
has some property, also, in Brazos County. He is 
an enterprising, public-spirited citizen and, while 
giving his attention diligently to his own affairs, 
still finds time to interest himself in everything of 
a general nature going on around him, especially if 
it is calculated to stimulate industry, add to public 
convenience or reflect credit upon the community 
in which he lives. As president of the Burleson & 
Brazos Valley Railroad he is at this writing exerting 



himself to arouse an interest in a much-needed 
enterprise, this being the construction of a railroad 
from Pitt's Ferry on the Brazos river to Clay's 
Station on the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, 
which will open, in a way never attempted hereto- 
fore, a large and rich section of the Brazos country. 
In politics Mr. White is a Democrat. He has 
voted the straight Democratic ticket since he was 
twenty-one years old, and has attended as delegate 
every Democratic State Convention, with one ex- 
ception, that has been held in tiie past fifteen years. 
He is a firm friend of education and favors a 
system of schools liberally supported out of the 
public funds. He was a member of the Committee 
on Education while in the Legislature and did good 
service for the cause of education. 

Mr. White has no children. A daughter, the issue 
of his first marriage, died at the age of seventeen. 



JUDGE JAMES JACKSON, 

DOUBLE BAYOU. 



The subject of this sketch is a very old Texian, 
having lived on Texas soil continuously since 
1823. His father was Humphrey Jackson, a native 
of Ireland, born near the city of Belfast, who 
came to America early in the present century, 
quitting his native country on account of his par- 
ticipation in some revolutionary troubles. He 
was accompanied bj' his two brothers, Alexander 
and Henry, and all three settled in Louisiana. 
There Humphrey married Sarah Merriman, a 
native of Louisiana, of English and Scotch ex- 
traction. Accompanied by his wife and four chil- 
dren he emigrated to Texas in September, 1823, 
and settled in what is now Harris County about a 
half mile west of the present town of Crosby, 
where he died in 1833, being killed by a falling 
tree while engaged in clearing land — aged forty- 
three. 

He was a plain civilian, acted for a time as Alcalde 
after settling in Texas, and opposed the revolution- 
ary troubles which culminated in the affair at 
Anahuac. His wife died the year following the 
family's removal to Texas, that is, in 1824. 

The four children of Humphrey and Sarah Mer- 
riman Jackson were: (1) Letitia, who was married 
first to Meredith Duncan and after his death to 
Andrew H. Long, and died in Chambers County 



in 1881; (2) Hugh Jackson, who died in Liberty 
County in 1854, having served for a number of 
years as surveyor of that county; (3) John Jack- 
son, who died in Chambers County in 1877 — a 
successful farmer and stock-raiser; (4) James 
Jackson, the subject of this sketch. 

James Jackson was born on Vermillion bayou in 
Vermillion Parish, La., February 15th, 1822. He 
was an infant when his parents moved to Texas. 
His childhood and youth were passed in the wilder- 
ness of old Harrisburg Municipalty and Liberty 
County, his advantages in consequence being much 
restricted. He was too young to take part in any 
of the stirring scenes preceding and incident to the 
revolution of 1835-6, but retains a distinct impres- 
sion of those scenes, and remembers seeing the 
smoke and hearing the guns on the battle-field of 
San Jacinto. 

December 23d, 1847, he married Sarah White, 
daughter of James T. White, Sr., who moved to 
Texas in 1826 and settled on Turtle bayou, where 
he subsequently lived and died. Mrs. Jackson was 
born in Old Liberty, now Chambers Countj', July 
13th, 1832. Her familj' was one of the first settled 
families in that locality. Her parents died there of 
cholera in 1852, the father on March 4th, and the 
mother on March 10th. The old White homestead 



422 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was about six miles from the old Mexican military 
post of Anahuac and Mr. White gave succor and 
assistance to the settlers in their struggles against 
Mexican authoritj'. Mrs Jackson was one of a 
family of four sons and three daughters who lived 
to be grown: (1) Elizabeth, (2) John. (3) Par- 
melia, (-i) Robert, (o) Joseph, (6) James, and (7) 
Sarah. But three of these are now living, Robert, 
James and Sarah (Mrs Jackson). 

In 1844, Judge Jackson took up his residence in 
Chambers, then Liberty County, where he now lives, 
moving to his present place in 1855, and has thus 
been a resident of that locality for the past fifty-one 
years. He and his wife have had eleven children, 
nine of whom are living: (1) Sarah E., (2) Hum- 



phrey T., (3) Mary P., (4) Alice L., (5) Robert 
T., (6) James Edward, (7) Humphrey H., (8) 
John C, (9) Raphael S., (10) Guy C, and (11) 
Eula J. 

In 18G1 Judge Jackson was elected Judge of 
Probate in Chambers County and held this ofBce 
during the war. He has never held any other pub- 
lie position, but has devoted his time and attention 
to his personal affairs. 

He is a large stock-raiser and owns several thou- 
sand acres of land in Chambers County. 

He favored annexation in 1846 and opposed 
secession in 1861, and was always a great admirer 
of Gen. Houston. 



ED. CHRISTIAN, 



AUSTIN. 



Mr. Christian came to Texas in 1851. He was 
a native of Virginia, and was born at Apomattox 
Court House, January 10th, 1833. His father, 
Judge Samuel Christian, was a lawyer of that 
town, a substantial man who stood high in his 
profession and iu the esteem of the public. He 
moved with his family to Mobile, Ala., about the 
year 1844. There the family of children grew up 
and the parents died when our subject was yet 
a youth. He immediately set about life's work, 
and by perseverance and industry gained an edu- 
cation, and, being of a mechanical turn of mind, 
learned the carpenter's trade at about fifteen j'ears 
of age. From Mobile he went to Montgomery, 
and there met Simon Loomis, who, while several 
years his senior, was yet a young man and also 
a carpenter. Between the two there proved to be 
a social affinity, and they came together to Texas, 
stopped about one year at Bastrop, and worked at 
their trade, and the following year, 1852, came to 
Austin. They formed a copartnership as carpen- 
ters, pooled their earnings, and accumulated a 
little money, and entered the lumber business under 
the firm name of Loomis & Christian, which bus- 
iness relation was harmonious and successful in 
the broadest sense of the term, and covered a 
period of about thirty years. Upon the breaking 
out of the great war between the States, Mr. Chris- 



tian promptly volunteered in defense of the Con- 
federate cause and served during the prolonged 
and bitter conflict as a private soldier in the ranks 
of Company G. (Capt. Fred. Moore), Sixteenth 
Texas Infantry. After the break-up he returned 
to Austin, broken in pocket, but not in spirits, 
gathered up the fragments of a disorganized bus- 
iness, and the firm started in anew, as it were. In 
1867 they erected a planing mill and extended 
their lumber yards, and from that time the business 
prospered, and it soon became one of the most ex- 
tensive in its line in the State, and one of the most 
useful. 

In 1873 Mr. Christian married Miss Matilda 
Horst, a daughter of the lamented pioneer, Louis 
Horst, for many years a resident and leading citi- 
zen of Austin. Mrs. Christian, the third daughter 
of the family, was born and reared in Austin. 
Mr. Christian was a worthy member of Milam 
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
was a man of domestic tastes, and delighted in the 
society of his wife and children. He was there- 
fore a valuable citizen, and had a wide circle of 
friends. He died at his home in Austin, April 
14th, 1888, leaving a splendid estate and an hon- 
orable name as an inheritance to his family. Mrs. 
Christian and three children. Miss Nannie, Miss 
Margaret, and Ed Loomis Christian, survive. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



423 



A. H. BARNES, 

LAMPASAS. 



Alexander Hamilton Barnes was born in Xenia, 
Ohio, February 14, 1816. His father was John 
Barnes, a native of Virginia, and his mother bore 
the maiden name of Eachel Black and was a native 
of Kentucky. Both patents were reared in Ken- 
tucky, married there and moved thence early in 
the present century to Ohio. The boyhood and 
youth of Alexander H., were passed partly in Ohio 
and partly in Kentuck}', his education being mostly 
obtained in private schools in the latter State. 

In 1836 young Barnes, still under age, came to 



opening of the Civil War. In 1861, he entered the 
Confederate army, enlisting in Company C, Thirty- 
third Texas Cavalry, with which be served till the 
close of hostilities. He again returned to Austin 
after the war and resided there till 1871, at which 
date he settled at Lampasas, where, having pur- 
chased a considerable tract of land adjacent to the 
original town-site, he devoted the remainder of his 
life to real estate matters. He had large property 
interests in Lampasas and in other sections of the 
State, and was one of the first men in Texas, after 




A. 11. BARNEx 



Texas with a view of locating in the country, but 
for some reason did not remain. He returned to 
Ohio, and later going to New Orleans, there spent 
the latter part of the succeeding ten years. He 
came again to Texas in 1846 and located at Austin, 
which had but a few years previous to that become 
the seat of government and was the center of con- 
siderable activity. In April, 1847, he enlisted at 
Austin in Capt. Samuel Highsmilh's Company for 
service in the war with Mexico, and his command he- 
coming part of Col. Jack Hay's Regiment (Sixth 
Texas Cavalry), he was with that distinguished 
frontier soldier during the remainder of the war. He 
then returned to Austin and again taking up his resi- 
dence there, he made that place his home till the 



the War, to direct attention to real estate values. 
He was in a sense the father of Lampasas, having 
built for that place more houses than any other iialf 
dozen men in it. The idea of building and develop- 
ing was firmly embedded in his mind, and as he 
sold off his property, he put the proceeds in im- 
provements, thereby adding thousands of dollars to 
the taxable wealth of the eommunit}' and affording 
homes to hundreds of families. He never held his 
property waiting for it to be enhanced in value by 
the efforts of others, nor put prices on it that placed 
it beyond the reach of buyers. On the contrary, he 
took the initiative in inaugurating improvements 
and was always ready to dispose of any of liis hold- 
ings at a reasonable figure. It is often mentio \ 



424 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



greatly to liis credit, that though he sold hundreds 
of lots and built scores of houses, on many of 
which he of necessity retained liens, he was never 
known to foreclose against any one who manifested 
the slightest disposition to pay. He was liberal in 
his contributions to public enterprises and extended 
a helping hand to whatever was calculated to bene- 
fit the community in which he lived. He was never 
in politics to speak of and held no official positions 
of any consequence. His social instincts sought 
expression through the medium of two or three 
orders, notably the Masonic and Odd Fellows, while 
his sj'mpathies took practical form in many ways 
suggested by the necessities of his struggling fel- 
low-creatures. He had a brusque, off-hand way 
about him that might be taken by those not familiar 
with him as indicative of a reserved, austere nature, 



but he was at heart kind, obliging to his friends and 
indulgent as a husband and father. He was noted 
for great energy, constantly busying himself with 
his personal affairs down to his last days on earth. 

Mr. Barnes married late in life, his marriage tak- 
ing place at Lampasas, August 3, 1871, and was to 
Miss Ellen Hopson, a native of San Mareas, this 
State, and a resident of Lampasas since early child- 
hood. The issue of this union was a son, William 
Alexander, and a daughter, Ella, both of whom 
reside with their widowed mother at Lampasas. 

Mr. Barnes' death occurred at Lampases, March 
15, 1894, and his remains were laid to rest, with 
proper tokens of respect, at that place. As an old 
Texian he had served his adopted State honorably in 
two wars, besides taking part in a number of Indian 
campaigns and the ill-fated Chihuahua expedition. 



EDWARD H. R. GREEN, 

TERRELL. 



The little town of Terrell, Texas, is now the 
home of Edward H. R. Green, one of the most suc- 
cessful business men in the United States, and one 
of the many-times millionaires who stand monu- 
mental of the prosperitj' of our countrj'. 

Mr. Green is the only son of Mrs. Hetty H. E. 
Green, who has for years been acknowledged as one 
of the ablest financiers who have battled with the 
brightest minds of two hemispheres upon Wall 
street. 

Her son has received a practical education, and, 
untainted by the pride of wealth, has entered the 
ranks of the toilers. Mr. Edward Green is now 
the youngest railroad president in the world. He 
was born at the Langham Hotel, London, England, 
on the twenty-second day of August, 1868. He 
attended the public schools of New York City, the 
High School at Bellows Falls, Vt., and later grad- 
uated from Fordham College. 

After graduating he studied law, making a 
speciality of branches relating to real estate and 
railroads. He then accepted a position as clerk in 
the office of the Connecticut River Railroad, and 
when only twenty-one years of age was elected a 
director of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. Mr. 
Green came to Texas in 18it3, and purchased a 
branch of the Houston & Texas Central, one of the 
largest systems of railroads in Texas, and formerly 



controlled by his mother. During the same year he 
took the Texas Midland Railroad out of the hands 
of receivers, and was subsequently elected its presi- 
dent and general manager. Through his untiring 
efforts and thorough knowledge of railroading the 
road has made wonderful progress, being at present 
entirely out of debt and paying a good dividend. 
Mr. Green is not in the least afraid of work ; he 
dons his blue overalls and jumper and mingles with 
his numerous employees. He is kind to them, and 
they in turn idolize him. 

Mr. Green frequently takes a trip on an engine, 
and can manage it as perfectly as any skillful 
engineer. He is so enthusiastic over the progress 
of his road that he visits the towns on the line and 
personally interviews the merchants in reference to 
freights, etc. 

Mr. Green is interested in many railroads through- 
out the United States, and owns blocks of houses in 
the best business streets in Chicago. 

He owns the controlling interest in the Texas 
Midland Railroad. 

Mr. Green is socially a man of the hail-fellow- 
well-met class, and is immensely popular. He is a 
member of many clubs, among which are the Union 
Club of New York City, the Union League and Chi- 
cago Athletic Club of Chicago, and the Dallas Club 
of Dallas, Texas. He is exceedingly fond of athletic 




E. II. R. grkp:n. 




DU. J. J. LUMPKIN. 



INDUiN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



425 



sports, and is himself a very fine specimen of atliletic 
training. 

Ttiese last named qualities be perhaps inherits 
from his father, who is devoted to New York club 
life, and spends most of his time in a quiet way at 
the various clubs of which he is a member. 

His sterling business qualities come direct from 
his mother, who has by her own efforts become the 



richest woman in America. Mr. Green, besides 
the large fortune he now possesses, will inherit 
something like sixty million dollars from his 
mother. 

His is a sterling, pushing, virile personality that 
is certain to make its influence felt in the develop- 
ment of the varied resources of Texas and the great 
Southwest. 



EDGAR P. GRAY, 



BEAUMONT. 



County Judge of Jefferson County, Texas. 
Born in Canton, Madison County, Miss., Septem- 
ber 7, 1848. Parents, Judge E. A. M. and Miria 
Gray. 

Came to Texas in February, 1852, with his par- 
ents, who located at Beaume, where he grew to man- 
hood and acquired a fair English education in local 
schools. He was elected County Assessor of Jef- 
ferson County in 1880 and served the people in 
that capacity until 1892, when he was elected County 
Judge, the office that he now fills. Noticeable 
features of his administration have been the im- 
provement of public roads, the building of bridges, 
and the clean and able administration of the affairs 
of the county. 



His discharge of his official duties has met with 
hearty indorsement of his fellow-citizens. He 
ranks as one of the ablest county judges in the 
State. 

Married Miss Eliza Jirou, of Beaumont, Texas, 
February 2d, 1870, and has seven children: Dixon 
M., aged twenty-five; Nettie (deputy county clerk 
of Jefferson County), aged twenty-three; Earl, 
aged twenty-one ; Myrtle, aged eighteen ; Dora, 
aged fourteen ; Fleta, aged twelve ; and Judith, 
aged eight years, all living at home with their 
parents. 

Judge Gra3'is one of the leading and most widely 
influential men in the section of the State in which 
he lives. 



JAMES J. LUMPKIN, M. D., 

MERIDIAN. 



Dr. James J. Lumpkin, the leading and oldest 
practicing physician in Meridian, Bosque County, 
Texas, was born in Fairfield District, S. C, in 1852 ; 
after the war he was a student at the VVafford Col- 
lege, South Carolina, and Transylvania University, 
Lexington, Ky., completing his literary education at 
the latter institution ; graduated from the Charleston 
(S. C.) Medical College in 187G ; had charge of the 
Charleston hospital for two years and then came to 
Texas and located at Meridian, where he has since 
resided and has for a long time enjoyed a large and 
lucrative practice. For a number of years he in- 



vested largely in cattle and sheep-raising. By suc- 
cessful business management he has acquired val- 
uable property interests in town and countrj', the 
latter consisting of many thousand acres of fine 
farm and ranch lands. In 1894 he erected the 
handsome stone Lumpkin block at Meridian, the 
most imposing structure of the kind in the city, and 
has alwaj's been an active and liberal promoter of 
ever}' enterprise and movement designed to accel- 
erate the upbuilding of the place and surrounding 
country. January 8, 1878, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Ida E. Fuller, daughter of Moses W. 



426 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Fuller, of Vermont, who settled at Meridian at an 
early day and was for many years a leading mer- 
chant there and at other Texas towns. She was 
educated at Lockport, N. Y. She is a member of 
the Episcopal Church and a most elegant and ac- 
complished lady. Dr. Lumpkin is a member of the 
Blue Lodge, Chapter and Knights Templar degrees 



in the Masonic fraternity, has held the highest 
offices in his lodge and chapter and is now, and has 
been for many years, master of his lodge. He is 
also a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He 
is strictly a self-made man, courteous, gentlemanly, 
enterprising and progressive, he has been a power 
for good in his section of the State. 



L. DE BONA, 

EAGLE PASS. 



The State of Texas has two distinct historical 
epochs. The pioneers of the first period subdued 
the Indians and blazed the way for civilization, and 
in a measure opened up the country, and later 
on came foreigners from other lauds who took up 
the line of advancement and gave the wheels of 
progress another vigorous turn. These latter were 
the pioneers of the second or modern epoch, and the 
class to which Mr. De Bona, the subject of our 
sketch, belongs. The story of his coming and the 
success that has followed his labors in Texas teaches 
a lesson of thrift and enterprise that the present 
generation of young men may read with profit. 
Mr. De Bona was born in the south of Italy, July 
6th, 1847. His father, Vincenzo De Bona, was a 
stock raiser and a thrifty man. When a mere boy 
our subject had a desire to accomplish something 
for himself in the world and, accordingly, left home 
and went to Paris, France, where he learned the 
shoemaker's trade. This was when he was about 
fourteen years of age. He remained in Paris about 
five years, working in a shoe factory wliere there 
were about 3,000 operatives. He sailed from Paris 
to New York City, reaching his destination late in the 
year 1870. He remained in New York and worked 
at his trade until 1872 and then went to Cleveland, 
Ohio, where he stopped about eighteen months. 
He next went to Detroit, Michigan, and late in 
1876 came to Texas and visited Galveston, San 
Antonio and other points. In 1877 he went to St. 
Louis, Mo., and from that place to Des Moines, 
Iowa, and remained in Iowa about seven months 
and then returned to Texas, his health completely 
restored. He went to San Antonio and decided on 
a change of occupation, if possible. He had a small 
amount of money, about S160, with which he pur- 
chased a small fruit stand at the northeast corner 
of Main Plaza. It was an humble beginning. 



but by close attention and obliging manners his 
little stock soon found willing purchasers at reason- 
able profit and the business increased and thrived. 
Mr. De Bona visited Eagle Pass, which was at that 
time attracting considerable attention as a rising 
town. This was in 1881. The iron horse had 
not as j'et arrived, but track for his coming 
was being laid. Mr. DeBona opened a small 
store at the then center of trade, put it in the 
hands of an acquaintance and returned to his 
business in San Antonio. Upon his next visit 
to his store in Eagle Pass his newly acquired 
partner was gone. He then decided to locate in 
Eagle Pass and acted almost immediatelj' upon his 
decision. As compared with his now elegant es- 
tablishment, his first store was a very modest affair, 
but the same principles of fair dealing and dili- 
gence were adhered to and he, accordingly, suc- 
ceeded and gradually extended his business, adding 
new lines of merchandise as his capital permitted 
and the growing wants of the public demanded. 
As Eagle Pass grew so did the fortunes of De Bona 
and he was found never sleeping. He lias ever 
evinced a becoming spirit of enterprise and faith in 
the stability of his adopted town. He invested his 
money from time to time in Eagle Pass realty and 
its enterprises. In 1890 he built the most spacious, 
substantial and attractive business block in the 
cit}'. He is one of the organizers and a director 
of the First National Bank of Eagle Pass. He was 
one of the promoters of the public water works 
system and to-day is its sole owner. Besides his 
mammoth grocery and provision store, he owns one 
of the best and most prosperous dry and fancy 
goods stores in the city. 

Mr. De Bona is essentially a business man, and his 
success in life is entirely due to his own personal 
energy, abilities and shrewd financiering. He is a 




0=0 ©E [B®fyA. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



427 



self-made man, having never asked or received aid 
from any one. His system of doing business is 
quite up to modern ideas. 

He was one of the organizers of the Maverick 
County Bank, the first banking house established in 
Eagle Pass, and upon its reorganization as the First 
National Bank, of Eagle Pass, he became one of 
its directors and for a time served as its vice- 
president. He took an active part in the organiza- 
tion of the Texas & Mexico Electric Light Co., 
and served as its president for two years. He was 
foremost in the movement to put the Eagle Pass 
Telephone Exchange upon its feet, and there has not 
been a public enterprise of any kind proposed that 



Mr. De Bona has not encouraged with his influence 
and means. He, in fact, might be truthfully called 
the "Merchant Prince" of Eagle Pass. His in- 
vestments in Eagle Pass are all of the beneficial 
kind. He owns the imposing Post-ofHce block, 
besides several other substantial buildings. Eagle 
Pass owes her best buildings, her finest stores, her 
modern enterprises to the efforts, the thrift and the 
sagacity of Mr. L. De Bona, her popular citizen 
and in many things her benefactor. At the urgent 
solicitation of many of the leading citizens of 
Eagle Pass, we present herewith a lifelike protrait 
of L. DeBona, as u truly representative man of the 
town and section of the State in which he resides. 



J. K. HELTON, 



MERIDIAN. 



Judge J. K. Helton, a sterling old-time citizen of 
Bosque County and the Nestor of the Bosque 
County bar, was born in White County, Tenu., 
August 12, 1817. His parents, Edward and Eliza- 
beth (Knowles) Helton, were natives of Virginia. 
His father, although only a boy, served for two 
years in the Revolutionary War of 1776, under Gen. 
Anthony Wayne ; moved to Tennessee with the 
early pioneers and there resided until the time of 
his death in 1846, his wife having preceded him to 
the grave thirteen years before. Judge Helton, the 
subject of this notice, moved from Tennessee to 
Mississippi in 1835; in 1839 married Miss Luciuda 
Mabray, a native of Tennessee, and in 1842 came to 
Texas, settling in Harrison County, where he re- 
mained three years and then moved to Rusk County 
where he engaged in farming until 1853. In the 
latter year he moved to McLennan County. In 
1854 Bosque County was organized from part of 
McLennan County, and his property falling within 
the limits of the new county, he was elected Justice 
of the Peace of Precinct No. 1 ; held that office until 
1861 and vvas made Chief Justice of the count}'; 



served in that capacity for five years and in 1866 
was removed from office by Federal authorities ; 
under the constitution of that year was elected to 
the newly created office of County Judge ; filled 
that position for one year and was again ousted by 
military force ; in 1867 was admitted to the bar and • 
at once began practice ; in 1873 was elected to the 
lower house of the State Legislature, and at the 
same election w.as also elected County Judge (again 
at that time called Presiding, or Chief, Justice) and 
held both offices until 1876. The constitution 
adopted by the people that year, changed the title 
from Presiding Justice to County Justice, and he 
was again elected to the office and served two terms, 
and in 1880 voluntarily retired from official life. 

He moved to Meridian in 1874 and is engaged in 
the active practice of his profession here. His wife 
died January 2, 1880, leaving eight children, six of 
whom are now living. He is an earnest member of 
the Masonic fraternity and has belonged to and 
served as master of a number of lodges. 

He has been a life-long Democrat and is an active 
and effective party worker. 



428 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



C. W. TIDWELL. 



MERIDIAN. 



Charles W. Tidwell, County Clerk of Bosque 
County, was born in Limestone County in 1863. 

His parents, John W. and Frances R. (McGee) 
Tidwell moved from Mississippi to Texas in 1853 or 
1854, settling first in Cherokee and then in Lime- 
stone County, where they resided until 1875, when 
the family moved to Bosque and bought a farm in 
the northern part of the county. 

Mr. John W. Tidwell died in 1878. His widow 
is still living. 

Charles W. Tidwell completed his education by 
a commercial course at Br3'ant & Stratton's Busi- 
ness College, at St. Louis, Mo. ; on leaving school. 



in 1885, he accepted a position as salesman in a 
store at Iredell, Texas, which he continued to fill 
until elected County Clerk of Bosque County, in 
1892. He was renominated in 1894 and easily re- 
elected at the polls, owing to the excellent record he 
had made as a county official. He was united in 
marriagein 1886 to Miss Rebecca Mingus, daughter 
of Mr. J. Mingus, an extensive merchant at Iredell. 
They have four children : Roberta, Jerry, Ruby and 
Winnie. 

Mr. Tidwell is a member of the M. E. Church 
South, Masonic fraternity, and Democratic 
party. 



JAMES M. ROBERTSON, 



MERIDIAN. 



James M. Robertson, a prominent attorney of 
Bosque County, Texas, was born in Hunt County, 
Texas, October 25, 1854, the oldest child born to 
Eldridge B. and Malinda G. (Dragoo) Robertson. 
His parents were respectively natives of Tennessee 
and Missouri. His paternal grandfather moved 
from North Carolina to Tennessee at an early day, 
and was one of the first settlers of Nashville. The 
family is of Scotch-Irish descent and emigrated to 
America in Colonial times. 

Mr. Robertson's father came to Texas in 1845 
and settled at Independence, in Washington 
County; hewed timber for the first cotton gin 
erected in that section, and shortly thereafter en- 
gaged in land surveying, which he followed until 
1850, when he moved to Hunt County, where he 
located a headright and began farming, and two 
years later (June 1, 1852) married Miss Malinda 
G. Dragoo. He moved from Hunt to Bosque 
County May 3, 1856, and established himself on 
Hog creek, where he improved a farm and resided 
until his death, August 3, 1876. Mrs. Robertson 
is still living, a loved and honored inmate of ihe 
home of her son, James M. Robertson, at Meridian. 

The subject of this memoir was reared and edu- 
cated in Bosque County ; was elected County Sur- 



veyor in 1878, and served one term of two years; 
thereafter engaged in the real estate business at 
Meridian until 1889, and then, having read law at 
leisure moments, was admitted to the bar, and 
formed a copartnership with Mr. J. Jenkins. Mr. 
Jenkins died the following December, since which 
time Mr. Robertson has practiced alone. He has 
acquired large landed interests in Bosque County, 
and now enjoys a large and lucrative civil and land 
practice in the various courts of the State. He 
has for years been an active Democratic worker, 
and has been a prominent delegate to county, dis- 
trict and State conventions. He is a Royal Arch 
Mason (now treasurer of the Masonic Chapter at 
Meridian), an Odd Fellow, and a member of the 
M. E. Church, South. October 2, 1879, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Lula Standifer, a 
native of Alabama, and a daughter of Mr. John H. 
Standifer, of Meridian, Texas. 

Six children have blessed this union : Mary Ida, 
John E., James Monroe, Jr., Felix Hilton, Marvin 
H., and Joseph Kay Robertson. 

Mr. Robertson has already achieved distinction 
in his profession, and is destined to win fresh 
laurels in the future. He is ibe attorney for the 
largest corporations in his county 




V. H. SlLLliMAN. 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



429 



CHARLES HERBERT SILLIMAN, 

FORT WORTH. 



One of Fort Worth's most prominent and influ- 
ential citizens is Mr. C. H. Silliman, president of 
the Chamber of Commerce, and manager of the 
Land Mortgage Baniv of Texas (limited). He 
is a native of Monroe County, N. Y., born on 
the banks of Lake Ontario, on the 30th day of 
.January, 1852. His father, La Fayette Silliman, a 
native of the State of Connecticut, followed farm- 
ing until 1862, and then engaged in the manufac- 
ture of agricultural implements, as a member of the 
firm of Silliman, Bowman & Company, at Brock- 
port, N. Y. Subsequently he sold his interest 
in the manufacturing business to the Johnston 
Harvester Company, and is now a resident of 
Albion, Mich. He married Miss Caroline, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Porter, a well-known manufac- 
turer of Holly, N. Y., who, at his death, in 
1880, at the age of ninety years, was one of the 
oldest Free Masons in the United States. 

Tiie father of our subject is a relative of the 
noted Professor Silliman of Yale College, and both 
the Silliman and Porter ancestors were Revolution- 
ary patriots, and among the original settlers of 
Connecticut. 

Mr. Silliman spent much of his time while a boy, 
in his father's factory, receiving considerable prac- 
tical instruction in mechanics as applied to motive 
power. He attended the Brockport Academy dur- 
ing the school year; always spending his summer 
vacations in the country, on one of his fatjier's 
farms, where the free, open air and exercise would 
remove any tendency of the physical system to 
an unhealthy development, and where his mental 
faculties could recover their normal vigor after a 
year of hard study. The Brockport' Academy, in 
18C7, was converted into a State Normal School, 
and young Silliman was a member of its second 
graduating class, delivering the first graduating 
oration in July, 1869, his subject being: "Men 
the AVorld Demands." He then went to Albion, 
Mich., where his parents had removed, and there 
engaged in teaching in the intermediate department 
of the public schools. In 1871 he went to New 
Orleans, where he was appointed first assistant in 
the Fisk Grammar School, and afterward, in a 
competitive examination, was awarded the pro- 
fessorship of natural sciences in the Boys' High 
School of that city. After filling the duties of that 
position successfully until 1874, he resigned and 



went to Santa Barbara, Cal., a desire to see the 
Pacific Coast country prompting the change. Here 
he was for a year engaged as professor of mathemat- 
ics in Santa Barbara College. The following year 
he went to Oakland to fill a chair in the California 
Military Academy, then under the direction of the 
Reverend David McClure, the founder and proprie- 
tor. In 1877 he was elected assistant in the Boys' 
High School of San Francisco, a position he held 
for four years. During this time Mr. Silliman took 
a complete course in Hastings College of the law, 
and in 1881 was graduated from that department of 
the University of California with the degree of 
LL.B., being a member of the first graduating law 
class of that institution of learning. 

Resigning his position in the high school, he im- 
mediately entered a wider field of usefulness at San 
Diego, Cal., by engaging in the practice of the law, 
but find ing that merchandising in that part of the State 
would afford greater opportunities for acquiring a 
competency, he temporarily abandoned the law and 
became managing partner of the firm of Francisco, 
Silliman & Company, which was succeeded later by 
that of Gruendike & Company. Mr. Silliman 
remained in business at San Diego until 1884, and 
then came to Texas to look after several tracts of 
land he had previously acquired in his trading enter- 
prises. While investigating the inexhaustible re- 
sources of this State, he concluded that it would 
be a good field for a land business, and he accord- 
ingly opened an office in the Masonic Temple in 
Austin, Texas, being associated with John Mc- 
Dougall, an old Louisiana friend, who had a branch 
office at New Orleans. In 1885, Mr. Silliman went 
to England and succeeded in organizing the com- 
pany of which he is now the manager. Through his 
exertions, aided by his wife's relatives, sufficient 
capital was raised and the company was organized 
with Mr. Alderman, Benjamin S. Brigg, J. P., of 
Keighley, England, as chairman. The other direct- 
ors were the Hon. Harold Finch-Hatton, David 
MacPherson, Esq., Swire Smith, J. P., Joseph C. 
Wakefield, Esq., and William Woodall, M. P. 
Messrs. Smith, Payne & Smiths are the London 
bankers, and Alfred T. Jay is the London manager. 
The company organized with a capital of £500,000 
of which only £11,000 was paid up when they 
began operations. The development of the busi- 
ness was rapid. Ample funds were offered as fast 



430 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



as they could be profitably employed, and in four 
years' time the nominal capital was doubled. The 
company has confined itself exclusively to advance- 
ments on first mortgages of freehold real estates, 
not exceeding fifty per cent of their market value, 
and has been eminently and uniformly successful, 
paying satisfactory dividends to its stockholders, 
besides accumulating a reserve fund of £60,000. 

From the inception of the company until the 
present time Mr. Silliman has had the management 
of its affairs in Texas, and its uniform success, and 
the fact that it went through the panic of 1893 
without the slightest inconvenience, reflects great 
credit upon his executive ability as a financier. In 
1889 Mr. Silliman removed his offices from Austin to 
Fort Worth, and since his residence there has been 
closely identified with the advancement of the 
" Queen City," and to his public spirit and liberal- 
ity is due to a great extent the reputation Fort 
Worth enjoys as a commercial and financial center. 

In his capacity as president of tlie Chamber of 
Commerce he has labored heroically and unceas- 
ingly to secure for the city factories, railroads and 
other industrial enterprises to employ labor, and 
has proven himself a tower of strength in encourag- 
ing and aiding in the development of the city, her 
industries and institutions. 

His interests are manj', and he is an extremely 
busy man. Three times he has visited Europe on 
business in connection with his company. He is a 
shareholder in several of tlie national banks, of the 
Fort Worth Stock Yards Company, and is largely 
interested in Texas real estate. His worth as a 
progressive and enterprising citizen is fully ap- 
preciated by his fellow-citizens, and few stand 



higher than he in the esteem and admiration of all. 
He is a member of the various orders of Free 
Masonry, being a Past Master of Austin Lodge No. 
12, and a past officer in the commandery, and the 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, having re- 
ceived the thirty-second degree. He takes great 
interest in church work, being a deacon of the First 
Baptist Church. 

Mr. Silliman was married on the loth da\' of July, 
187G, in the Church of the Annunciation at New 
Orleans, La., to the daughter of Benjamin Jack- 
son, of Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Silliman's mother's 
maiden name was Swire, her people coming from 
Keighley, Yorkshire, England. 

Mrs. Silliman's home is known as the Somerville 
Place. It is situated on the bluff overlooking the 
Trinity river in the western part of Fort Worth, 
where he has recently erected one of the handsom- 
est residences in the city. The residence is modeled 
after the colonial style of architecture, and is built 
of granitic pressed-brick, with stone trimmings, and 
is three stories in height. On the first floor are 
the parlors, library and dining-room ; on the second 
the sleeping apartments and billiard room ; while the 
third floor is almost entirely taken up by the art 
studio of Mrs. Silliman, who enjoys quite a local 
reputation as an amateur artist. The entire house 
is lighted by electricity and is heated by the most 
approved appliances. Artesian water is supplied 
by a deep well located on the premises. The house 
is furnished in exquisite taste, and all in all is one 
of the most elegant and hospitable homes in Fort 
Worth, as will l)e attested by many at home 
and abroad who have been entertained within its 
walls. 



ROBERT A. LOTT, 



WASHINGTON, 



Came to Tt'xus in 1836, and crossed the Bnizos 
liver into the town of Old Washington, in Wash- 
ington County, December 25, of that year. He 
came hiiher from Mississippi but was a native of 
Florida, where he was born near the city of Talla- 
hasse, October 10, 1797. Two brothers, John and 
Jesse Lott, preceded him to Texas. John lost his 
life (killed by Indians) near Killum Springs, in 
Grimes County, about thej'ear 1838. Jesse located 
at San Antonio, where he died late in the GO's. 



Robert A. Lott located in Washington County, 
about four miles southwest of Washington, and in 
1854 returned to the old town of Washington, where 
he kept a hotel and did a general merchandising 
business until the breaking out of the late Civil War, 
when he closed out his business. He took part in 
the Somervell expedition and was one of tlie Tex- 
ains captured at Mier. He drew a white bean at 
tlie hacienda of Salado and thereby escaped death 
at that place. Those who drew black beans were 



INDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



431 



shot, pursuant to orders received from Santa Anna. 
He died January 3, 1861, at sixty-three years of 
age. He doubtless grew up in Florida in the stock- 
raising business, as he brought a band of flne horses 
with him to Texas. He married Susan C. Belin, 
January 17, 1828, who survived until February 28, 
1895. She was eighty-four years of age at the time 
of her death. She was born May 29, 1812, and was 
the mother of eleven children, five of whom, at this 
writing (1895), are living, viz. : William R., Jesse 
B., James F., Laura L. (who is now Mrs. John C. 
McKinney), and Phrandius K. 

Jesse B. Lott, son of Robert A. Lett, is a well- 



known merchant of Navasota. He was born in 
Washington County, near the old town of Washing- 
ton, on his father's farm, April 1, 1842, and there 
grew to manhood. He learned merchandising in 
his father's store at Old Washington and there fol- 
lowed same until 1889, when he engaged in busi- 
ness for himself in Navasota, where he now resides 
and owns a large mercantile establishment. He 
married in Washington County, Miss Augusta L., 
daughter of Col. Henry A. Lockett, a Texas 
pioneer of 1856. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lott have three children : Jessie, 
Alice and Edward T. 



ROBERT ALEXANDER HORLOCK, 

NAVASOTA. 



The subject of this sketch is one of Navasota's 
most enterprising citizens. He is a native of 
Alabama, born January 5th, 1849, in the city of 
Mobile, in that State. His father was of English 
and his mother of German birth. His father, John 
Horlock, was a ship-chandler by occupation ; estab- 
lished himself in Mobile in 1840 and came from 
that city to Texas in 1860 and located at Galveston, 
where he engaged in ship-chandelery at the corner 
of Twentieth and Market streets. His store was 
one of the very few that kept open for business 
during the prolonged period covered by the war 
between the States, sustaining serious losses. He, 
in 1865, returned to England and opened a store in 
the city of Liverpool, taking his family with him. 
He, however, came again to Galveston and soon 
after his return there died in 1868. His wife sur- 
vived him until 1892. She died in Navasota. She 
reared seven children, three of whom are now 
living, viz.: Robert A., Mrs. T. C. Ogilvy and 
William, all of whom are living at Navasota. Mr. 
Robert A. Horlock was about twelve years of age 
when his parents moved from Mobile to Galveston 
The war broke out about this time, schools were 
closed and business disorganized. Young Hor- 
lock, although a mere lad, absorbed the spiiit of 
the times, boarded a blockade runner in Galveston 
harbor, presented himself to the commander for 
duty and was enlisted as Captain's bo}-. He re- 
mained in service in this capacity until the fall of 



Richmond and Lee's surrender and experienced all 
the excitements and adventure incident to this most 
hazardous feature of warfare. 

The old blockade runner, the steamer Denbiegh, 
happened to be lying in Galveston harbor when the 
closing event of the war took place. News of Lee's 
surrender reached Galveston several days before the 
arrival of Federal authorities at that port, but was 
immediately abandoned and her hull and boilers 
have since lain off Bolliver point, a land-mark often 
visited by local fishermen, who make large catches 
from its ruins. 

Mr. Horlock went to England with his parents 
and returned to Galveston with them, where he was 
employed as buyer for a firm of hide and wool, deal- 
ers until 1870. He then spent one year in the hard- 
ware business on the Strand, and late in 1871, 
moved to Navasota, in Grimes County, ^since which 
time he has been a conspicuous figure in the busi- 
ness development of that place. He is at the head 
of the firm of Horlock & Hawley (cotton ginners 
and manufacturers of ice), and is, also, senior 
member of the firm of Horlock & Schumacher, 
jewelers. 

He is manager of the Schmacher^Oil Company 
and has extensive landed iuterests in the Brazos 
Valley in Grimes Countj'. 

Mr. Horlock has been twice married, in 1872 to 
Miss Ella Lyon, of Evansville, Ind., who died in 
1876, leaving one son, Robert, and a daughter, 



432 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Emma, and in 1877 to Miss Agnes White, of New 
Orleans, who has born him seven children, viz. : 
Agnes, EfBe, Ida, Arthur, Gladys, Naniscah and 
Henry. 



Mr. Horlock is a meml^er of the K. of P. Uni- 
formed Knights and Knights of Honor fraternities 
and is an officer veith the rank of Colonel on the 
staff of Gen. Hopkins, in the U. R. K. of P. 



GEORGE H. DUNN, 

WHEELOCK. 



His father, Capt. James Dunn, and mother, 
whose maiden name was Miss Isabella Caufleld 
(natives of Ireland), sailed from Belfast to America 
early in the present century ; after a brief residence 
in South Carolina, settled in 1815 in Alabama, 
where they lived until 183-2, when they started for 
Texas, reaching the Irish settlement in Robertson's 
Colony known as "Stagger Point" in .January, 
1833, and shortly afterwards moved to Wheelock's 
prairie, where the following year Capt. Dunn loca- 
ted a headright, the first of the kind made in 
that section. Here he built a log-house which 
became the nucleus of a frontier settlement. In 
1837 his house was fortified and armed, and be- 
came a place of considerable importance, the land- 
oflSce, Courtof the Alcalde, etc., being located there. 
During his twenty years residence in Texas, he was 
engaged mainly in locating lands and became the 
owner of large bodies of " wild land " and great 
numbers of cattle. He died in August, 1852. 
His wife survived him eleven years, dying in 
August, 1863. They had four children who 
reached maturity. Mary (twice married, first to 
Felix Robertson, and after his death, to David 
Love), James (who served in early days against 
the Indians and died in Navarro County, in 18G5), 
George H. (subject of this sketch), and Catherine 
A. (who married Joseph Cavitt and is now 
deceased). George H. Dunn was born in Green 
County, Ala., September 30, 1824; and was 
mainly reared in Robertson County, Texas; was 
brought up in the saddle and at an early date was 
one of the best known stock-raisers in Eastern or 
Central Texas; inherited large landed and cattle 
interests from his parents and tiirough his untiring- 
energy and thorough knowledge of the business soon 
forged to the front as the leading cattleman iu his 



section ; was commissioned by the Confederate 
Government, with the rank of Captain, to purchase 
cattle and forward them to the soldiers at the front, 
and during the war between the States disbursed 
thousands and thousands of dollars in this service ; 
during his active business career, which continued 
until a number of years ago, when he sold his cattle 
and invested all of his means in land and good 
securities, his cattle roamed over a dozen counties 
and he effected many large sales, ranging from 
$20,000.00 in one instance to $90,000 in another. 
It would have been impossible for him to have 
handled this volume of business alone, as he had 
no educational advantages. He found a valuable 
assistant in his wife, Mrs. Nancy J. Dunn, who took 
charge of the clerical end of his business affairs. 
She was a daughter of Judge Samuel B. Killough 
(mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this 
volume) and was born in Robertson County, Texas. 
She was united in marriage to Capt. George H. 
Dunn, February 24th, 1861. Thirteen children 
were born of this union: Mary Ann, James Black- 
burn, Isabella (who married M. C. Armstrong and 
died December 9th, 1892) ; Josephine (wife of T. 
A. Sims of Robertson County) ; Willie, wife of Rev. 
John H. Jackson) ; Sallie E. (wife of Marsh 
Mitchell of Wheelock) ; George R., John C, Annette 
Woodward (wife of Wm. G. Curry of Wheelock) ; 
Samuel R. Nancy J., and twins Ida and Ada. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have twenty grandchildren 
living. 

Both Capt. and Mrs. Dunn are members of the 
Methodist Church. 

Capt. Dunn was a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity for many years, joining the order in Wheel- 
ock, where he held a membership as long as the 
local lodge remained in existence. 




J. q. YARBOROU: 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



433 



B. H. AHRENBECK, 

NAVASOTA. 



Mr. Ahrenbeck was born and reared in Hanover, 
Germany, whence he emigrated to America in 1855, 
landing at Galveston in November of that year. 
He settled on Spring Branch in Harris County, 
where he resided two years, and then moved to 
Hempstead. In 1867 he moved from Hempstead 
to Navasota, his present place of residence. Mr. 
Ahrenbeck learned the milling business in Ger- 
many ; but, on coming to this country, for lack of 
employment at his trade, worked as a wagon- 
maker. He built a flour-mill at Navasota in 1877 ; 
but, after a short and unprofitable run, shut it 
down, and resumed work as a wagon-maker. In 
1891 he again went into the milling business, which 



he has since followed. Mr. Ahrenbeck was accom- 
panied to this country by his brother Charles, and 
they were always associated together in business 
until the latter's death September 23, 1885. Both 
were competent mechanics, and struggled hard 
during their early years in Texas to secure a foot- 
hold. Their efforts were finally rewarded with 
success. They built up a good trade and secured 
a first-class standing in the community where they 
lived. Mr. Ahrenbeck is one of the leading citi- 
zens of Navasota, a man of means and is highly 
respected. 

He married Mrs. Weston, of Grimes County, in 
1869, but has no children. 



JAMES QUINCY YARBOROUGH, 

GRIMES COUNTY. 



Col. James Quincy Yarborough, son of Alfred 
and Mary Yarborough, was bora in Coosa County, 
Ala., September 8, 1827, and was reared in Marengo 
and Sumter counties in that State, growing up on 
his father's farm, where his boyhood and youth were 
divided between the duties and sports of the farm 
and his attendance at the local schools. His op- 
portunities for obtaining an education were good 
and he availed himself of them. At about the age 
of twenty-one he married and began life as a 
planter upon his own account. He engaged in 
[ilanting in his native State until the death of his 
wife in 1852, when, unsettled by that event and 
filled with a desire to try his fortunes in the new 
West, he went to California in 1849 where, however, 
he remained only a short time, returning thence to 
Alabama. In 1859 he came to Texas, settling at 
Apolonia, in Grimes County, where he was residing 
at the opening of the late war. He entered the 
Confederate army as a member of Company H., 
Carter's Regiment, with which he served in Texas, 
Arkansas and Louisiana until the close of the strug- 
gle. His services were rendered in the capacity of 
a private, but the title of "Colonel," which he 
subsequently bore, was not a purely honorary dis- 



tinction, as he was Colonel of the State Militia in 
Alabama previous to his removal to Texas, and took 
an active part in military matters in that State. 

After the war, in 1869, Col. Yarborough became 
associated with Lewis J. Wilson and W. R. Howell, 
under the firm name of Wilson, Yarborough &Co., 
and embarked in the mercantile business at Ander- 
son, Apolonia, and Navasota, in Grimes County, 
and at Madisonville, in Madison County. This 
partnership lasted until 1875, when Col. Yarborough 
disposed of his interest, and subsequently engaged 
in business on his own account in Navasota. Later 
he moved his business to the present station of 
Yarborough, on the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Railway, ten miles from Navasota, and there 
followed merchandising and farming until his 
death. He met with more than ordinary suc- 
cess both as a merchant and planter and left a 
handsome estate. He was entirely devoted to 
business, never holding any public positions and 
taking only such interest in politics as good citizen- 
ship required. When occasion demanded, how- 
ever, he never hesitated to go to the front in every 
movement and he always displayed in public mat- 
ters much of the same spirit, energy, and enterprise 



434 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



which brought such pronounced success in his own 
undertakings. He was especially active in securing 
the extension of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Railway through Grimes County and gave to the 
company the grounds on which the station of Yar- 
borough is situated to which he added a bonus of 
$2,000 in cash to aid in the construction of the 
road. 'Whatever tended in any way to stimulate 
industry, to increase the value of property or build 
up the community, found in him an intelligent and 
cordial supporter. In politics he was a staunch 
Democrat, adhering strictly to the principles and 
traditions of the party. He never asked office for 
himself but always stood ready to assist with his 
means and personal efforts those who were honored 
as standard bearers of the party, and in his quiet 
but vigorous way did good service for the men 
and measures of his choice. Col. Yarborough 
was a man of strong likes and dislikes. There was 
not the slightest trace of the compromise element 
in his nature. He always took sides and sought in 
every legitimate way to carry his point. If he pro- 
fessed friendship for one he was ready to testify to 
that friendship in a substantial way, and if any one 
incurred his displeasure he did not hesitate to let 
the fact be known. He was of a retiring disposi- 
tion but did his own thinking, acting vigorously and 
promptly as occasion demanded. He was of genial 
nature, affable to his friends and easily approached 



by strangers. Persistent in wiiat he believed to be 
right or expedient, he never abandoned his matured 
opinions at the suggestion, or as the result of the 
opposition of any one. He joined the Masons in 
Alabama previous to his removal to Texas, and was 
a liberal contributor to every worthy purpose. 

Col. Yarborough was three times married and left 
surviving him ten children. His first marriage 
occurred in Alabama and was to Miss Mary A. 
Parham, a native of that State and a daughter of 
Mathew Parham, a respectable and well-to-do 
planter. The issue of this union was one son, the 
present Mathew Parham Yarborough, of Navasota. 
His second marriage occurred in Texas and was to 
Miss Alice Scott, a daughter of Judge James Scott, 
of Grimes County. Three children were horn of 
this union, viz., Mant, now Mrs. Tom Owen, Alfred, 
and Jas. L. Yarborough. His last marriage took 
place in Florida and was to Miss Fannie A. Milton, 
a native of Marianna, that State, and a daughter 
of Governor John A. Milton, who served in the 
Florida Indian wars and was Governor of the State 
during the war between the States. The six chil- 
dren of this union are: Earle H., J. Milton, Martha 
E., Virgil H., Guy and Hunter. 

Col. Yarborough's death occurred December 23,^ 
1890, and called forth many expressions of sorrow 
from the people of Grimes County, to whom he was- 
well known and by whom he was greatly respected. 



LEWIS J. WILSON, 



NAVASOTA. 



Was born in Harwinton, Litchfield County, 
Conn., December 12th, 1832. While an infant his 
parents moved to Marion, Ala., where they resided 
until he was fourteen years old, when he was sent 
North to complete his education, where he remained 
until he was nineteen years of age. 

Mr. Wilson came of an old Connecticut family, 
one that has long been prominent in the history of 
that State. His father, Samuel Wilson, a merchant 
of large means, moved from Connecticut to 
Marion, Ala., in the early 30' s and there engaged 
in the mercantile business until 1851, when he 
came to Texas and established a business at Ander- 
son, in Grimes County, in copartnership with 
Chester M. Case, under the firm name of Case & 
Wilson. The son, Lewis J., came out to Texas in 



1852, took the position of bookkeeper and general 
manager for the firm and, later, acquired a pro- 
prietary interest in the business. Mr. Lewis J. 
Wilson served as a member of Capt. J. R. Alston's 
Company, Twenty-first (Carter's) Regiment of 
Texas Cavalry for two j'ears during the war between 
the States, and was then honorably discharged from 
active service in the field on accouut of physical 
disabilities. Returning to Anderson, he was soon 
after made chief clerk in the ordnance department 
at that place, remaining until the war was over. 
Immediately after the war he began merchandising 
in his own name. In 1866 he associated himself 
with Col. J. Q. Yarborough and, in 1869, Mr. W. 
R. Howell was admitted to a partnership in the firm. 
Mr. Wilson and his partner, Mr. Yarborough, soon 



INDJAN WANS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



435 



after moved to Navasota and opened up a general 
mercantile business, leaving Mr. Howell in charge 
of the business at Anderson. In 1875 Mr. Yar- 
borough withdrew from the firm and the business 
was continued by Wilson & Howell for six years. 
Mr. Howell afterwards retired and Mr. Wilson con- 
tinued the business up to his death. In May, 1890, 
Mr. Wilson in connection with his son-in-law, Mr. 
Gibbs, established the Merchants' and Farmers' 
Bank at Kosse, in Limestone County, a private 
concern which has done and still continues to do a 
good business. 

In the year 1858 he was married to Miss Lucy 
Perkins, of Harwinton, Conn., who still survives 
him. The result of this union was two children, 
Laura and Sam. Miss Laura married Mr. Blake 
Gibbs, and is now a widow, Mr. Gibbs having died 
February 1st, 1891. Sam, who was married to 
Miss May Matthews, of Navasota, Texas, died 
July 10th, 1893. 

Mr. Wilson died at his residence in Navasota, dur- 
ing the morning of March 8th, 1895, after an ill- 
ness of only twenty-four hours. For several months 



Mr. Wilson had been in bad health, although able 
to make almost daily visits to his business office. 
In the morning previous to his decease he was 
stricken with apoplexy. He remained in an un- 
conscious state from that time until 4 o'clock a. m., 
March 8th, when he quietly passed from earth, 
through the valley of the shadow of death, into 
the bright beyond. A friend writing of him 
says : — 

"Mr. Wilson was distinguished for his close 
application to business and strict integrity. Those 
who knew him best and were most closely associa- 
ted with him in business, knew him as an honest 
man, and unassuming, modest gentleman. Less 
than a year previous to his death he embraced the 
religion of Clirist and united with the Presbyterian 
Church of Navasota. The sincerilj' of that profes- 
sion is best attested by those who saw his daily life 
and heard his conversation. His regular attend- 
ance on all the services of the sa'nctuary was to his 
pastor and all true Christians a fitting evidence of 
his interest in divine things, all of whom will sadly 
miss his familiar face." 



NORVAL C. WILSON, 

COLORADO COUNTY. 



Norval C. Wilson was born in Lewisburg, 
Greenbrier County, Va, October 2, 1837; moved 
to Texas with his parents, Hugh and Adeline 
P. Wilson, in 1846, and settled in Colorado 
County; entered the Virginia Military Institute, at 
Lexington, Va., in 1854, and graduated from that 
institution in 1858 ; served in the Confederate army 
as Lieutenant in Brown's Regiment of Texas Cavalry 
during the war between the States, and returned to 
Texas after the surrender ; engaged in farming at 
the old farm-place in Colorado County and now 
owns a fine farm consisting of three hundred and 
fiftv acres of bottom land and one hundred acres of 



upland. Mr. Wilson's father died in June, 1857, 
and his mother in June, 1885. September 25, 
1865, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss 
Mollie E. Sanford, daughter of Maj. John A. San- 
ford, of Tyler, Texas. Three children have been 
born to them : Delia, wife of B. F. Moore, of 
Glidden, Texas ; Bessie, wife of W. J. Wright, of 
Colorado County, Texas, and Hugh, who lives at 
home with his parents. Mr. Wilson is an enter- 
prising and public-spirited citizen of Colorado 
County and few men in that section have so large a 
number of warm friends and admirers. 



436 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN WAHRENBERGER, 



AUSTIN. 



If the early settlement of Texas, the final accom- 
plishment of her independence, and the founding of 
a splendid commonwealth is due to only one par- 
ticular cause, it is certainly due to the resolute and 
determined character of her pioneers. The real 
pioneers of Texas were not as a rule adventur- 
ers, but men and women born and raised amid 
civilizing influences in law-abiding communities of 
this and foreign lands, and it was the future 
possibilities of the Lone Star Republic, the promise 
of rewards for honest and well-directed labor, that 
enticed them hither. They came to acquire homes, 
rear their families and reap for themselves the 
blessings of free government. The permanent set- 
tlement of many of the fairest portions of Texas 
was accomplished by the organized influx of people 
from the German Empire and kindred peoples. A 
majority of tliem were practically without means. 
Their only capital consisted, in the main, of stout 
hearts, strong constitutions and a spirit of adapt- 
ability which collectively proved the very best 
capital they could possibly have brought with them 
to a frontier country. After Texas had acquired 
her independence and assumed the dignity of a 
Republic, she attracted widesi)read attention and 
heavy accessions to her population. Antedating 
that period, settlements had been made chiefly in the 
Gulf-Coast country and along the Lower Brazos 
river ; but, after the location of the permanent seat of 
government at Austin, the tide of settlement drifted 
in that direction, and among those who became 
identified with the young and growing city was the 
subject of this sketch. John Wahrenberger was of 
Swiss parentage. He was born in Switzerland, the 
most romantic and picturesque of all countries, in 
the month of April, 1812. 

Possessed of a restless and ambitious nature, he 
left his native home when a youth and went to 
Italy. There he learned the baker's trade. The 
condition of affairs in that then distracted country 
did not suit his ambitious purposes, and he, ac- 
cordingly, in 1836, emigrated to America, landing 
at New Orleans, where he found employment with 
a French wine importing house. He remained in 
New Orleans about five years, and in 1841 came 
to Austin. This was during the exciting early 
days of the Republic, and the lively interest with 
wliich he entered into local affairs made for him 
many friends, and he soon became po|)ular with 



the people, and familiarly known to them as 
"Dutch John." Upon his arrival in Austin he 
engaged on a modest scale in the confectionery, 
bakery and grocery business. In 18.50 he erected 
a two-story building on the southeast corner of 
Congress avenue and Seventh street, and two years 
later occupied it. This was at that time one of 
the most pretentious buildings in the town. He 
prospered financially from the time he first opened 
his establishment. 

May 10th, 1848, he was united in marriage by 
Chief Justice Curamings to Miss Caroline, a daugh- 
ter of Charles Klein, a Texas pioneer of Swiss 
nativity, and a citizen of high respectability, who 
still survives, a venerable resident of Austin. 

Mr. Klein reached Texas on Christmas day, 
1846, with his family. Placing his two daughters 
in an English school in Galveston, he, with his 
wife and son, Arnold, proceeded by ox-teams to 
Austin. He has been an active and reasonably 
successful business man. His first wife, the 
mother of his children, was Barbara Schubiyer, 
a daughter of a Swiss farmer. Of her children, 
besides Mrs. Wahrenberger and Arnold, there still 
survives Albertine, widow of the late Jacob 
Steussy. Mr. Wahrenberger's early residence in 
Austin was fi aught with many of the exciting 
experiences so common to those unsettled time?. 
The country was as yet full of hostile Indians, 
who took every opportunity to raid the town or 
lurk in waiting by the roadside to waylay unsus- 
pecting travelers. On one occasion, when on the 
way to his home, he narrowly escaped death from 
an Indian's arrow. A sack of meal which he car- 
ried on his shoulder received the deadly missile and 
saved his life. A second shot crippled his arm, 
however, for life. 

Mr. Wahrenberger was in the " Archive War." 
While on a business trip down the country about 
sixty miles he overheard a discussion about the 
contemplated removal of the archives. He had no 
horse or conveyance and therefore walked back to 
Austin to give the alarm. When he reached town 
the deed had been accomplished and he, with others, 
pursued the party intrusted b}' Gen. Houston 
with the task of removal and compelled it to return 
the archives to their old place in the public build- 
ings at the capital. 

He was a busy, industrious, frugal man, pos- 




MRS. WAHRENBERGER. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



437 



sessed a warm heart and benevolent nature, and 
many are the quiet and becoming charities that, in 
his modest way, he dispensed. 

He died March 9, 1864, on his farm, whitlier he 
had retired with the hope of renewing his impaired 
health. 

Mrs. AVahrenberger took up the reins of business 
and has distinguished herself in Austin for her 
executive abihty. She has done more in the way 
of substantially building up the business streets of 
Austin than any other woman, besides improving 
some nice pieces of residence property. After the 
death of her husband, she, with her family, so- 
journed in Europe about four years for the pur- 
pose, chiefly, of finishing the education of her chil- 
dren. Her son, now a prosperous architect at San 
Antonio, was graduated from a polytechnic insti- 
tute at Carls Rhue, Baden, Germany, and the 
daughters attended a private seminary at Zurich. 



To Mr. and Mrs. Wahrenberger were born five 
children: Elizabeth, deceased; James, before men- 
tioned ; Bertha, deceased ; Josephine, wife of 
William CuUen ; and Mary, widow of the late 
Ernest Leuferman. 

Mrs. Wahrenberger has, to a very great extent, 
carved out her own fortunes. She is possessed of 
keen business discrimination and abilities and, 
withal, finds time for much charitable and benevo- 
lent work. She was one of the first promoters and 
organizers of the German Relief Society and has 
for many years served as its president and execu- 
tive head. The benefactions of this organization 
are legion and have had a wonderfully uplifting 
influence in Austin among the poor. 

Mrs. Wahrenberger is esteemed throughout the 
community for her many excellent qualities. 

She is rightfully regarded as one of the mothers 
of Austin. 



FELIX G. ROBERTS, 

NAVASOTA, 



Is a son of Elisha and Patsy (Gill) Roberts, the 
former of whom was born on the Holston river in 
East Tennessee in 1775 and the latter in Bedford 
County, Va., some time near 1780. Both went to 
Kentucky after attaining their majority and there 
met and in 1800 were married. In 1801 Elisha 
Roberts visited Texas, then a dependency of the 
Spanish Crown, making his way as far as the Trinity 
river. Returning to Kentucky he settled in Barren 
County, where he lived until 1811, when he moved 
to Washington Parish, La. There he resided until 
1822, when becoming again smitten with the "Texas 
fever," he came out and took a second look at the 
country and this time decided to settle in it. He 
prospected in the vicinity of Ayish bayou, in the 
eastern part of the State, and, having purchased 
what was known as an improvement from William 
Elam, about four miles from San Augustine, moved 
and settled there in 1823. As time passed he bought 
other "improvements" as they were offered for 
sale, and finally, when the lands came into market 
under the Mexican colonization laws, located a 
headright and established a considerable plantation, 
for that day, four hundred acres being put under 
cultivation. His house, fronting on the public 
highway coming into Texas, was frequented by 



many overland travelers, and was known far and 
wide. He died there October 4, 1844, and his 
widow in December, 1845. He never performed 
any military service in Texas, but was a soldier in 
the War of 1812-14, between the United States and 
Great Britain ; held some minor civil offices while 
residing in Louisiana and served for a number of 
years as Alcalde under the Mexican government 
after coming to Texas. 

Nine children, six daughters and three sons, were 
born to him and his beloved wife, viz. : Annie, who 
married Bryan Daugherty and settled on Mill 
creek, in Austin County, this State, where she 
died and her descendants now live ; Elizabeth, who 
married William D. Smith, settled in Sabine County 
and died in the town of San Augustine ; Easter J., 
who married Philip A. Sublett, and lived in San 
Augustine until the time of her death ; Matilda 
F., who was three times married, her second bus- 
band, Sam. T. Allen, was murdered by Indians in 
the famous " Surveyors' Fight," in Navarro 
County); William G. , who died at Miami Univer- 
sity, Oxford, Ohio, when a young man ; Noel G., 
who settled six miles from San Augustine, where he 
died; Mahala L., who married a Mr. Sharp and, 
after his death, a Mr. Hall, and died in Houston 



438 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



County ; Felix G., the subject of this memoir, and 
Margaret S., who married Alexander S. McDoland, 
of Huntsville, and died in Houston of cholera. 

Felix Grundy Roberts, the youngest but one and 
now the only survivor of the above family, was 
born in Washington Parish, La., August 23, 1818. 
He was just five 3'ears old when his parents 
moved to Texas ; remembers riding behind an elder 
sister on horseback when the family crossed the 
Sabine, and many other incidents of the journey. 
He was chiefly reared at San Augustine. Attended 
school in Kentucky and completed his education at 
the Universit}', at Lexington, in that State, where 
he took a full law course, graduating in the class of 
1842, of which the late Judge Thomas J. Devine 
was also a member. 

While at Lexington, Mr. Roberts met and 
married Miss Elizabeth K. Layton, a native of 
Kentucky, the marriage occurring August 2, 
1842. Returning to Texas he abandoned the idea 
of practicing law and devoted his attention to his 
plantation, near San Augustine, until 1859, when he 
moved to Washington County, where he had pur- 
chased a farm, and there lived engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits, until his recent removal to Navasota, 
in Grimes County, where he now resides. 

August 5, 1894, Mr. Roberts lost his wife, after 



a happy married life of fifly-two years. They 
raised to maturity four sons: John Harrison, 
Patrick Henry, Charles Morgan, and Jefferson 
Davis, all of whom are married and either planters 
or stockmen. Mr. Roberts has resided in Texas 
for seventy-two years and has never seriously 
thought of leaving the State but once, that being in 
1849, when he went to California. After a resi- 
dence of more than a 3'ear there, during which he 
endured many hardships, he returned to Texas, 
fully satisfied to make his home here for the rest of 
his days. He was personally acquainted with Ellis 
P. Bean (who stopped at his father's house near 
San Augustine), Gen. Piedras, Col. Almonte. Gen. 
Sam. Houston, Thomas J. Rusk, J. Pinkney Hen- 
derson, David S. Kauffman, William B. Ochiltree, 
and many other men who figure prominently on 
the pages of Texas history. 

Mr. Roberts has passed through many changing 
scenes and trying vicissitudes, through all of which 
he moved as a brave and true-hearted gentleman 
and from which he emerged with untarnished honor. 

He lived to see Texas transformed from a well- 
nigh uninhabited wilderness to a well-settled and 
prosperous State of the Union and now, in his old 
age, enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who 
knew him. 



JOSEPH BROOKS, 

NAVASOTA. 



The subject of this sketch was a native of En- 
gland, born in Greenwich, April 11, 1830. In 1852 
he married Miss Mary Ann Farrar, of Greenwich, 
and the following year came to Texas, settling in 
the town of Old Washington. He resided there 
until 1866, when he moved to Navasota, which place 
he made his home until his death. During his forty- 
odd years residence in Texas, Mr. Brooks was 
actively engaged at his trade, embarking at Nava- 
sota extensively in the coftin-manufacturing and 
undertaking business. 

The present lumber establishment of Jesse 



Youeus & Company, at Navasota, one of the lar- 
gest in the State, was founded by him. He was a 
man of industrious habits, a skillfull workman, 
possessed good business ability, and, as a result of 
these qualities, accumulated a very handsome estate. 
With the exception of the office of Alderman of 
Navasota, he never filled any public position, but, 
nevertheless, was a public-spirited citizen and dis- 
charged his duties as such in every capacity. 

He died December 1st, 1889. His widow and 
one daughter, Mrs. Benjamin F. Salycr, survive 
him and reside at Navasota. 




.^^ 




INDIAN WARS AND FIONEEIiS OF TEXAS. 



439 



THOMAS J. MORRIS, 



Rev. Thomas J. Morris, the well-known farmer 
and minister of the gospel of Colorado County, was 
born in the State of Florida, December 30, 1843 : 
completed his education at the University of the 
South ; served as a soldier in the Confederate army 
in Company B., Eighth Florida Regiment, during 
the war between the States, participating in the 
battles of the Wilderness and Gettysburg (in both 
of which he was severely wounded), and in 18fi7 
moved to Texas, and settled in Colorado County in 



1874, where he has since resided. After coming to 
Texas, he married Miss Mary B. Hunt, adopted 
daughter of Capt. William Hunt. This union has 
been blessed with six children: William Hunt, 
Howard C, Mabel, Mary E., Thomas J., Jr.. and 
Francis Wilmans Morris. 

Rev. Mr. Morris is one of the most progressive 
and truly representative men of his county and 
deservedly ranks high as a citizen and Christian 
gentleman. 



F. W. BROSIG, 



NAVASOTA. 



Ferdinand Wallace Brosig was born in Niesse, 
Germany, October 31, 1842, and when seven years 
of age came to America with his parents, Joseph 
and Augusta Brosig, and other members of the 
family, who landed at Galveston, 1849, and pro- 
ceeded to Houston, where they made their home and 
where the subject of this brief memoir passed his 
boyhood and youth and learned the tinner's trade. 
His father and mother died when he was a child. 
When in his nineteenth year he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army as a volunteer and was mustered into 
service at San Antonio as a soldier in H. B. 
Andrews' Regiment, and some time later was put in 
charge of the mechanical department of the Trans- 
Mississippi Department of the Confederate .States 
Army and stationed at Anderson, in Grimes County, 
where he remained until the close of hostilities and 
for a year thereafter, and then removed to Navasota, 
where he passed the remaining years of his life. 

July 2, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Josephine Shafer, daughter of J. P. Shafer, a mer- 
chant of Navasota. Her parents were natives of 
Germany. They were pioneer settlers in the city 
of Houston, where they located in 1848 and she was 
horn in 1849. Mr. Brosig clerked and worked at 
his trade until 1871, and then purchased his father- 
in-law's establishment and embarked in the hard- 
ware and agricultural implement business. During 
the time intervening between 1871 and 1886 he sus- 
tained three serious business losses by fire, and 
once the loss of his residence. Being a man of 



great will-power and indomitable perseverance he 
surmounted all such reverses and built anew upon 
the ashes of his former fortunes. In 1886 he 
erected the "Brosig Block" (a two-story brick 
building, 58 by 145 feet, in the heart of the business 
center of Navasota), which he fitted up for the hard- 
ware and crockery business and where he did 
thereafter an extensive and successful business. It 
was mainly through the efforts of Mr. Brosig that 
the First National Bank of Navasota was organized 
in 1890. He was elected president of the bank 
upon its establishment and continued to serve as 
such until the time of his death, which occurred at 
11:30 p. m., the night of July 31, 1893, at his 
home in Navasota, Texas. Aside from his mercan- 
tile business, he owned valuable real estate interests 
in and about Navasota. 

Mr. Brosig's death was caused by a paralytic 
stroke. His funeral was one of the most largely 
attended ever witnessed in Navasota, of which place 
he had been a citizen for twenty-nine years. The 
religious services took place at St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, Rev. Dr. Dunn officiating. He was buried 
in the Oakland Cemetery with Masonic honors. 
Mr. Brosig had one brother, Hugo Brosig, now a 
merchant at El Paso, who located at, lived in and 
was for many years a prominent citizen of Galves- 
ton, where he was for several years Justice of the 
Peace of the city. Joseph, another brother, settled 
in Mexico, where he distinguished bipself as a 
General in the Mexican army. 



440 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Mr. Brosig left surviving him a widow and five 
cliildren, four daugliters and one son, Annie, Elea- 
nor, Joseph Wallace, Mattie, Nettie. The son has 
charge of the hardware business and other property 
interests left by his father, which he manages for 
the benefit of the estate. 

Mr. Brosig was a man of sterling traits of char- 
acter. Possessed of keen business foresight and 
strictest integrity, his judgment was consulted upon 
quite all matters of local concern. His influence 
was always exercised on the side of good morals. 



for the maintenance and enforcement of the laws of 
the land and for the promotion of all movements 
looking to the welfare and advancement of his 
home, cilj' and countj-. He possessed the un- 
bounded confidence of a wide business acquaintance 
and a large circle of friends throughout Central 
Texas. He left an honored name and fine estate 
as legacies to his family. 

His memory will be long kept fresh and green by 
the many who knew and loved him for his genuine 
manly worth. 



J. E. DYER, 



RICHMOND. 



The late J. E Dyer, for so many years a promi- 
nent figure in the section of the State in which he 
lived, was born at Stafford's Point, in Fort Bend 
County, Texas, July 11, 1832, and was reared and 
educated in the town of Richmond, in that county, 
to which place his parents moved when he was seven 
j'ears of age. 

His father. Judge C. C. Dyer, came to Texas, in 
1822, from Dyersburg, Tenn., and settled in what 
is now Harris County, where he resided for a num- 
ber of years. He then moved to Fort Bend County, 
where he passed the remaining years of his life. 
In journeying to Texas, Judge Dyer traveled in 
company with Mr. "William Stafford and family, 
consisting of A. Stafford and Misses Sarah and 
Mary Stafford. Acquaintance with Miss Stafford 
ripened into love and they were married at Natchi- 
toches, La., upon the arrival of the party at that 
place. Her grandfather built and owned a place 
in Tennessee called Stafford's Mills, which still 
bears that name. Judge Dyer served as a member 
of the First Commissioners' Court of Harris County 
and later was elected County Judge of the county 
and filled that office for a period of ten years. 
Judge Dyer was in the famous battle of the " Horse- 
Shoe," when quite a boy. He followed the occu- 
pation of a trader for many years after coming to 
Texas, bringing goods from Nachitoches, La., to 
the then sparsely settled Mexican province and was 
absent from Texas on one of these trips when the 
battle of San Jacinto was fought. He and liis wife 
died in Fort Bend County and are buried in the 
family cem'etery at Eichmond. Mr. J. E. Dyer, 
the subject of this memoir, was educated in private 



schools at Richmond and upon reaching manhood 
engaged in stock-raising and merchandising and in 
the banking business at that place. He was a suc- 
cessful business man and left at the time of his 
death a considerable estate to his widow and 
children. 

He served as County Treasurer of Fort Bend 
County, from 1852 to 1859, a period of seven years, 
and at various times filled many positions of honor 
and trust. An uncompromising Democrat, he did 
much to promote the cause of good government in 
his section of the State. Every worthy enterprise 
found in him a liberal supporter. Enlightened, 
liberal and public-spirited, he was a power for good 
in his day and generation. The needy and friend- 
less were often relieved by his bounty, and there 
are very many who have reason to revere his mem- 
ory. He served during the war between the States 
as a soldier in Brown's Battalion, Waul's Legion, 
and was stationed for a time at Matagorda, but saw 
no field service, as the command, detailed, as it 
was, for coast defense duty, was never in an 
engagement. 

He was a member of the " Temple of Honor," 
an old organization in Texas, but was connected 
with no other secret or fraternal societ}'. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Isabella M. T. Heard, 
at Woodville, Texas, Januarj' 4, 1859. Eight chil- 
ren were born of this union, viz. : J. T. and H. 
L. Dyer, who own the largest mercantile establish- 
ment at Richmond ; Ray and Milton Dyer, who 
are attending the Texas Military Academy at San 
Antonio ; C. C. and Reginald Dyer, who stay at 
home on the ranch four miles from Richmond ; 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



441 



Maud, wife of Mr. H. M. White, of Houston, and 
Julia, wife of Mr. A. B. Heard, of Riclimond, and 
J. E. Dyer, Jr. Mr. Dyer died at Bourne, October 
31, 1894, wbitber he had gone in the hope of res- 
toration to health, and is buried in the family 
cemetery at Eiehmond. His death was a sad 
bereavement to his family, to which he was 
thoroughly devoted. His loss was also deeply 
mourned by a wide circle of friends extending 
throughout Texas. 

Mrs. Dyer's parents, Mr. George L. and Mrs. 
K. (Wright) Heard, were Georgians by birth and 
came to Texas at an early day. Her mother's 
father was Dr. Isaac Wright, of Tennessee. 

Mrs. Dyer had four brothers who served in the 
Confederate army during the late war. Of these 



G. W. Heard died ten days after the batile of Cor- 
inth, from wounds received at Oxford, Miss. ; W. 
F. Heard, for years a banker at Cleburne, Texas, 
died at that place a few years since; J. F. Heard 

lives at Woodville, Texas, and Heard died 

soon after the war. Mrs. Dyer's mother and father 
died at Woodville, and are buried there. The Dyer 
and Heard families have been prominent in social, 
business and political life in Texas, since settling in 
this State, and representatives have distinguished 
themselves in various professions, civil and mili- 
tary, in other parts of the Union. J. A. Dyer, Jr., 
died Julj' 25, 1895, aged twenty-one years. He 
was educated at the University of Georgetown. He 
was a young man of great promise and his death 
was a sore affliction to his family and many friends. 



WILLIAM M. KNIGHT, 



MERIDIAN. 



William M. Knight was born in New Hampshire 
in 1855. His parents, Prof. Ephraim and Mrs. 
Augusta B. (Crain) Knight, were natives of that 
State, and scions of an old Colonial family of Scotch- 
Irish descent. Prof. Ephraim Knight was one of 
the founders of the New London Literary and 
Scientific Academy (now Colby Academy), and 
occupied the chair of mathematics in that institution 
until 1876, when he retired after many years of 
service. He died in 1878. His widow is still 
living in New Hampshire. 

William M. Knight graduated from Colby 
Academy in 1873, and Brown Universily in 1877, 
winning the degree of A. B. at the University ; 
went to Charleston, W. Va. , in 1878 and entered 
the law office of Smith & Knight (the latter gentle- 
man an uncle), and was admitted to the bar in 



1880, and shortly thereafter came to Texas and 
located at Meridian, where he has since resided. 
He has served three times as County Attorney of 
Bosque County, twice by appointment and one full 
term, from 1884 to 1886, by election. 

December 3d, 1890, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Mattie E. Farmer, a native of Virginia, but 
then recently from Missouri. Mr. Knight is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity ; a member of 
the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Meridian and of 
Cleburne Knight Templar Commandery No. 10, 
and has served as master of the lodge and high 
priest of the chapter at Meridian. He is an active 
Democratic worker and has been a delegate to 
various party conventions. 

As a lawyer he ranks among the most skillful 
practitioners of the Central Texas bar. 



442 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JAMES R. MOSS, 

LLANO. 

James R. Moss, elciest son of Malhew W. and centh 3'ear, lie entered the Confederate army as 

Mary Moss, was born iu Fayette County, Texas, a member of Company E., Seventeenth Texas 

January 24, 1843, and was reared in Williamson Infantry, McCuUoeli's Brigade, with which he began 

County, where his parents settled four years later. active service in Arkansas, and later took part in 




JAMES K. MOSS AND WIFE. 



His educational advantages were limited, the 
neighborhood schools taught from three to four 
months in the year, being the sole reliance of the 
youth of his day for that mental training and 
equipment now considered so essential to success in 
life. 

At the opening of the late war, then in his eight- 



that series of brilliant military movements along 
Red river incident to the Federal General Banks' 
campaign iu Arkansas and Louisiana. He was in- 
jured by a fall the day before the battle of Mans- 
field, which necessitated his transfer from the 
infantry to the cavalry, in which branch he served 
during the remainder of the war. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



443 



After the surrender Mr. Moss engaged in the live 
stock business in Llano County, which he has since 
followed, having thus been identified with the cattle 
industry nearly all his life and is familiar with all 
its details and experiences. He is one of the oldest 
stockmen of Llano County and has been one of the 
most successful. He owns a ranch of about 9,000 
acres located in the southern part of Llano County, 
which he has stocked with a high grade of cattle. 

Mentioning Mr. Moss' esperienceson the frontier 
brings to mind the fact that he took part in one of 
the last Indian fights in Llano County, the " Pack 
Saddle Fight." The incidents of that affair as 
related to the writer by Mr. Moss were as fol- 
lows : — 

On the 4th of August, 1873, a party of redskins 
supposed to be Comanches, made a raid into Llano 
County, and stole a lot of horses, with which they 
were making their escape out of the country, when 
a company of eight, Dever Harrington, Robert 
Brown, Eli Lloyd, Arch Martin, Pink Ayers, and 
the Moss brothers, James R., William, and Stephen 
D., was hurriedly organized and started in pursuit. 
After following the trail perhaps a distance of forty 
miles, the rangers discovered the Indians about 
noon on the following day in camp on the top of 
Pack Saddle Mountain. Concealing their move- 
ments the pursuers carefully reconsidered the sit- 
uation and discovered that the redskins had made 
only a temporary halt to rest and refresh them- 
selves. They had passed over an open space about 
forty yards in width covered with grass and had 
pitched their camp on the edge of the bluff beyond, 
leaving their stock in the glade to graze. The 
bluff where they halted was skirted below with a 
sparse growth of stunted trees, which, with some 
scrubby bushes growing adjacent, afforded them a 
good camping ground. Some of the Indians had 
lain down in the bushes to rest, while others 
were roasting meat over a stick fire and eat- 
ing. It was agreed among the rangers that 
they would charge across the glade on horseback 
and put themselves between the Indians and their 
horses, then dismount and open fire. The charge 



was made and all dismounted before firing, except 
William Moss, who fired two shots from his horse. 
Though surprised, the Indians gathered their guns 
and returned the fire, forming, as they did so, in a 
kind of battle line, in which manner they made two 
separate charges, evidently intending, if possible, 
to reach their horses. But they were repulsed each 
time, and a third line was broken up before they 
got well out of the timber, under cover of which it 
was formed. One buck, bolder than the rest, ad- 
vanced alone to some distance to the right of the 
others, and without firing his gun, which, however, 
he held grasped in an upright position, seemed de- 
termined to make his way to the horses. He came 
to within a few feet of the rangers, some of them 
firing at him, when suddenly he turned and, retreat- 
ing to the edge of the timber, fell forward stone 
dead, but, as was afterwards found, still tightly 
grasping his gun. About this time three or four of 
the Indians started up a chant and began to file off 
under the bluff, the others followed suit, and al- 
most in a twinkling, nothing more was seen of them. 
On inspecting the battle-ground the rangers found 
three bodies. Four of their own number were more 
or less hurt, William Moss being shot in the right 
arm and shoulder, the ball ranging through the 
breast and coming out on the left'side ; Arch Mar- 
tin shot in the left groin ; Eli Lloyd three slight 
wounds in the arms, and Pink Ayers, two balls in the 
hips. It was estimated that there were twenty 
Indians, seventeen bucks, two squaws and a boy. 
All of the stock which these Indians had, twenty 
head, together with some of their fire-arms, saddles 
and accoutrements, fell into the hands of the ran- 
gers. None of the wounds sustained by the pursu- 
ers proved serious, except those ofjWilliam Moss; 
he has always suffered more or less with his. 

Though he has had considerable military expe- 
rience, Mr. Moss has never been before the public in 
any official capacity. His private affairs have en- 
grossed his attention to the exclusion of everything 
else. He married Miss Delia Johnson, of Llano 
County, in 1877, and has by this union a family of 
eleven children. 



444 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



C. T. MOSS, 

LLANO COUNTY. 



Cbarles Tate Moss, son of Matthew and Mary 
Moss, was born in Travis County, Texas, Decem- 
ber 28, 1845. He was reared in Williamson and 
Llano counties, his parents residing successively in 
these two counties during his boyhood and youth. 
In 1863, then in his eighteenth year, he entered the 
frontier service as a member of Capt. Bowling's 
Company from Llano County, and served with this 
and Capt. Irvin's Company from Blanco County till 
the close of the war. Engaged in stock-raising on 
the cessation of hostilities, and has followed it with 
a marked degree of success since. The firm of C. 
T. & A. F. Moss, of which he is the senior member, 



is one of the largest and best known in West Cen- 
tral Texas, owning more than 30,000 acres of 
grazing land Ij'ing in Llano and Gillespie counties, 
on which is kept from 2,000 to 3,000 herd of cattle 
the year round. 

In 1882, Mr. Moss married Miss Sallie Ryfield, 
daughter of Holmes and Lucinda Ryfield, and a 
native of Goliad County, Texas, her parents being 
early settlers of Texas, her father a veteran of the 
Revolution of 1835-6. Mr. and Mrs. Moss have 
three sons and one daughter: Holmes, Carlos, 
Maud, and Cash. 



SAM. S. SMITH, 



SAN ANTONIO, 



Was born at Boston, Mass., September 17th, 1810, 
and died at San Antonio August 17th, 1882, in the 
seventy-second year of his age. He came to Texas 
in the memorable year 1836, just after the battle of 
San Jacinto, and took part in several subsequent 
campaigns, serving with gallantry and distinction. 
He made his home in the city of Houston in 1837, 
and in 1843 went to San Antonio, where he iden- 
tified himself with the growth and progress of 
Southwestern Texas, occupied several positions of 
honor and trust and resided until the time of his 
death. He served for twenty-three months as 
Mayor of San Antonio in 1840-41 and later as 
Alderman and City Treasurer. He was also a mem- 
ber of the Secession Convention of Texas in 1861. 
He was elected to the ofHce of County Clerk of 
Bexar County, August, 1850, and served the people 
in that capacity continuously up to the reconstruc- 
tion era. In 1873 he was elected District and County 
Clerk and held that position until the two offices 
were separated, after which he held that of County 
Clerk of Bexar County until the time of his decease. 
The long years he held so many positions of 
trust and emoluments at the hands of a most 
friendly and appreciative constituency fully attests 
the universal esteem in which he was held. Char- 



itable and kind in all his dealings with his fellow- 
men, it has never been intimated that he willfully 
erred either in word or deed. He, together with 
his wife who survived him, was a member of the 
Texas Veterans' Association, which historic organi- 
zation passed a feeling tribute of respect to his 
memory as, "An esteemed friend and comrade, 
whose loss was deeply mourned." 

The Express and other city papers contained 
fitting obituary editorials. The members of the 
Bexar County bar, through a committee appointed 
for that purpose, passed and caused to be spread 
upon the records of the court a tribute to his mem- 
ory in which due appreciation of his exemplary life 
and valuable services to his people were acknowl- 
edged. The report declares, "that in the death of 
Mr. Smith Bexar County lost an honored and trust- 
worthy officer ; a polite, worthy and trusted citizen, 
and a kind, true and generous friend to the poor 
and needy, whose place in social and official life can 
scarcely be filled from among the living." It 
was signed by Wesley Ogden, Thos. J. Devine, 
N. O. Green, T. S. Harrison, T. G. Smith and 
John E. Ochse. 

Samuel S. Smith married Miss Sarah Brackett at 
San Antonio, January 18th, 1854. Mrs. Smith has 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



445 



four cbiklren: Oscar; TLadileus W., county clerk 
of Bexar County; Georgia C, now Mrs. Joseph 
Olivarri ; and Minnie, now Mrs. Edwin Flory. 
Thaddeus M. Wood, grandfather of Mrs. Sarah B. 
Smith, was born at Lenox, Mass., in 1772; became 
at first a practicing lawyer at Onondago in 1794 
and was distinguished for his legal ability. He 
was also widely known as a military man. He died 
January 10th, 1836. 

Her father, Oscar B. Brackett, a merchant, 
native of the Empire State, came directly from 
Syracuse, N. Y., to San Antonio, in 1844. He 



brought with him his wife (»iee Miss Emily Wood) 
and four children, of whom Mrs. Smith was the 
third born. Two sisters of Mrs. Smith are living: 
Emily, widow of Chas. F. King, and Ella N., widow 
of Simeon W. Cooley, of San Antonio. Mrs. 
Smith's mother was a daughter of Gen. Wood, who 
served with distinction during the War of 1812. 

Mr. Oscar Brackett had a store on Main Plaza 
at San Antonio. He died in 1857 and his wife in 
1893. Both were highly respected and greatly 
beloved and rest side by side in the cemetery at 
the beautiful Alamo City. 



CONSTANTIN HAERTER, 



COMFORT, 



A venerable old settler of Kendall County, Texas, 
came to this country from his native home, 
in 1850. He was born near Gotha, in Saxon-Co- 
burg-Gotha, in 1819. Mr. Haerter came directly 
to Fredericksburg, and lived there about five years, 
since which time he has lived on and developed a 
fine farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres, at 



Comfort. He has never married. He is quiet and 
unobtrusive in manner, and interests himself little 
in matters outside of his own domains. He is the 
president of the German Evangelical Church of 
Comfort, established in the year 1891. It may be 
truly said of him that he is a good citizen and 
successful farmer. 



L. W. CARR, 

HEARNE, 



Was born in Lenore County, N. C, February 7, 
1824. His father was Matthew H. Carr, a native 
of Virginia, and paternal grandfather, Lawrence 
Carr, a Virginian, who served on a patriot pri- 
vateer during the Revolutionary War of 1776. 
Lawrence Carr emigrated to North Carolina soon 
after the close of the colonial struggle for inde- 
pendence, and there his son, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was mainly reared ; married 
Sallie Murphy, a native of that State, and, estab- 
lishing himself as a planter, spent the greater part 
of the remaining years of his life, dying at the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years. Mrs. Mat- 
thew Carr survived some years, dying at about 
the same age. They had seven children who 
reached maturity, of whom Lewis Whitfield, of 



this article, was second in age. Their eldest son, 
Joshua Carr, died in Florida when a young man. 
The others were Patsie, who was twice married, 
and still lives in North Carolina; James, who died 
in North Carolina; Susan, who was married to a 
Mr. Cos, and is deceased ; Alexander, who died in 
North Carolina; Titus, who came to Texas and 
died in Hill County ; and Matthew, who lives in 
North Carolina. Three of these, James, Alexan- 
der, and Titus, were in the Confederate service in 
the late war. Lewis Whitfield Carr was reared in 
North Carolina, and went to North Mississippi 
when a young man (in 1847), when that section 
was a comparatively unsettled portion of the State. 
Married Mrs. Sidney A. Westbrook at West Point, 
Miss., 1854; engaged in planting there until 1858; 



446 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



in January of that year came to Texas ; stopped 
for a time in Washington County, and in Decem- 
ber, 1858, bought and settled on a tract of land in 
the Brazos bottom, in Robertson County, about 
eight miles south of the present town of Hearne. 
Here he opened a plantation and engaged in farm- 
ing, which he has since followed. Where he settled 
there were about sixty acres in cultivation. He 
immediately put in more, and has developed one 
of the best plantations in the bottom. He now 
owns two plantations, aggregating about 2, 700 
acres, most of which are in cultivation. He has 
seen the country grow from almost a wilderness to 
its present condition, and has been a leading factor 
in its development. When he settled in the bot- 
tom, his trading; place was Houston, one hundred 
and twenty-five miles distant, and his post-office. 



Wheelock, seventeen miles distant. He helped to 
build the Hearne & Brazos Valley Railwaj*, of 
which he is vice-president, and to organize the 
First National Bank of Hearne, of which he is 
vice-president. He was made a Free Mason at 
West Point, Miss., in 1849 ; has since been a mem- 
ber of the order, and is the present Master of 
Golden Circle Lodge No. 361, at Hearne. 

His wife died in 1883. One daughter (widow 
of B. W. Beckham), now residing at Hearne, was 
born of this union. Mrs. Beckham has three chil- 
dren, daughters: Misses Lee and Floy, and Beverl}' 
Beckham. He has never been in public office, but 
has served the public in other ways. For twenty 
years he has been a member of the grand jury. 
He is now the administrator of three large estates. 
No man stands higher in Robertson County. 



DR. ASA HOXEY, 



INDEPENDENCE, 



Was born in Savannah, Ga., February 22d, 1800, 
and received a good literary education in the select 
schools in the town of Washington, Wilkes Couutj', 
in that State, whither his parents moved during his 
youth. He graduated with honor at the University 
of Georgia, in 1820. His medical education was 
secured in the University of New York, from which 
he graduated with distinction in 1822. He began 
practice at Montgomery, Ala., aoout the year 1823 
and resided there until 1833, when he moved to 
Texas, bringing with him about thirty negroes and 
$40,000 in money and located in "Cole's Settle- 
ment," afterwards Independence, Washington 
County, where he opened two large prairie plant- 
ations and, later, two in the Brazos Bottom. The 
latter he abandoned, however, on account of over- 
flows, and confined his farming operations to his up- 
land property-. He also engaged in merchandising 
at the town of Old Washington for a time with 
Messrs. Bailej' and Gay, under the firm name of 
Bailey, Gay & Hoxey, but lost instead of made 
money by the venture, from which he accordingly 
withdrew. He was a prominent figure and active 
participant in the political movements that led up 
to the Texas revolution and in the revolution itself, 
being a delegate to the convention that issued the 
declaration of Texas Independence, to which his 
name is affixed with that of the other patriots who 



composed that historic body. He was for a while 
medical censor of the Republic of Texas during the 
presidency of Gen. Sara Houston. He did not 
practice medicine after coming to Texas, but never- 
theless, at all times manifested a lively interest in 
matters pertaining to the profession. He was a 
staunch supporter in the cause of education and 
contributed liberally to the support of Baylor Uni- 
versity, during its early years at Independence, and 
to other institutions of learning. 

He owned one of the finest private libraries in 
Texas and his home was a favorite resort of the 
great men of the times. He was an omnivorous, 
but discriminating reader, had an unusually reten- 
tive memory and was a brilliant and delightful con- 
versationalist. Of dignified and courtly presence, 
possessed of an intellect of uncommon strength and 
clearness, his society' was sought by the able men 
and true patriots that were his compeers, associates 
and friends. Before leaving Alabama for Texas in 
1833, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett, a 
New York lady, who accompanied him to his new 
home, which she graced with her beauty, refinement 
and noble matronly qualities for many j'ears, dying 
November 10, 18G5. Two children were born of 
this union, Thomas Robert Hoxey, who died of 
yellow fever at Galveston, September 16th, 1864, 
while a soldier in the Confederate army, and Mrs. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



447 



Sarah Ann Williams, now residing at Independence, 
Washington County, Texas. Dr. Hoxe}' died May 
20, 1863. 

He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, join- 
ing the first lodge organized at Independence, one 
of the first established in Texas. As a Democrat he 
belonged to the South Carolina school, and was a 
warm and steadfast supporter of the political views 



of John C. Calhoun. Dr. Hoxey belonged to a 
race who studied deep tlie principles of civil gov- 
ernment and to whom personal honor, human 
liberty and free institutions were dearer than life 
itself. 

He rests in peace with the spirits of Texas' great 
departed and his name deserves a place beside theirs 
in the annals of his country. 



FRANKLIN W. SHAEFFER, 

CORPUS CHRISTI. 



Born in the State of Ohio, August 4, 182.T. Mar- 
ried to Kowena Davidson, of Galveston, Texas, 
August 7th, 1877. Died at San Diego, Duval 
County, Texas, October 2oth, 1886. 

The progressive, energetic and successful citi- 
zen, whose name appears at the head of this brief 
biography, was a type of the enterprising American, 
who V)y industry, integrity and intelligence, achieves 
success in life, and enjoys every hour of the j-ears 
allotted to him by his Creator. 

Franklin Wingot Shaeffer came from that sturdy 
stock that originally settled and peopled the State 
of Pennsylvania. His father was Frederick W. 
Shaeffer ; born in that State on the eighteenth day 
of October, 1792. A trade was an honor as well 
as promise of thrift in the period in which he grew 
up ; and after a faithful apprenticeship, be became 
master of his trade at nineteen ; married early 
Mary Boose, a worthy and industrious helpmeet ; 
and, lured by the promises of an extended sphere 
for his business, went West, and settled permanently 
in the town of Lancaster, Ohio, where to him were 
born several children, and amongst others he, of 
whom we write, Franklin W. Shaeffer. 

The good and Christian mother lived long enough 
to implant in the growth-structure of her children, 
by teaching an example, a reverence for all sacred 
things, high moral principles, and staunch integrity. 
Slie died in the year 1844, when Franklin was about 
nineteen years old. The father survived her for 
many years afterwards, dying at the ripe age of over 
eighty-sis years, in the year 1879, honored and 
loved by all who knew him or were his neighbors. 

The subject of this notice was what may be 
termed a self-educated man. True, he acquired a 
common school education, a knowledge of the rudi- 
ments as the period of his youth afforded. 



The same breadth of desire to carve for himself, 
as possessed by his father, was the inheritance of 
Franklin W. Shaeffer. The discovery of gold in 
California turned thither those in whom was fos- 
tered a spirit of restlessness, and at the age of 
twenty-four he was one of the " Argonauts," one 
of the "Forty-niners," whom the pen and genius 
of Joaquin Miller, and the original humor of Bret 
Harte, have made historically famous. 

Franklin made successfully the long, weary and 
hazardous journey across the plains an<l over the 
Eockies to the " El Dorado." Here he met with 
all the kaleidoscopic changes that the drift of days 
in that country afforded, learning day by day those 
lessons of endurance and self-reliance so valuable 
to him in after years. What little he accumulated, 
he preferred to invest in something that had less of 
the feverishness of gold-seeking, and for the few 
years of his stay in the far West, he was alternately 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in the manage- 
ment and ownership of a transportation line, en- 
gaged in the conveyance of mining machinery and 
supplies from the immediate Pacific Coast, to the 
mining camps in the interior. 

Gradually, the aggregate of corporate wealth en- 
croached upon his business, and having a favorable 
opportunity to dispose of all his interests, he did so 
and came East, and for many years, in New York, 
carried on a mercantile business. In 1857 there 
was a tide of emigration to another land of golden 
promise, the domain of Texas ; and the subject of 
our memoir was amongst those who in good earnest 
adopted the Lone Star State as home. 

He located in a beautiful region, near Boerne. 
He purchased lands and sheep, and entered into 
the rearing and breeding of the latter, and the 
growth of wool, and, with George Wilkins Kendall, 



U8 



IXDIAX WARS AXD PIOXEEBs OF TEXAS. 



was one of the pioneers of Uie sheep industry of 
Western Texas. Finding llie winters of tliat region 
north of San Antonio less favorable to the increase 
of his flocks than he had anticipated, and not free 
from some of the contagious diseases that are seri- 
ous to sheep, he made a personal visit to the section 
of Texas further south, and with excellent judgment 
settled upon the Agua Dulce (sweet water) valley, 
as the field of his future operations ; and here he 
settled permanently, beginning with his own pre- 
emption, and gradually, by labor, economy and 
thrift acquired by purchase the magnificent pasture 
of seventy thousand acres, under one inclosure, 
and now valued at half a million of dollars, that 
bears his name. 

Franklin Shacffer was in all he essayed to do an 
exemplifier of the principle, that whatever is worth 
doing at all is worth doing well. He supplied the 
natural deficit of the region an abundance of water 
by an extensive and judiciously distributed system 
of wells and windmills, the latter of the largest and 
most approved pattern. These were supplemented 
with tanks, some of which are veritable lakes. He 
was oue of the first to fence, thus reducing his losses 
from straj'ing flocks to the minimum, as well as 
economize in employing a less number of shepherds. 

From the close of the war up to 1880 he was 
eminently successful, and not only amassed wealth, 
but had the proud satisfaction of knowing that the 
finest flocks of the West, and the best and highest 
priced wool, were the products of his sheep ranch. 
He led in the industry; and the millions invested 
by others marked them as but followers, encour- 
aged and stimulated by his remarkable success and 
prosperity. 

With keen foresight as to the depreciation of 
values in sheep, and a desire for a relief from the 
attention to details in their management, requiring 
constant personal labor, he gradually changed his 
business from that of sheep-raising to the rearing 
and breeding of cattle and fine horses. In this line 
he was as markedly successful as in the sheep in- 
dustry ; and in this pursuit he was engaged at the 
time of his death. His death was the proximate 
result of an accident, in which he was thrown from 
his family carriage and one of his limbs broken, 
and at which same time his wife was injured, but 
subsequently recovered. 

Franklin Shaeffer was a man of striking phy- 
sique, and commanded attention wherever he went. 
He was never ostentatious, and his manners were 
winning, and there was a hearty, genial frankness 
in them that brought him pleasant companionships, 
and sincere and enduring friendships. He was 
broad of heart and generous — often impulsively 



so — and his charities were abundant, and well 
bestowed. 

As a citizen of this Commonwealth, he was an 
exemplar. He was a model in the strictness of his 
integrity and carefulness in business matters. He 
.was to the fore in support of the principles of law 
and order, even in turbulent times. 

In politics he was never a partisan, but a free- 
thinker, and fearless in the open expressions of his 
opinions, matured from a careful study of the prin- 
ciples of our government, of political economy, and 
the blended relations of capital and labor. 

On national issues, he leaned to Republicanism, 
but being an earnest believer in an intelligent suf- 
frage, he voted as his reason dictated. 

He is a subject of note in this volume because he 
was of prominence in the region of Southwest Texas, 
and established one of its leading industries. He 
had the love and confidence of all those amongst 
whom he lived, and had he been spared, and be- 
come an octogenarian as did his father before him, 
he would have been a patriarch, and lived to see 
the land of promise he had loved and adopted, 
fulfill all his predictions of its golden future. 

His union with Miss Rowena Davidson was a 
very happy one. She was the daughter of Capt. 
John Davidson, a worthy pilot of the port of Gal- 
veston, who lost his life in an heroic endeavor to 
save the crew of a vessel, wrecked near that 
place. 

She is an accomplished and cultured lady; and 
since the death of her husband has managed the 
large estate, left entirely to her disposal, with pru- 
dence and business skill. She has devoted herself 
to the education of her children, four of whom 
survived their father. For several years she was 
virtually compelled to live upon the ranch and 
supervise its management ; but latterly she has been 
enabled to place the same under lease, and with her 
children and mother, has removed to San Antonio, 
and purchased a residence there, pretty and com- 
fortable in all its appointments, and in proximity 
to the educational institute, where her daughters 
can obtain its benefits. 

Franklin Shaeffer came to Texas a compara- 
tively poor man. When he settled in the Agua 
Dulce Valley, the great Southwest was a primeval 
wilderness, subject to the incursions of hostile and 
predatory Indians, and filled with a lawless element. 
He established himself in that section, and did 
much to redeem it and encourage peaceful pursuits 
and industries, and render possible the civilization 
of to-day that therein abounds. 

He was successful in all that makes life desirable, 
and has left behind liim a name that is a priceless 




':ynytrw^m/a/ CJ) % 



^£A- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



449 



legacy to his children, and will be to his children's 
children. The beneficial effects of his life-worli 
will long be felt in that part of the State, with 
whose growth and history it is identified. It affords 
the writer genuine pleasure to accord to him a 



place in this volume, the object of which is to 
preserve in imperishable form, to coming genera- 
tions, a brief recollection of the men who, amid 
trials, perils and adversities, have accomplished 
much for Texas. 



AUGUSTA PERRY DRISCOLL, 

NAVASOTA. 



Few men were better known in Grimes County 
than the late Capt. A. P. Driscoll. He was a 
native of Arkansas and was born in 1829. 

It is not known just when he first came to Texas, 
hut it is known that he located at Huntsville, in 
Walker County, in the early 40's, and that he was 
stage agent in early times along the route between 
Shreveport, La., and El Paso, on the Mexican 
border. He was one of the first station agents for 
the Houston & Texas Central Railway Co. at 
Cypress Station, in Harris County, and in 1867 
was appointed station agent at Navasota, in Grimes 
County, which position he filled for many years. 
Upon the breaking out of the late war he organized 
a company of soldiers and was elected their Cap- 
tain. Owing to physical disabilities, however, 
he resigned his commission and was made Commis- 
sary at Cypress Station, where he remained until 



the close of hostilities in that capacity, and after- 
ward as railway station agent and telegraph opera- 
tor until he removed to Navasota, where he con- 
tinued in the service of the H. & T. C. R. R. Co. 
until 1879, having served this company for twenty 
years. He died in 1880. He was married in 
Harris County, Texas, in 1860, to Miss Lydia 
Morton, of Louisiana, who with five daughters and 
one son survive him. The cliildren are: Bettie, 
now Mrs. John Hamilton, of Navasota; Katie, now 
Mrs. F. Chimene, of Houston ; Jennie, now Mrs. 
Walker Humphries, of Pensacola, Florida ; Wave, 
now Mrs. Max Otto, of Houston ; Eva, residing at 
home with her mother and John W. Driscoll, of 

. Capt. A. P. Driscoll served one term as 

Mayor of Navasota and was honored and beloved 
by all who knew him. He was the grandson of 
Col. Martin Parmer. 



JAMES M. WILLIAMS, 



INDEPENDENCE. 



Capt. James M. Williams was born in De Soto 
Parish, Louisiana, March 28th, 1833. His father. 
Rev. M. E. Williams, was a prominent Baptist 
minister of Northern Louisiana. 

The subject of this memoir completed his educa- 
tion at McKinzie College, Clarksville, Texas, a 
famous institution of learning presided over by Rev. 
Dr. McKinzie, and was a fellow-student of Hon. J. 
W. Herndon, of Tyler, for many years a member of 
the United States Congress from Texas. At the be- 
ginning of the war between the States, Capt. Williams 
enlisted as a private in Drew's battalion, the first 



command organized in his native State ; served for 
a time in Florida, and then, under Gen. J. Bankhead 
Magruder, in Virginia, where he was transferred 
to the Second Louisiana, commanded by his cousin 
Col. (afterwards Brigadier General) Jesse Williams, 
participating in the great battles fought in front of 
Richmond and many mmor engagements, in which 
he bore himself with conspicuous gallantry. AVhen 
Gen. Magruder was sent to assume command of 
the military district of Texas, Capt. Williams ac- 
companied him, and was assigned to the transport- 
ation department and stationed at Houston. He 



450 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was subsequently promoted to the offlue of post 
quartermaster, with the rank of Captain, and 
stationed at Tyler, where he continued in charge 
until the close of the war. When the war closed 
he was serving as quartermaster at Brenham, under 
Gen. Robertson. 

July 16, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Sallie A. Hubert, daughter of Dr. Asa Hoxey, an 
early and distinguished Texas pioneer. Very soon 
after Dr. Hoxey's death it became necessary for 
Capt. Williams to administer on the large estate 
left by deceased, which he did with marked ability 
and entire satisfaction to all parties at interest. 
His own affairs were managed in an equally system- 
atic and skillful manner and he left a fine property 
to his beloved wife. 

He was kind, benevolent and helpful to those in 



distress, a steadfast champion of temperance and 
a consistent member of the Baptist Church. He 
died at Burnett's Well, near the town of Luling, 
Texas, September 11, 1881, where he had gone in 
hope of restoration of health. He manifested a 
deep interest in county. Slate and national affairs, 
and all that pertained to the welfare of the country. 
He was a delegate to the national convention held 
at St. Louis, in 1870, which nominated Samuel J. 
Tilden for President. He was a member of the 
Masonic and Patrons of the Husbandry fraternities 
and an active worker in both organizations. He 
left four children : James Hozey ; Emma, wife of 
E. Hoffman, of Brenham ; Nettie, wife of C. L. 
Anderson, of Ardmore, I. T., and Asa M. Hoxey, 
who is living with his mother at their home at 
Independence. 



THOMAS D. WILSON, 

BRAZOS COUNTY. 



Born in North Carolina, and partly reared there ; 
ran away from home when a boy and went to Ten- 
nessee, where he lived a number of years ; returned 
to North Carolina, married, and engaged in mining 
for gold ; again went to Tennessee, where he en- 
gaged in planting; then, after stopping a year or 
two in Arkansas, came to Texas, locating in what 
is now Harrison County, where he engaged in farm- 
ing until the fall of 1851, when he removed to the 
Brazos bottom, in Brazos County, then in the heart 
of the wilderness, where he opened a plantation, 
on which he employed his hundred or more negro 
slaves profitably until the war between the States ; 
during the war hauled cotton to Mexico and 
brought back merchandise, greatly adding to his 
wealth ; continued to make his home on his plant- 
ation from 1865 to the time of his death in 1879, 
at the age of seventy-eight years ; was four times 
married, and raised eight children to maturity, 
seven of whom, Laura, liuth, Alfred F., Pattie, 
now Mrs. M. W. Sims, Mary, Alice, and Thomas 
D., were born in Texas of his marriage to Miss 
Rachel Flournoy, a daughter of Dr. Alfred Flour- 



noy, who fought in the battle of New Orleans 
under Gen. Andrew Jackson ; was a man of strik- 
ing appearance, being six feet, two inches in 
height, and weighing 225 pounds ; had light hair, 
fair complexion, and clear blue eyes, the steady 
gaze of which was equaled by that of few men ; 
was a man of marked individuality of character, 
reserved, strong willed, well informed, rather im- 
perious, though courteous, in manner; courageous 
to a fault; had devoted friends, and enemies too, 
who both disliked and feared him ; in fact, was a 
typical Southern planter of the old regime, widely 
known and widely influential in his day. He was 
a member of the Masonic fraternity from early 
manhood. His son, Alfred F. .Wilson, was born 
in Harrison County, Texas, December 16, 1847 ; 
was taken to Brazos County with his parents in 
1851 ; has always lived in this State, and for many 
years has been engaged in planting and stock- 
raising ; now resides in Robertson County, Texas ; 
married Miss Fannie Gleaves, daughter of Frank 
Gleaves, Hermitage, Tenn., and has three children: 
May Herbert, Alice Ray, and Thomas D. Wilson. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



45 J 



WM. C. ROBERTS, 



ALVIN. 



Wm. C. Roberts was born in Matagorda County 
in 1862. He is a son of Columbus W. Roberts, 
deceased (also a native of the same county), 
whose father, Ransome Roberts, deceased, was a 
pioneer of 1836. Ransome Roberts located in 
Matagorda County on coming to Texas, located on 
Caney Creek, where he established himself as a 
farmer and stock-raiser and raised a family of ten 
children, three of whom survive and live at differ- 
ent points in Texas. He was a native of Georgia. 
Columbus W. Roberts, father of the subject of this 
notice, married Miss Mollie Harris, a daughter of 
Parson Harris, a widely known clergyman of the 
M. E. Church South, and like his father, located 
on Caney Creek. Here he reared a family of six 



children, of whom Wm. C. Roberts is the oldest. 
These are well settled in life in various parts of the 
State and are useful and honored citizens of the 
communities in which they reside. Mr. Roberts is 
a contractor in Alvin, where he also conducts a 
livery business. He married Miss Sallie O'Connor 
in Houston, February 1st, 1888, and has one child, 
a daughter named Flora. Mrs. Roberts is a native 
of Mobile, Ala., and was born December 4, 1867. 
She is a most estimable and accomplished lady. 
Mr. Roberts is a pushing, clear-beaded business 
man, who has done much toward aiding in the up- 
building of the thriving town of Alvin and the 
development of the resources of the surrounding 
country. 



C. L. GOODMAN, 

ORANGE. 



Judge C. L. Goodman, of Orange, Texas, was 
born January 12, 1854, in Choctaw County, Ala., 
and educated in the common schools of Texas, and 
at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y., graduating from the latter institution in No- 
vember, 1876. He then returned to Orange, 
Texas. He came to Texas in March, 1861, with 
his parents, who located in Jasper County, Texas ; 
resided first at Sabine Pass and later at Orange 
until 1876 and then went to New York to school. 
He returned to Orange in 1877 and began work 
with the Tribune, a weekly newspaper edited by 
A. P. Harris, helping to get out the first issue of 
the paper. 

On his way home from New York, he stopped at 
St. Louis and was engaged for a time with Dr. W. 
G. Kingsbury in Texas immigration work. His 
connection with the Orange Tribune continued 
until 1878. In 1879 he became partner with Dr. 
Shalars, in the drug business at Orange, which he 
continued until 1883. In 1884 he was elected to 
the office of county and district clerk of Orange 
County and was re-elected for four successive terms. 
In 18!>4 he refused to again become a candidate 



for the office. In his first election he defeated a 
man who had been clerk for eighteen years, by a 
large majority. After retiring from public life 
he engaged in the milling business, which he has 
since built up to large proportions. His bids fair 
to be one of the largest and leading mills in 
Southern Texas. His success in life has been due 
to good management, the exercise of sound dis- 
cretion and the possession of natural business 
abilities of a very, superior order. He owns con- 
siderable realty in various parts of the State. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Elks fraterni- 
ties. June 22d, 1887, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Beauregard Traylor, of Jackson County, 
Texas. She was born in 1862, in Jasper County, 
Texas, and is a daughter of J. C. Traylor, Esq., 
a prosperous stock-raiser of Jackson County. 
Four children (all boys) have been born to them, 
viz.: Charles Riviere, aged eight; Josiah Traylor, 
six ; John Willard, four, and Leland Keith, two 
years old. 

Mr. Goodman has a lovely home in Orange, 
and is one of the most prominent and influential 
citizens of that part of the State. 



452 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



D. THEO. AYERS, 

GALVESTON. 



The subject of this memoir was born in Ithica, 
N. Y., July 21, 1828, and in April, 1834, left his 
native Slate for Texas with bis parents, David and 
Ann M. Ayers, and other members of the house- 
hold. 

The party took passage in the brig " Asia." 
The vessel was wrecked on St. Joseph's Island, 
opposite Corpus Christi, and residents of the 
country, Mexicans from San Patricio, learning of 
the disaster, made their way to the island and con- 
veyed the Ayers and other families in small boats 
up to the village of San Patricio. Mr. Davis Ayers 
went ahead to the point of destination that be bad 
decided upon near Long Point in Washington 
County, secured transportation for his household 
effects, returned to San Patricio and then, loading 
bis earthly possessions (family and chattels) upon 
wagons, set forth for the home be had selected, 
•which in due time he reached in safety and without 
adventure. He had previously come to Texas in 
1832 and built what was known as "The Stone 
House" at the point indicated. 

The family consisted of the parents and six 
children: The eldest, afterward Mrs. L. P. Moore, 
who resided and died at Temple (her husband, a 
partici|)ant in the battle of San Jacinto and in the 
war between the United States and Mexico, survives 
her and lives at Temple) ; Mrs. Rufus C. Camp- 
bell, now living at Burton, Texas (her husband 
was also a soldier at San Jacinto and handcuffed 
Santa Anna after bis capture) ; Mrs. P^liza Alex- 
ander, who died at Cliappell Hill in 1873 (her 
busband was the late lamented Rev. Robert Alex- 
ander, a noted Texian pioneer) ; Mrs Sarah Park, 
now living at Galveston (her busband, now 
deceased, was a well-known merchant of that city) ; 
Capt. F. H. Ayers and D. Theo. Ayers. Capt. F. 
H. Ayers participated in the ill-fated Somervell 
expedition, with a few of his comrades gallantly 
effected their escape from their inhuman captors at 
Mier, Mexico, and returned to Texas. 

During the war between the States (18C1-5) he 
served a part of the time Quartermaster of Parson's 
Regiment and in service in the open field signalized 
himself for gallantry. He died at bis home in 
Temple, Texas, January 10th, 1891, after a suc- 
cessful career as a civilian. 

Of the parents, Mrs. Ann M. Ayers died in 187G 
and David Ayers in 1878, at the home of their son. 



D. Theo. Ayers, in the city of Galveston. Mr. 
David Ayers being advanced in years and quite 
deaf could not enter active service during the war 
between the States and for these reasons consented 
to become one of those detailed by the Confederate 
government to remain at home and care for the fam- 
ilies of the soldiers doing duty in the field. He was 
the founder of St. James M. E. Church at Galveston. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ayers were devout Christians 
and greatly beloved by a wide circle of friends. 

The Ayers family resided and prospered at their 
home at Long Point until the advance of Santa 
Anna's victorious army (more merciless than that of 
Atillaor Hyder Ali), sweeping eastward like a besom 
of destruction, compelled them and other settlers 
to abandon all they had and llee for life. They had 
reached the Trinity river, on their way to Louisiana, 
when they received news of the glorious and decisive 
victory won by the Texian army at ever-memorable 
San Jacinto. They thereupon returned to their 
home and re-established themselves, to be no longer 
agitated with fears of molestation by ruthless 
Mexican invaders. 

In 1836 Mr. David Ayers moved to the town of 
Washington and thence in 1842 to Center Hill, 
Austin County, where he was engaged in general 
merchandise. During this time D. Theo. Ayers 
was attending school at Rutersville, in Fayette 
County, Texas. 

In 1840 a band of Indians swept down upon and 
burned the neighboring town of Linnville and mas- 
sacred many of the inhabitants. A wave of indig- 
nation swept through the settlement as news of this 
act of fiendish atrocity traveled from house to bouse. 
Volunteers were called for to take part in an expe- 
dition against the savages and the subject of this 
sketch and a number of other school boys, who 
owned saddle horses, were among the Grst to re- 
spond. The Indians were intercepted at High Hill, 
in Gonzales County, and were severely punished in 
the battle, known as the Plum Creek Fight, that 
followed. 

On another occasion hostile Indians, raiding 
through the country, passed within four miles of 
Rutersville, attacked a family, killing a young 
man, Henry Farther, a member of the household. 
All the school boys who had horses went out to 
the residence and helped to bury the deceased, 
and then followed fast upon the trail of Indians 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



453 



for twenty- four hours under the leadership of Capt. 
John H. Moore, when, not being supplied with 
provisions, the pursuing party were compelled to 
return to their homes. 

From 1844 to 1847 young Avers was employed 
as a clerk in the general merchandising establish- 
ment of Moses Parli, at Independence, Texas, 
where the Mexican War being in progress he en- 
listed as a private soldier in Ben McCulloch's Com- 
pany, Hay's Regiment, Taylor's Division, U. S. A., 
and served in the army for six months ; returned 
to Independence at the expiration of that lime and 
clerked for Mr. Sparks for three or four months ; 
went to Corpus Christi and dealt in live stock until 
1849 ; moved to Goliad and engaged in stock-rais- 
ing until 1854 ; then drove his stock out on the 
Aransas and established a ranch, and sold out in 
1855, and moved to Galveston. In 1855 he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hall, daughter 
of Campbell Hall, a well-known pioneer then resid- 
ing on the San Antonio river. Mr. Campbell Hall 
came to Texas with Austin's colony about the 
year 1828, and died at his home, ten miles below 
Goliad, on the San Antonio river, in 1868. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ayers have had eight children born to 
them, three of whom, T. C, W. F., and Emily, are 
now living, and have seven grandchildren. Mr. 
Ayers embarked in the dry goods business at Gal- 
veston during 1855, as a member of the firm of 
Riddle & Ayers, a connection which continued for 
twelve months, at the expiration of which time he 
sold his interest to his partner and moved to La 
Grange, where he formed a similar connection in 
the same line with James A. Haynie, and eighteen 
months later returned to Galveston and went into 
the grocery business under the firm name of 
Ayers & Perry, a partnership that continued until 
1861, when Mr. Ayers sold out his interest and 
moved to his father-in-law's place on the San 
Antonio river, and farmed until the spring of 1864. 
In the latter year he enlisted in the Confederate 
army as a soldier, in Capt. A. C. Jones' Company, a 
part of Col. John S. Ford's famous regiment, a 
command that covered itself with glory on the Rio 
Grande, during the fateful struggle made for the 
Lost Cause. At the close of the campaign he par- 
ticipated in the fight at Palmetto Ranch, the last of 
the war, an engagement in which was fired the last 
shot exchanged between the blue and the gray. 
Throughout the campaign he won the confidence 
and esteem of his comrades in arms, by his soldierly 
qualities and intrepid gallantry. He returned to 



Galveston during 1865 and went into the grocery 
business, in whicli he was continuously engaged 
until 1880, when he sold the business to Moore, 
Stratton & Co., and engaged in the general com- 
mission business in that city under the firm name 
of G. B. Miller & Co. Mr. Miller sold his interest 
to Mr. Ayers in 1891 and the business has since 
been conducted by Ayers, Gardener & Co. 

Mr. Ayers is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and Democratic party. 

Having come to Texas when it was still a Mexi- 
can province and since lived in the country under 
all succeeding governments — Provisional, ad 
interim. Republic of Texas, State of Texas, Con- 
federate States, re-construction and State, he has 
witnessed the many and strange vicissitudes to 
which the Commonwealth has been exposed, and 
through them all, seen the beloved lone star move 
through light and shade from its nadir proudly up- 
ward toward the zenith and the high destiny decreed 
by Providence. Amid all these changing scenes 
he has not been a passive and indifferent looker- 
on,. but a patriotic actor, his heart beating strong 
and warm with affection for the land and its people. 

Every worthy movement designed to pro- 
mote the happiness or prosperity of his fellow- 
citizens, has met with his hearty indorsement and 
support. Having from the beginning to rely 
solely upon his own resources, he has made a 
success of life in a financial way and while that 
is an end commendable in itself and that must 
necessarily be accomplished as an aid to wider and 
more unselfish ends, he has done far more, he has 
preserved under all temptations and trials an un- 
sullied integrity, an unpolluted mind and an un- 
hardened heart. Now with a mind well trained in 
scholastic lore, stored with the spoils of time that 
literature has hoarded for those who will think and 
read, and enriched and disciplined by experience 
(mother of Wisdom) ; at the head of a leading 
mercantile establishment of the Oleander City, 
with his beloved life-companion still by his side 
and surrounded by children and grandchildren, 
looking back over his eventful career there must be 
little, if anything, for him to regret. He is still 
vigorous and actively engaged in business pursuits 
and many years of active usefulness apparently 
await him. A stalwart survivor of the early Tex- 
ians (a band that would have graced the halcyon 
days of the Roman Republic) he is honored by all 
who know him and loved by a wide circle of friends 
extending throughout the State. 



454 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



LEVIN P. BAUGH, 

BROWN COUNTY. 



The subject of this sketch, while not a native 
Texian, ma^' virtuallj' be considered as such, since he 
has resided on Texas soil from early infancy and 
developed in the conflicts of the Texas frontier the 
qualities which characterize him as a man. Mr. 
Baugh is descended from sturdy Scotch stock. 
His first ancestors in this country settled in Vir- 
ginia, whence some of them moved to Georgia, 
probably about the beginning of the present cen- 
tur}'. His father, David Baugh, was born in 
Georgia, as was also his mother, whose maiden 
name was Pensej' Collins. These two as members 
of their parents' families were early immigrants to 
Mississippi, met and were married in Tippoo 
County, that State, in 1832, and moved from there 
in 1844 to Texas. The senior Mr. Baugh first set- 
tled in Kaufman County on coming to Texas, but 
moved from there io the earlj' spring of 1858, and 
settled in Brown County. At that time Brown 
County was on the extreme western frontier of the 
State, had only a little more than a year before 
been created by act of the Legislature, and was as 
yet unorganized. Mr. Baugh assisted in its organ- 
ization in the summer of 1858, and became one of 
its first commissioners. The population was very 
sparse, being confined to a few settlements along 
the streams, embracing those well-remembered 
pioneers, W. W. Chandler, Ichabod Adams, T. D. 
Harris, W. F. Brown, Archie Roberts, Moses 
Anderson, William Connell Brooks, W. Lee, H. C. 
Knight, Richard Germanj', the Hannas, and 
possibly a few others whose names can not 
now be recalled. Stock-raising was the only 
industry, and it was the excellent range which 
the country afforded at that time that induced 
most of the settlers to take up their abode 
in that section. The elder Mr. Baugh was engaged 
in the stock business, and never found it necessary 
afterwards to move, but made his home in Brown 
County till his death, which occurred in 1867, in 
the sixty-fifth year of his age. His widow survived 
him a number of years, d3'ing there in 1895, aged 
sixtj'-seven. 

Levin P. Baugh, of this article, was born in 
Tippoo County, Miss., October 28, 1842, was the 
fifth in age of his parents' seven sons and seven 
daughters, being the baby of the family at the 
time of the removal to Texas. He was in his six- 
teenth year when his father settled in Brown 



County. He received practically no education, 
and what he has accomplished is to be attributed 
solely to native energy, force of character, per- 
sistent industry and mother wit. Growing up on 
the frontier he early became familiar with all its 
ways, its perils a:nd pleasures forming his chief 
pursuits. He has gone through all the border 
warfare in Brown County from the first 
"• brushes" with the Indians to the " fence-cutting 
troubles" of later years, and it would probably 
be no exaggeration to say that his experiences dur- 
ing the thirty j'ears' conflict from 1858 to 1888, when 
the county was finally rid of such troubles would 
make a very respectable volume of itself, if given 
in detail. An instance or two, onl}', will be men- 
tioned. About a year after the Baughs had settled 
in Brown County the Indians came into the com- 
munity on one of their monthly raids. The family 
was aroused one night by the barking of the dogs, 
and Levin, knowing from the signs that Indians 
were about, hastily took down his gun and disap- 
peared through the back door in an opposite direc- 
tion from where the redskins seemed to be. Circling 
around he came upon the scene from the rear and 
picking his way cautiously got within gunshot dis- 
tance of the Indians without being discovered. 
He singled out one whose general form he could see 
fairly well by the starlight and drawing a bead on 
him fired, at the same time yelling and dodging 
through the brush on the lookout for others. 
None, however, showed up close enough to be shot 
at, though he could hear them scampering through 
the thicket. He saw the Indian he fired on fall 
and, returning to the place, found his body. Seiz- 
ing the redskin by the leg he dragged him to the 
house and threw the body over the yard fence 
where he proceeded to examine it at his leisure, and 
later removed the scalp. An examination next 
morning showed that there were several Indians in 
the part}', and j'oung Baugh could only account for 
their flight b}' the supposition that they thought 
themselves surrounded by several whites and ran 
without waiting to find out how many whites there 
were. 

Again, in 1865, Mr. Baugh was cow hunting in 
Comanche County, when word was received that 
a family of movers had been murdered by the In- 
dians in Hamilton County. A party of eleven, 
himself one of them, was hastily formed to go in 




L. P. BAUGH. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



455 



pursuit. The Indians were supposed to lie Coman- 
cbes and were returnino; to their reservation on the 
head-waters of the Brazos. Prominent geographi- 
cal points by which they would direct their course 
were watched and the intervening country surveyed 
with field-glasses, from one elevation to another. 
At last the rangers discovered the Indians some six 
miles behind them. Taking the back track they 
struck the trail about a mile in the rear, from which 
point riding rapidly on they saw a short distance 
ahead of them, emerging on to a prairie, two bucks 
and a squaw, each well mounted. A considerable 
ravine lay between the Indians and their pursuers 
and not being able to pick their way in the charge, 
all of the rangers' horses became for a minute or 
two "ditched" except that of Mr. Baugh. He, 
by accident, struck the ravine at a narrow place and 
bis horse jumped it. This threw him in advance of 
his companions and his horse going at full speed 
soon brouglit him up with the Indians. He was 
armed with an Eufleld rifle and a brace of pistols, 
and having made the charge with liis gun drawn, 
he fired as soon as he was within range, on the 
old buck who was riding with the squaw and fanning 
her with a fan made of cotton-wood leaves. The 
ball struck the Indian at the base of the brain and 
went entirely through his head. He fell instantly 
from his horse and expired. Dismounting, Mr. 
Baugh drew one of his pistols and opened fire on 
the other buck. His first shot struck the Indian in 
the shoulder, the second missed and the third took 
effect in his hip. The Indian held on to his horse 
which, taking fright, ran forward and carried his 
rider out of range of pistol shot. Remounting, 
Mr. Baugh unwound his lariat and took after the 
squaw, intending to rope her, but at this juncture 
the main body of the Indians, some twenty-five or 
thirty, who were traveling in advance, having heard 
the firing, turned about and appeared on the scene. 
Aliout the same time also the rangers came up, and for 
a few seconds the indications pointed to what prom- 
ised to be a lively fight ; but one of the white men 
appearing on an eminence at some distance yelling, 
gesticulating and waving his hat, led the Indians to 
believe that there was a large body in pursuit, and 
without waiting to assure themselves of the num- 
ber by whom they were attacked they took to 
their heels and were soon out of sight. Mr. 
Baugh took possession of the accoutrements of 
the Indian he had killed, which consisted of a 
bow, a well tanned buck-skin arrow case, filled 
with arrows, a raw-hide shield, a pair of silver 
tweezers and a pocket-knife, which trophies he after- 
wards gave away to a gentleman traveling through 
the country, but would like very much now to have. 



In 1SG8 Mr. Baugh married, and after that, 
though a great deal on the range, he became more 
cautious in his dealings with the Indians. After 
the war, as is well known, the settlers along the 
frontier were greatly annoyed by cattle and horse 
thieves, and the people living in Brown County had 
this very troublesome class to deal with for several 
years. Mr. Baugh was a sufferer from their depre- 
dations, and was frequently called on to run down 
these lawless characters and recover property taken 
by them. It is perhaps true, as claimed by old set- 
tlers, that the law was not always the most effective 
means to use in dealing with these characters ; at 
any rate it was not in all cases called into requi- 
sition, summary punishment being dealt out by the 
citizens when there was a prospect of a defeat of 
justice by the law's delay. Mr. Baugh, however, 
always insisted on allowing the law to take its way 
unless the personal securitj^ of a citizen was threat- 
ened, but when this was the case he too became an 
advocate of the use of those important adjuncts of 
the courts, the rope and six-shooter. Being a large 
landholder he was forced to take an especially 
active part during the ''fence-cutting troubles." 
His troubles with the fence-cutters began by their 
posting the following notice in a conspicious place 
on his ranch : " Mr. liaugh, take down this fence ; 
if you don't we will cut it, and if we cut and a drop 
of the cutter's blood is spilled, your life will pay 
the penalty." He wrote underneath it: "You 
cowardly cur! This is my fence and you let it 
alone." To which he signed his name. This was 
equivalent to a declaration of hostilities on both 
sides, and tlie war began. The fence was cut and 
put up several times in succession till at last Mr. 
Baugh caught the parties in the act. Being boys 
he told their parents and offered not to prosecute, 
provided the depredations ceased ; but he met with 
no encouragement along this line, and he then 
turned to the law. He applied to the local author- 
ities but got very little satisfaction, and at last 
adopted measures of his own, still, however, within 
the law. He hired a man, a stranger in the com- 
munity, to go live among the fence-cutters, furnish- 
ing him with money to buj' a small place and means 
to live on, and instructed him to full3' post himself 
on all the doings of the gang and to keep him 
(Baugh) advised of these. It took time to accom- 
plish tliis, but it was done. Then when a list of the 
fence-cutlers had been obtained and a general raid 
was being planned a company of rangers which had 
been sent up from Austin by Gen. King, the Adju- 
tant-General, with whom Mr. Baugh was in corre- 
spondence, appeared on the scene and at an oppor- 
tune time were turned loose on the fence-cutters, 



456 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



who were caugbt in the act of destroying long 
strings of fences. A fierce fight followed and sev- 
eral of the cutters were killed or wounded, the rest 
leaving the countrj', which finally put an end to 
their depredations. The county was thus rid of 
one of the worst troubles with which it had ever 
been afflicted and all good citizens were heartily 
glad of it. Such were afterwards permitted to enjoy 
the fruits of their industry unmolested, and there 
was a marked increase in the industrial growth of 
the county as well as a change for the better in the 
moral tone of the community. 

Mr. Baugh abandoned stock-raising, after the 
old style, when the country began to settle up, 
and turned his attention to farming. He began 
investing in land just after the war, and owns at 
this time a ranch of 10,000 acres, all lying in one 
body, about five miles north of Brownwood, nearly 
half it valley land lying about Pecan Valley, all 
of it under fence, 4,000 acres being surrounded 
by a five-foot rock fence, making it the finest farm 
in Brown County, and one of the finest in the State. 
All of it is utilized for farming and stock-raising, 
and is conducted according to modern methods. 
To the task of acquiring, protecting and improving 
this place, Mr. Baugh has devoted the best years 
of his life, and is still following up his early labors 



with the most persistent and arduous efforts. In- 
cidentally, and in a general way, he has interested 
himself in public matters in the community where 
he resides, but has filled no oflSces, nor had other 
pursuits than those mentioned. He has contrib- 
uted to the upbuilding of some local enterprises, 
helped to foster a spirit of industry, encouraged 
the school interest, and lent his influence to every 
thing of that nature calculated to benefit the coun- 
try in which he lives. 

On September 23, 1868, Mr. Baugh married Miss 
Frances E. Moseley, a daughter of Capt. Daniel 
H. Moseley, of Brownwood, Mrs. Baugh being 
a native of Cherokee County, Texas, where her 
fatiier settled on first coming to the State at about 
the age of eighteen. He was from C4eorgia, and 
married in Cherokee County, Texas, residing there 
some years. He was all over the frontier, traveling 
as far as Arizona, but settled at Brownwood in 
1862, and lived there the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring in 1892. He filled the offices 
of Sheriff and County Clerk of Brown County, 
and both as an oflicial and citizen was well 
liked. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baugh have six children living: 
Arizona Isabelle, John Morgan, Mary Blain, 
Frances E., Levin P., Jr., and Urolla. 



E. M. SCARBROUGH, 



AUSTIN. 



E. M. Scarbrough, though still in the vigor of 
mature manhood, may truthfully be called a Texas 
pioneer. He comes of a pioneer stock — people who 
cut their way through the cane-brakes of the South- 
east and fought the savages in the early part of this 
century. His father, Lemuel Scarbrough, died on his 
old plantation, near White Plains, Calhoun County 
Ala., in 1850, leaving a widow with the care of 
twelve children — seven sons and five daughters. 
E. M. was then four years old, there being one 
younger boy. The mother, like the brave, strong 
woman that she was, took up the affairs of her hus- 
band and began the personal management of her 
plantation and slaves. Her fortitude and good 
sense bore her bravely and business prospered. 
She saw her older children settled in life and her 
younger bidding fair to enter manhood and woman- 
hood as become the children of such a parentage. 



But ten years of peaceful success had scarce passed 
over her head when the guns that startled Fort 
Sumpter called upon this widow to sacrifice her 
sons to her country. Five of them went into early 
Confederate regiments, leaving E. M. to care for 
the home and do local military duty as occasion not 
infrequently required. Even this degree of quiet 
was soon broken in upon by a demand for the active 
military services of this sixth son of his mother, 
and in June, 1864, he was mustered as a volunteer 
into the depleted ranks of the Fifty-first Alabama 
Cavalry. He followed the fortunes of his regiment 
through the closing scenes of the bitterest civil war 
the world has ever known, remaining at his post of 
duty until the final surrender. It may be remarked 
here that this trait of standing by his duty is char- 
acteristic of his entire career. When he knew 
positively that this was a " lost cause" he turned 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



457 



his face toward the old home. He did not even 
wait for the formalities usually connected with such 
events, but simply said to his comrades: "Boys, 
come, go home with me," and rode away, in com- 
pany with the Regimental Commander, Quarter- 
master, other officers and sixty companions. 

Of course he found the old farm a wreck and the 
slaves gone, but he went to work and for two years 
labored unceasingly, obeying the will and direc- 
tions of his mother until he was twenty-one years 
old. But in 1867 he decided to "go West," and 
his home was soon made in Texas. Why should he 
be called a pioneer? Because he came to a country 
devastated by war and her institutions in a worse 
condition than if they had not existed. 

Mr. Scarbrough's capital stock, on reaching this 
State, consisted entirely of such assets as well- 
planned determination, laudable ambition, well- 
formed business habits and sterling integrity — 
good bankable paper in those days. His first em- 
ployment was as a salesman in the store of Hall & 
Evans, at Bryant's Station, Milam County, and there 
he remained until 1870, when the business of the 
firm was transferred to Hearne, Mr. Searbrough 
remaining with the concern. Not long after this 
removal he entered into a contract to supply the 
H. & T. C. R. R. and International & Great 
Northern R. R., which were being constructed 
northward, with cross-ties and telegraph poles. 
The terms of this contract were complied with 
during the years 1872-3 and Mr. Searbrough hav- 
ing acquired the necessary means to enter into 
business, in 1874 formed a copartnership at Rock- 
dale with his former employers, and opened 
business at Rockdale under the firm name of 
Haskins & Co. This partnership continued until 
the death of Gen. Hale in 1882. The affairs of 
the old firm were then wound up and the firm of 
Searbrough & Hicks was formed. In this concern 
Mr. Searbrough was very active, as he was also in 
the affairs of the town of Rockdale. He was a 
moving spirit in the organization of what is now 
the First National Bank of Rockdale and became 
one of its directors. He was president of the 
School Board and organized the free schools of 
Rockdale. He entered readily and heartily into 



every movement for the advancement of Rockdale's 
interests. He was one of the earliest and most 
active of the movers to secure the construction 
of the Aransas Pass Railroad to Rockdale, and on 
his own motion became one of four men to become 
responsible for the required bonus of $10,000 while 
the competing town of Taylor was circulating a 
petition and speculating upon its influence. This 
is a fair illustration of Mr. Scarbrough's business 
methods. When he wants a thing he goes after it. 

In 1889 Mr. Searbrough moved with his family 
to Austin, where he lived in comparative quiet for 
a time, but his active mind could not allow him 
such peace, and in 1890 he opened the mammoth 
establishment of Searbrough & Hicks, on Congress 
avenue, which has in no way interfered with the 
firm's business at Rockdale, His intention was 
to have one of the largest, best stocked and 
most completely appointed department stores in 
the State, as it was the first in the city of 
Austin. This store has a frontage of 110 feet 
on Congress avenue, occupies two floors con- 
nected by a passenger and freight elevator, and 
demands the constant services of more than forty 
people. It is not strange that such a man should 
become identified with other interests ; so we find 
him a director in the Austin National Bank, which 
is one of the strongest institutions in the State. 

Mr. Searbrough, November 7th, 1877, was mar- 
ried to Miss Ada R. Ledbetter, a daughter of Isaac 
and Julia Ledbetter, who removed to Milam County 
in 1853, her mother having died in 1864, after 
which her home was with her sister, Mrs. Lizzie 
Wilson, who gave her every possible advantage. 
On the 23d of May, 1892, the happiness of the home 
was broken into by death, who claimed Mrs Sear- 
brough, leaving the husband to care for his five 
children to whom the tender strength of his nature 
has gone out in watchful love. 

Mr. Searbrough is a firm and unbending business 
man, but is one of the most approachable of men, 
which trait has gone far to make him popular as 
well as respected. His word is his bond and through 
all the ramifications of his business he will not tol- 
erate the least misrepresentation or deception of any 
kind. 



458 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



CHARLES V. VAUGHAN, 

NAVASOTA, 



Was born in Amelia County, Va., January 3, 1844. 
His father was Henderson F. Vaughan and his 
mother bore the maiden name of Mollie B. Walthall. 
Mr. Vaughan was reared in Amelia and Prince 
Edward counties, Va., and in the schools of the 
latter received his education. In Januarj-, 1862, 
he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Com- 
pany C, Eighteenth Virginia Infantry, Pickett's 
Brigade, Longstreet's Corps. He took part in all 
the stirring scenes about Richmond, and was in the 
engagements at Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines' 
Mill, and at intermediate places, and was twice 
wounded — by a shell explosion (taking effect in the 
spine), at Seven Pines, by a gun-shot (shattering 
his right arm) at Gaines' Mill, and surrendered at 
Appomattox at the general armistice. 

Returning home, Mr. Vaughan found everything 



devastated and in ruins. He took up his residence 
with his mother and step-father, his father having 
died many years before and his mother having re- 
married, and during the year of 1865 made a crop 
with horses and on provisions furnished by the 
general government. Concluding that there was 
nothing in store for him in his native State, he left 
it for Texas in December, 1866, and settled at Old 
Washington, where until 1869 he alternately clerked 
in a mercantile establishment and engaged in farm- 
ing. He then moved to Navasota, where he contin- 
ued in the mercantile business, first as clerk, and 
later on his own account, until a comparatively 
recent date. 

In 1873 Mr. Vaughan married Miss Imogene C. 
Cabler, a daughter of Edwin S. Cabler, an old 
settler of Washington County. 



THEODORE GERFERS, 



KENDALIA. 



One of the well-known pioneers of Comal County, 
came to Texas from Dusseldorf on the Rhine, in 
Prussia, where he was born February 1, 1809, 
settled at New Braunfels, where he followed farm- 
ing for about six years, and then moved to Bexar 
County, where he established a farm on the Gibolo 
and engaged in stock-raising until his death. He 
brought his wife and five children with him to this 
country, viz.: William, Agnes, Theo. W., Joseph, 
and Frederick W. 



Frederick, living four miles northwest of Ken- 
dalia, born February 3, 1849, was an infant of five 
weeks when his parents left Germany for America. 
He grew up on his father's farm in Bexar 
County and married in 1873 Miss Albertina Leisti- 
kow. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Gerfers have two chil- 
dren : Charles and Jennie. Mr. Gerfers has a 
ranch of about 4,000 acres of farming and grazing 
lands. 




BROOK SMITH. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



459 



JACOB THEIS, 



BOERNE, 



Was born in Nassua, Germany, October 22, 1831, 
and in 1854 came to New Braunfels, Texas, wliere 
lie remained for two years and learned the black- 
smith's trade. He worked in various towns in Texas 
until 1868 and then opened a shop on his own 
account at Boerne, and there followed bis trade 
until about the year 1875, when he bought 117 
acres of land near town and engaged in farming. 
To this property he has since added until he now 



owns 25,000 acres. He spent the years 1862-3 
working in the Confederate States Arsenal at San 
Antonio and later went to Mexico and returned to 
Boerne in 1865. Mr. Theis married Miss Minnie 
Kass, at Boerne, in 1862. They have nine children. 
Mr. Theis was a member of Col. Sansom's Texas 
Eangers in 1858-9 and was in several Indian fights 
about the head-waters of the Guadalupe. His farm 
and dairy are among the best in Kendall County. 



JACOB SCHMIDT, 



FREDERICKSBURG, 



A retired farmer and business man and esteemed 
citizen of Fredericksburg, was born in Prussia, 
December 14, 1825, and came to Texas in 1857 
from Bremen and Galveston, and then making his 
way overland to San Antonio and Fredericksburg. 
By his first marriage he had one daughter, Katie, 
born January 29, 1855, who became Mrs. August 
Gamman and died, leaving one son and four daugh- 
ters. By a second marriage Mr. Schmidt has the 



following children : Mary, born June 25, 1857, mar- 
ried to Fritz Karrier, of Kerrville ; Louise, born 
January 3, 1860, married to Max Schultz, of El 
Paso ; Ferdinand, born July 28, 1864, now in South 
America; Hannah, born October 21, 1867, married 
to Charles Gibert ; William, born October 20, 
1869; and Frederick, born April 28, 1871. Mr. 
Schmidt has been an industrious and law-abiding 
citizen and reasonably successful in life. 



BROOKE SMITH, 



BROWNWOOD. 



The brief biography here submitted is not based 
on a political or military record, it is simply that 
of a plain man of business. Yet it will not be 
without significance in this work, not only as help- 
ing to show the character of men who, since the 
Civil War, have been chiefly instrumental in build- 
ing up the State's commercial and financial interests, 
but as an illustration of what in varying degrees of 
success can always be accomplished by persistent 
industry coupled with integrity and sound practical 
sense. 



Brooke Smith, who established the first bank in 
West Central Texas and who has been longer and 
more prominently connected with the banking busi- 
ness in that section of the Slate than an\' one else, 
is not, as this fact might seem to indicate, an old 
man, for he was born in March, 1853, and is there- 
fore still on the sunny side of fifty by several years. 
He is a native of Hanover County, Va., and comes 
of Virginia stock throughout, his ancestors on both 
sides having settled in the "Old Dominion" in 
early colonial days. His parents were John Snelson 



460 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Smith (who is still living, being a resident of Auson, 
Jones County, Texas), and Paulina T. (Doswell) 
Smith, who died some years since (December 31, 
1883), at Brownwood, in this State. 

Very little of Brooke Smith's life was spent in his 
native State, his parents moving from there when 
he was about seven years old (18G0) to Indiana, 
settling in Marion County, near Indianapolis, and 
from there ten years later (1870) to Texas, settling 
in McLennan County, close to Waco. He was 
brought up as a farm boy in the localities men- 
tioned and received his education in the public 
school of the same, no opportunities for distinction 
in the higher branches of learning being open to 
him. 

Mr. Smith's career has been strictly one of a 
business nature and it began at the time at his loca- 
tion in Brownwood, in 1876. Brownwood at that 
time was a new place but had begun to attract the 
attention of settlers and was one of the best towns 
in Western Texas. It was the supply point for a 
large area of country drawing trade for 150 miles 
West, Northwest and Southwest and for about half 
that distance in other directions. The cattle indus- 
try was then j'ielding fair results and the business 
being concentrated in the hands of a few large 
dealers, made their patronage very profitable. The 
firm of Smith & Steffens (Brooke Smith and Otto 
W. Steffens), merchants, started in business at 
Brownwood on the 4th of April, 1876. Their capi- 
tal at that time consisted of about $4,000 invested of 
course in their business. They soon began to 
receive their share of the trade and before the 
expiration of a year were doing the bulk of the 
general mercantile business of the place. There 
were no banks then in Brownwood and none nearer 
than Ft. Worth, Waco and Austin, each distant 
about 145 miles. In consequence there was very 
little banking business done by the people of that 
section, none in fact except what was done at the 
places named. A local merchant might occasion- 
ally cash a check or draft, but none of them 
thought of taking deposits. Business ran along 
this way for about two years after Smith & 
Steffens located in Brownwood when, having 
a number of cash balances standing on their 
books to the credit of their customers who had 
deposited checks, drafts and in some instances 
cash, they thought it advisable as a security 
against loss as well as to facilitate the conduct of 
their business to establish a banking department. 
The suggestion was made by Mr. Smith, who agreed 
to take charge of that feature of the business, and 
readily concurred in by Mr. Steffens, who was to 
continue to give his attention to the mercantile 



branch. An 8,500 pound safe was ordered from 
the Diebold Safe & Lock Company, of Canton, 
Ohio, which was shipped to Eound Rock in Will- 
iamson County, whence it was hauled with ox- 
teams to Brownwood. The arrival of that safe in 
Brownwood marked an era in the history of the 
town. For days before it had been the chief topic 
of conversation, and when it finally reached the 
outskirts of the place it was met by about one-half 
the population, who greeted it with a welcome that 
made the traditional "welkin" ring. A proces- 
sion in which the irrepressible small boy and the 
ubiquitous village wit took a conspicuous part, 
escorted the ponderous mass of iron and steel with 
its dusty and leg-weary attendants into town, and 
subsequently amidst much speculation and amateur 
" bossing," saw it securely placed in the rear of 
Smith-Steffens store. The safe was a good one, 
being of fire and burglar proof construction, and 
up to date in other respects. The other fixtures, 
however, were not so pretentious, though answer- 
ing in all essentials their purpose. These consisted 
of a counter ten feet long and three feet four inches 
high, made of lumber, along the top of which ran 
a light wire netting, extending upright three 
feet six inches, which, with a small door of the 
same material opening against the wall, served 
as a guard against intruders. Over the cashier's 
window appeared the sign in cheap metal let- 
ters: "Pecan Valley Bank." The cost of the 
entire outfit exclusive of the safe not exceed- 
ing fifty dollars. The bank was opened with- 
out any preliminaries, Mr. Smith simply taking 
his position at his desk and announcing ready for 
business. This came at once and in very gratify- 
ing quantities. Before the expiration of the first 
year the deposits had reached §90,000, and increas- 
ing from year to year ran as high as $250,000. 
Discounting, buying and selling of exchange, col- 
lections, etc., kept pace with the increase of depos- 
its, and the Pecan Valley Bank rapidly developed 
into one of the recognized financial institutions of 
the country. In 1881 Messrs. Smith and Steffens 
started a store and small banking business at 
Buffalo Gap in Taylor County, but shortly after- 
wards moved their establishment to Abilene, where, 
the goods being disposed of, the}' with others organ- 
ized the First National Bank of that place, since 
continued under the management of Mr. Steffens. 
The Pecan Valley Bank of Brownwood ran along 
under the management of Mr. Smith until 1883, 
when he, representing Smith & Steffens, associated 
with himself J. L. Vaughn, J. C. Weakley and D. 
H. Trent, and organized the First National Bank of 
Brownwood on a capital of $75,000, increased a 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



461 



year later to $100,000. This bank succeeded the 
Pecan Valley Bank and, being placed in charge of 
Mr. Smith as cashier, accumulated under his man- 
agement during the next ten years a surplus of 
§20,000, and paid its stockholders in cash dividends 
$211,000. In 1894 Mr. Smith, having withdrawn 
from this bank, associated with himself J. C. 
Weakley, John G. Lee and his old partner, Mr. 
Steffens, and started the private banking house of 
Brooke Smith & Co., at Brownwood, of which he is 
now the manager. There are at this writing four 
banks in Brownwood, all prestimably secure and 
doing a satisfactory business. The following figures 
taken from their last published reports, February 
28, 1896, are inserted in this place, not for the 
purpose of drawing any invidious comparisons, but 
simply to show, in the most direct and practical 
waj', the standing, relative and absolute, of the bank 
under consideration: — 

Brooke Smith & Co. : Loans, discounts and secur- 
ities, $162,225.75 ; capital, 8200,000, since increased 
to $250,000: deposits, $137,118..38. 

The Brownwood National Bank: Loans and dis- 
counts, $75,408.89; capital, $60,000; deposits, 
$93,678.87. 

The First National Bank: Loans and dis- 
counts, $111,925.41; capital, $100,000; deposits, 
$69,976.93. 

The Merchants' National Bank: Loans and dis- 
counts, $73,420.91; capital, $50,000; deposits, 
$55,181.24. 

Twenty years measures the time to date that Mr. 
Smith has been connected with the banking busi- 
ness of Brownwood and Western Texas. This is an 
important period in the formative era of a new 
country and perhaps in no respect has it been more 
important in that section than in the banking busi- 
ness. The entire business has grown up in this 
time, and in its growth not only has this single in- 
terest been developed, but a direction has been in- 
cidentally imparted to latent energies and a cast and 
coloring given to events that will survive through 
this and perhaps many succeeding generations. 

The three banks mentioned, the Pecan Valley, the 
First National of Brownwood, and that of Brooke 
Smith & Co., represent more largely the labors of 
Mr. Smith than of any other man ; and as to what 
these labors involve no adequate idea can be given 
in a brief sketch like this ; for it is to be remembered 
that the business was begun and for years carried 
on under circumstances very different from those 
now existing. Until 1887 Brownwood had no rail- 
way connection with the outside world, nor any 
telegraph or express facilities, all communication 
being by stage-coach and slow-going ox-trains. 



This rendered the task of ordering money and trans- 
ferring balances especially difficult, and in the latter 
case often hazardous. All sorts of uses had to 
be resorted to to elude road agents and to in- 
sure protection against possible dishonesty on the 
part of carriers. Specie was usually shipped 
as nails, axes, or other heavy merchandise, 
and currency in the same manner, a few bars of 
soap, or a bolt of cheap cloth being removed from a 
box to make room for $10,000 or $20,000 in bills. 
Once Mr. Smith was going to Ft. Worth, and wished 
to take a considerable sum of money with him. He 
constructed a small box with a false bottom ; put 
the money in the bottom, filled the top space with 
dirt in which he placed a geranium and thus carried 
his valuable package on his lap, or in the seat by 
his side. Sometimes in removing silver in large 
amounts the weight of the metal made secrecy im- 
possible, in which case more heroic methods 'had to 
be adopted. He once hauled $16,000 dollars in 
silver,weighing approximately one thousand pounds, 
in a hack from Cisco, the then terminus of the rail- 
way, to Brownwood, the guards being himself and 
one other. It may be added, however, that the 
weight of the money in cases like the last was no 
small protection of itself. 

In addition to having helped establish the banks 
named, Mr. Smith has been a leading spirit in every 
enterprise of consequence that has been set on foot 
in Brownwood or Brown County since he settled 
there. In 1885 he subscribed $10,000 to the Brown 
County Milling Company, assisted in organizing the 
company, and has since been connected with it as 
director, secretary and treasurer. He helped to 
organize the Brownwood Cotton Compress Com- 
pany, with which he is still connected, and he was 
a charter member of the Ft. Worth & Rio Grande 
Railroad Company, of which he is now a director, 
and for which, as well as for the Gulf, Colorado 
and Santa Fe, at an earlier day he obtained, un- 
aided and alone, the rights of way through Brown 
County, donating his services and securing the 
grants at a nominal cost to the companies. A few 
years ago Mr. Smith owned 32,000 acres of land in 
the vicinity of Brownwood. Seeing the necessity 
for a larger farming population in that section he 
cut these lands into tracts of 160 acres each, which 
he began to sell to settlers and has, up to this time, 
disposed of about 20,000 acres. His terms — one- 
tenth down, and balance in ten equal annual in- 
stallments with eight per cent interest on deferred 
payments — are such that any one can comply with 
them and thereby secure a home, and it is gratifying 
to know that many are doing so. Such settlers add 
materially to the taxable wealth of the State and 



462 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



their presence in the communities where they 
locate is in every way beneficial. 

Mr. Smith has manifested an especially friendly 
interest in popular education and in good local 
government ; and while he has differed widely at 
times from some of his fellow-citizens as to how 
these ends were best to be attained, occasionally 
finding himself with the minority advocating un- 
popular measures, his zeal has not on that account 
known any abatement nor has the rectitude of his 
motives ever been called in question. He has taken 
scarcely any interest in partisan politics and has 
held no offices except those of school trustee. 
Alderman and Mayor of Brownwood. He prefers 
to be known for the good he can do rather than for 
accumulated public honors, and for this reason as 
well as for the real pleasure it gives him to be help- 
ful to others he has made it a point through life to 
assist in a financial wa}- and with advice young men 
of his acquaintance, among whom he has thus 
created enduring friendships. He belongs to the 
Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church. St. John's Episcopal 
Church at Brownwood, one of the handsomest and 



costliest edifices in that diocese, was erected mainly 
through his efforts and contributions. Benevolent 
under the exercise of reason and sound judgment, 
charitable without compromising his principles, 
firm without obstinacy, and religious without big- 
otry, he is a representative of that type of man- 
hood most potential for good in this world and of 
which, sad to say, it has all too much need. 

On March 2, 18S0, in Bourbon County, Ky., 
Mr. Smith married Miss Juliet L. Sparks, daughter 
of Lloyd W. and Elizabeth (Richardson) Sparks, 
and the issue of this union has been three daughters 
and a son, three of whom, Lola Doswell, Norma 
Brooke and Brooke, Jr., are living, the eldest of 
the number, a daughter, being deceased. Mr. 
Smith has three brothers living : R. C. M. Smith, 
of McCordsville, Ind., the only one of his father's 
family who never came to Texas, Temple D. Smith, 
engaged in the banking business at Fredericksburg, 
Texas, and Frank M. Smith, a banker at Anson, 
Jones County, this State, and three sisters, all 
residents of Brownwood: Fannie Gwathmey, now 
Mrs. A. P. Jones, Nannie Lee Smith, and Alice 
Lewis, widow of J. J. Ramey. 



ANSON RAINEY, 



WAXAHACHIE. 



Judge Anson Rainey was born in El Dorado, 
Union County, Ark., March 1st, 1848. His father 
was Christopher Columbus Rainey, a native of 
Alabama, who died at El Dorado, Ark., in 1854, 
when twenty-nine years of age. The Judge's 
grandfather, Matthew F. Rainey, was, for many 
vears, a citizen of Green County, Ala., in which 
county he held for years the office of Sheriff. He 
also represented it in the lower House of the State 
Legislature. He subsequently moved to Arkansas, 
and at the time of his death was a State Senator. 
The Judge's mother, nee Nancy Blake Baker, still 
living, was a daughter of Zadok Baker, a primitive 
Baptist preacher, who came from North Carolina 
to Alabama, where he died at an advanced age. 
The wife of Zadok Baker, nee Lucretia King, was 
a cousin of Hon. William R. King, Vice-President 
of the United States during Pierce's administration 
and for twenty-five years United States Senator 
from Alabama. 

Judge Rainey is one of a family of four children 



consisting of himself, a brother (Columbus) and 
two sisters (Lee and Minnie B.). The brother 
died in early manhood. In 1880 Miss Lee mar- 
ried N. J. Nash, who died in October, 1881. She 
now lives in Waxahachie, Texas. Miss Minnie 
married E. F. Yrager, who died in 1890. She died 
in 1893. 

After the death of the Judge's father in 1854, 
his mother returned to Mt. Hebron, Green County, 
Ala., where the subject of this sketch was reared 
to farm life and received a common school educa- 
tion. At the age of fifteen years he entered the 
Confederate service, enlisting in August, 1863, in 
Company A., Sixteenth Confederate Cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war. His command 
operated principally in Georgia, Alabama and Mis- 
sissippi. He was in every battle in which his 
regiment participated until April 2d, 18G5, when 
Fort Blakely, opposite Mobile, Ala., was invested 
by the Federals and he was wounded and perma- 
nently disabled. When his command surrendered 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



463 



in May of that year, he was at home on furlough 
and remained there until January, 1867, when he 
came to Texas, making his first stop at Crockett, 
where he lived for two years, clerking for his 
uncle. Dr. Frank Eainey, who was engaged in the 
drug business. 

In January, 1869, he went to Bryan, Texas, at 
which place, and at Hearne, Texas, he clerked for 
Tabor & Luce, until September of that year, when 
he went to Delhi, La., at which place he engaged 
in the mercantile business until the spring of 1871, 
when his mercantile career ended. From early 
youth his ambition was to become a lawyer, so, 
when his mercantile career ended, he prosecuted 
his legal studies under Capt. H. P. Wells, of Delhi. 
Julj' 6th, 1871, he obtained license from the 
Supreme Court of Louisiana to practice law. He 
immediately formed a partnership with Capt. Wells, 
under the firm name of Wells & Rainey, and located 
at Delta, Madison Parish, La., where he practiced 
his profession until January, 1873, when he returned 
to Texas and located at Waxahachie, Ellis County, 
February 12 of that year. That place has been 
his home ever since. He practiced in partnership 
with his brother-in-law, N. J. Nash, at Waxahachie, 
until in April, 1874, when he formed a partnership 
with Judge J. Ferris, the firm name being Ferris & 
Eainey. In 1880 he was elected to the State Senate, 
the district being composed of Dallas and Ellis 
counties, and served for one term, not appearing 



for re-election at the end of that time. The firm of 
Ferris & Rainey continued until November, 1883, 
when it dissolved and Mr. Rainey associated with 
him Mr. G. C. Grose, the firm being Rainey & 
Grose, a connection that continued until July 6th, 
1885, when Mr. Rainey was appointed, hy Governor 
Ireland, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, 
composed of the counties of Ellis, Kaufman and 
Rockwall. He was twice elected to this position 
without opposition and was holding it when ap- 
pointed by Governor Hogg, in 1893, Associate Jus- 
tice of the Court of Civil Appeals for the Fifth 
Supreme Judicial District of Texas, which position 
he is now holding. 

He is a member of the Christian Church and of 
the Masonic fraternity, of which order in Texas he 
was Grand Master in 1888. His political affiliation 
has been with the Democratic party from his major- 
ity to the present time. 

He was married in Houston County, Texas, Feb- 
ruary 17, 1874, to Miss Fannie Irene Merriwether, 
who was born in Harrison County, this State, Sep- 
tember 8th, 1848; a daughter of Dr. F. L. Merri- 
wether, a native of Alabama. Her mother, nee 
Edith Dunlap, was also a native of Alabama, a 
daughter of Samuel Dunlap, a planter of that State. 

Judge Rainey has two children, Frank M. and 
Edna. The family are temporarily residing in Dal- 
las, where the Judge's duties require his constant 
attention. 



O. H. P. TOWNSEN, 

LAMPASAS. 



Oliver Hazard Perry Townsen, or, as he was more 
familiarly known, " Uncle Perry Townsen," was an 
old settler of Lampasas County and, according to 
general report, was for many years one of that 
county's best citizens. He was born in Carroll 
County, Tenn., in 1826. His father was John 
Townsen of Virginia, and his mother, before mar- 
riage, Tamar Holt, of Kentucky. He was 
descended from English ancestry on his father's 
side. His mother was of German descent. His 
patronymic was originally Townsend. The final d 
in the name was dropped l)y the American repre- 
sentatives of the family to distinguish them from 
their relatives in the old country who were especially 
active against the colonists in their struggles for 



freedom. John Townsen and Tamar Holt were 
married in Kentucky and moved thence some years 
later to Tennessee, settling in Carroll County. 
There most of their children, five in number, were 
born, these being John Garrett, James Madison, 
Stephen Copelaud, Elizabeth, and Oliver Hazard 
Perry. The mother died in Tennessee. When he 
was advanced in years the father returned to Ken- 
tucky, where be died. The subject was the young- 
est of the family and was not grown at the time of 
his parents' death. He left his native county when 
about seventeen years of age and went to Missis- 
sippi, where he worked as a farm hand and later 
learned the milling business, on Cold Water Creek, 
in De Soto County. While there he formed the 



464 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



acquaintance of Dr. J. C. Nowlen, with whom he 
entered into a partnership arrangement to engage 
in the milling business, and in company with that 
gentleman went to Missouri in the spring of 1853 
in search of a location. Not finding a place to suit 
them they left Missouri a year later and came to 
Texas and stopped at Gonzales. There Mr. Nowlen 
located, but Mr. Townsen left that place in the 
spring of 18.55 and went to Lampasas County and 
settled. He bought land about twenty miles north 
of the present town of Lampasas and erected a 
grist-mill, on the Lampasas river. A two years' 
drought followed and he sold his mill machinery in 
1857 to parties living in San Saba County, and 
turned his attention to stock-raising. In the mean- 
time his nephew, Lafa3'ette Jasper Townsen, 
had come to Texas and was residing in Smith 
County. Mr. Townsen paid him a visit and induced 
him to join in an enterprise to establish a ranch 
in Lampasas County. The two put their funds 
together aud purchased some stock, with which they 
began in a small way near where the senior Mr. 
Townsen had first located. The country was very 
sparsely settled at that time, and that portion of it 
was subject to Indian depredations' which, with the 
hardships and privations otherwise connected with 
the settlement of a new country, made the first few 
years of their life in Texas anything but pleasant. 
Still they bore it with fortitude, and applied them- 
selves industriously to the task which they had set 
before themselves. The war interfered very seri- 
0USI3' with their operations, but after the return of 
peace, they gathered up the remnant of their cattle 
and in 1866 moved to the vicinity of Fort Chadron, 
where they hoped to enjoy for a number of years 
an open range, and freedom from those annoyances 
with which ranchmen have to contend in a rapidly 
settling country. But in this they were disap- 
pointed, for they had been there but a short while 
when the Indians and United States soldiers began 
making trouble, and after keeping up the unequal 
struggle for some time, the Messrs. Townsen were 
forced to abandon it, and returned to Lampasas 
County. In 1868 they bought 640 acres of laud on 
the Lampasas river, where they had formerly lived 
and, locating on that, began farming and stock- 
raising on a limited scale. They had all their 
property in joint ownership, but about this date 
the farming aud stock business was turned over to 
Mr. J. L. Townsen, while Mr. Perry Townsen 
again took up the milling business. He erected a 
saw and grist mill on the Lampasas river in 1871, 
and soon developed a large milling interest. The 
saw mill part of it was never pushed to any great 
extent, but the other was, and for a number of 
years he manufactured a high grade of flour and 



other mill products, for which he found a ready 
sale throughout the surrounding country. He gave 
his attention actively to this business until his 
death, which occurred January 30, 1891, being 
caused by an accident in the mill. He left a con- 
siderable estate (consisting mostly of lands), and 
a reputation of which any man might be proud. 
His thorough-going business methods united with 
sound habits, strict integrity and a reasonable 
amount of public spirit won him the esteem and 
friendship of all those with whom he came in con- 
tact, and made him for more than thirty 3'ears one 
of the leading citizens in the county where he lived. 
He never held any public offices, but took more or 
less interest in public matters and was very well 
informed on public questions. In an earlier day 
he was a Whig in politics, but after the war he 
joined the Democratic party and always afterward 
voted with that party. He was a high Mason and 
made Masonry his religion. 

Mr. Townsen was never married, though a man 
of domestic habits and fond of children. He made 
his home with his nephew, L. J. Townsen, whose 
family looked upon him as a second father, and are 
greatly devoted to his memory. 

Lafayette Jasper Townsen, mentioned in the fore- 
going memoir and whose life was so intimately con- 
nected with that of his uncle, was also born in 
Carroll County, Tenn., in 1833. His father was 
John Garrett Townsen, eldest son of John and 
Tamar Townsen, and his mother bore the maiden 
name of Mary A. Mitchell. He was reared in 
Tennessee, and came to Texas in 1856. Joining 
his uncle the following year he went to Lampasas 
County, which has practically been his home since 
and with tlie history of which he has been connected 
as an active, earnest, law-abiding citizen. As the 
outcome of his early struggles along with his uncle 
and good management in later j'ears he has accu- 
mulated an estate ample for his wants, and he is 
spending his time now in the supervision of his prop- 
erty and the rearing of his children. He married 
Miss Mary A. Stanley, of Lampasas County, in 
January, 1865, whose father, John Stanley, moved 
from Mississippi to Texas, and settled in Lampasas 
County in 1854, the issue of which union has been 
seven sons and three daughters, all are living. 

Both the gentlemen mentioned in this article had 
many encounters with the Indians at an early day 
in Lampasas Count}', and suffered the loss of a great 
deal of property from Indian depredations, but their 
experience in this respect was of that character 
which fell to the lot of all the first settlers, a full 
account of which will be found in the historical por- 
tion of this work, illustrated at intervals with inci- 
dents of blood, daring and personal heroism. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



465 



WILLIAM HAUSSER, 

EAGLE PASS, 



Was born in Wurtembuig, Germany, Maj' 24tb, 
1847 ; the son of a vinej'ardist and ganleuer. He 
learned the carpenter's trade in his native country; 
came to America in 1867, and worked at his trade 
in Louisville, Ky., until 1873, when lie came to 
Texas and continued his occupation at Fort Clarlc, 
Texas, for two years, after which he went to Eagle 
Pass and worked at his trade and as contractor until 
1887. He bought, then, the lumber yards and 



business of Martin & Schriever, at the latter place, 
and has since continued the business with marked 
success, shipping large quantities of building ma- 
terial to IVIexico. He is one of the solid men of 
his town and greatly esteemed. 

He married, in 1881, Miss Amelia Mayer, of 
Eagle Pass. Six children, William, Albert, Amelia, 
Frederick, Emma, and Charles, have been born of 
this union. 



LOUIS STEIN, 

BULVERDE, 



Is well known in Comal County, Texas, as a pio- 
neer settler. He was born in Germany, April 2, 
1833, where he learned the cooper's trade under his 
father, and followed the same until 1869, when he 
took passage for New York City, where he remained 
for some time, after which he made a tour through 
many of the Eastern and Middle States, and then, 
in 1871, came to Texas. He settled first in Blanco 



County, where be built a number of dwellings under 
contract for various persons, and then, in 1889, 
located on 200 acres of land near Bulverde, where 
he now lives. He was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Otto, in 1873, and has seven children, viz. : 
Louise, Dora, August, William, Ida, Clara, and 
Bertha. Mr. Stein is advanced in years, but hale and 
hearty, still possessing much of the vigor of youth. 



CARL ROMPEL, 



BULVERDE, 



Was born in Prussia, Januar}' 24, 1836. His 
father, Dr. Benjamin Rompel, came to America in 
1846, and located at New Braunfels, where he 
practiced medicine until 1852, and then secured 
800 acres of land in Comal County, on the Bexar 
County line, and established a farm, on which he 
afterwards resided. Dr. Rompel brought seven 
children with him to this country, viz. : Wilhemine, 
Carl, Victor, Edward, Frank, Charlotte, andAlvin. 
Alvin, Frank and Victor are deceased. Alvin died 
at New Orleans in 18G3, while a soldier in the 



Union army. Carl and Edward served for three 
years in the First Texas Cavalry during the war 
between the States. After the war, Carl Rompel, 
subject of this notice, returned home, engaged in 
farming, and in 1873 married Miss Pauline Wiel- 
bacher, daughter of the late Christian Wielbacher, 
of New Braunfels. Mr. and Mrs. Rompel have 
six children: August, Lena, Freda, Julia, Emil, 
and an infant. Mr. Rompel has a fine home, and 
is a successful farmer. 



466 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOSEPH C. WEAKLEY, 



BROWNWOOD. 



The subject of this sketch comes of pioneer an- 
cestry. His father was John Wealdey, and his 
mother bore the maiden name of Mary Williamson, 
both of whom were natives of Kentucky, where 
their parents, George and Mary Weakley, and 
John and Ellen Williamson, were settlers in the 
days of Daniel Boone. Botli families were from 
Virginia, and had been identified with the history 
of that State from early Colonial days. John and 
Ellen Williamson died in Kentucky, as did also 
Mary Weakley, but George Weakley left there at 
an advanced age and went to Indiana, and later to 
Illinois, settling on the present site of Monmouth, 
in the latter State, where he spent the closing years 
of his life ; a type of his kind, full of the spirit of 
the pioneer, impatient of the restraints of civiliza- 
tion, and caring but little for wealth or the applause 
of the world. His son, John, father of Joseph C, 
was of much the same character. He moved from 
Kentucky in the latter part of the 30's, and set- 
tled in Tippecanoe County, Ind., near the fa- 
mous battle field of Tippecanoe, where he died in 
1841. Near that historic spot, Joseph C. of this 
sketch, was born in 1839. He was the youngest of 
a large family of children, the care and mainte- 
nance of whom bore heavily on the widowed mother 
in a new and unsettled country, the better to dis- 
charge which duties she left Tippecanoe County 
in 1846, and settled in Indianapolis, then a 
town of some 2,000 inhabitants. In that town 
the boyhood and youth of Joseph C. were 
passed and in the public schools of the same he 
received what education fell to his lot. He was 
early apprenticed to the tra-le of a tinner, which he 
mastered aud followed in Indianapolis till the open- 
ing of the Civil War. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union 
army as a volunteer in the Thirty-ninth Indiana 
Infantry, Col. John F. Harrison, with which he 
served in the Army of the Cumberland for three 
years. On the expiration of the term of his enlist- 
ment he returned to Indianapolis and again taking 
up his trade followed it there till the close of the 
war. In 1866 he went West and for four years 
worked at his trade as a journeyman in different 
parts of the country, finally in 1871 coming to 
Texas. After a residence of some eight months in 
Galveston, three years in Waco, and a year in 
Comanche, he settled April lo, 1876, at Brownwood, 
which has since been his home. From the date of 



his first settling at Brownwood, Mr. Weakley has 
been actively identified with the history of the place, 
and to-day perhaps has as large and diversified in- 
terests in the town as any man living there. He 
began business there on a capital of $1,000, opening 
a small tin shop on the east side of the square. 
His tinshop has expanded into a lai'ge hardware 
establishment, where all kinds of metal manufac- 
turing is done and all sorts of hardware, mill 
machinery, implements and vehicles are sold. 
The house is one of the largest in Western Texas, 
doing an annual business of about $50,000. Mr. 
Weakley has given this business almost his exclu- 
sive attention, and it represents in the main the best 
efforts of the last twenty years of his life. He has 
considerable real estate investments in and around 
Brownwood, and some interests represented by 
local enterprises. In 1883 he assisted in organiz- 
ing the First National Bank of Brownwood, of 
which he then became vice-president and a 
director and has been such since. In 1891 he 
assisted in organizing the Brownwood National 
Bank, of which he was made president, and holds 
that position now. In 1894 he assisted in organ- 
izing the banking business of Brooke Smith & Co., 
of Brownwood, and is a member of the board of 
directors of the same at this writing. In 1885 he 
subscribed stock to the Brown County Milling 
Compan}-, which was organized that year and of 
which he became president, and has held that posi- 
tion since. Aud he is a stockholder and director 
in the Brownwood Cotton Compress Company. 
His subscription to the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe 
Railway was $1,000 and to the Fort Worth 
& Rio Grande, $2,200 ; and he has contributed 
to the two principal educational institutions 
of Brownwood, Daniel Baker (Presbyterian) 
College, and Howard Payne (Baptist) Col- 
lege, over $3,000, all of which subscriptions and 
contributions being matters of common knowl- 
edge and falling within the scope of this article 
are thus stated, but are to be taken as showing only 
in part what Mr. Weakley has done for the com- 
munity in which he resides. His sympathies and 
personal efforts have gone forth on all proper occa- 
sions and his private charities have been bestowed 
with a liberal hand. Constantly absorbed with his 
business interests, he has held aloof from politics, 
taking only such part in public matters as has been 




I). CALL. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



467 



demanded of him as a citizen. He has served as a 
member of the school board, and as Mayor of 
Brownwood, but has allowed his name to be 
used no further. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, Brownwood Lodge No. 41 and Brown- 
wood Commandery No. 22 Knights Templar, and 
of the Knights of Pythias. 

In 1872, while residing at Galveston, Mr. Weak- 



ley married Miss Helen C. Colmer, then of that 
place but a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo. This 
lady died, leaving three children, Mary, now Mrs. 
Lee Watson, of Brownwood, Alice, and Frank. 

Mr. Weakle3''s second marriage was to Miss 
Helen Young, and the issue of this union has 
been four children, Vivian, Itylene, Harry, and 
Eugene. 



DENNIS CALL, 

ORANGE. 



Mr. Webster in his memorable speech, delivered 
in 1825 upon the occasion of the laying of the 
corner-stone of the Bunker Hill monument, called 
attention to the wonderful strides that the country 
had made in material development during the half 
century that had elapsed since that day in 1775, 
when a few patriots under the leadership of the 
lamented and immortal Warren consecrated their 
devotion to the cause of liberty upon the first real 
battle-field of the Revolution. In his still more 
notable oration delivered in 1842, upon the com- 
pletion and unveiling of the monument — an oration 
that has never been surpassed for strength, breadth 
of sweep, stately eloquence or prophetic prescience 
in ancient or modern times — he again called atten- 
tion to the progress the country has made and in 
commenting upon that progress made a forecast for 
the future which must have been listened to by his 
more than fifty thousand auditors, with sentiments 
of admiration for the glowing colors and the grand 
outlines of the picture drawn by the pencil of his 
matchless fancy and of doubt as to whether it would 
ever be realized in those days that were to come 
After them — when their hearts should be stilled in 
death, when their moldering forms should rest 
beneath tbe "mossy marbles" of many church- 
yards and when other generations should move 
about in the marts of trade, the halls of legislation, 
in the forum and through all the varied avenues of 
social life, and when other hands should guide and 
control the destinies of a Republic whose mighty 
life should have grown richer and fuller and 
stronger with the flight of years. Yet the picture 
that Webster drew has fallen far short of what 
has already come to pass. 

The United States extend from ocean to ocean, 
from the British possessions on the north to the 



Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of cities dot the hills 
and valleys and plaiis of this vast territorial ex- 
panse. Thousands upon thousands of new indus- 
tries have sprung into existence to furnish employ- 
ment to a largely increased population. The 
progress of the development of internal resources ; 
the advances made in inventions, in the arts and 
sciences and in the means and processes of popu- 
lar education since 1842 have had no parallel in 
preceding ages. In the past century has been 
crowded more startling changes, more real and 
permanent advancement along all lines than in all 
the ones of prior times combined since the day- 
dawn of the race. It has been an advancement 
that has gathered dynamic force from year to 
year, each result proving but a means for the ac- 
complishment of still more wonderful and trans- 
forming results. The past quarter of a century 
has been a period of intense activity. The con- 
ditions have been such as to offer unexampled 
opportunities to men of superior abilities and 
to stimulate and develop those abilities to the 
full limits of their possibilities. They have been 
such that timidity, incapacity, or even medi- 
ocrity has had little to expect. This has been 
especially true in the commercial world. A race 
of financiers has been evolved, remarkable for their 
sagacity', cool and daring judgment and the success 
that they have achieved ; many of them building up 
princely fortunes from the smallest of beginnings. 
We do not refer to reckless speculators, but to 
sound business men who have made their fortunes 
by sound business methods and have benefited 
and helped to build up ever}' material interest of 
the communities and States in which they live. 

Among the best known members of the latter 
class, can be truthfully numbered the subject of this 



468 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



memoir, Mr. Dennis Call, Jr., now, and for many 
years, a leading citizen of the thriving town of 
Orange. 

He is secretaiy and treasurer of the Orange 
Terminal Railroad ; vice-president of the Gulf & 
North Western Railroad, and president and treas- 
urer of the Cow Creek Tram Company. He en- 
tered the tram business in Salem, Newton County, 
Texas, in 1890, and was then elected president and 
treasurer, positions which he has since held. At 
that time he owned one-third, and now owns one- 
half, of the net capital ($178,350) of the company. 
It owns over twenty miles of railroad, laid with 
steel rails, fifty-four cars, three locomotives (the 
road extending through Newton and Jasper Coun- 
ties) and about 20,000 acres of long leaf yellow 
pine timber, and at this time is furnishing three of 
the saw-mills at Orange with their logs. The com- 
pany is now (1895) building a double saw-mill on 
their road, with a daily capacity of at least 125,- 
000 feet, and hope to increase it to 150,000 feet. 
The cost of the erection of this mill will be about 
$50,000.00. 

Mr. Call was born in Orange, Texas, September 
20, 1855, attended local schools and, in 1874, en- 
tered Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, 
N. Y., from which he graduated in 1875. He then 
returned home and entered upon his business 
career as junior member of the firm of D. Call & 
Son, his father (D. Call, Sr.), being the senior 
member. In 1880 George Call was admitted as a 
partner in the firm of D. Call & Son, and the firm 
name changed to D. Call & Sons. After the death 
of D. Call, Sr., the business was continued under 
the same firm name under the management of the 
surviving sons. The firm engaged in the regular 
banking business in 1880, which continued without 
change until the death of D. Call, Sr., October 17, 
1883, after which the subject of this memoir 
assumed control. The firm, besides the banking 
business, was also engaged in milling and steam- 
boating and owned a line of schooners that ran 
between Texas and Mexican ports. Mr. Call is a 
member of the Orange Fire Department; Orange 
board of trade ; Knights of Pythias, Legion 
of Honor, Woodmen of the World, Elks, T. 
P. A., Hoo-Hoo and Masonic fraternities, 
of the latter for the past eighteen years, joining 
Madison Lodge No. 126 at Orange, in 1877. He 
has been a member of Orange Chapter No. 78, A. 
F. & A. M., for fifteen years and was High Priest 
for two years. He is also a member of Ruthven 
Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, of Houston. 
He has been a staff officer of the Texas Volunteer 
Guard for ten years and in 1889 distinguished 



himself as a volunteer soldier by contesting for 
and winning a gold me<lal, offered by the Belknap 
Rifles, of San Antonio, to the best Adjutant. Mr. 
Call's success in life has been due to honesty, 
industry, close application to business and an ad- 
herence to the principles instilled into his mind and 
heart at his mother's knees. 

He has long been a prominent man in his town and 
section of the State, has aided with princely lib- 
erality every worthy enterprise, has helped the 
poor and needy and been a friend to the friendless, 
is beloved and honored by all who know him and 
is in every respect a model citizen and representa- 
tive Texian. His parents were D. Call, Sr., and 
Mrs. Marian (Jordan) Call. 

D. Call, Sr., was born in Ireland in 1825 and 
was a merchant and banker — the first merchant of 
any note in the city of Orange, commencing busi- 
ness in 1845. He was a heavy loser by the war 
between the States, but after the close of hostili- 
ties resumed business, soon receiving merchandise 
from New Orleans by the schooner load. During 
the war period he came very near losing his life in 
the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Yucatan. The 
vessel in which he was a passenger was caught in a 
terrible storm, during the progress of which he was 
washed overboard. Although incumbered with a 
heavy overcoat and a large money belt filled with 
gold coin, he succeeded in maintaining himself 
afloat for three-quarters of an hour, until rescued by 
the ship's boats. A man less vigorous, less coura- 
geousorcool would have inevitably perished. He was 
a man of singular firmness of character and bravery 
of spirit. These traits were dignified and adorned 
by a sweetness of temper, kindliness and true 
Christian charity that endeared him to all with whom 
he came in contact. He was a member of Madison 
Lodge No. 12G and Oiaoge Chapter No. 78, A. F. 
& A. M., and was one of the original signers of the 
charter for the chapter. 

He was married in 1852 to Miss Marian Jordan, 
born in Alabama in 1836 and a daughter of Josiah 
Jordan, who came to Texas in 1843, and was for 
many years a prominent citizen of Orange. Seven 
children were born to them, three of whom are still 
living, viz: D. Call, Jr., a merchant at Orange; 
George ; and Lema Call, now the wife of J. A. 
Robinson, of Orange. 

One daughter, P^lizu, died at Boerne, Texas, 
March 17, 1895. She was born February 3, 1868, 
and graduated from Ward's Seminary, at Nashville, 
Tenn. , in 1885. Soon after returning home from 
the institution of learning she went to the Boston 
(Mass.) Conservatory of Music, where she com- 
pleted her musical education. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



459 



While at Boston she contracted a severe cold 
which led to her death. She married Charles Hag- 
gerty, of Michigan. One daughter, Hildegard, was 
born of this union. Mrs. Haggerty went to Boerne 
in the hope of recovering her health. Her remains 
were brought to Orange for interment. She was a 
devout member of the Christian Church and a 
most lovable and estimable lady. 

Mrs. Call is still living and, although sixty years 
of age, does not appear to be over fortj'-five or 
fifty. Her hair is yet unsilvered by the snows of 
age and she is as cheerful, vivacious and enter- 
taining as any of the younger ladies at social 
gatherings. 

Mr. D. Call, Jr., was united in marriage Febru- 
ary 28, 1878, to Miss Ella C. Holland, of Brenham, 
Texas, daughter of Dr. J. A. Holland, a physician 
of Independence, and alumnus of the University of 
Virginia. She is a niece of Dr. R. T. Flewellen, of 
Houston, a gentleman prominent in the political 
affairs of the State, having represented the district 
several times in the Legislature. 



Mrs. Call completed her education at Baylor 
College and, after graduation, was elected to a posi- 
tion as teacher in the faculty and taught in the col- 
lege for a number of years. She is an accomplished 
musician, a charming conversationalist and a great 
lover of the young people who spend many delight- 
ful evenings at her palatial and hospitable home. 
She and Mr. Call are favorite chaperons on sum- 
mer outings and other similar occasions. A gra- 
cious and queenly lady, she is beloved by young 
and old, rich and poor, for herself and for her 
deeds of sweet charity. In the language of the 
dear old Southern song, " None knew her, but to 
love her." 

Mr. Call has accumulated a fortune variously 
estimated at from $150,000 to $200,000. 

At the head of a number of important enter- 
prises, in the full meridian of life and with many 
years, in the course of nature, yet before him, 
newer and brighter laurels await him in the field of 
finance, and he will yet more deeply mark his 
impress upon the times in which he lives. 



GEORGE CALL, 

ORANGE. 



George Call was born in Orange, Texas; June 
16th, 1859; was a pupil at local schools during 
boyhood and completed his education by attending 
Baylor University, Independence, Texas ; Roanoke 
College, Salem, Va. ; the State Agricultural and 
Mechanical College, at Bryan, Texas, and Soule 
Business College, New Orleans, La. 

Returning home he was, in 1880, admitted to a 
partnership in the firm of D. Call & Son. The firm 
name was thereupon changed to D. Call & Sons, 
and so continued until after the death of his father, 
D. Call, Sr., which occurred October 17, 1883. 
(A short outline of the life of Mr. D. Call, Sr., and 
of the familj''s history, occurs in the memoir of 
D. Call, Jr., that appears elsewhere in this volume.) 
The business was discontinued in 1891 in order 
that the assets of the estate might be divided 
between the legal heirs. 

Since that time Mr. George Call has been in 



business upon his own account and is now one of 
the most extensive wholesale dealers in grain and 
feed-stuffs in the city of Orange. 

He was married May 22, 1889, to Miss Eugenia 
Sells, of Orange, Texas. 

Mrs. Call is a most charming lady, possessed of 
all the qualities that adorn matronhood, and make 
home the most delightful and sacred spot of earth. 
She has proven to be a wise counselor to Mr. Call 
in his extensive business, and therein lies partially 
the secret of the unusual success that has attended 
his financial ventures. 

Mr. Call was a charter member of the Board o 
Trade, organized in Orange in 1890, was for three 
years its secretary, and has at all times and in everj- 
possible way labored for the upbuilding of his city 
and section of the State. 

Genial, kindly, hospitable and of high integrity, 
he has a wide circle of friends throughout the State. 



470 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



PAUL HANISCH, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



Was born June 4, 1831, on the Isle of Rugen, one 
of the most picturesque and beautiful spots on the 
coast of Germany. After securing a good literary 
education, he applied himself for ten years to the 
study of pharmacy and kindred branches of science, 
thus thoroughly equipping himself for the business 
of an apothecary, which he has principally fol- 
lowed. His father, Rev. Peter Hanisch, was an 
able and zealous clergyman of the German Lutheran 
Church. 

The subject of this notice, Mr. Paul Hanisch, 
came to America in 1856 and landed at Indianola, 



Texas, on the 6th day of June of that year. He 
proceeded in ox-teams from Indianola to New 
Braunfels, San Antonio and Comfort. He remained 
at the latter place until 1872 and then formed a co- 
partnership with his pioneer friend, Emil Serger, 
and opened a drug store in Fredericksburg, where 
he has since continued in business and has accumu- 
lated a competency. 

December 18, 1878, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Helen Siedschlag, at Galveston, Texas. 

They have three children, two daughters and one 
son, viz: Helen, Elizabeth, and Frank. 



C. H. SUELTENFUSS, 



SCHILLER. 



C. H. Sueltenfuss, Postmaster at Schiller, Kendall 
County, Texas, was born in the Rhine district of 
Prussia, April 15, 1844. 

His father, John A. Sueltenfuss, came to the 
United States in 1848 ; engaged in farming at 
Scheniannsville, near New Braunfels, Texas, for 
one year and then located near San Antonio, where 
he died in 1869, at sixty-two years of age, leaving 
eight children. 

C. H. Sueltenfuss, the eldest of the six children 
of this family now living, reached Texas from Ger- 
many on the first day of January, 1860 ; worked 
for his father until 1863 ; went to Mexico ; clerked 
in a store for a while, and then enlisted at Browns- 
ville in Company C, First Regiment of Texas Rang- 



ers, commanded by Col. Jack Hays, with which he 
served for two j'ears, when he was honorably dis- 
charged at San Antonio at the close of the war. 

In 1867, he located on his present home farm 
consisting of 3,000 acres of good farming and 
grazing land at Schiller, in Kendall County, and the 
following year married Miss Anna Voelcker, 
daughter of Eugene Voelcker, an early pioneer of 
Comal County, now residing at New Braunfels. 
They have nine children living: Paul, Charles, 
Clara, Bruno, Emil, Mary, Louise, Alfred, and 
Franz. 

Mr. Sueltenfuss is a member of the Republican 
party. He was appointed Postmaster at Schiller 
in 1883. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ill 



JULIUS VOELCKER, 



NEW BRAUNFELS, 



Was a native of Germany and was born near Ibe 
shores of the Baltic Sea, Maich 2d, 1821. He 
studied at Fotsdaui and Berlin, perfected himself 
as an apothecary and was employed as such in 
various establishments in the latter city ; came to 
Texas as a colonist in 1846, received his apportion- 
ment of land at New Braunfels ; became a promi- 
nent member of that thrifty community, engaged 
first in farming and then, in 18G8, in the drug 
business in the town of New Braunfels, in which he 
continued until his death. Here in this beautiful 
town he married Miss Louise Korbach, daughter of 
David Korbach, deceased. Six children were born 
to them, four of whom are living: Frank, the old- 
est, now the San Antonio agent for the Southern 
Pacific Ry. Co. ; Eudolph, a druggist at Temple, 
Texas; Bruno E., a leading druggist at New 
Braunfels, and Emil, a furniture dealer at New 



Braunfels. A daughter, Emme, died in 1874; 
another child, Otto, died in 1866. 

Julius Voelcker was an esteemed citizen and an 
active and enterprising businessman. He held the 
office of Justice of the Peace at various times, and, 
at the time of his death, which occurred in 1878, was 
Mayor of the city of New Braunfels. Bruno E. 
Voelcker was born in New Braunfels, June 4, 1857, 
schooled in his home town, he studied chemistry 
under his father and became an apothecary. He 
later went to New Orleans, where he clerked in 
various establishments, until the death of his father. 
He then returned home and assumed charge of the 
business he new owns and conducts. He owns the 
handsome business block he occupies, besides other 
valuable property. He married Miss Mary Brecher, 
a daughter of Jacob Brecher, deceased, of New 
Braunfels. They have three children liviug : 
Emma, Edwin, and Julius. 



EMIL SERGER, 

COMFORT, 



Well-known throughout the western part of Central 
Texas as a pioneer farmer, came to America January 
4th, 1856, landed in New York, and proceeded 
from that city by water direct to Galveston, and 
from Galveston, via Indianola, New Braunfels, and 
San Antonio, to Comfort, where he now resides. 
Mr. Serger is a native of Prussia, where he was 
born March 27, 1831. Early in life he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of millwright. He 
also studied architecture, in which he became pro- 
ficient, but left his native country before securing 
a diploma as an architect. In Texas he followed 
the millwright's trade, and engaged more or less 
in farming. Upon reaching Comfort, he located on 
a spot where his typical old-time, yet comfortable, 
home now stands, and where he has since con- 
tinuously lived. When he first visited it, it was 
covered with the teioes of Comanche Indians, but 
they soon quietly moved on to give way to the 
aggressive pioneer settlement. Mr. Serger here 



developed a fertile tract of farming land, ranged 
cattle in the open valleys and on the hills, and did 
his full share as a member of the company, organ- 
ized for the protection of the settlement from 
Indian depredations. For a time during the Civil 
War he was a frontier ranger, under Capt. Wein- 
denfeld and Col. McAdoo, in the Confederate ser- 
vice. He has never deeply interested himself in 
politics, but has served as County Commissioner of 
his county, and has exerted himself in every prac- 
ticable way to promote the upbuilding of his sec- 
tion of the State. In 1868 he returned to the 
Fatherland and married Miss Marie Settel, a young 
lady of domestic tastes and womanly qualities. 
Mr. and Mrs. Serger have four children, three 
sons and one daughter, viz. : Powell, Emil, Frank, 
and Eliza. All have been given advantages of 
excellent schooling. 

Mr. Serger's landed interests comprise about 
680 acres in Kendall and Kerr Counties. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 

GABRIEL REMLER, 

SMITHSON'S VALLEY, 



A venerable pioneer, came to Texas in 1841 
when about twent}--two years of age with Prince 
Solms. He was born in the south of Germany, 
October 20, 1822. He lived at New Braunfels 
until 1852 and then located on his present place on 



Valley, where he has developed a farm of one thou- 
sand acres — one of the finest in Comal County. 
He has a most hospitable and frugal wife, who has 
borne him seven children, now all married, viz. : 
SoiJhia, Pauline, AUena, Minnie, Peter J., Frederick 



Ihe Guadalupe river in the vicinity on Smithson's and William. They have fifteen grandchildren. 



AUGUST G. STARTZ, 

SMITHSON'S VALLEY, 



Born in Comal County, December 25, 1856, is a 
son of the venerable pioneer, Henry Startz. His 
father came to Texas in 1844 with the Prince Solms 
Colony. The subject of this notice grew up at 
the old homestead in Smithson's Valley in Comal 
County and gained a thorough knowledge of the 
stock-raising business, in which he is now exten- 
sively engaged. He also owns a well stocked store 



and cotton gin in Smithson's Valle3' and about 4,000 
acres of grazing land in Comal County. 

He married, December 25, 1879, Miss Emma, 
daughter of Fritz Bartels. They have six children : 
Teela, Olga, Walter, Ella, Charles, and Henry. 

Mr. Startz has served eight years as Deputy 
Sheriff of Comal County, and is now a member of 
the County Commissioners' Court. 



HERMAN E. FISCHER, 



NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Hon. Herman E. Fischer, an active and influential 
business man of New Braunfels, is a pioneer of 
Texas of 1852, coming to the State December 6th 
of that j'ear. Upon landing at Galveston he pro- 
ceeded directly to San Antonio and from that place 
to New Braunfels, reaching the latter city about 
December 20th. He is a native of Germany, born 
in the village of Heersum, Province of Hanover, 
February Sth, 1835. He was trained in boyhood 
and youth for mercantile pursuits, but came to 
Texas for the purpose of f aiming, which he en- 
gaged in soon after his arrival and continued to fol- 
low until 1859. He then accepted a position as a 
clerk in a store in New Braunfels and remained au 
employee in the establishment until the close of the 



late war. In 1865 he received the appointment of 
District Clerk and held the position until 1866. He 
then engaged in merchandising on his own account 
until 1870. In February' of that j'ear he entered 
the County Clerk's office asDeputj' Clerk of Comal 
County and held the position until 1874. He was 
then elected District and County Clerk and served 
in that capacity ten years. In 1884 he was chosen 
County Judge and served the people in a most ac 
ceptable manner for two terms. He then, until 
1889, engaged in the real estate business in New 
Braunfels, when he established the present Comal 
Lumber Company which he still owns and conducts. 
During the discbarge of his duties as County -Judge 
of Comal Countj', the Guadalupe bridge, one of the 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



473 



finest highway bridges iu Southwestern Texas, was 
built. The sale of the county's public school lands 
was also inaugurated at the price of $5.00 per acre, 
which sales have accumulated a school fund of about 
$80,000.00 to date (1895). Judge Fischer has at 
various times served on the Board of City Aldermen 
and as School Trustee of the city. He married, 
in 1865, Miss Mary Conring, a daughter of Dr. H. 
Conring. They have eight children, seven of whom 



are living. The names of these children are: Alex, 
Carl (deceased), Hilmar, Hermina, P^mil, Freda and 
Erick. 

Judge Fischer is highly esteemed for his broad 
citizenship and his many excellent traits of char- 
acter. He has ever been an effective worker 
for the advancement of his city, county and State, 
and has taken an active part in all movements in 
that direction. 



AUGUST KEONNECKE, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



One of the first settlers of Gillespie County, was 
born in Prussia, March 23, 1832, and came to 
Texas in 1881. Landing at Indianola in December 
of that year, be proceeded thence to San Antonio, 
and from that place to Gillespie County, where he 
pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land on 
Cane creek, twelve miles northeast of Fredericks- 
burg, in what is now the Keonnecke settlement. 

To this he afterwards added until he owned a 
arm of two thousand acres, which he has appor- 
tioned to his children. He married, in 1855, Miss 
Charlotte Beams, daughter of Christian Beams, a 
pioneer of 1853, who lived, during the later years 
of his life, at Palo Alto. Mr. and Mrs. Keonnecke 
have five children: Gaustav, Hermann, William, 
Annie, and Otto. Annie married C. F. Lucken- 
bach, of Fredericksburg ; Gustav married Miss 
Albertine Kramer ; Hermann married Miss Emma 
Hebenicht ; and William married Miss Bertha 
Hebenicht. 



Mr. Keonnecke has served as Justice of the Peace 
and County Commissioner of his county, and has 
been an active and effective worker for the upbuild- 
ing of his section of the State. His father, Fred- 
erick Keonnecke (a weaver and owner of woolen 
mills in Germany), and an uncle, Charles Keon- 
necke, came to Texas in 1848, and were followed 
in 1853 by William Keonnecke, another uncle of 
the subject of this notice. 

Frederick died of yellow fever at Indianola, 
while there to meet his brother William, whose 
arrival he expected in the country. Charles has 
retired from active pursuits and lives in Fredericks- 
burg. 

William located in the Keonnecke settlement on 
Cane creek, where he established a farm adjoining 
that of his nephew, August Keonnecke, and resided 
until the time of his death, which occurred June 9, 
1894, in the seventy-third year of his age. 



SIMON WIESS, 

BEAUMONT. 



The poetic fancj' of the Greeks was not slow to 
note the great dissimilarities that mark the desti- 
nies of men ushered into being amid the same 
environments — destinies, the general outlines and 
ultimate ends of which seem to be beyond their 
control — and they wove into the song and drama 



and theology of those ancient days the idea of three 
silent sisters, the Fates, sitting in the dark weaving 
constantly at their looms the destinies of gods and 
men. It was a beautiful conceit. The mind's-eye, 
which needs no lamp to aid its vision, can almost 
see the shutters flying back and forth, back and 



474 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEBS OF TEXAS. 



forth, workingthreads, dark and bright,into the warp 
and woof, controlled by an impulse flowing from 
the unknowable center of the unknown. The same 
idea has, in later times, found expression in the 
deeply pious predestinarianism of Calvinism, the 
coldly callous indifference of fatalism, such popu- 
lar expressions as " JMan proposes and God dis- 
poses," and the lines "There is a destiny that 
shapes our ends, rough hew them as we may," and 
in a thousand other mental conceptions and forms 
of speech. To what extent each life is pre-ordered 
and the limits within which free-agency operates, 
we know not. We know, however, that the serf of 
Russia, until a few generations back, was born into 
conditions that he could never hope to alter, and 
that fixed, from its beginning, the general course 
and tenor of his life ; that every man, however 
brilliant his inherited talents, however great the 
wealth that descends to him, however exalted the 
station into which he is introduced by the fact of 
birth, however free he may imagine himself to be 
to do as he pleases, is yet surrounded by limita. 
tions that (although as invisible as the air 
or thought itself) are, yet, as strong as forged 
and tempered steel and that he can by no possibil- 
ity break through. The efforts of the bird that 
beats its feeble wings against the bars of its cage 
are not more futile. Two boys are playing upon 
the village green. One will till the soil where his 
eyes first beheld the light and, passing quietly 
through the scenes of youth and manhood, descend 
through an uneventful old age to his place in the 
village church-yard where his dust and bones will 
mingle with those of his fore-fathers of many 
generations. The other will pass through many 
strange scenes and thrilling experiences, perhaps, 
by flood and field, and find his home and final life- 
work and final resting-place, in a land of which he 
has, as yet, not so much as heard the name. 

Mrs. Hemans, in her poem "The Graves of a 
Household," thus beautifully expresses the 
thought: — 

They grew in beauty side by side, 

They fllled one home with glee, 
Their graves are severed far and wide, 

By mouut, and stream and sea. 

The same fond mother bent at night 

O'er each fair sleeping brow, 
She had each folded flower in sight — 

Where are those dreamers now! 

One, midst the forest of the West, 

By a dark stream is laid, 
The Indian knows his place of rest, 

Far in the cedar-shade. 



The sea, the blue lone sea hath one, 

He lies where pearls lie deep; 
He was the loved of all, yet none 

O'er his low bed may weep. 

One sleeps where Southern vines are drest 

Above the noble slain; 
He wrapt his colours round his breast 

On a blood-red field of Spain. 

.\nd one, o'er her the myrtle showers 

Its leaves by soft winds fanned ; 
She faded 'midst Italian flowers, 

The last of that bright band. 

And parted thus, they rest who played 

Beneath the same green tree; 
Whose voices mingled as they prayed 

Around one parent knee. 

The truth is that no man can tell what the future 
has in store for him — what pleasures, what heart- 
aches, what successes, what reverses, what triumphs, 
what disasters, or how he shall fare him battling 
amid the thousand and one cross-currents of cir- 
cumstance. But of one thing there is a certainty 
and that is, that the man who makes the voyage of 
a long life, meets and overcomes its difficulties, 
keeps heart, mind and hands undeflledand achieves 
honorable success, has earned a patent of nobility 
that belongs to him of divine right and that entitles 
him to the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men 
while living and his memory to preservation from 
oblivion to which the undiscriminating hand of time 
seeks to consign all transitory things. 

In the early days of the present century there 
lived in the little town of Lublin, Poland, a sturdy 
lad, who, after years spent in travel upon three 
continents, was to make his home in Texas, and 
here exercise a wide and beneficent influence and 
leave his impress upon the communities in which he 
lived. We refer to the late lamented Simon Wiess, 
Sr., of Wiess' Bluff, Jasper County, Texas. 

Mr. Wiess was born at Lublin, Poland, January 
1, 1800, and remained there until sixteen years of 
age when he started out in the world to try his 
fortunes. The limits of this notice will not permit 
a detailed account of his various adventures or 
commercial experiences, but' the following facts, 
taken from his" Masonic chart, will give some idea 
of the extent of his travels and the high character 
he acquired in early life and ever afterwards main- 
tained. He was a Roj^al Arch Mason at Constanti- 
nople, April 2, 1825, and went to Asia Minor the 
same year, where he held a prominent position 
in the Masonic circles. He visited INIt. Leb- 
anon Lodge, Boston, Mass., February 22, 1826, 
which is the first we hear of him in the United 




SIMON WIESS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



475 



States. August 17tli, 1828, he was in San Domingo 
and tbere participated with the Masonic fraternity. 
He also visited Albion Lodge No. 333, at Baibadocs, 
West Indies, and received the degree of Past 
Master. On the ninth of May, 1829, he visited 

Amity Lodge No. 277, at , on llie registry of 

the Right Worshipful G. L., of Ireland. May 11th, 

1829, he visited Integrity Lodge, No. 259, at , 

and there received Mark Master degree; .June 2, 
1829, visited Union Lodge No. 462, at Georgetown, 
Demerara, and we find that in 1840, he visited Gal- 
veston and participated with Harmony Lodge, No. 
6. In 1847, he met with DeWitt Clinton Lodge 
No. 129, in Jasper County, Texas. Two years 
later, April 17th, 1849, he met with the Woodville, 
Texas, Lodge. There are few countries in Europe 
that he did not visit. He lived at various times in 
Turkey, Asia Minor, the West Indies, Central and 
South America, and Mexico. He also traveled exten- 
sively through the United States and lived for a time 
in Louisiana before making his home in Texas. He 
could read, write and speak fluently seven languages. 
In his young days before coming to America he 
owned several sailing vessels and engaged in the 
trade being carried on between New England and 
the West Indies. In 1836 he was Deputy Collector 
of Customs for the Republic of Texas at Camp 
Sabine (now Sabine town) near the border-line be- 
tween Texas and Louisiana. It was the military 
post of the United States at that time. Gen. Gaines 
was stationed there in command of four thousand 
troops and, during the war for Texas Independence, 
it was believed that he and Gen. Sam Houston 
entered into an agreement under which the latter 
was to retreat in a northeasterly direction before 
the Mexican army, until it followed him across the 
disputed boundary line between Texas and the 
United States and then Gaines was to turn out with 
his regulars, attack Santa Anna and follow him, if 
necessary, to the Rio Grande and into Mexico. If 
any such agreement was entered into, subsequent 
events rendered the carrying out of its terms un- 
necessary. The three divisions of the Mexican 
army became separated and, marching through a 
country incapable of supporting such a large 
number of men, were worn down by days of 
marching over roads that were almost impassable, 
and thoroughly dispirited before the final blow of 
the revolution was struck. Houston took advan- 
tage of this combination of circumstances, joined 
battle with Santa Anna at San Jacinto and, with 
the unaided strength of the Texian arms, won one 
of the most glorious and decisive victories recorded 
in the annals of war — an achievement that justly 
immortalized his name. Mr. Wiess was acquainted 



with Gen. Houston and the other heroes, orators 
and statesmen of the Repulilic, wlien in tlic prime 
and zenitii of their fame. 

In January, 1836, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret Sturrock, at Natchitoches, La. 
She was a daughter of Wm. and Ann Sturrock, 
nee Miss Ann Swan, whose mother's maiden name 
was Miss Agnes Kerr, all of Scottish lineage. The 
Sturrock family came to America about 1830 and 
settled on the Hudson, remained there about two 
years and then went to New Orleans, from which 
place they moved to Natchitoches, La. In 1836 
Mr. and Mrs. Wiess moved to Nacogdoches where 
he engaged in merchandising, a part of the time 
occupying the historic stone fort situated in that 
place. In 1838 he left Nacogdoches with his 
family and household effects aboard a keel-boat 
loaded with the first cotton ever transported down 
that stream to Sabine Pass, and disembarked at 
Beaumont where, and at Grigsby's Bluff, he mer- 
chandised until 1840, and then moved to Wiess' 
Bluff, in Jasper County, where he remained until 
his death, which occurred August 13, 1868. While 
living at Wiess' Bluff he was also engaged in mer- 
chandising, did a large receiving and forwarding 
business, handling most of the cotton raised in the 
section, and was interested in steamboating on the 
Neches river. He left six children: Pauline, wlio 
married Abel Coffin (deceased), she is still liv- 
ing at their old home in Jasper County ; Napo- 
leon, deceased and buried at Wiess' Bluff ; Mark, 
William and Valentine, prominent mill-men largely 
interested in the Reliance Lumber Company, of 
Beaumont; and Massena, the youngest, who lives 
at Round Rock in Williamson CountJ^ 

In all his dealings with his fellow-men, whether 
as a traveler or trader in the Orient, an owner of 
vessels plying the pirate-infested waters of the 
Spanish Main — on the steppes of Russia, in the 
Indies, in Central and South America, in his 
counting-room, in Southern Texas — everywhere 
and always, he manifested a just, generous and 
manly spirit. 

A favorite quotation of his was the following lines 
of Philip Massinger : — 

" Briefly thus, then 
Since I must speak for all ; your tyranny 
Drew us from our obedience. Happy those times 
When lords were styled fathers of families, 
And not imperious masters! when they numbered 
Their servants almost equal with their sons, 
Or one degree beneath them! when their labors 
Were cherished and rewarded, and a period 
Set to their sufferings; when they did not press 
Their duties or their wills beyond their power 
Aud strength of their performance, all things ordered 



476 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



With such decorum as wise law-raaliers, 
From each well governed private house derived 
The perfect model of a commonwealth. 
Humanity then lodged in the hearts of men, 
And thankful masters carefully provided 
For creatures wanting reason. The noble horse, 
That, in his fiery youth, from his wide nostrils 
Neighed courage to his rider, and brake through 
Groves of opposed pikes, bearing his lord 
Safe to triumphant victory; old or wounded. 
Was set at liberty, and freed from service. 
The Athenian mules, that from the quarry drew 
Marble, hewed for the temples of the gods, 
The great work ended, were dismissed, and fed 
At the public cost; nay, faithful dogs have found 
Their sepulchers; but man to man more cruel, 
Appoints no end to the sufferiugs of his slave." 

His was the true patriot's heart. He had a deep 
and intense love for the United States and free 
institutions. He hated tyranny, oppression and 
injustice in any form. He liberally rewarded those 
who served him. He was generous and true to his 
friends. His charity knew no fainting. He pos- 
sessed none of that greedy and glutiuous spirit that 
enables its possessor to fare sumptuously and with 
added zest unaffected by the starvation and the wails 
of the distressed which are bourne to him upon every 
breeze. He subordinated his desire for financial 
independence to the dictates of honor. He was 
true to every obligation as employer, citizen, hus- 
band, father and friend, and left behind him an un- 
tarnished name of which his descendants may feel 
justly proud. He died full of years, loved liy many, 
respected by all. He sleeps with his fathers, a 
sleep that is the reward of a well-spent life. Peace 
to his ashes, and honor to the memory of his use- 
fulness, kindliness and worth. 

Mrs. Wiess, for so many years his beloved 
counsellor, companion and helpmate, who cheered 
and sustained him in man}' an hour of trial and 
difficulty, a truly noble woman, died at Wiess' 
Bluff, May 17, 1881. The following obituary, 
written by E. L. Armstrong, of Irene, Hill County, 
Texas, is a fitting testimonial to her many excel- 
lencies of character. 

" Wiess — Died at Wiess' Bluff, Jasper County, 
Texas, May 17th, 1881, Mrs. Margaret Wiess. 
She was born in Scotland, near Dundee, June 12, 
1814. Was married to Simon Wiess at Nachi- 
toches. La., January Gth, 183G, with whom she 
lived happily until his death, which occurred in 
August, 1868. 

" She came to Texas during the struggle for in- 
dependence, and was intimately acquainted with 



Gen. Sam Houston, Rusk and other noted men of 
the day. 

" Fort3'-one years ago, she, with her husband, 
settled at Wiess' Bluff, where she lived until re- 
moved by ' relentless death.' 

"She was the mother of six children, five of 
whom still live ; the eldest died some years ago. 

" She was a woman of extraordinary endow- 
ments, possessing all the rare excellencies that 
combine to make the true wife, the devoted mother 
and a successful keeper of home and the affairs of 
home. 

" She was fully equal to the emergencies of life. 

" As a mother she was the embodiment of kind- 
ness, guiding her children by the law of love ; their 
success in life is attributable to the care and culture 
imparted at home. 

" As a wife it was her chief joy to make her 
husband happy — to this end she lent her energies 
without stint, and her success was wonderful. 

" As a friend she was true, devoted and obliging. 

" She was truly benevolent to the poor and 
needy — never turning them awa}' empty-handed. 

" Hor great heart was touched when suffering 
befell her kind, often giving to those that were 
better able to help themselves. 

" She was reared a Presbyterian, but never united 
with the Church, not being situated so that she 
could do so. 

" She was a woman of prayer and loved her Bible. 

"I met her twenty-eight years ago and our ac- 
quaintance matured into mutual and abiding friend- 
ship ; having spent manj^ days and hours under her 
hospitable roof. 

" Last December I saw her for the last time on 
earth — worn and emaciated by age and disease. 

" .She feared not the approach of death. 

" At her request I read for and prayed with her, 
and conversed with her in regard to the approach- 
ing end ; she had no fears, but trusted in the atoning 
blood. 

" We are informed by her sons that her end was 
peace. 

" We are to hear no more the hearty welcome to 
her home, nor note the many acts of kindness per- 
formed to make the weary itinerant comfortable 
and happy. But we will remember her through all 
the da3's of our pilgrimage. 

" We extend to her children our heartfelt sym- 
pathy and invoke the blessings of heaven upon each 
one of them. 

" May they also be ready." 




MRS. SIMON WIESS. 



TXBIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



EMIL KARGER, 

COMFORT, 



Was born January 1, 1851, in the kingdom of 
Prussia, Germany, and came to this country with 
his parents, who settled at Comfort and pursued 
farming, to which calling he was reared. His 
father, John Karger, is mentioned elsewhere in this 
book, in the notice of Charles Karger. Mr. Karger 
was married May 14th, 1876, to Miss Sarah Wille, 
a daughter of Herman Wille, of Comfort, at which 
place she was born January 16, 1859. Mr. Wille 
died in 1877 at forty-one years of age. Mr. 
and Mrs. Karger have seven children, viz. : 



Hermann, Louise, Lena, Edward, Gustav, Mary 
and Amelia. 

Mr. Karger is a thorough business man, a suc- 
cessful farmer, and is esteemed throughout his com- 
munity for his excellent traits of character. He is 
trustee of his school district, one of the three sur- 
viving charter members of the Comfort Liedertafel, 
the vocal musical organization of that town, and has 
been for many years its leader. 

He owns a well improved farm of 260 acres at 
Comfort. 



FRANZ SCHAEFER, 

ANHALT, 



A wealthy farmer and esteemed citizen of Comal 
County, came to Texas with his parents in 1845, 
when about eight years of age. His mother died 
the year of their arrival in New Braunfels. His 
father, Franz Schaefer, Sr., was a cooper by trade, 
but followed various occupations in New Braunfels, 
Fredericksburg, Llano, and San Antonio, doing 
contract work for the government at the latter 
place. Mr. Franz Schaefer, Sr., never married 
again after his wife's death, remaining true to her 
memory until the time of his death, which occurred 
in November, 1868, in San Antonio. He bought 
160 acres of land near Anhalt before the war 



between the States, and from time to time added 
thereto until he now owned about 3,000 acres. 
Franz Schaefer was the only child born to his 
parents. He learned stone-cutting at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and worked at his trade in Texas until the 
war broke out, and then enlisted in the Confed- 
erate army, in which he served in Capt. Kemp- 
mann's Company until the close of hostilities. 
Since the war he has been engaged in farming on 
the family estate at Anhalt. Mr. Schaefer mar- 
ried in May, 1867, Miss Matilda Kaubert, daughter 
of Lawrence Kaubert, of San Antonio. His farm is 
highly improved, and consists of about 2,100 acres. 



WILLIAM J. MOORE, 

MYERS, 



A large planter of Burleson County, Texas, was 
born in Perry County, Ala., in August, 1845. 
Son of Alfred and Martha (Hanna) Moore who 
were natives of Spartanburg District, S. C, 
and early immigrants to Alabama, where they 



lived many years, the father dying there in 1854, 
and the mother in 1863. One uncle of the subject 
of this sketch, Thomas Moore, commanded a regi- 
ment of troops at Charleston, S. C, in the 
War of 1812 and another, A. B. Moore, was twice 



478 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Governor of Alabama. His people, however, 
were but little in public life, being mostly plant- 
ers. 

William J. was reared in Perr^' County, Ala. ; 
there he enlisted in the Confederate army at the 
age of sixteen, at the opening of the late war, join- 
ing a company of cadets which became a part of the 
Seventh Alabama Cavalry, with which he served 
throughout the period of hostilities. During six- 
teen or eighteen months of his service he was under 
the celebrated cavalrj^ commander. Gen. Forrest, and 
took part in most of the operations in which Forrest 
was concerned, in Western Kentucky, Middle Ten- 
nessee, 'Northern Alabama and Mississippi. He took 
part in the battles at Columbia, Spring Hill, Frank- 
lin, Nashville, Paris Lauding, Johnstown, Pittsburg 
Landing and many minor engagements. Served as 
a private and was never captured or wounded. 
Laid down his arms at Gainesville, Ala., at the close 
of hostilities. 

In March, 1866, Mr. Moore came to Texas and 



settled in Brazos County, where he leased the Allen 
farm, which he cultivated for two years. The un- 
settled condition of affairs led him to sell 
out at the end of that time and return 
to Alabama, where he remained for four 
years, when he came again to Texas, settling 
this time in Burleson County. For twelve or four- 
teen years he was engaged, alternately, in farming 
and merchandising, when, in 1885, he purchased a 
large body of Brazos bottom-land and embarked 
exlensivel}' in cotton planting, which he has followed 
steadily and successfully since. He ovpns 2,100 
acres, 1,.500 acres of which are in cultivation. He 
raises from 600 to 700 bales of cotton annually, 
besides considerable corn and other farm products ; 
is one of the largest planters in Burleson County 
and has made every dollar he has within the past 
fifteen years. 

Has never married and has but few relatives, his 
only sister, Airs. James Garrit^', of Corsicana, hav- 
ing died in February, 1893, childless. 



ROSWELL SKINNER, 

LAMPASSA COUNTY. 



The action of the Texas Veterans' Association 
making priority of residence and the performance 
of some sort of civil or military service conditions 
of membership in their order, has given rise to an 
opinion, more or less general, that only those who 
meet these conditions are entitled to be called 
pioneers and to share in the honors generally ac- 
corded those so designated. But this is erroneous. 
The conditions imposed by the association are per- 
fectly proper so far as the objects of the association 
are concerned, but, viewing the matter in a broader 
light, there is a historical propriety in making the 
term "Pioneers" sufficiently comprehensive to 
include those who arrived in the country during the 
eight or ten years following annexation, many of 
whom performed no public service of a civil or 
military character, but were, nevertheless, impor- 
tant factors in the settlement and development of 
the communities where they located. The fact is 
there were hundreds of men living in the older 
States who took great interest in the struggle of the 
colonists, lending material aid in numberless in- 
stances, who intended all along to finally make their 
homes in Texas, but who, for various reasons, did 



not take up their abode here until the struggles 
with Mexico, and, in a measure, those with the In- 
dians, were substantially over. These were the 
real builders of the commonwealth ; men of indus- 
trious habits, possessing a thorough knowledge of 
the arts of civilization, believers in the suiiremaey 
of the law, and the maintenance of order and good 
government ; lovers of their homes and advocates 
of all the influences tending to elevate, improve and 
adorn society. 

Of this number is the subject of this sketch. 
Roswell Skinner was born in Nelson County, Va., 
February 1st, 1807. His father was Bird Skinner, 
and his mother bore the maiden name of Nancy 
Austin, both of whom were Virginians by birth. 
The father died in his native State, after which the 
widovped mother moved with her family to Ken- 
tucky about 1814 or 181.5, and settled in what 
was then Washington, now Marion Count}'. In 
that county the boyhood and youth of the 
subject of this article was passed. He grew 
up on the farm, where he had but meager 
educational advantages (none to speak of) but 
received good moral training, and reached man- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEliS OF TEXAS. 



479 



Loot! well prepared for the discharge of its 
duties. Soou after attaining his majority, he 
married a neighbor girl, Theodosia Dever, who 
had been born in Virginia and taken to Ken- 
tucljy by her parents, John and Winnie Dever, 
while she was still young. Settling on a small farm 
in Marion Countj', Mr. Skinner devoted the next 
twent}' years of his life to making a home for himself 
and those dependent upon him, and succeeded in 
paying for and putting under cultivation a farm of 
over 200 acres, but the steadj' advance of land 
values in that State made the task of providing for 
his children, seven in number, as he wished them 
provided for, a very difficult one, and as the easiest 
solution of the problem, he decided to move to 
Texas, where land was cheaper, and conditions, in 
general, more favorable. With his family, consist- 
ing of liis wife and five children, two daughters 
having married, one of whom was deceased and the 
other gone to make her home in Indiana, he left 
Louisville the 2.Tth of November, 1849, taking the 
river route to New Orleans. From New Orleans he 
went by sail vessel to Galveston, crossed the bay at 
that point and reached the town of Liberty, his des- 
tination, the 15lh fif December following. He had 
friends residing at Liberty and partly through their 
influence, and partly because he liked that section, 
he settled there, buying a tract of land and open- 
ing a farm four miles from the county seat. Mr. 
Skinner was a resident of Liberty County for forty- 
six years, only recently leaving there to make his 
home in Lampasas County. During his long resi- 
dence in old Liberty, he was honorably' connected 
with the count3''s history as an industrious, law- 
abiding citizen, but was verj' little in public life. 
He always felt that the deficiency of his education 
disqualified him for holding public office and there- 
fore persistently refused to allow his name to be 
used in that connection, but was once induced to 
accept the office of Treasurer of Liberty County, 
which he held for two 3'ears, resigning it at the end 
of that time. His chief pursuits were those of 
agriculture in which he met with a fair degree of 
success. He was exempt, bj' reason of age, from 
military duty during the late war, but furnished 
three sons to the Confederate service and gave the 
cause his active sympath}- and support at home. 
Mr. Skinner was a Whig in former years, having 
cast his first vote for President for William 
Henry Harrison in the famous " log cabin and hard 
cider" campaign of L840. He has been a member 
of the Methodist Church for over sixty years and 
has actively interested himself in all kinds of Church 
work. His habits have been unexceptionable and 
he is, perhaps, to day one of the best preserved men 



of his age in the State. He will be ninety his ntxt 
birthday, yet his mind is clear and not only is his 
memory good, but his reasoning is sound, and his 
conversation, in general, spirited and entertaining, 
full of interesting reminiscences and apposite allu- 
sions, and, until he was injured by a fall from his 
horse some ten or twelve years ago, he could get 
around as well as men of half his age. Asked to 
what he attributed his longevity and well-preserved 
condition, he said, first to the sound constitution 
which he inherited, and second to correct habits of 
life. He never indulged in tlie ruinous pastimes of 
youth and therefore reached and has enjoyed man- 
hood in health. 

He was never intoxicated but once, that being 
when he was a boy, and, though he used tobacco 
for nearly thirty years, he quit it when he found it 
was injuring his health. In all the relations of life 
he has endeavored to live along the lines of fair- 
ness, sobriety and moral rectitude, seeking to do 
what was right from a sense of justice and taking 
every act and every motive before the tribunal of 
conscience. He has not been one to cavil or com- 
plain, but has accepted the good things of life with 
gratitude and has borne its ills with resignation. 
Petty bickerings and small quarrels he has known 
nothing of, having always been self-respecting and 
respected by others. The domestic virtues pre- 
ponderate in him and his home circle before it was 
broken up by death, and the marriage of his 
children was charming and pleasant. 

Mr. Skinner lost his wife in March, 1861, her 
death occurring at the old homestead in Liberty 
County. Of his three sons and four daughter, but 
three are living, though all became grown and were 
married. The eldest, a daughter, Eliza Jane, was 
married to Buford Brown and died many years ago 
in Indiana. The eldest son, James D. Skinner, is 
a prominent citizen of Galveston. The next, a 
daughter, Cynthia Ann, was married to Anthony 
Drane and died in Marion County, Ky., a short time 
after her marriage. William P. Skinner, the 
second son, died at Libertj', Texas, in 1864, from 
disease contracted in the Confederate army. Julia 
Ann was married to Aguilla J. Beard and died at 
Liberty, Texas, in 1895. John F. Skinner, the 
youngest son, is a citizen of Lampasas, and Sarah 
A., the youngest daughter, is the wife of Wilson R. 
Swinney and resides in Lampasas County. Mr. 
Skinner has a large number of grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren, his youngest son being nearly 
sixty years old. It is estimated that his descend- 
ants number between eighty and one hundred. All, 
so far as they have assumed the duties of life, are 
filling respectable places in society'. 



480 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



John F. Skinner, youngest son of Roswell and 
Theodosia Skinner, was born in Marion County, Ky. , 
February 16th, 1839 ; enlisted for six months in 
Capt. James Wrigley's Company, Confederate 
Slates service, in 1861 ; served the term of his en- 
listment on Galveston Island, and then entered 
Waul's Legion for three years or during the war; 
served in that command until the fall of Vieksburg, 
when he was paroled, returned to Texas, and 
served again on Galveston Island and coast country 
until the close of hostilities. After the war he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at Liberty, Texas, 



which he followed at that place until 1883, when h^ 
moved to Lampasas, where he had previously be- 
come interested in the stock business, and which 
has since been his home. He is president of the 
First National Bank of Lampasas and has ranching 
interests in Lampasas County. November 7ih, 
1871, at Liberty, Texas, Mr. Skinner married Miss 
Nannie Hardin, a native of that place and a daugh- 
ter of Frank Hardin. The issue of this union has 
been five children: Helen, now Mrs. J. F. White, 
.John F., Jr., Christie O'Brien, Wickliffe and 
Ruth. 



B. E. HURLBUT, 

BROWNWOOD. 



B. E. Hurlbut, son of Eli D. and Emma E. 
Hurlbut, was born in Courtland County, N. Y. , 
August 22, 1858, and was reared at Windsor, 
Henry County, Miss., where his parents settled in 
1864. He began his mercantile career in the hard- 
ware house of Huey & Philip, of Dallas, Texas, 
entering the employ of the firm at the age of 
eighteen. Though the youngest employee of the 
firm he soon developed a capacity for business and 
earnest work that brought him continued and rapid 
promotion, and won for him the position of con- 
fidential clerk and buyer before he was twenty-one 
years old. His health becoming impaired from 
overwork, he resigned his position with Huey & 
High to accept one with F. W. Cairuthers of Cor- 
sicana, at the same time receiving a substantial 
increase in salary. In 1884 he formed a partner- 
ship with Frank J. Semple under the Arm name of 
Hubert & Semple, and opened a hardware business 
at Lampasas. The firm carried on a large and 
profitable trade at that place as long as it continued 
the western terminus of the Gulf, Colorado & 
Santa Fe Railway. In 1888, after the road 
extended West, the business was moved to Brown- 
wood where it has since continued, the partnership 
terminating in 1894, at which time the present name, 
the Hurlbut Hardware Company, was adopted. 
Mr. Semple was never actively connected with the 
management of the business, but received good 
returns — four dollars for one — on the amount he 
bad invested in it. Mr. Hurlbut has, since the 
reorganization, owned ninety per cent of the busi- 
ness, and has at all times had full control of it. 



This, as indicated by the name, was originally con- 
fined to hardware but has grown to embrace 
all kinds of merchandise except groceries, and 
has two factories, one for making saddles and 
harness, and the other for tin and sheet melal 
goods. The Hurlbut Hardware Company occu- 
pies commodious quarters in the center of busi- 
ness at Brownwood, owning a two-story stone 
block fronting a hundred feet on one of the main 
thoroughfares and extending a hundred and twenty 
feet to the rear, being divided into compartments, 
each of which is especially fitted up for_ some 
branch of business. A stock ranging from $85,- 
000 to $90,000 is carried and an annual business of 
$225,000 is done. The employees number from 
twenty to twent3'-seven, three traveling salesmen 
being included in the list, and a territory embrac- 
ing twenty-six counties is drawn on for trade. Mr. 
Hurlbut gives this business his strict personal at- 
tention, and while a liberal supporter of all public 
enterprises and interested in everything affecting 
the public good, he has never taken part in politics 
nor suffered himself to be drawn into any schemes 
of a speculative nature. He was the first president 
of the Brownwood Board of Trade and has served 
as trustee of the city schools. His establishment 
has of itself helped to strengthen the commercial 
credit of Brownwood in a marked degree besides 
adding greatly to the taxable wealth of Brown 
Counlj'. 

Mr. Hurlbut has attained noteworthy success and 
the secret of it lies near the surface. It is to be 
found in his natural aptitude for business, in the 




J. S. CROSS. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



481 



excellent business training wLiicb he enjoyed and 
tlie adlierence to practical methods in the conduct 
of his business. His treatment of his employees as 
friends and associates is especially worthy of men- 
tion, since in this way he has helped to lay the 
foundation of independent careers, and by selling 
to them at different times a small interest in his 
business has enlisted their best efforts in building 
it up. He worked for others nearly eight years 
himself during which time in recognition of his 
services he received each year an increase in wages 
without asking it, of which fact he is prouder than 



anything he has accomplished since he has been 
engaged in business for himself. 

On September 23, 1884, Mr. Hurlbut married 
Miss Licia H. Brown, daughter of James S. and 
Martha Brown, and a native of Owen County, Ky., 
Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbut having first met at Lampasas 
where she was visiting friends and relatives. The 
issue of this union has been three sons and two 
daughters. Mr. Hurlbut's parents reside in Brown- 
wood and he has a sister, Mrs. W. W. Glover, 
living in Sedalia, Mo., who, with those just men- 
tioned, constitute all of his immediate relatives. 



WILLIAM G. HUNT, 

COLUMBUS. 



Capt. William G-. Hunt was born in Lunengburg 
County, Va. , September 5th, 1813, and came to 
Texas in 1831. In those early pioneer days Indians 
were often troublesome and he had numerous and 
exciting brushes with the savages. Capt. Hunt 
fought through the War of Texas Independence 
from its inception to its close. He was a member 
of the Spartan band that fired the first shots of the 
revolution at Gonzales, the Texian Lexington, and 
was one of the brave men who stepped forward at 
San Antonio, when the immortal Ben Milam strode 
to the center of the camp, waved his hat, gave a 



ringing huzza and shouted : "Who will follow old 
Ben Milam into San Antonio? " and took part in the 
assault and capture of that place. 

Capt. Hunt served in Company C, Thirteenth 
Texas Infantry, during the war between the States, 
and rose to the rank of Captain in the Confederate 
service. He is a prosperous farmer and now in his 
old age is enjoying that ease which is the reward 
of a well-spent life, in his comfoitable home in the 
town of Columbus. Such old heroes are the glory 
and boast of Texas. 



JOHN S. CROSS, 

BROWNSVILLE. 



There are few persons now living whose names 
are more familiar and who have been more closely 
identified with the history and development of 
Southwest Texas than the subject of this memoir, 
and nearly half a century has passed since he 
linked his name with the history and destinies of 
the Lone Star Slate. Mr. Cross was born in South 
Carolina, August 16th, 1816. 

His father, John Cross, was also a native of the 
'• Old Palmetto State " and was there reared. He 
was by occupation a successful planter and was an 



astute man of business. He married Miss Mar- 
garet Joiner and they reared a family of seven 
children. John S. Cross, the subject of this sketch, 
was the third born of this family. He received 
such education as the meager facilities of his State 
and county afforded in those early days, grew up 
on his father's plantation and finally went to Mis- 
sissippi, where he took a position as overseer on a 
large cotton plantation. 

He remained in Mississippi until the year 1848. 
and then came to Texas by way of New Orleaii<!, 



482 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



landing at Galveston, which was then an unpreten- 
tious little seaport town. He remained at Gal- 
veston but a short time and, being restless and 
anxious to accomplish something, started north on 
a prospecting tour, and soon located about twenty 
miles north of Galveston, in Brazoria County, 
where he remained for about two years and then 
sold his interests and, in about 1850, moved to 
Brownsville. 

The thrilling experiences of this old-time veteran, 
with the redman and the marauding Mexican who 
at once, and for years preyed upon and " ran off " 
his stock, besides committing numerous other 
depredations, would make most interesting reading. 
It is safe to say that Mr. Cross has seen and ex- 
perienced as much of the stern reality of border 
life, as any other living Texian. He continued his 
stock operations on the lower Rio Grande until 
about the year 1859, when the unsettled condition 
of affairs along the Mexican border, and finally the 
breaking out of the great war between the States, 
rendered the business so hazardous that he with- 
drew from it and located with his family at 
Matamoros, Mexico, and engaged in merchandising 
on a modest scale. This was in the year 1862. 
While the war was in progress in the United States, 
Matamoros was lively and business was good. Mr. 
Cross therefore made money rapidly, and by his 
straightforward business methods extended his 
trade until his establishment became one of the 



leading mercantile houses in the city. In 1880 Mr. 
Cross admitted to partnership his eldest son, 
Middleton H. Cross, forming the well-known firm 
of J. S. & M. H. Cross, doubtless the strongest 
in Eastern Mexico and Southwest Texas. Besides 
their large wholesale and retail stores in Mata- 
moros, the firm own and operate a bakery that 
gives employment to a large number of people. In 
1880 the firm opened a branch wholesale store in 
Brownsville, Texas, where they carry a large and 
complete line of dry goods, notions, etc. The 
trade of these establishments extends far into the 
interior of Southwest Texas and Mexico, and is an 
important factor in the business history of that 
section of country. Besides these important enter- 
prises, the firm owns large tracts of fine agricultural 
and pasture lands, all under fence, and have fine 
and most substantial improvements thereon. 

Mr. Cross, our subject, now well advanced in 
years, while well preserved and in the enjoyment 
of good health, is gradually relinquishing the cares 
of business, and devotes his time chieflj' to his ranch 
interests near Brownsfield, while the entire manage- 
ment of their stores and bakery is intrusted to the 
care of the junior member of the firm, Middleton 
H. Cross, Esq. They each own and live in the 
most complete, attractive and spacious homes in 
the city of Matamoros. Mr. Cross is a typical old- 
time Texian, of plain, unassuming and easy man- 
ners and genuine Southern hospitality. 



HENRY M. FIELD, 



BROWNSVILLE. 



The subject of this brief memoir is a well-known 
citizen of Brownsville, Texas, a native of Southwick, 
Mass., and was born September 1, 1842. The Fields 
of New England and New York, of which family he 
is a member, have descended from a long line of 
ancient and honored ancestry dating in England as 
far back as 1316 to Lord Robertus Field of Hard- 
wick, and John Field, a lord of the township of 
Chelsham, Surrey. 

Burke's History of the Commoners of England 
(183.3) gives evidence of the antiquity and promi- 
nence of the family. It is said of Dr. Richard 
Field that his family was of an ancient origin, early 
(■migrated to Massachusetts Colony and soon lo.cated 
at Hartford, Conn. Our subject descends from 



this gentleman, who was born in England in 1561 
and served as Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth. From 
that date down the march of time the name has 
been a prominent one upon the pages of English 
and American history and is to-daj' familiar to the 
student of the religious, legal, scientific and finan- 
cial history of our country. The family has been 
established in America for a period covering more 
than two hundred years. The American founder 
of the family was Zechariah Field, who settled in 
Massachusetts not more than a dozen years after 
the pilgrims landed at Plymouth and was, himself, 
a Puritan. Later, his brother Robert came to the 
country. Cyrus W. Field, of New York, the pro- 
jector of the great Atlantic cable, is an uncle of our 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



483 



subject, Mr. Henry M. Field. His father, Mathew 
D. Field, an older brother of Cyrus W. Field, was a 
paper manufacturer for many years at Lee, Mass. ; 
in 1843 removed to St. Louis, Mo., and for eleven 
years resided in the West, where he did heavy con- 
tract work upon railroads and constructed several 
large suspension bridges, one of which, 1,956 feet 
long, spans the Cumberland river at Nashville, Tenn. 
He served in tiie Massachusetts Senate from Ham- 
dem for several terms and was prominent in public 
affairs wherever he resided. 

Stephen J. Field, Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court, is an uncle. The family throughout 
is noted in legal circles and as financiers and mem- 
bers of the Christian clergy. 

Henry M. Field came to Brownsville with the 
Federal troops in 1865, and upon being mustered 
out of service, took up his residence in that 
city. 

He received his education in Massachusetts, his 
native State, and, in 1862, entered a volunteer 
regiment, which served in the Army of Virginia, 
Army of West Virginia and Army of the James. 
He then served as a commissioned officer in a regi- 
ment of United States colored troops, which was 
sent to Brownsville, after Appomattox, and was a 
First Lieutenant and A. A. Engineer when mustered 
out in 1866. 

He occupied the office of Deputy Collector of 
Customs and for several years was County Surveyor 
for Cameron County, in both of which positions he 
made excellent records. In 1879 he entered busi- 
ness in Brownsville, and since that time has not 
held any public office. 

In 1871 he was the engineer that built the Kio 
Grande Railroad from Brownsville to Point Isabel. 

He deals in lumber and hardware, and is a large 
buyer of hides, wool, cotton, bones, horns and 



pelts of all descriptions, from the rancheros of the 
vicinity, shipping the articles to Eastern markets. 
His establishment occupies nearly a block on 
Eleventh street, between Jackson and Van Buren. 
A disastrous fire occurred in 1890, destroying nearly 
all of the buildings and their valuable contents. 
The account books were burned, in spite of every 
effort to save them, and Mr. Field was therefore 
unable to fix his exact loss, and had infinite diffi- 
culty in adjusting the multitude of outstanding ac- 
counts. He rebuilt immediately on the same site, 
taking the precaution to include a fire-proof vault in 
his office arrangements. 

Among other branches of business, Mr. Field was 
associated at the time of the fire, with a skillful 
taxidermist and enthusiastic naturalist, who had 
collected over eight hundred species of birds, and a 
large number of mammals and rodents pertaining to 
the Brownsville section. This valuable collection 
was fortunately unharmed. 

About one mile from the city there is a large tract 
of land owned bj' Mr. Field. A portion of the 2,685 
acres has been laid out in lots and streets, and is 
known as Field's Addition. Trees have been planted 
on each side of the streets, and when Brownsville 
rises from her long sleep and begins to stretch her- 
self, there will be some splendid building lots all 
ready, where handsome dwellings may be erected 
on green lawns surrounded by beautiful shade trees. 
The balance of the tract is partly under cultivation, 
and partly pasture lands. A system of irrigation is 
provided, which furnishes water for some of the 
land, by means of a dam across the resaca (old 
river bed) running through the place. Mr. Field 
has taken the proper course to secure large crops 
with certainty, for all the soil requires to make it 
yield abundantly is a supply of water at the proper 
time. 



WILLIAM G. HUGHES, 

HASTINGS, 



Was born in London, England, May 29, 1859 ; 
educated at Marlborough College; came to Amer- 
ica in 1878 and lived in Boston, Mass. (where his 
father still resides), until the following year when, 
owing to failing health, he came South in search of 
a more genial climate. Visiting the picturesque 
and salubrious mountain district of Kendall County, 



he was so charmed with the country that he bought 
and improved what is now known as the Hughes 
Ranch. It is located in a romantic dell, three and 
a half miles from Boerne. Among other springs 
on the property are mineral springs that have be- 
come famous for their medicinal virtues and are 
annually attracting large numbers of health seek- 



484 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ers. Mr. Hughes has fine herds of Jersey cattle, 
half-bred Shetland ponies and Angora goats, and 
conducts a dairy, whose output of from three to 
four hundred pounds of butter per month is eagerly 
sought and sells at the highest market prices. Mr. 
Hughes was united in marriage to Miss Lucy 



Stephenson at San Antonio, Texas, June 28, 1888. 
She is a daughter of Mr. John Stephenson, an 
English gentleman, who has been engaged in farm- 
ing in Kendall County since 1872. Mr. and Jlrs. 
Hughes are delightful entertainers, genial and cul- 
tured, and have a wide circle of friends. 



PEYTON W. NOWLIN, 



AUSTIN. 



One of the best known and most highly esteemed 
of the Texas pioneers, is the lamented Peyton Wade 
Nowlin, whose name was a synonym of honor 
among the statesmen and heroes of former times, 
who laid broad and deep the foundations for our 
present prosperity, enlightenment and progressive 
civilization. 

He was born in Logan County, Ky., October 
12th, 1802; lived there until sixteen years of age 
and then moved with his parents to Missouri, where 
he completed his education at Franklin College. 
Reaching man's estate, he became a large shipper 
of tobacco and successfully engaged in merchan- 
dising and farming. October 28th, 1827, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Pulliam. 
Mr. Nowlin came to Texas in 1847, and returned 
to Missouri for his family, just prior to the per- 
manent location of the State capitol at Austin, in 
1848. He erected the first house built in the town 
after Austin was decided upon as the seat of the 
Government, and in this house his eldest daughter 
(Mrs. Lucy A. Daney) now resides. 

Mr. Nowlin was elected in 1850 a delegate to 
the first railroad convention held in the State ; was 
an earnest advocate of the construction of a rail- 
way to the Pacific Ocean and, possessed of unusual 



breadth and strength of mind, liberal and public- 
spirited in his views, he was an active promoter of 
every enterprise that promised benefit to the Stale 
of his adoption. He was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and stood high in the Masonic frater- 
nitj', by which order he was interred with befitting 
honors after his death, which occurred at the old 
family homestead at Austin, August 31, 1884. 
He was a kind husband and father, generous neigh- 
bor and friend, a patriot and citizen above re- 
proach ; a man who is affectionately remembered 
by the few old Texians who knew and still survive 
him. His wife died at Austin, March 2, 1877, and 
is interred beside him in the city cemetery. She 
was a woman of literary tastes, shared her hus- 
band's patriotism, and kept her nimble fingers ever 
busy to cover the weary Confederate soldiers' feet ; 
even a sick Federal was the recipient of her kind- 
ness. Eight children were born to them, two sons 
and six daughters. Five daughters survive, viz. : 
Lucy A., who married Col. J. W. Dancy; Susan 
B., who married Hon. C. H. Randolph; Annie E., 
who married Col. E. M. Lesueur; MoUie, who 
married Capt. J. H. Diiikins ; and Addle, who mar- 
ried David N. Robinson ; Mattie and Peyton died 
unmarried. 



COL. J. W. DANCY, 



LA GRANGE, TEXAS. 



Cul. J. W. Danc3', the lineal descendant of 
Francis de Dance (a Castillian nobleman, who fled 
with the Huguenots from persecution in France to 
the freedom of America), was born in Virginia, 
Greenville County, Septembers, 1810. His father. 



William Dancy, who married Percilla Turner, of 
Virginia, moved to Decatur, Ala., when their son, 
John Winfleld, was quite small. 

Col. Dancy received an excellent education, 
studied law, science, language, and everything in 




C'OI . J. W. DANCY. 




MRS. LUCY DANCY. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



485 



his reach, graduating at the University of Ten- 
nessee at Nashville. He received his license to 
practice law from Judge Catron, of Tennessee, 
afterwards Chief Justice of the United States Su- 
preme Court. He married Miss Evalina Rhodes, 
July, 1835, who lived only one year. Left a wid- 
ower so early in life, he was attracted by the 
sorrows of Texas to embrace her dangers, landing 
at Velasco, December 28, 1836. The rough sea 
vo}'age "made him sick unto despair," says the 
Hon. F. R. Lubbock (ex-Governor and State 
Treasurer of Texas), who came to this State in 
company with Col. Dancy. Determined^to iden- 
tify his every interest with Texas, he took, within 
sixteen days, papers of citizenship (January 13, 
1837), under District Judge R. M. Williamson, 
also Associate Justice of tlie Supreme Court of 
the Republic of Texas. He followed the practice 
of his profession with distinction and marked 
financial success at La Grange for many years, 
taking a helpful interest in 3'ounger members of 
the bar, and moved to the front, a recognized 
leader. He was elected to the Congress of the 
Republic of Texas in 1841 and 1842, there main- 
taining the reputation he had previously earned, 
as a man of great purity of character and purpose. 
Col. Dancy participated in many exciting skir- 
mishes with Indians, and received a severe wound 
in the shoulder while pursuing the red-skinned 
marauders out on the Medina. He served under 
Capt. Jack Ha3's in 1842, in repelling Vasquez's 
Mexican invasion. 

With a prodigality of love for the beauty and 
utility of nature, he immediately purchased a large 
tract of land, establishing a plantation and stock 
ranch thereon, near La Grange, his residence 
overlooking the lovely fern-decorated banks of the 
Colorado river. To this garden of Eden he brought 
his queenly wife, Lucy Mowlin, of Austin, to 
whom he was married, October 25, 1849. At this 
place he planted the first hydraulicram in Texas, 
just beneath his magnificent spring, which abun- 
dantly irrigated the finest berries, fruits and 
flowers ever grown in the State. He was one of 
a company to establish the first newspaper in 
Fayette County (1850, The Texas Monument'), 
which he gratuitously edited, for the purpose of 
raising funds to erect a monument over the re- 
mains of the Mier prisoners and Dawson's men, 
brought from Mexico and deposited in a vault on 
Monument Bluff, just across the river from La 
Grange. 

Col. Dancy was one of the trustees who founded 
a Military College at Rutersville, the first estab- 
lished in Texas. The Galveston News in 1851, 



speaking of Col. Dancy, says: "He is the noblest 
work of God — a man incapable of a dishonorable 
act, and a detester of meanness, a high-toned gen- 
tleman, scholar, and critic ; he has not a superior 
in the State in a knowledge of parliamentary rules, 
and makes a good presiding officer. His virtues, 
public and private, are of the highest order." 

Austin and San Antonio papers of 1853 said of 
him: "Senator Dancy is madly in favor of the 
Pacific Railway. It must pass through Texas 
with a Mississippi terminus at New Orleans. He 
would strain every nerve to secure its passage — 
is body and soul an internal improvement man. 
With strength of statistics, power of argument and 
beaut3' of imagery, he portrayed the vast, almost 
incomprehensible advantage of railroads to Texas. 
He said ' Railroads are the only key to unlock her 
casket 'of costly gems.' " His ideas of the tele- 
graph and railroad were then laughed at and 
derided, especially when he said ' ' We will be enabled 
to get a dispatch from China the evening before it 
was sent." They, however, were planted in good 
soil, took root and later placed high on the list of 
practical utility, fiuallj' being realized by his 
children. 

Col. Dancy, the "Father of Railroads in 
Texas," lived only long enough to see two I'oads 
commenced. He was the director of the first one 
(which reached only to Alleyton), when he died, 
February 13th, 1866, at La Grange, Texas. His 
heart's desire is at last perfected, that road now 
runs from New Orleans to San Francisco. 

Though possessed of every Christian virtue, and 
giving liberally to all denominations, he belonged 
to none ; but praised God for a beautiful earth as 
his birthright, and a glorious heaven his eternal 
inheritance. Having lost a son and daughter quite 
young, he left a widow with four girls to raise to 
maturit}', all ardent members of the Episcopal 
Church, viz. : Evalina, who graduated at Carnatz 
Institute, New Orleans, and married J. P. Ledbet- 
ter, now an attorney of Coleman, Texas, possess- 
ing the utmost confidence of his clients from all 
parts of the United States ; Olivia, who completed 
her education at Columbia, Tenn., and married J. 
C. Brown, a very prominent and successful lawyer 
of La Grange, Texas ; Ella, a girl of rare literary 
ability and superior personal attractions, who mar- 
ried quite young to Mr. Hall, and now lives in San 
Antonio ; and Lucie Winnie, who was summoned by 
the Death Angel when just blooming into woman- 
hood, and a beloved student, at Columbia, Institute, 
Tenn. 

Mrs. Lucy Nowlin Dancy was born in Saline 
County, Mo., September 16, 1828, and married 



486 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEBS OF TEXAS. 



in Austin, Texas, October 25, 1849, remaining all 
her Liusband's lifetime at Daney Plantation, just 
opposite La Grange. Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, 
Episcopal Bishop of Texas, appointed her president 
of the first " Parochial Society " of La Grange. 
She was elected several times president of the " La 
Grange Cemetery Association" (the first one 
formed in the State), was one of the organizers of 
the Travis Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of 
Texas, and has ever since been on the Committee of 
Credentials. Mrs. Dancy is possessed of fine ex- 
ecutive ability, is widely cultured and accom- 
plished and is deservedly one of the most popular 
of our noble matrons. 

Peyton D. Nowlin, a lawyer by profession and a 
brother of Mrs. Dancy, entered the Confederate 



army soon after the commencement of the war be- 
tween the States ; was captured at the fall of Ar- 
kansas Post and was afterwards exchanged, after 
which he served under Gen. Joseph E. John- 
ston and Hood through the famous Tennessee and 
Georgia campaign, taking part in the battles of 
Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain and other im- 
portant engagements, bearing himself with that 
gallantry that characterizes the conduct onl}' of the 
bravest of the brave. He also saw hard service in 
Virginia, and was severely wounded in the hip in 
front of Richmond. At the close of the war he 
came home and, having recovered from his wound, 
went to Mexico with his sister, Mrs. Randolph, 
and, returning, took, and died, of yellow fever at 
the City of Tuxpan, May 26, 1866. 



CHAS. OHLRICH, 

SMITHSON'S VALLEY, 



Was born November 24, 1834, in the town of 
Greifswald, North Germany ; came to Texas in 
1854 with sixty other emigrants from the same 
locality, rented a piece of land on Spring Branch 
in Comal County ; and married and purchased 
land on the Guadalupe river, in that county, where 
he lived six years. He started in 1863 and 
taught until 1865 the first school in that locality 
and then sold out and commenced life at his present 
home in Smithsou's Valley. 

He started and taught the first school in the 
valley in 1865, he building a log school-house on 
land situated near his present residence and 
owned by him. This modest structure now serves 
as a corn-crib. 

Mr. Ohlrich taught a private school until the 
public school system was inaugurated and then 
continued to train the young idea, under the new 
system, for several years. He was made Post- 
master at Smithson's Valley, in April, 1866, and 
has held the position since that time, a period of 



twenty-nine years. In 1870 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace and County Commissioner and still 
holds the former office. Held the latter office for 
about ten years. He engaged for a time in mer- 
chandising but sold out his stock and devoted his 
attention to agriculture, at which he met with 
gratifying success, owing to his thrift, energy and 
skill. Some years since he sold the greater part of 
his farming interests to his son, retaining a com- 
fortable home. 

Mr. Ohlrich married in 1859 Miss Louise, 
daughter of Joachim Pantermuehl, a pioneer of 
Comal County, further mention of whom is made 
in this volume. 

Mr. Ohlrich has two living children: Ernest, 
born August 26th, 1864, and Clara, born March 
16th, 1871. Ernest married Miss Martha, daughter 
of Henry Startz, and has two children : a daughter, 
Ada, and a son. Otto. 

Clara is Mrs. Max Richter, of Kendall County 
and has two sons, Arno and Harry. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



487 



FELIX VANDERSTUCKEN, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



Is one of Fredericksburg's most enterprising and 
substantial business men. He came to Texas in 
1857 and located on a ranch in Mason County and 
engaged in stock-raising for about seven years. In 
1864 he closed out his stock interests and removed 
to Fredericksburg and purchased the Fredericks- 
burg Flour Mills. He operated these mills until 
about 1889, when he renovated the entire outfiti 
transforming it into a complete roller mill of 
seventy-five barrels capacity, the product of which 
is the highest grade in quality and finds a ready 
domestic market. Mr. Vanderstucken has been 
twice married and has seven children. He has 
taken an active part in local affairs, both business 
and educational ; has served several years as 
County Commissioner of Gillespie County ; was one 
of the organizers and is now one of the Directors 
of the Gillespie County Fair Association, and has 
served a number of terms as Trustee of the Fred- 
ericksburg Public Schools. A brother of Mr. 
Vanderstucken, Frank Vanderstucken, was one of 
the original Texas pioneers, coming to the country, 
in company with De Castro, when a boy of only 
fifteen years of age. He met Castro in Antwerp, 
where his father, Frank Vanderstucken, Sr., then 
lived, and where Frank Vanderstucken, Jr., was 
born. 

De Castro saw in the lad the elements of a 



successful pioneer, the making of a man of great 
enterprise, energy and daring, and, therefore, in- 
sisted on bringing him to Texas where those manly 
qualities could not fail to find full scope for devel- 
opment. On reaching Texas, the spirit of improve- 
ment and progress took full possession of the young 
pioneer and he promptly engaged in various enter- 
prises, such as the building of forts, etc., under 
government contracts. At the opening of the war 
between the States he, with Henry Runge, held 
government freight contracts for the State of Texas. 
He served four years in the First Texas Cavalry, 
Confederate army, and distinguished himself as 
the " Dutch Captain," being in command of a com 
pany. He served with great bravery, taking part 
in the memorable battles of Mansfield and Pleasant 
Hill, Louisiana, and other engagements. After 
the war he returned to Antwerp, his native city in 
Belgium, and engaged in the milling business and 
there attained a position of business, political and 
local prominence and amassed a large fortune. He 
married in Texas, Miss Sophia Scheonerwoif, of 
Fredericksburg, and they have four children, all 
born in Fredericksburg. One son, Frank, Jr., a 
musical composer of world-wide celebrity, was re- 
cently at the head of the Orion Club, of New York 
City, but is now at the head of the profession in 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 



ANTONE KOCH, 



BOERNE, 



Was born in Baden, Germany, in 1835 ; worked in 
a cloth-weaving mill in Germany when a boy ; came 
to America ; found employment in New York City 
and later in Philadelphia, and in 1856 enlisted in 
the regular army of the United States, with which 
he served as a private soldier for five years, securing 
an honorable discharge — in 1860. He then came 
to Texas, "striking" San Antonio, where he 
remained several months. He finally engaged in 



farming sixteen miles east of San Antonio. He 
spent the years 1861-5 in the service of the Southern 
Confederacy and during that period aided in the 
building of various fortifications in Texas. 

He married Miss Gaild Schubert in San Antonio 
in 1860. They have one son, Julius Koch. Mr. 
Koch located in Boerne in 1862, where he has been 
engaged in farming and gardening and has accumu- 
lated a competency. 



488 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS 



ANDRAES WOLLSCHLAEGER, 



BOERNE, 



Was borD in Prussia, August 25, 1818, wLiere be 
learned tlie shoemaker's trade, which he followed 
until he left Germany for America, 18G8. Landing 
at Galveston in 1868, he took passage in another 
ship for Indianola and from the latter place pro- 
ceeded to San Antonio, where he resided for a short 
time and then moved to Sisterdale, where he pur- 
chased and improved a farm and engaged in raising 
horses and cattle. After a residence of sis 3'ears 
at Sisterdale he sold out his property there and in 



1874 located on the present family estate, near 
Boerne. 

He brought his wife and four children with 
him to this countr}'. He died July 28, 1894, at 
seventy-flve years of age. His widow survives at 
seventy years of age. The living children are 
Andraes, Christian, Sophia, now Mrs. A. Behr, of 
Sisterdale, and Gustav. 

The farm consists of 420 acres of splendid farm- 
ing and grazing lands. 



HENRY BOERNER, 



COMFORT, 



Was born in Hanover, Germany, November 21, 
1826, and came to Texas in 1850. Other members 
of the family followed. The subject of this notice 
first located at Horton Town, near New Braunfels, 
where he remained for six years engaged in farming. 
He later moved to his present home near Comfort. 
His father, Henry Boerner, Sr., came from Germany 
to Texas in 1854, and lived at New Braunfels, 
where he died in 1886, at ninety-three j-ears of age. 
Henry Boerner, Jr., subject of this notice, had one 
brother in Texas, who was killed by the Indians in 



the historic Nueces Massacre. His name appears 
on the monument erected to the memory of the 
victims at Comfort, where their remains were in- 
terred. Mr. Boerner has one brother in Germany 
and two married sisters in Texas. He was married 
July 11, 1852, to Miss Caroline Schultz. They have 
six children : Johanna, now Mrs. Joseph Keiner of 
Comfort; Frederick, Minnie, Lena, Augusta and 
Dora. He served in the Home Guards during the 
late war. Mr. Boerner is one of Comfort's most 
highly esteemed citizens and prosperous farmers. 



HERMAN KNIBBE, 



SPANISH BRANCH, 



A naUve of Comal Count}', Texas, born July 6th, 
1850, is second son of Dietrich Knibbe, one of 
Comal County's earliest and most prominent pio- 
neers, and was reared on the old Kuibbe estate in 
that county. He is a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser. December 7, 1874, he was united in mar- 



riage to Miss Ottilie, a daughter of Philip Wagner. 
She was a native of Texas and died in 1889, leaving 
three children: Alice, Meta, and Alvin. A number 
of years later Mr. Knibbe married Mrs. Minnie 
Schultz, widow of the late Chas. Schultz, and by 
this union has two children : Hilda and Dietrich. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



489 



ERNST CORETH, 

NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Ernst Coretb, one of tbe early pioneers Comal 
Countjs Texas, was born in Vienna, Austria, 
December 2d, 1803. Was educated in that city. 
Enlisted in tbe Austrian armj' in 1820 and served as 
an officer until 1830, when he retired and settled 
on the estate, in Tyrol, inherited from his father, 
who fell an officer in the Austrian army, in the 
battle at Austerlitz, on the 2d of December, 1805. 
In 1834 he married Miss Agnes Erier and in 184G 
he came with his family to Comal County and im- 
proved the estate near New Braunfels, now owned 
by his son, Rudolph. Tbe family then consisted 
of six children and four were born afterward. 
Three of tbe children are dead and seven survive 
at this writing: — 

Charles, born January 16th, 1837. married Miss 
Hedwig Kapp and died in 1865, a soldier in tbe 
Confederate army. His two sons died in early 
childhood and his widow survives. 

John, born February 22d, 1845. died a soldier 
in the Confederate army in 1863; Amalia, born 
June 22, 1840, married Dr. Goldman, in 1872, 
and died in 1873 without issue. Ernst Coretb, 



diei July lOtb, 1881, and bis wife died April 11, 
1888. 
Tbe living children are: — 

1. Agnes, bora September 18th, 1835, now wife 
of John O. Meusebacb, of Loyd Valley, Texas. 

2. Eudolph, born May 7tli, 1838, is not married. 

3. Franz, born October 29ih, 1846, at Houston, 
Texas, married Miss Minna Zesch. His children 
are: Agnes, born January 26th, 1884; Lina, born 
May 29th, 1885 ; and Rudolph George Rochette, 
born January 3d, 1892. 

4. Mary, born November 25tb, 1848, is not 
married. 

5. Anna, born February 27th, 1852. now wife 
of Hans Marshall, of Mason County. 

6. Joseph, bora December 5tb, 1854, married 
Miss Mathilde Rudorf . His children are : Eliza- 
beth, born September 26th, 1882 ; Ottilie, born, 
March loth, 1887 ; Veronica, born January 29th, 
1889; and Arthur Leopold, born October 13th, 
1891. 

7. Ottillie, born Anril 16th, 1858, now wife of 
Herman Altgelt, of Comal County. 



RUDOLPH CARSTANJEN, 



BOERNE, 



A well-known and wealthy citizen of Boerne, 
Kendal Count3', Texas, and a pioneer settler in tbe 
.State, came to Texas in 1850 and in November, 1855, 
camped with seven other young men on the present 
site of Boerne, up to that time unoccupied by a 
human habitation. The surrounding country was 
infested with Indians. The names of the party of 

campers were -as follows: Mr. Zoeller, of 

Boerne, Dr. Cramer and Christian Flack, of Comfort, 

Mr. Fredericks, J. Kiichler, Schulz, Adam 

Vogt(the financial head of the expedition), and the 
subject of this notice. The party of explorers built 
a log-cabin on tbe spot and from this beginning the 
town has grown to its present proportions. Tbe 
edifice now (1895) serves as the kitchen of the 
residence of Countj' Surveyor Croskey. These 



seven men were bound together as a commune, 
intending to locate and perpetuate a colony along 
communistic lines. It is no surprise, however, to 
state that, as such, it was a failure. Part of tbe 
640 acres acquired by them has, in the course of 
various subsequent transfers of ownership, become 
tbe property of Mr. Croskej\ Mr. Carstanjen 
had no money invested or material interest in this 
project. He was merely a traveler, who had joined 
the idealists in search of health and pleasure. 
It becoming evident to the little band of adventur- 
ers that the scheme was impracticable, they dis- 
banded and Mr. Carstanjen went to Sisterdale. 
There be bought 320 acres of land upon which he 
settled down to the quiet and independent life of 
a farmer. In 1869 he married Miss Ottillie Von 



490 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Werder, a granddaughter of Gen. Werder, a dis- 
tinguished officer of the Prussian army, in the wars 
with France, notably tliat of 1870. Mr. Carstau- 
jen remained on and improved this land at Sis- 
terdale until 1872, when he abandoned agricultural 
pursuits and removed to Boerne, where he now lives 
in ease. He possesses means (mostly invested 
in Germany) that 3'ield him an ample revenue and 
enable him to lead a life free from business 
cares. He has experienced hardships of pioneer 
life in Texas and appreciates the privileges he enjoys. 
He has spent liberally of his fortune in travel in 
the United States and Europe for the edification 
and culture of his children. During his pioneer 
experience he had $1,000 worth of horses and 
other stock stolen by the Indians. He " roughed 
it" two years, ivithout once sleeping in a house. 
Mr. Carstanjen was born August 29, 1827, in Duis- 



burg, on the Rhine, in Prussia. His fatlier, Charles 
Carstanjen, was a successful merchant and amassed 
a fortune. The subject of this notice, Rudolph Car- 
stanjen, was given a thorough German College edu- 
cation and at twenty-one years of age went to Buenos 
Ayres, South America. He traveled in various 
portions of that interesting country and then out of 
love for adventure came to Texas, where his de- 
sires were fully gratified. Mrs. Carstanjen was born 
in New Braunfels, Texas. Her father, Hans von 
Werder, was a First Lieutenant in the Prussian 
army. He came to New Braunfels in 1846, a com- 
panion of Prince Solms, the distinguished German 
colonist. He lived and died at Sisterdale, depart- 
ing tins life October 5, 1891. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carstanjen have five interesting 
children: Ida, Rudolph, Hedwig, Charles, and 
Alvin. 



FRITZ ADLER, 

BOERNE, 



An enterprising and prosperous German citizen 
of Boerne, Kendall County, Texas, left Heider- 
stoph, Germany, for America, in 1874 ; landed at 
Baltimore, Md., traveled through the States, in 
July of that year came to Texas, and the following 
year located at Boerne with his wife and three 



children and engaged in farming. He was born 
June 27th, 1841. Mrs. Adler's maiden name was 
Miss Julia Naikel. They have four children: 
Anna, Fritz, Emma, Powell, and Ernst Henrick. 
Mr. Adler's farm consists of 80 acres in a high state 
of cultivation and is well improved. 



FREDERICK LEASCH, 

BULVERDE, 



An energetic and thrifty farmer of Comal County, 
Texas, came to America in 1860. He was born in 
the little town of East-Sea, (Germany, May 29, 1835. 
His father, who also bore the name of Frederick, 
came to this country in 1867, and died in 1889. He 
had one other son, John, who, however, never came 
to America, and two daughters, Mary, who is now 
Mrs. William Edgar, of Comal County, and Lena, 

widow of the late Hermann , of that county. 

The subject of this memoir married Miss Rica 



Kobbelmaker in 1860. Her father, John Kobbel- 
maker, a carpenter by trade, and in later life a 
farmer, came to Texas with Prince Solms in 1845 
and died here in 1870. Her mother is still living, 
as an honored and beloved member of the Leasch 
household. Mr. and Mrs. Leasch have eleven 
children: Louise, Henry, Frederick, Charles, Emil, 
Sophia, Augusta, Mennie, Idelhite, Frederica, and 
Robert, and nine grandchildren. Mr. Leasch has a 
well improved farm of 400 acres. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



491 



HENRY RICHTER, 

SCHILLER, 



Was born near Bremen, Germany, July 28, 182G ; 
came to America in 1852, as a passenger on the sail- 
ing vessel, " Texas," on her trial trip, and after a 
voyage of fourteen weeks, landed at Indianola, 
from which place be went to New Brauufels and 
from there to Jones Mills, at the junction of Curry's 
creek and the Guadalupe river, in Kendall County, 
where he worked at the mill for two years for Judge 



Jones. He then pre-empted land and Oegan farming, 
in which be has since been engaged. He now owns a 
well improved farm of seven hundred and twenty 
acres. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stende- 
back in 1856. They have eight children, viz. : 
Paul, Emil, Norma, Mary, Otto, Minnie, Henry, 
and Elvira. 



CHARLES VOCES, JR., 



BULVERDE, 



Is a son of the venerable and esteemed Harry 
Voges. 

Charles Voges was born in 1848. In January, 
1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia 
Georg, daughter of Charles Georg. They have 
seven children : Clara, now Mrs. Henry Ross ; 



Matilda, Huldah, Oscar, Emil, Freda, and Meda. 
Mr. Voges owns a considerable body of land, part 
of which is under cultivation ; and is regarded as a 
prosperous business man and substantial citizen of 
Comal County. 



ERNEST CRUENE, SR., 

GOODWIN, 



An old and respected settler of New Braunfels, 
came to America in 1845 and to New Braunfels in 
1846. He was born in Hanover, Germany, July 6, 
1819. He has two sons and one daughter. The 



New Braunfels. The sons are well known and 
prosperous business men of that place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gruene are members of the German Lutheran 
Church of New Braunfels. They were members of 



daughter, Johanna, is the wife of Mr. John Zipp, of the first band of the Prince Solms colony. 



492 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS 



GOTTLIEB ELBEL, 



SPRING BRANCH, 



A Texian pioneer of 1849; came from Saxonj', 
where he was born March 2, 1827. His wife, vee 
Miss Christina Zeh, who was then a single woman, 
and to whom he was married in the fall of 1849, 
came to Texas with him. They landed at Gal- 
veston and proceeded thence to New Braunfels by 
way of Port Lavaca. He remained at New Braun- 
fels for a brief time and in 1852 located on his 
present farm near Spring Branch, where he owns 
about 1,900 acres of good farming and grazing 
lands. His wife was born in Saxony. She died 



March, 1862, and left eight children: Wilhelmiiia, 
Augusta, Herman, Emma, Bertha, Ernst and Miry. 
Mr. Elbel married again in 1867, his second wife 
being Mrs. Wehe, widow of Charles Wehe, of 
Comal County. She has two children by her first 
marriage : Caroline Wehe, who married and lives in 
New Braunfels, and Louise Wehe, who married 
Charles Bierle and lives in New Braunfels. She 
has borne Mr. Elbel three children : Albert, Frank- 
lyn and Alma. 



CHARLES LEISTIKOW, 



KENDALIA, 



One of the most prosperous and esteemed German 
farmers of Comal County, came to America in 
1851 from Labenz, German}'. 

He was born August 6, 1824. He married in 
1848 Miss Johanna Troga. She was born in the 
town of Kissburg, Germany. They came over in 
the ship Francisn, sailing from Bremen to Galves- 
ton. They came from the latter port to Indianola 



and from thence to New Braunfels, where they 
lived for a period of about ten years. Mr. Leisti- 
kow worked out by the day three years and farmed 
on rented land for about seven years, after which 
he moved to the Piper settlement and there lived 
until 1877, when he established himself on his pres- 
ent place, which consists of 3,000 acres of farming 
and grazing lands. 



CHARLES KNIBBE, 



SPRING BRANCH, 



Fourth son of the late Deterich Knibbe, was born 
June 16, 1860, at the old homestead in Comal 
County, where he now resides. He was married 
April 17, 1881, to Miss Pauline, daughter of Phillip 
Wegner. Mrs. Knibbe was born at Anhalt, Comal 
County, August 26, 1859. They have four chil- 



dren: Ella, Hermann, Henry, and Arno. Mr. 
Knibbe owns several hundred acres of good farm- 
ing, and pasture lands and a cotton gin, located 
near his home, and he is recognized as a substantial 
business man. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



S. W. SHOLARS, M. D., 

ORANGE, 



Physician. Born October 15, 1847, at Talladega, 
Ala. 

Father, Dr. R. P. Sholars, born in 1812, in the 
State of Georgia — one of the prominent physicians 
of that grand old commonwealth. Died in Jasper 
Count}', Texas, in 1864. 

Mother, Miss S. E. Wallace, born in Virginia, 
August 24, 1820. 

Dr. Sholars received his literary education in 
the common schools of Texas and his medical edu- 
cation at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane 
University), attending that institution three years 
in succession and graduating therefrom March 12, 
1872. In 1886 he returned to the college for 
review. 

His parents moved from Alabama to North 
Louisiana ; remained there about ten years and 
then came to Texas and settled in Jasper County, 
in November, 1858. The remained there until 
1878, and then moved to Orange. 

The subject of this notice began practicing medi- 
cine in the winter of 1872 at his old home in Jasper 
County and remained there the six succeeding 
years. He moved to Orange April 16, 1878, where 
he has since practiced his profession and for a num- 
ber of years been engaged in the drug business. 

He has met with excellent financial success. 

He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1864, as 
a private in Company I., Lane's (Texas) Regiment 
of Cavalry, with which he served until the close of 
the war. He then returned to his home in Jasper 
County, Texas. 

He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in 
which he has attained the Royal Arch degree, and 
is also a member of the K. of P., and Elks frater- 
nities. 



April 18, 1874, he was united in marriage, at 
Jasper, Texas, to Miss S. P). Miller, of Randolph 
County, Ga. She died April 16, 1880, at Orange. 

His second marriage was to Miss Odessa 
Brockett, formerly of Alabama, June 22, 1887. 
Four children were born to him by his first wife, 
one of whom is dead, and two by his second wife, 
one of whom is deceased. 

Of these children, Arthur R. Sholars attended 
Baylor University at Waco three years, goinc as 
far as he could in civil engineering and acquiring 
some knowledge of military tactics. 

S. Wallace Sholars attended Baylor University 
for three years and is now a student at the Univer- 
sity of Texas, law department. 

O. Louis Sholars is attending the public schools 
of Orange, Texas ; and Theta Sholars is now five 
years of age. 

Dr. Sholars has been president of the Board of 
Medical Examiners of the first district for the past 
15 years, and is serving his second term as presi- 
dent of the Southeast Texas Medical Society, head- 
quarters at Beaumont. He was one of the first 
aldermen of Orange, elected upon the incorporation 
of the town under the general laws of the State. 

He has been a member of the city school board 
for the past eleven years and Captain of the Orange 
Rifles for five years. He has held a commission as 
Surgeon, with rank ol Captain, in the First Regiment 
T. V. G., and was promoted to the ofHce of Medi- 
cal Director of the First Brigade, with the rank of 
Lieutenant-colonel. 

He has been a member of the State Medical Asso- 
ciation for a number of years. 

Dr. Sholars is widely known and is respected by 
all who know him as a leading and influential citizen. 



WILLIAM VOGT, 

BOERNE, 

Was born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany. From Indianola he proceeded to Seguin, in 

April 15, 1826, and was reared to the occupation of Guadalupe County, where he remained for four 

a farmer. He came to America in 1852, landing at years, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Ho, 

Indianola, Texas, in December of that year. however, lost all he had by Indian depredations 



494 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and the vicissitudes of tlie war between the States. 
He pioneered in Guadalupe County with ex-Gov- 
ernor John Ireland, and at times shared the same bed 
with him. Mr. Vogt aided in building the first 
school-house erected in Seguin. He finally located 
at Boerne, in Kendall CouTity, where he has since 
resided. He at first purchased four acres of land 
on which his home now stands. To this he has 
since added ninety-six acres, and now owns a well- 
improved farm of one hundred acres. 

In 1866-68 he served the people of Kendall 
County as Assessor of Taxes and made an active, 
eflBcient and acceptable official. 



Mr. Vogt was united in marriage to Miss Anna 
Nesser in 1850. They have seven children : Joseph, 
deceased ; Caroline, now Mrs. Ernst Pfiffer ; August, 
deceased ; Emma, now Mrs. Adam Phillip ; Pauline, 
now Mrs. Charles Bergmann ; Wilhelmina, now 
Mrs. Charles Reinhardt ; and Bertha. 

Two brothers of Mr. Vogt, Ferdinand and 
August, also came to Texas. The latter died 
at Spring creek, in Kendall County. Ferdi- 
nand located in Cuero, where he engaged in 
merchandising and resided until the time of his 
death. 



EWIN LACY, 

BURNET COUNTY. 



Ewin Lacy was born in Christian County, Kv., 
October, 1832, and is a son of George W. 
and Sarah (flyers) Lacy, both of whom were also 
natives of Kentucky. Mr. Lacy comes of Revolu- 
tionary stock on both sides, both grandfathers, 
Moses Lacy and John Myers, having served in the 
Continental army. They subsequently settled in 
Kentucky, where they helped to beat back the In- 
dians, fell the forests and lay the foundation of that 
great commonwealth. 

George W. Lacy and Sarah Myers were married 
in Kentucky and moved thence to Missouri in 1842 
and settled in Cedar County, where Mr. Lacy died 
the same year and his wife ten years later. They 
were the parents of eight sons and five daughters, 
all of whom lived to maturity. One of the sons, 
Zephaniah, died in Missouri, the others, seven in 
number, came to Texas: George W., Ewin and 
Jacob in 1858 ; John H. and Frank M. in 18G0, and 
Matthew and Milton in 1872. Most of these settled 
in Burnet County, where they were for many years 
residents, and where some of them, among the num- 
ber the subject of this sketch, still reside. George 
W. and Ewin stopped, on coming to the country, 
at Rockvale on the Colorado, not far from the pres- 
ent town of Marble Falls, and there put up a two- 
story stone dwelling for Josiah Fowler, the first 
building of that kind erected in that part of the 
State. Jacob stopped at Smithwick Mills, further 
down the river, and opened a blacksmith shop. 
After the war the several brothers ensjaged in farm- 



ing and stoi-k-raising, at which they met with 
success. 

Ewin Lacy was a young man, unmarried, when 
he came to the State. He worked at his trade 
as a stone-mason until the opening of the war 
between the States and then entered the Confed- 
erate army as a member of Company B., Carter's 
Twenty-first Texas Cavalry, Parson's Brigade, with 
which he remained until the close of hostilities. 
He saw service under each of those distinguished 
commanders, Marmaduke, Tom Green, Wharton and 
Dick Taylor, and took part in most of the operations 
in Southwest Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. 
He received a gun-shot wound and a saber wound 
in the left wrist, a gun-shot wound in the left leg 
and a saber cut on the head, but was never for any 
considerable length of time out of the service and 
was but once captured (at Lick Creek, Ark.), and 
was then held only for a short time, his exchange 
being effected within a few weeks. He returned to 
Burnet Countj' after the war and settled on a tract 
of land near Marble Falls, which he first rented and 
subsequently purchased and where he has since 
lived engaged in farming and stock-raising, at both 
of which occupations he has met with a full mea- 
sure of success. He married Miss Kate Crownover^ 
of Burnet County in October, 1868. She is a native 
of Fayette County, Texas, and a daughter of Arter 
Crownover, who came to Texas previous to the 
revolution of 1835-6 and was for many years a 
resident first of Fayette and later of Burnet County 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



495 



where he died a few 3'ears since. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lacy have had nine children born to them, seven 
of whom are living : Oleva, Arter, MeUssa, Mar- 
shal Ney, John, Christian, and Ewin. 

Mr. Lacy is a Democrat in politics and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. He has lived in 
Burnet County since early Indian times and has 



served as a ranger at irregular intervals as often as 
the public safety demanded. On these expeditions 
he has, on various occasions, ranged Northwest 
Texas as far as the Concho, and tracked the " red 
skins" to their haunts and helped to recapture 
stolen property, but could never get close enough to 
tliem to have an actual tight. 



ERNEST DOSCH, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



Ernest Dosch, a well-known pioneer citizen of 
San Antonio, one of the German colonists who 
came to Texas in 1848, in his younger days saw 
active service as a soldier and daring Indian 
fighter. He is a native of Hessen, Darmstadt, 
Germany, and was born May 3d, 1822; studied 
forestry; received a good education at the Uni- 
versity of Giesen, from which he graduated in 
1844, and, being of an enterprising and adven- 
turous spirit, was attracted to the Texas Republic, 
in 1848, as above stated, and located near New 
Braunfels, where he engaged in farming. His 
father was an eminent jurist in Germany, serving 
acceptably a wealthy and influential constituenc}^ 



In 1857, Mr. Ernest Dosch, the subject of this 
notice, moved to San Antonio, where he has since 
resided, with the exception of the years 1865-6, 
which he spent in Germany. He is a plain, unas- 
suming, kind-hearted and genial man, and has 
hosts of friends in the Alamo city, and throughout 
Southwest Texas. He has labored upon all occa- 
sions actively and efBoiently, for the development 
and general welfare of the section of the State in 
which he has so long been a resident and a leading 
citizen. He has repeatedly declined public office, 
and although once elected Alderman from one of 
the influential wards of San Antonio, declined to 
serve. 



A. L. STEEL, 

HOUSTON. 



Col. A. L. Steel was born in Oldham County, 
Ky., October llth, 1830. His father, William M. 
Steel, was for years a prominent merchant of 
Louisville, Ky. The maiden name of his mother 
was Miss Lusatia Loughery. His paternal grand- 
father, Judge Andrew Steel, a native of Virginia, 
served throughout the Revolutionary War and emi- 
grated to Oldham County, Ky., in 1785. His 
maternal grandfather, Alexander Loughery, an 
eminent surgeon in the Continental army, settled 
and lived in Woodford County, Ky. 

Col. Steel, when about nine years old, lost 
his father, but remained at home until fifteen 
years of age, when he joined a surveying 



corps of the Louisville and Jeffersonville Ry., 
as rodman. In the following years he per- 
fected himself in tlie knowledge of civil engi- 
neering. In 1850 he came to Texas, dealt in lands 
for a time, then accepted a position as Assistant 
Civil Engineer under the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & 
Colorado Ry. Co., Mr. J. A. Williams holding the 
position as chief engineer. The road was com- 
pleted to Richmond in 1855 ; in the winter of 
1855-6 was projected in the direction of Austin, 
and was built to Allerton in 1860. Mr. Williams 
in the meantime had been made the superintendent 
of the completed portion of the road to Richmond, 
and Col. Steel, chief engineer, west of the Brazos 



496 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



river. Col. Steel located the road to Allerton, 
and surveyed the line from that point to San 
Antonio. He continued to fill the position until the 
beginning of the war between the States, when 
railroad building ceased. 

He joined the Eighth Texas Cavalry (Terry's 
Texas Rangers) as a private ; became Quarter- 
master of his regiment, and November 18th, 18G2, 
was promoted to the rank of Major of Engineers. 



He remained in the service until the war closed, 
participating in many hot engagements, and was 
five times wounded. After the close of hostilities 
he returned to Texas and located at Houston, 
where he has since resided ; engaged first in the 
real estate and later in the insurance business. He 
is a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F. and K. of 
P. fraternities, and is one of the best known and 
most highly respected citizens of Houston. 



CHARLES GRIESENBECK, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



Charles Griesenbeck, well known in San Antonio 
and Southwestern Texas because of his long connec- 
tion with the banking and business interests of the 
Alamo city, was born in Prussia, February 9th, 
1829 ; attended local schools and took a collegiate 
course in his native town ; afterwards accepted a 
position as bookkeeper and librarian in a large 
publishing house, with which he remained until 
twenty years of age, and then, in 1849, came to 
Texas, of which he had read so much that his am- 
bition had become fired to succeed in a new and 
prosperous country. He landed first at Galveston, 
proceeded from that place to New Braunfels, where 
he stayed a short time, and then went to Gillespie 
County, where he pursued farming for six months. 
After leaving Blanco County he went to New Braun- 
fels and Seguin, where he filled positions as clerk 
and salesman in various stores. From 1856 to 18G1 



he sold dry goods in San Antonio and then went to 
Mexico, where he remained until 1865. In the lat- 
ter year he returned to San Antonio, where for 
twenty-one years thereafter he kept books for and 
acted as cashier of the bank of John Twohig. Dur- 
ing the past five years he has been engaged in the 
cotton buying and commission business at San 
Antonio. 

He married twice, having three sous — Louis, 
Arthur and Charles F., by his first marriage; and 
then married Miss Wilhelmine Boekel, of New 
York, by whom he has five children — Hugo, Ber- 
tha, Baldwin, Emily and Eugene. Mr. Griesen- 
beck is a pronounced type of a thorough-going Ger- 
man scion of a race that has done so much for the 
development of Southwestern and Central Texas, 
and a representative citizen of his section as 
well. 



ERNST BLUMBERG, 



NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Ernst Blumberg, a well-known pioneer of New 
Braunfels, Texas, came to America direct to 
Fredericskburg, by way of Galveston, with his 
parents in 1845. He soon, in 1846, settled on a 
farm near New Braunfels with his father, Carl 
Blumberg. Carl Blumberg was born near tlie town 
of Kulm, in Prussia. He was an educated man, a 
professional tutor, but as a colonist came to the 



then new country to engage in agriculture, hoping to 
better his fortunes. He located five miles below 
New Braunfels, on the Guadalupe river. He brought 
with him to this country a wife and eight children : 
Ernst, whose name heads this sketch ; Frederick, a 
citizen of Seguin, Texas ; Julius, who resided at 
San Francisco, Cal., until his death in 1893; 
Betsy, who married in Texas and died some years 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



497 



since; Henrietta (now Mrs. Rev. Gust of Ellcy) 
and Hulcia (now Mrs. Michael Koepsel of Guaila- 
lupe Valley). Carl Blumberg lived on the farm 
until his death, which occurred in 1856 of yellow 
fever. 

Ernst Blumberg pursued farming in its vari- 
ous branches until recently, when he practically 
retired from active business pursuits. He con- 
tinues, however, to nominally act as the local agent 
of the Lone Star Brewing Company. He married, 
in 1859, Miss Margaret Zipp. She is a native of 



Prussia and a daughter of John Zipp, who was a 
New Braunfels pioneer in 1846. The family name 
is a familiar one in the community. Mr. and Mrs. 
Blumberg have ten living children: Ernst, Jr., 
Martha, Henry, August, Matilda, William, Lydia, 
Ferdinand, Olga, and Pauline. 

Emma, a daughter, died some years ago. Mr. 
Blumberg made his home permanently in New 
Braunfels in 1891. He is a progressive and popu- 
lar citizen and one who has done much for his 
section and Southwest Texas. 



FAYETTE SMITH, 

NAVASOTA. 



The subject of this sketch was born in Alabama, 
January 22, 1832. His father was James W. 
Smith, and his mother bore the maiden name of 
Angeline D. Stamps. She was a daughter of 
Elijah Stamps, of Talledega, Ala. His par- 
ents were married in Alabama, and moved 
thence to Texas in February, 1837, his father stop- 
ping for a while at San Felipe and the family 
joining him in 1837 at Old Washington, on the 
Brazos. In 1838, when the seat of government 
was changed from Washington to Austin, they 
changed their abode to the latter place, and were 
residing there in 1841 when the tragic death of the 
father occurred, and the strange and thrilling 
episode in the life of the son, the subject of this 
sketch, took place. The main incidents connected 
with the killing of his father and capture of himself, 
as told by Mr. Smith to the writer, are as fol- 
lows : — 

" It occurred on January 22, 1841, the day I was 
nine years old. My father was riding out on horse- 
back close to Austin (only a little way from the 
houses), and I accompanied him, riding behind. 
We were suddenly surprised by five Comanche 
Indians, who, coming out of the bushes, opened 
fire with bows and arrows and a gun or two. 
Almost the first missile, an arrow, struck my father's 
left arm, breaking it, and glanced, striking me on 
the forehead. The horse wheeled around and gave 
a bound or two and became unmanageable. As he 
dashed under a tree both my father and myself 
were swept off by a limb, and my father was imme- 
diately dispatched by the Indians and I was taken 
captive. The Indians started at once in a north- 



westerly direction, and joined a band of twenty 
Indians the first night, with whom we journeyed 
several days longer (probably a month), when we 
fell in with the main body of the tribe. Our course 
was still to the northwest, and after two or three 
months of weary travel we came upon some 
Mexican traders who, as I afterward learned, were 
from Taos, New Mexico, and who could speak a 
little English. The Indians sold me to these 
Mexicans, and we started for Taos. I asked the 
trader the question how far it was to where they 
lived. They replied : ' About a hundred years' 
travel.' I then asked them if they did not mean 
one hundred days, and they said yes. At Taos I 
was turned over to a man named John Rowland, an 
American, who had married a Mexican woman and 
settled at Taos, where he was engaged in trading 
with the Mexicans and Indians. I gave Rowland 
my mother's name and place of residence, and the 
name and residence of my grandfather. Stamps, 
but I do not think that he wrote to them, as there 
were no mails between Taos and the States. 

" I remained with him and made myself as useful 
as possible awaiting developments. While there 
the Santa Fe Expedition arrived, and I remember 
seeing some of the members and of hearing about 
Texas, but did not get any tidings from any of my 
people. My uncle, William Smith, who was living 
at Austin at the time of my father's murder and 
my capture, soon after joined a party of Tonkaway 
Indians and went direct to Santa Fe to effect my 
release, supposing that I would be taken there by 
the Indians or Mexicans for a ransom. He reached 
that place, however, before I did, and wept on 



498 



INDIAN WxiRS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



from there to St. Louis, where he hoped to get 
track of me. My mother, as 1 afterward learned, 
left Austin sliortly after my father's death, and 
returned to Washington. A place was secured for 
me by Rowland in the first overland train that 
started from Santa Fe to Missouri, and I accom- 
panied it to Independence, its destination. My 
uncle having gone to St. Louis, I missed him again, 
but was put in care of Lewis Jones, at Independ- 
ence, who wrote to my mother at Austin and to my 
grandfather. Stamps, at Talledega, Ala., and from 
the latter received a reply that he would be on in 
a few days for me. As soon as my grandfather 
heard of me, he wrote to my motiier to come on to 
Alabama. He arrived, as promised, and I was 
taken by him to his home in Talledega, whicli we 
reached a few days before the arrival of my 
mother. I returned to Texas with my mother and, 
she having settled at Old Washington, there my 
youthful lines were again cast under the single 
star of the Republic of Texas. I had no more 
experience with the Indians, and I do not want 
any more, yet I hold no ill-will toward them, as 
I think that they have been badly treated and 
robbed of a country, the best for their purpose 
in the world. They killed both my father and 



my grandfather. Smith, near the same place and 
date." 

Young Smith became a clerk in the store of 
Shackelford, Gould & Company, at Washington, 
at about the age of seventeen years, and was in 
their employ for several years, spending the spring 
and summer behind the counter, and the fall and 
winter traveling through the Central and Western 
parts of the State, collecting for and looking after 
the interests of their business. 

In 1855 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Gresham, 
a daughter of George M. Gresham, of Washington 
County, and began business for himself as a mer- 
chant and planter. He resided in Washington 
County until 1888, when he moved to Navasota, 
Grimes County, where he now lives. During the 
Mexican War he was a boy helping the sutler in 
Twiggs' regiment, and during the late war was a 
volunteer in the Confederate arm}', De Bray's 
regiment, serving in Texas and Louisiana, up to 
the battle of Mansfield, where he was wounded and 
disabled from further service. He has never held 
an official position and does not care to. He has 
raised a family of two sons and three daughters, 
all of whom remain with him, namely: Carrie, 
Edith, Rowland, Angelina D., and Roger. 



HENRY VOCES, JR., 

BULVERDE, 



A successful farmer, was born December 26, 
1840, in Germany, and grew to manhood in Comal 
County, where he has since resided. He is a son 
of Henry Voges, Sr., the well-known Comal County 
pioneer settler. Married June 26, 1868, Miss 
Charlotte Langbein, a daughter of Andraes Lang- 



bein, of Sisterdale, Kendall County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Voges have eleven children: Ida (now Mrs. 
August Wehe), Hermann (a prosperous business 
man at Bulverde), Emilie (now Mrs. Louis Bart- 
tels), Richard, Edmund, Adolph, August, Walter, 
Bertha, Emma, and Arthur. 



ROBERT A. ALLEN, 



HEARNE, 



A prominent merchant of Hearne, Robertson was a child and there he was mainly reared. Dur- 

County, was born in Cabarras County, N. C, ing the war between the States he served first in a 

in 1840. His parents, Alexander and Serena six months company, organized in Searcy, Ark., 

(Townsend) Allen, moved to Tennessee when he in the spring of 1861, and afterwards, in the 



■I// 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



499 



EigLth Arkansas, Array of Tennessee, participating 
in the battles of Corinth, Chici<amauga and Perry- 
ville, and the one hundred days fighting of the 
Georgia campaign from Ualton to Atlanta, and then 
followed Hood on his return into Tennessee, taking 
l>art in the battles at Franklin and Nashville. 
Later he was with Johnston in the last fight at 
Bentonville, N. C, and surrendered at Greens- 
boro, in that State. He served a great part 
of the time as a private, but held the rank of First 
Sergeant at the time of the surrender. Although he 
served continuously throughout the war he was 
never captured or wounded. Mr. Allen's parents 
having come to Texas during the war, he came out 
immediately after the surrender and settled with 
them at Lancaster, in Dallas County. He made a 
crop there in 1866 and in the fall of that year went 
to Millican, then the terminus of the Houston & 
Texas Central Railway, and secured a clerkship ; 
remained there a year or so and then went on with 
the terminus to Bryan, at which place he formed a 
copartnership with W. R. King, under the firm 
name of Allen & King, and was engaged in business 
until 1873, when he moved to Hearne, where he has 
since been engaged in merchandizing and is now 



the head of the firm of R. A. Allen & Son, dealers 
in hardware, furniture and saddlery, and has one 
of the largest establishments along the line 
of the H. & T. C. R. R. between Dallas 
and Houston. He has, as a matter of course, 
interested himself in some outside enterprises, 
taking stock in the Hearne & Brazos Valley Rail- 
road. He is public-spirited, broad-minded and 
generous with his means. He began without a cent, 
a friend paying his way to the State and what he has 
represents the results of his own labor. In 1889, 
Mr. Allen married Miss Alice Cyrus, of Bryan, 
Texas, a native of the State and a daughter of J. 
T. Cyrus, an old Texian. A son, Robert Cyrus 
Allen, who is the junior member of the firm of R. 
A. Allen & Son, was born of this union. Mr. 
Allen had two brothers who came to Texas about 
the time he did, namely, William C. Allen, now of 
Thurber, this State, and Samuel Allen, who lives at 
Dallas. Two other brothers, James and Marshall, 
went to California at an early day and still reside 
there. His father, Alexander Allen, died at Hearne 
in 1890, at the advanced age of eighty-two. His 
mother died at Austin in 1885 at the age of seventy- 
five. 



ROBERT SPENCE, 



HEMPSTEAD, 



A well-known and successful business man, of 
Waller County, is an Englishman by birth ; came to 
America in 1836, landing at New York City and 
shortly thereafter located near Hamilton, Canada, 
where he resided for two years. He heard much of 
New Orleans, La., and the year 1838 found him in 
that city, where he remained thirteen years as a 
bookkeeper in a mercantile house. Ill-health ren- 
dered a change of climate and business habits de- 
sirable and he accordingly moved to Illinois and 
lived for a time in that State, ten miles east of St. 
Louis, Mo., at the town of Collinsville. From that 
time until 1854, he pursued farming near Collins- 
ville and in Louisiana, spending several months of 
each year in the city of New Orleans. In 1865 he 
came to Texas and located in Houston, where he 
clerked and kept books in a store for two years. 



Here he met and married Mrs. Isaac Major, a lady 
of English birth, who came to America when a child, 
in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Spence moved to Hempstead 
in 1867, where he engaged in merchandising, at which 
he has since prospered. He is now and has been 
for many years one of the most substantial citizens 
of that thrifty inland city. By a former marriage 
Mr. Spence had one daughter, a devout Roman 
Catholic, who became a sister of Charity and died 
at Mobile, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. Spence have adopted 
and reared two grandchildren, C. M. and W. S. 
Close. Mr. Spence was born in Yorkshire, England, 
October 9th, 1812. He was one of ten children. 
One brother, William, came to Texas in 1840, lived 
for several years at Hempstead but finally returned 
to the mother country. Mr. Spence some years 
since retired from business. 



500 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



R. M. BOZMAN, 



HEMPSTEAD, 



Was born in Hempstead, Texas, August 10, 18G9. 
His father, Richard Morton Bozman, was born 
in the town of Golconda, Polk County, III., and 
was a son of Wesley Winfield Bozman and Cor- 
nelia (Pryor) Bozman. Cornelia Pryor was a 
daughter of Gen. Pryor, a frontiersman in Illinois 
and Iowa in the early days of the settlement of the 
Mississippi valley, whose name has been perpetu- 
ated in Pryor's Island, a prominent landmark in 
the Mississippi river. 

Richard Morton Bozman served withdistinguished 
gallantry in the Federal army during the war 
between the States as Adjutant of Company F, 
Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and after the close of 
that struggle came to Texas in 1865 and settled at 
Hempstead, in Waller County, wherefor many years 
he was a prominent farmer, merchant and citizen. 

He married Miss Margaret Elizabeth Peebles, a 



daughter of the lamented Dr. Richard Rogers 
Peebles, one of the most widely known and beloved 
of the early pioneers of Texas and a veteran of the 
revolutionary war of 1835-6. Dr. Peebles first 
settled at the town of Old Washington, in Washing- 
ton County. His death occurred at the residence 
of Mrs. Richard Morton Bozman (mother of the 
subject of this sketch), at Gaylord. Mr. Richard 
Morton Bozman died November 19th, 1876, and his 
wife. May lOtb, 1893, at their home, Gaylord, one 
mile south of Hempstead, leaving one child, the 
subject of this notice, Mr. R. M. Bozman, who 
succeeded to his father's estate and is now a 
leading citizen and one of the most considerate 
farmers and merchants of Waller County. Mr. 
R. M. Bozman married Miss Nina K., daughter 
of E. O. Jones, of Hempstead. They have one 
child, a daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Bozman. 



MRS. MARY ELIZABETH DAWSON, 

ALLEYTON. 



Mrs. Dawson was born December 18, 1843, and 
is a native Texian. Her parents were Abraham 
and Nancy Alley. Her father was a brother of 
Ross Alley, famous in Texas history. Abraham 
Alley was married to Miss Nancy Miller, April 26, 
1835, and in 1836, when Santa Anna's legions 
were sweeping eastward across the country, moved 
his family to the Trinity, where thej' were encamped 
when the engagement that won Texian independence 
was fought. Mr. Alley and Daniell Miller, a brother 
of Mrs. Alley, left the family on the Trinity, 
hurried to the front and took part in the battle of 
San Jacinto. After the battle Mr. Alley moved to 
Colorado County and settled on the east side of the 



river. He died in 1862, respected and esteemed 
by all who knew him. His wife, a noble Christian 
lady, died in 1893. Mrs. Dawson married Mr. T. 
C. Wright, in June, 1863. He died in June, 1874. 
In the year 1883 she was united in mariiage to Mr. 
G. C. Dawson, who died in 1889. Mrs. Dawson has 
been blessed with two children: Lula Wright (now 
the wife of Dr. G. L, Davidson, of Wharton, 
Texas) and William J. Wright, who is now married 
and is living with his mother on the old home 
place. 

Mrs. Dawson has a fine farm and a beauti- 
ful cottage home. Here she spends her days in 
the loved society of her children and friends. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEBS OF TEXAS 



501 



CHARLES P. SALTER, 

CALVERT, 



Was born in Washington Count}', Ga., March 
9lh, 1830. Son of Zadoc and Nancy (Gainer) 
Salter, both of whom were also natives of Georgia. 
Parents died when Charles P. was about fifteen. 
He went some three years later to Pike County. 
Ala., where he subsequently married a daugh- 
ter of James Talbot, in compan}- with whom, in 1852 
he came to Texas, stopping in Washington County. 
He moved from that county in the fall of 1853 to 
Robertson County, where he purchased and settled 
on a tract of land about five miles from the 
present town of Calvert, in the Brazos bottom, 
and opened a farm. He was one of the first set- 
tlers in that locality and resided there for thirty 
years. Selling this place, he purchased another 
and has for the past forty-odd years been identi- 
fied with the agricultural interests of Robertson 
County, and is now one of the wealthiest 
planters of that county. Planting has been 
his chief and almost exclusive pursuit, 
though at intervals he has had some 
mercantile interests and as contractor built 



the Houston & Central Railroad from Bryan to 
Calvert in 1868. He has also interested himself in 
local enterprises, subscribing for stock in banks, 
railroads and manufacturing industries, and has, 
whenever and wherever occasion offered, stood 
ready to help out with his means and personal efforts 
every worthy measure. He was elected to the State 
Legislature in 1873, from Robertson, Freestone 
and Leon counties and served for a time as Alder- 
man of the town of Calvert. Was made a Mason 
at Old Sterling in Robertson County in the early 
50's and is still a member of the order. Is also a 
member of the Knights of Honor. Is a Democrat 
in State and national politics and independent in 
local matters. For his second wife Mr. Salter mar- 
ried Miss Bertha Lovett, a native of Alabama and 
a daughter of Thomas Lovett, who moved to Texas 
in 1863. The issue of this union has been one 
daughter, Charlie, now living. He is an active, 
energetic, prosperous and popular gentleman of 
Irish extraction and is possessed of a large vein of 
Irish wit and good humor. 



DR. JOHN A. McALPHINE, 



WHITE HALL, 



Was born in Ansen County, N. C, in 1842, 
but was chiefly reared in Alabama, to which State 
his parents moved when he was a child. His edu- 
cation, begun at Glenville Military Institute, 
Alabama, was interrupted by the war of 1861-5. He 
entered the Confederate army in 1863 as a member 
of the North Carolina Artiller}', Webb's Battalion, 
with which he served around Richmond and Peters- 
burg from the date of his enlistment until the surren- 
der as Quartermaster of the battalion. After the war 
he went to Bozier Parish, La., whither his father 
had in the meantime moved and where he had 
died. There young MeAlpine tried farming one 
year, but, being unable to control negro labor gave 
it up and began reading medicine with a view to 
qualifying himself for practice. He entered on the 
pursuit of his profession in Louisiana but shortly 



after came to Texas and settled in Grimes Count}'. 
There he took up the practice and has followed it 
constantly and successfully since. The Doctor has 
also acquired large landed interests in Grimes Coun- 
ty and is a successful and extensive planter. He is 
regarded as one of the men of solid means of his 
county. He represented Grimes County in the 
Eighteenth Legislature, being nominated and elected 
on the Democrat ticket at a time when the election 
of a Democrat was somewhat doubtful on account 
of the large negro vote in the county. This was 
due to his popularity with all classes and con- 
ditions of people in the district. He made a very 
acceptable representative, but, much to the regret 
of his constituents, declined a second nomina- 
tion. 

He has always manifested a proper interest in 



502 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



public affairs and has given his part}' the benefit 
of his services when needed. 

In 1873 Dr. McAlpine married Miss Willie Cam- 
eron of Grimes County, a native of Louisiana and 
daughter of John D. Cameron, who moved to that 



count}' just after the war. Nine children have 
been born of this union, to all of whom he has, or 
is giving the best educational advantages that money 
can secure. He is a firm believer in and friend of 
education and religion. 



ANDREW ElKEL, 



NEW BRAUNFELS, 



Came to America in 1843 from Coblentz, Ger- 
many. He spent his first year in this country at 
New Orleans, and then (1844) joined the German 
colony at New Braunfels, Texas. He was a wagon- 
maker and wheelwright by trade and an enterpris- 
ing and eminently successful business man. He 
did a large business in his line at New Braunfels, 
employing from time to time thirty to forty work- 
men, and turning out a large number of durable 
wagons, some of which may still be seen in service 
on mountain farms in Central Texas. He contiuued 
in this business until about 1875 and then retired, 
and, to occupy his time agreeably, developed a 
fruit farm near New Braunfels. April 20, 1847, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Klein, a 
daughter of the late Stephen Klein, who came to 
Texas in 1845 and was a man of influence in his 



day and generation, and whose children became 
connected l)y marriage with several of the promi- 
nent pioneer families of Central Texas. Mr. Eikel 
died April 8, 1889. Mrs. Eikel survives him and 
lives in retirement in New Braunfels.- She had 
seven children, five sons and two daughters, viz. : 
Joseph and Walter, who are grocers in San Antonio ; 
Albert and Frederick, who are hardware merchants 
in Taylor ; Robert, who is a salesman in the large 
wholesale and retail hardware establishment of 
Walter Tipps, at Austin ; Bertha, wife of William 
Smith, who conducts a blacksmithing and repair 
shop at the old stand of Andrew Eikel ; and Anto- 
nio, wife of Joseph Whittaker, of Seguin. One 
daughter, Annie, died single at Austin in 1882. 

The family is one of high moral, social and busi- 
ness standing. 



Y. GAINES LIPSCOMB, 



HEMPSTEAD. 



The late lamented Hon. Y. Gaines Lipscomb was 
a native of Mobile, Ala., and was born in the year 
1824. His father, A. S. Lipscomb, was an eminent 
lawyer, at one time Chief Justice of Alabama. His 
mother, whose maiden name was Miss Elizabeth 
Gaines, was a daughter of Col. Young Gaines. 
Chief Justice Lipscomb resigned his seat on the 
Supreme Bench and came to Texas in 1842. Y. G. 
Lipscomb, the subject of this sketch, was eighteen 
years of age when he came to Texas. He received 
his schooling chiefly at Bascomb College, in South- 
ern Ohio. He started for Texas with others to join 
the Somervell expedition, but was taken sick and 



delayed on tiie way and reached Texas too late to 
join the forces on the Eio Grande. This he deeply 
regretted at the time, but it was really a stroke of 
good fortune, as lie would probably have taken part 
in the fight at Mier and been captured there with 
the other Texians, who were afterwards doomed to 
years of imprisonment. On reaching the new Re- 
public he joined the Texas Rangers under Col. Ed. 
Burleson, and participated in a number of Indian 
fights. He also served in the Mexican War and 
was present and took part in the battle of Monterey. 
Y. Gaines Lipscomb married in 1861 at Cbappel 
Hill, Texas, Mary, widow of Thos. Bates, a daugh- 




JoKL P. SMITH. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



503 



ter of Maj. James Hartwell Cocke. The marriage 
ceremony was performed at her father's house. 
Mrs. Lipscomb survives, and is now (1895) resid- 
ing at Hempstead. She was born December 23, 
1840, at Old Point Comfort, Va. Maj. James H. 
Cocke was a Federal military officer stationed at 
Old Point Comfort. Later he lived at Mobile, Ala., 
as a civilian, and there speculated and accumulated 
considerable property. He returned to Old Point 
Comfort in 1839, where he resided until 1840, when 
be brought his familj^ to Galveston, where he 
served the government as Collector of Customs. 
His next official position was that of United States 
Marshal, with headquarters at Houston. He later 
sold goods at Gay Hill and- Independence, Wash- 
ington County. Maj. Cocke lived a short time at 
Chappel Hill, and then in 18 — located in the Brazos 
Valley, near Hempstead, where he died. 

Judge A. S. Lipscomb, as will be seen in his biog- 
raphy in Bench and Bar, was one of the Chief 



Justices of the Supreme Court of Texas with Hemp- 
hill and Wheeler, and well known as such. 

Judge A. G. Lipscomb, present Judge of Waller 
Count}', living at Hempstead, is a son of the sub- 
ject of this sketch. Other sons, J. C. Lipscomb 
and Frank, also with the widowed mother, reside 
there. 

Judge A. G. Lipscomb was born in Waller 
County; there received his early schooling ; later 
attended Baylor University, graduating therefrom 
in 1878. He studied law under Judge T. S. Reese, 
present Judge of the Twenty-third Judicial District 
of Texas, and was admitted to the bar and com- 
menced practice at Hempstead in 1880. He was 
elected and filled with honor for ten years the office 
of Prosecuting Attorney of Waller County, and is 
now (1895) serving his third term as County Judge. 

He was married in 1884 at Hempstead to Miss 
Katie Bedell, and they have two daughters, Abbie 
G. and Christiana. 



JOEL P. SMITH, 



IWARBLE FALLS. 



Joel P. Smith, an old settler and one of the lead- 
ing cattle men of Blanco County, was born at 
Nacogdoches, Texas, April 2, 1833. His parents 
were Francis and Nancy Ann (Slaughter) Smith. 
Francis Smith was a native of South Carolina and 
his wife of North Carolina. Their parents were 
early settlers of Mississippi. They moved from that 
State to Texas in 1827, settling in Nacogdoches. 
At that time they had a family of five children, and 
seven more were born to them. Of these six are 
now living: Mrs. Miranda Westfall ; Zachariah, of 
Tom Green County; Mrs. Sarah Smith, of Mason 
Count}'; Ruben B., of Blanco County; Mrs. 
Amanda Reams, of Llano County, and Joel P., the 
subject of this memoir. Mr. Francis Smith moved 
in 1841 from Nacogdoches to Fayette County, 
thence in 1847 to Burleson County and in 1856 to 
Blanco Count}', where he died August 9th, 1867, at 
the age of seventy years. His widow survived him 
ten years, dying in Blanco County in 1877 at the 
age of seventy-five. He was a farmer, a man of 
moderate means and upright life. 

Joel P. Smith was principally reared in Fayette and 
Burleson counties, this State. His early life differed 
but little from that of other youths of his time. He 



was enabled to secure but a limited education, and at 
the age of nineteen was thrown upon his own 
resources. He has been a " cowman," all his life, 
having grown up with the industry in the section 
of the State in which he resides. His start was 
made with a bunch of cattle consisting of ten cows 
and their calves, which were turned loose upon the 
open range. He has steadily prospered from the 
beginning and now owns a ranch in the Northwest 
corner of Blanco County, consisting of 13,000 
acres, adjacent to which he has leased 5,000 acres, 
all well equipped and stocked with about 2,000 
head of cattle. Having given his attention very 
closely to his own affairs, he has had very little 
time to devote to public matters. Being on the 
frontier, he was in the ranging service during the 
late war and before that time and later, as long as 
the country was subject to Indian raids, held him- 
self in readiness to assist in the common defense. 
In 1870 Mr. Smith married Miss Annie E. John- 
son, then of Blanco County, Texas, but a 
native of Columbia County, N. C, a daughter of 
Duncan Johnson. Eight children were born to 
them : Frances, who married Dr. Reed Yett and is 
now deceased ; May, who died at about the age of 



504 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fifteen; Oscar H., died at eighteen; Ollie, wife of 
James C. Bacchus; and Maud, Sidney, Carl and 
Joyce, the last four being still at home. Mrs. 
Smith died in 1890. Two years later, in Septem- 
ber, 1892, Mr. Smith married Miss Cynthia Hardin, 
daughter of W. G. Hardin, of Blanco County. 



One son has been born of this union, Damon Philip, 
born June 21st, 1894. Mr. Smith is one of the 
most highly respected and influential citizens of the 
section of the State in which he resides and has 
been an active promoter of every enterprise 
inaugurated for its development. 



JAMES O. LUBY, 

SAN DIEGO. 



Judge James O. Luby was born in London, En- 
gland, June 14, 1846. His father, Daniel Luby, of 
Cork, Ireland, died when he was an infant. In 
1854 Mrs. Luby ( nee Miss Kate Smith) came to 
New York Citj', where the subject of this sketch 
received his education in the public schools. 

In 1858 Mrs. Luby was united in marriage to 
Mr. A. R. Feuille, and in 1860 went with him to Ha- 
vana, Cuba. Judge Luby visited his mother at Ha- 
vana in the early part of 1861, and in March of that 
year took passage for New Orleans, where he entered 
the Confederate army as a soldier in Company B., 
First Louisiana Infantry (Gladden's regiment) ; was 
stationed at Warrington Navy Yard in 1861 and the 
early part of 1862 participating in the attack on 
Wilson's Camp at Santa Rosa Island, on the 8th of 
October, 1861, and the bombardment at Fort Pick- 
ens, November 22, and the engagement with the 
Richmond and Niagara, Battery Lincoln and Fort 
Pickens, January 1, 1862; was stationed with his 
regiment at Corinth, Miss., and belonged to the first 
brigade, Wither's division of Bragg's corps at the 
battle of Shiloh. 

After the battle of Shiloh, having served out his 
term of enlistment, he was discharged, went to New 
Orleans and joined the Pickwick Rifles, Fourteenth 
Louisiana Infantry; was at New Orleans during 
the exciting period of the passing of Forts Jackson 
and St. Philip by the Federal fleets ; was paroled 



by Gen. B. F. Butler, and in September, 1862, went 
to Brownsville, Texas, where he accepted a posi- 
tion in the County Clerk's office. At the close of 
hostilities Judge Luby served under Col. John S. 
Ford and took part in the fight at Palmetto Ranch. 

In 1866 he moved to San Diego, Duval County, 
and clerked for N. G. Collins until 1869, when he 
moved to Corpus Christi, and in 1870 merchandized 
near Fort Ewell, in LaSalle Count}'. From 1871 
to 1876 he was Justice of the Peace and a mer- 
chant at San Diego, where he has since resided. 
He was the first postmaster appointed at San Diego, 
and served as such continuously from 1867 to 1884 ; 
was elected County Judge of Duval County in 1876 
and filled that office until 1882 ; was Collector of 
Customs for the district of Brazos Santiago in 
1884-5, and County Judge of Duvall County from 
1886 to 1890. 

Judge Luby was admitted to the bar in 1879, and 
enjoys an extensive practice, devoting himself 
mainly to laud law. He was married to Miss Mary 
Hoffman in 1871. They have five children. Judge 
Luby is a member of the Masonic fraternity — a 
Select Master. He has taken an active part in 
every movement having for its object the develop- 
ment of Southwest Texas. Politically he is a mem- 
ber of the Republican parly. He is one of the 
leading men of his section — a representative citi- 
zen of Southwest Texas. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



505 



C. W. BOERNER. 

COMFORT. 



A typical German pioneer of llie Guadalupe 
Valley, came to Texas in 1851. He was born in 
Hanover, Germany, September 3, 1829. He first 
landed on Texas soil at Galveston and proceeded 
thence to the port of ludianola and overland to 
New Braunfels, where he remained for about six 
months, after which he went into the upper Guada- 
lupe Valley and engaged in the manufacture of 
cypress shingles, an important industry in those 
days, affording, as it did, employment to many of 
the pioneer families during the time they were pre- 
paring their lands for the first planting. Mr. 
Boerner asserts that, but for the cypress of the 
Guadalupe Valley, it would not have been possible 
for a large majority of the first settlers of that 
portion of Texas to have maintained themselves 
until they could obtain a foothold in the country. 
The beautiful banks of the Guadalupe river were 
dotted every three or four miles with shingle camps, 
the products of which were shipped to Fredericks- 
burg, San Antonio, New Braunfels and other points, 
and exchanged for supplies. Mr. Boerner made 
shingles about two years. He then engaged in 
freighting with ox-teams, hauling timber and sup- 
plies to Forts Mason, Concho and Clarke. He 
also, from time to time, made trips to Indianola 
and Port Lavaca on the coast. By industry and 
economy he was ennbled to gradually work into 



farming and stock raising eight miles northwest of 
Comfort, where he hasaljout nine hundred acres of 
good farming and grazing lands. 

Mr. Boerner's father, Christoph Boerner, came 
from Hanover, Germany, in 1855, bringing one son 
and three daughters, viz. : Louis ; Lina, who 
became Mrs. William Huermann ; Dorethea, now 
Mrs. Charles Dinger, of Bourne ; and Minnie, who 
married Fritz Saur. Christoph Boerner was a 
shoemaker and followed his trade for many years 
at Comfort. He died at San Antonio. His wife 
died on the voyage to this country and was buried 
at sea. 

C. W. Boerner learned his father's trade at home 
in Germany, but did not follow it as a calling in 
this country until the breaking out of the Civil 
War, and then only to support the needs of his 
friends and neighbors on his farm. Shoemakers 
being exempt from military duty, he escaped the 
necessity of fighting for a cause with which he was 
not thoroughly in sympathy. He married, in 1859, 
Miss Minnie Shellhase. Her father was Gottlieb 
Shellhase. 

Mr. and Mrs. Boerner have five children : 
Bertha, now Mrs. Julius Karger ; Helen, now Mrs. 
E. Fiasch ; Louise, now Mrs. Henry Spenrad ; 
Lina, now Mrs. Ernest Karger, and William, who 
is single and lives in the city of Austin. 



D. C. REED. 



RUNNELS COUNTY. 



David Clark Reed, an early settler of Burnet 
County and father of Mr. T. S. Reed of that 
county, was born in the "lead mine district " of 
Missouri, October 25, 1814. His parents were 
Thomas and Rebecca Reed, who moved from Ten- 
nessee to Missouri early in the present century, 
whence, after a residence of some years, they moved 
to Arkansas and settled in Hempstead County. 
There David C. was principally reared and in 1847, 
married Miss Elizabeth Howard Russell. After his 
marriage Mr. Reed settled on a farm in Hempstead 
County and resided there until March, 1854, when 
he came to Texas. For a short time after coming 



to this State he remained at Austin, and then settled 
permanently in the eastern part of Burnet County, 
where he made his home for about thirty years and 
with the history of which locality he was identified 
more or less prominently during that time. Mr. 
Reed was one of the first settlers of Burnet County 
and experienced many of the hardships incident to 
the settling of a new country. With his family, 
consisting of his wife and two sons, Albert S. and 
Thomas S., the latter mere children, and his slaves, 
he pitched his tent in the woods, some thirty-odd 
miles from Austin, the nearest supplj' point, and 
opened a primitive " patch " in the wilderness. 



506 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



first constructiag a corral for his cattle, in order to 
keep them out of reach of the Indians, and after- 
wards erecting a log cabin to liouse his family. He 
arrived early enough to get in a crop, planting in 
the woods without a fence. The Indians were a 
source of annoyance from the start. They made 
frequent raids into the country and committed many 
depredations, the Comanclies being especially 
troublesome. Nearly everj' member of the com- 
munity lost stock, and many their lives. One 
family in the neighborhood, that of Wafford John- 
son, was almost wiped out, only one, a little girl, 
being spared. 

With the gradual improvement of the country 
Mr. Eeed's fortunes improved until the opening of 
the late war, when, as was the case with many 
others, he lost a great deal, but these losses he 
afterwards repaired in a considerable measure and 
alwaj's lived in the enjo3'meut of plenty and gave 
his family every advantage in the way of schools, 
churches, good society, etc., within his reach. Mr. 
Eeed and his wife were among the first members of 
the Methodist Church organized where they settled 
(Hopewell Settlement) and was also a member of 
the first Masonic Lodge in that communitj', Mt. 
Horeb Lodge, Williamson County. He was a 
zealous member of that order during the greater 
part of his life, becoming a Roj'al Arch Mason. 
He was also an Odd Fellow, joining the lodge at 
Georgetown. He was County Commissioner of 
Burnet County eight years and Postmaster at 
Hopewell about the same length of time. He had 
good educational advantagres, beins: a graduate of 



Kenyon College, Ohio, and was among the fore- 
most in his community in all educational matters. 
His sons, four in number, and a nephew and 
niece, who were also members of his household, 
were sent to the best schools in the State, and three 
of them afterwards became teachers. 

Mr. Reed was past the age for military service 
during the late war and was also incapacitated by 
physical infirmities, having had the misfortune to 
lose an eye in early life, but he was a strong sym- 
pathizer with the Confederacy and assisted in 
caring for the families of soldiers at the front. 

Mr. Reed died in Runnels County, Texas, 
February 4, 1886, whither he had moved a few 
years previous. Surviving he left a widow, who is 
still living, and four sons: Albert S. Reed, now a 
banker at Ft. Worth ; Thomas S. Reed, a merchant 
and banker at Bertram and Marble Falls; Theodore 
Reed, a merchant of Haskell ; and James W. Reed, 
a bookkeeper at Marble Falls. His nephew by 
marriage, David Morgan, whom he raised as a 
member of his family, resides in Ft. Worth, and his 
niece, Nannie K. Reed, was married to Lon B. 
Parks and is now deceased. 

Mrs. Reed, the widow, was born in Tennessee. 
Her parents were James and Elizabeth (Howard) 
Russell, who died when Mrs. Reed was a child. 
She was reared by her sister, Mrs. Morgan, in 
Virginia, whose family she accompanied to Arkan- 
sas, where she met and married Mr. Reed. 

All of Mr. Reed's sons are doing well, showing 
that the care which was bestowed upon them is hear- 
ing good fruit. 



CHARLES AMSLER. 



HEMPSTEAD. 



Born at Cat Springs in xVustin County, July 12, 
1836. Son of Charles Conrad Amsler and Marj- 
Lowenberger Amsler, who were natives of Switzer- 
land and came to Texas in 1834. Subject of this 
memoir was reared in Austin County. On Jul}' 11, 
1861, married Miss Julia Meyer, duughter of J. 
D. Meyer, an early settler of Fayette County. 
Mrs. Amsler, was born in Houston, l"'ebruary 
20th, 1844. Soon after his marriage Mr. Amsler 
moved to Montgomery County, where he engaged 
in the sawmill business until 1885, when he settled 
in Hempstead, where he subsequently lived. At 



Hempstead he built a cotton-seed oil mill which he 
operated successfully until his death and which 
still continues to do a large business. By industry 
and good management he accumulated a consider- 
able estate and left his family well provided for. 
Surviving him he left a widow, two sons, John 
C. and Louis D., and three daughters, Mrs. Tiieo- 
dore Ahrenback, Mrs. Penn B. Thornton, and 
Miss Julia S. Amsler, all residents of Hemp- 
stead, except Mrs. Ahrenback, who lives at 
Hearne. 

Mrs. Amsler's father, J. D. Meyer, was a native 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



507 



of Strasburgb, horn December 15tb, 1800. He 
came to America in 1826 and, after two years' resi- 
dence in New York, four in Mexico and twelve in 



California, came to Houston, Texas, in 1843, from 
which place he moved to Fayette Countj', where he 
subsequently resided. 



LOUIS T. FULLER, 



CALVERT. 



During and immediately following the days of re- 
construction, Texas, with manyothersof the lateCon- 
federate States, may, in a business sense at least, be 
said to have passed through her second pioneer period. 
The flower of her mature manhood had been laid 
on her country's altar, her government had been 
disorganized, her finances exhausted, her once splen- 
did system of local development disrupted. All was 
chaos, and seldom, if ever, did arising generation of 
young men face a darker outlook, a more forbid- 
ding prospect for future achievement, than did the 
young men of the South, in those days. L. T. 
Fuller, the subject of this brief sketch, was at this 
time nearing manhood and coming on to the stage 
of active life and responsibility. He was born May 
3d, 1852, in the city of New Orleans. On the break- 
ing out of the war between the States young Fuller, 
then nine years of age, came with his widowed 
mother and her father, Louis C. Trezevant, to Texas 
from Memphis, Tenn. His father, James T. Fuller, 
was by occupation a planter and engaged also in 
various other lines of business. He was a military 
man, a graduate of West Point Military Academy 
and, upon the opening of hostilities, in 1861 
promptly espoused the cause of the Confederacy, 
but died before the close of the struggle between 
the States. Mr. Fuller's mother, though advanced 
in years, is living in the enjoyment of good health, 
a beloved inmate of the home of her son. 

Upon coming to Texas the family located at Cold 
Springs, in Polk County, the grandfather engaging 
in agriculture and young Fuller for a brief time 
attending school, after which he sought and obtained 
employment of the late venerable Samuel L. Allen, 
of Houston, and William Pool, a Texas pioneer and 
one of the first settlers of Galveston. He drove 
cattle for the then widely known cattle firm of 
Allen, Pool & Co., along the coast from theTrinit}' 
River to Matagorda. This be continued for a pe- 
riod of about eighteen months. Seeing in this 
character of labor slim profits for financial advance- 
ment he sought other employment and soon obtained 



a situation with the firm of Bird & Harrell, of Bryan. 
There in 1868 he learned the tinner's trade. He 
next accepted a position as salesman in the hard- 
ware store of Day & Burt, doing business at Bryan 
and Cilvert, and later at Marlin, Falls County. 
He continued with Messrs. Day & Burt until 1873, 
and the following year, 1874, formed a partnership 
with Mr. James Connaughten, and engaged in the 
tinner's and hardware business in Calvert. The 
connection continued under the firm name of Fuller 
& Connaughten for about ten years (until 1884), 
when Mr. Fuller purchased his partner's interest, 
since which time be has developed the business into 
one of the most extensive and successful of its 
kind in Central Texas. 

Viewing the fact that the material development 
of the various resources of the State of Texas dates 
from about the time that Mr. Fuller and others of 
his day came on to the scene of action, he must be 
classed among the successful pioneer business men 
of this section of the State, having ever been one 
of the chief promoters of its business interests. 
He has done much for the upbuilding of Calvert, 
which has become the center of a wide extent of 
rapidly developing countr}'. Anticipating the needs 
of a growing inland city, Mr. Fuller has at various 
times set about in a business-like and methodical 
way to supply them. He was one of the chief pro- 
moters of the iron foundry established at Calvert 
in 1879, put on foot as a stock company, but since 
become his sole property, and now known as The 
Fuller Engineering Company. 

In 1880 he was active with bis time, influence 
and money in establishing the first cotton oil mill 
at Calvert which was sold to the National Cotton 
Oil Mills. 

In 1887 Mr. Fuller inaugurated the movement 
which has given his city its present efficient water 
works system, of which be is the principal owner. 
He was the moving spirit, and is half-owner in the 
Calvert City Ice Factory, which has been in suc- 
cessful operation since 1889. In 1S92 be estab- 



.i08 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



lished the electric light system in use in Calvert. 
All of these enterprises have come to Calvert 
almost in the nature of benefactions, as without 
them, both singly and collectively, Calvert could 
not have attained her present standing and repu- 
tation as a prosperous, thrifty, pushing business 
town. 



Mr. Fuller married, January 24th, 1874, Miss 
Mary J. Rice, daughter of Dr. U. A. Rice, for- 
merly of Macon, Ga., and since 1884 a resident of 
Marlin, Falls Countj', Texas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have seven children : James 
T., Louis H., Marion D., Margaret A., Mary F., 
Lucy T., and Mabel. 



GEORGE L. PERRY, 



COLORADO COUNTY. 



George L. Perry was born in Franklin County, 
N. C, February 22, 1825 ; moved to Tennessee with 
his parents, John E. and Nancy Perry, in 1832, and 
came to Texas in 1841 and settled in Colorado 
County, where he has since resided. November 16, 
1855, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Ann 
Sapp. Four children have been born of this union : 



Erastus, who died April 19, 1858; LuluV., now 
Mrs. Charles Taylor, of Columbus; John and Geor- 
gie, now Mrs. J. W. Witington, of Yoakum. Mr. 
Perry is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

He is one of Colorado County's weulthj' farmers 
and .sterling citizens and a power for good in his 
section. 



GEORGE K. PROCTOR, M. D. 



CALVERT, 



Was born September 8, 1851, near Centerville, in 
Leon County, Texas, on his father's farm, and there 
received the rudiments of a good education. He 
studied medicine in New Orleans and St. Louis; 
graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in 1875, 
and located at Calvert in the same year and com- 
menced the practice of his profession, but retired 
from active practice, however, in 1877, and entered 
the mercantile business, and in 1883 became junior 
member of the well-known firm of Parish & Proc- 
tor, in which he has since continued. 

He was also from 1876 to 1881 a member of the 
drug firm of McLendon & Proctor. Dr. Proctor 
married, February21, 1884, Miss Lou Ella Gardner, 
daughter of Judge Alfred S. Gardner, a venerable 
pioneer of Leon Countj', of whom further mention 
is made elsewhere in this work. 

Dr. and Mrs. Proctor have five children : George 



A., Rector G., Jewell K., Frank Cleveland, and an 
infant not named. 

Dr. Proctor's father was born in North Carolina; 
was early left an orphan and thrown upon his own 
resources ; grew up in an humble way on a farm. 
While a boy moved to Alabama, where he married 
and engaged in farming; emigrated to Texas in 
1841) and purchased and settled on a farm in Leon 
County with his familj', consisting of a wife and 
eight children, the subject of this sketch being the 
youngest that lived to maturity ; was successful in 
his agricultural pursuits and at his death in 1880 
left a comfortable estate and an honorable record. 

Dr. Proctor's mother died in 1877, full of years 
and good works. 

Dr. Proctor is a man of quiet and unassuming 
manners, of sound learning and abilities and is 
greatly esteemed. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



509 



THOMAS J. MORRIS, 



COLUMBUS. 



Rev. Thomas J. Morris, the well-known farmer 
and minister of the gospel, of Colorado County, 
was born in the State of Florida, December 30, 
1843 ; completed his education at the University of 
the South ; served as a soldier in the Confederate 
army in Company B., Eigiith Florida Regiment, 
during the war between the States, participating in 
the battles of the Wilderness and Gettysburg, etc. 
(in both of which he was severely wounded). In 
1867 he moved to Texas, and settled in Colorado 



County in 1874, where he has since resided. After 
coming to Texas he married Miss Mary B. Hunt, 
adopted daughter of Capt. William G. Hunt. This 
union has been blessed with six children : William 
Hunt, Howard C, Mabel, Mary E., Thomas .J., 
and Francis Wilmans Morris. 

Rev. Mr. Morris is one of the most progressive 
and truly representative men of his county, and 
deservedly ranks high as a citizen and Christian 
gentleman. 



RICHARD KOTT, 

COMFORT, 



Was born February 12, 1846, in Saxe-Gotha, Ger- 
many. His father, Ernest Kott, one of the earl}' 
German settlers of Texas, came to America in 
1854, landing at Galveston in that year, from which 
place he proceeded almost immediately to Freder- 
icksburg, via Indianola, New Braunfels and San* 
Antonio. He was a bookbinder by trade and, 
although the active years of his life were spent in 
farming, did during the last ten years of his life 
more or less work at his trade on his farm in 
Gillespie County. He was born in Saxe-Gotha, 
Germany, in 1816; followed his trade there, and 
there married Miss Louise Deetzel. They brought 
four children with them to this country, viz. : Her- 
mann, who was a soldier in the Confederate army 
and lost his life at the battle of Mansfield, Louisi- 
ana, in 1863 ; Lena, Richard, and Julius. Erna, 
Edward and Clara (the latter now deceased) were 
born to them in this country. 

Richard, the subject of this notice, was but 
eight years of age when his parents reached Texas, 



and had but meager schooling, and with his father 
waged the battle for bread on the family farm in 
what was then a frontier country, and on the ojDen 
cattle range. He soon acquired a taste for and a 
broad experience in the saddle, and recalls many 
interesting experiences on the range and in pursuit 
of Indians. 

Mr. Kott has been an active and successful busi- 
ness man, turning his attention, at various 
times, to freighting, merchandising, speculat- 
ing, etc. Some time since he built, and is 
now running, the Kott Hotel, at Comfort He 
married, in 18G9, Mrs. Johanna Heim, widow of 
Antone Heim. Her maiden name was Miss Allar- 
kamp. She had two daughters, Matilda and 
Antone Heim, by her first marriage. She has 
borne Mr. Kott three sons: Hermann. P^rnest, and 
Hugo. Mr. Kott is an enterprising, progressive 
and intelligent citizen. He has given his children 
excellent schooling privileges, and they are all well 
settled in life. 



oia 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



WILLIAM ELLIOTT, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



William Elliott, a [jioneer of Texas in 1839, and 
well known in bis day as an energetic and success- 
ful business man of San Antonio, was a native of 
Ireland, born in the j'ear 1799. His father was a 
merchant in a small town and apprenticed him to a 
seven years' service with a mercantile house in Dub- 
hn. Here he received thorough disciplining in 
and a thorough knowledge of business methods. 
At twenty-one years of age (in 1820) he came to 
America and engaged in merchandising and mining 
in Blexico. It is known that he was embarked in 
business at Matamoros, Mexico, in 1836, and in 
1839 came to Texas and located at San Antonio, 
where he formed a copartnership with Edward 
Dwyer and opened a mercantile establishment in a 
storehouse situated on the site of the present How- 
ard Block on Soledad street. This connection con- 
tinued but a short time. Mr. Elliott remained suc- 
cessfully engaged in trade until the time of his 



death, which occurred in New Orleans while on a 
trip, May 12lh, 1847. He was a thrifty merchant, 
and had business relations with both the Castro 
and New Brauufels colonies. 

He married Miss Eleanor CornoUy in New Or- 
leans in 183.5. She also was of Irish birth, and 
at two years of age came to this country with her 
parents. Her father was a well-known wholesale 
merchant at New Orleans. 

Mr. and Mrs. Elliott had three children : Will- 
iam II. Elliott (deceased in 1889), who served as a 
Captain in the Confederate armj', and left a widow 
and three children surviving him; John B. , also a 
soldier in the Confederate army, who died at 
Brownsville, Texas, in 1864; and Mrs. Mary p]ll- 
iott Howard, a most refined and cultured lady, who 
resides at San Antonio. 

Mrs. Elliott died at San Antonio, August 27th, 
1885. 



JAMES COLE, 



BURNET. 



James Cole, of Burnet, was born in Maury 
County, Tenn., in 1828, and accompanied his 
parents to Texas in 1845. His father was William 
Cole, and his mother before marriage was a Miss 
Joplin, the father being a native of Virginia and the 
mother a native of Tennessee. William Cole was 
in the War of 1812 ; settled in Tennessee in 1818 ; 
moved thence to Mississippi and thence to Texas, 
settling in Eayette County, where he died in 1850, 
at the age of 65 years. His wife, mother of the 
subject of this notice, had previously died in Mis- 
sissippi. The father was accompanied to Texas by 
his two sons, William and James, the former re- 
turning to Mississippi soon after coming to this 
State, and dying there. 

James Cole was in his seventeenth year when he 
came to Texas. His youth was spent in Fayelte 
County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate 
army as a soldier in the Sixteenth Texas Infantry 
(Flornoy's Regiment), McCulloch's Brigade, and 



served during the war in Arkansas and Louisiana, 
taking part in most of the military operations in 
that section, notably those incident to Banks' Red 
river campaign. His regiment was a part of 
Walker's Division, which did such gallant service 
at Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou and other 
engagements. From 1865 to 1883 Mr. Cole farmed 
in Fayette County. Then, on the recommendation 
of his physician, he moved to Bryan County for his 
health, making his home at the town of Burnet, 
where he has since resided. 

He married Miss Mariame, a daughter of David 
Shelby, who came to Texas as one of Stephen F. 
Austin's first three hundred colonists, and settled 
at Richmond, in Fort Bend County. He was in the 
frontier service for many years — in the army during 
the early days of the revolution (1835-6), and was, 
as long as he lived, a respected citizen of the 
county, dying in Austin County in 1872, after 
having passed the three-score years and ten allotted 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 511 

Lela Hill, and Thula, un- 



to man. Mrs. Cole was boin in Austin Countj". 
Her brotlier, James Shelby, was in the frontier ser- 
vice of Texas and was murdered by Indians while 
on the frontier some time during the •' forties." 
Mr. and Mrs. Cole have three daughters: Mrs. 



Cora Hamill, Mrs. 
married. 

By industry and good management Mr. Cole has 
accumulated a competency and is spending his 
declining years in ease. 



ISAAC VAN ZANDT, 



MARSHALL. 



The subject of this memoir was born in Frank- 
lin County, Tenn., July 10, 1813. His parents 
were Jacob and Mary Van Zandt. His father was 
a native of North Carolina, the youngest son of 
Jacob Van Zandt, who, about the beginning of this 
century, moved out of the Moravian settlement in 
that State, and established himself as an agricul- 
turist in Franklin County, Tenn. His mother's 
father, Samuel Isaacs, about the same time 
migrated from South Carolina, and settled in Lin- 
coln County, Tenn., an adjoining county to that 
of Franklin. On both sides he came of revolution- 
ary patriot ancestry. His grandfather Van Zandt 
participated in several of the batles that won our 
independence of the British Crown, and his grand- 
father Isaacs, all through the war, was a zealous 
and active follower of the fortunes of Marion in all 
of his dashing and hazardous raids against the 
English foemen, and their home allies, the traitor- 
ous tories. 

All through his boyhood and youth Isaac Van 
Zandt was a victim of ill-health, and for this rea- 
son his attendance at school was desultory, and not 
as fruitful of educational benefit to him as it would 
otherwise have been. But his enforced absence 
from the school room gave him an opportunity to 
indulge at his home his relish of good books. He 
read with an ardent yearning to acquire a knowl- 
edge of the subjects treated of in the volumes he 
perused, and thus, perhaps, he fully compensated 
himself for all the loss he sustained by being com- 
pelled to forego scholastic instruction. With Eng- 
lish literature and general history he became quite 
conversant. 

At the age of twenty he married Miss Fannie 
Lipscomb, a relative of the late Chief Justice 
Lipscomb, of Texas, and commenced merchandising 
at Salem, in his native county, having his father 
for a partner. This business, however, continued 
onl^ for a few months ; for, his father dying in 



1834, the concern had to be wound up so as to 
facilitate a speedy distribution of the paternal • 
estate among the heirs. As soon as this had been 
effected, Isaac Van Zandt promptly sold for cash 
his portion of the estate, consisting mainly of 
land and negroes, and in 1835 went North and 
invested the proceeds of his patrimony in a stock 
of goods. This stock he shipped to Coffeeville, 
Miss., and there resumed the mercantile bus- 
iness, expecting to be a life-long merchant and 
nothing else. This was the flush time in Missis- 
sippi. Bank paper was abundant; everything 
vendible was bought and sold at high valuations ; 
the credit system was in vogue and everybody went 
deeply into debt. At length the bubble burst and 
the culmination came in the shape of broken banks, 
bankrupt tradesmen and a financially ruined people. 
Having invested all he was worth in the Missis- 
sippi mercantile adventure, when the crash came, 
in 1837, Van Zandt found himself well-nigh penni- 
less. He struggled for a time against the tide of 
ill fortune, made every possible effort to collect the 
debts due him, and pay off those he owed, but his 
debtors, in most cases, neither by persuasion nor 
court process could be induced to meet his de- 
mands against them, and this failure to meet their 
obligations to him made him impotent to meet his 
creditors. Even bedding woven by the wife was 
sold to meet the debts of the husband. As long as 
he had anything that could be turned to the credit 
side of his indebtedness, it took that direction and 
he had the proud consciousness of knowing that he 
had held back nothing to which, either by the law 
of the land or that of moral obligation, his cred- 
itors had a rightful claim. While residing at 
Coffeeville, his talent for public speaking was first 
developed. He became a member of a debating 
club, consisting of the young lawyers and others of 
the little town, and to his own surprise, as well as 
that of others, he soon displayed a rare readiness 



012 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



of speech and unusual acuteness of argument in the 
tliscussions that occuned. This almost purely 
accidental discovery of a latent, and hitherto 
unused talent, determined his future career in life, 
for, shorn of all his property, he had no resource 
but his native gift of intellect. He determined to 
turn his attention to legal studies, took up the ele- 
mentary books on English law, and by assiduous ap- 
plication to a perusal of them, in somewhat less than 
a year, so far mastered their contents as to obtain, 
on due examination, admission to the bar. In this 
manner his reverse of fortune proved to have been 
a blessing in disguise, his commercial disaster 
leading him to a pursuit for which his natural 
abilities eminently fitted him. By this change of 
vocation he speedily won hack more than he had 
"lost pecuniarily as a merchant, and at the same 
time achieved an honorable distinction among his 
fellow-men, far surpassing that which ordinarily 
comes to the most successful follower of mere 
trade. This success came to him in Texas, whither 
he migrated, carrying with him his family, in 1838. 
His first home in the young Republic was in Panola 
County, at that time but lately organized and very 
sparsely settled. An humble, lonely log cabin 
there sheltered him and his loved ones for some 
months. He did not locate himself in that county 
with the intention of abiding there permanently, 
but for economic reasons, 'and that, before offering 
himself as a general practitioner of the law, he 
might have a quiet retreat, where he might, by 
private study, make himself familiar with the stat- 
utes of the Republic, and the modes of procedure 
in its courts. During their residence in that 
county, the hardships and privations of frontier 
Hfe in their sternest forms were the daily experi- 
ence of himself and his family ; but his wife, who, 
as well as he, had been nursed in the lap of plenty, 
met the severe allotment with fortitude, and so 
cheerfully bore herself through the ordeal of want 
and discomfort, that no sense of discouragement 
ever oppressed him. She was, verily, a helpmeet 
to him in those days of adversity, and to her 
unmurmuring accommodation of herself to her 
changed circumstances, and the words of cheer and 
hope that came to him from her lips, he was greatly 
indebted for the after success that crowned his 
struggle with adverse fortune. Had a querulous, 
discontented spirit influenced his life beneath that 
lowly roof in Panola County, the energies of her 
husband might have lieen sapped, and the outcome 
of his career might have been very different from 
what it was — an outcome that she now looks 
back upon with just pride and pleasure. She 
richly merits the quietude and affluence she now 



enjoys in the evening of her days, underneath the 
shade of the tree she helped her husband to plant, 
during the dark time of their earlier Texian life. 

In 1839 Isaac Van Zandt moved to Marshall and 
engaged in the active practice of the law. Success 
attended him from the start, and he rose rapidly 
to the front among his legal competitors. Soon the 
minds of the people around him turned upon him 
as a suitable man to represent them in the Congress 
of the Republic. To the sessions of 1840-41, with 
great unanimit3' they sent him as their delegate to 
the lower house of that legislative body, and the 
zeal he manifested in this new sphere of action, 
not only in behalf of the interests of his immediate 
constituents, but of those of the people at large, 
endeared him to the whole country, and the ability 
he displayed in the committee rooms and on the 
floor of the House, commanded the respect and ad- 
miration of his co-legislators. He speedily became 
a marked man both at the bar and in the halls of 
legislation. 

His next official position was that of Charge 
d' Affairs to the United States, which was conferred 
upon him by President Houston, in 1842. During 
the two years that he resided at Washington City, 
as the diplomatic agent of the Republic, he labored 
assiduously with the government to which he was 
accredited, to bring about the annexation of Texas 
to the United States, and when this measure had 
become a certainty in the near future, he resigned 
the office and returned home. 

In 1845 he was a delegate to the convention that 
completed the work of annexation, and framed the 
first constitution of the "Lone Star" State. In 
that body there were many brilliant intellects, and 
in the galaxy his was an orb of no mean magni- 
tude. Some of the members were far older than he, 
and among them, no doubt, could have been found 
a profounder jurist than he as yet had bad time to 
become ; but on questions of State policy, and of 
what was needful as component elements of the 
organic law they were framing, he displayed a 
wisdom that left its impress upon the instrument 
that came from their bands, and won for him the 
prestige of unusual statemanship. 

In 1847 he was before the people of Texas as a 
candidate for the office of Governor, and while 
making an active, and what promised to be a suc- 
cessful canvass of the State, he was stricken down 
bv yellow fever, at Houston, and died there on 
the eleventh day of October. In fact, during the 
canvass his election was recognized as a certaint}'. 
His remains were transferred to Marshall, and by 
loving hands laid in the city cemetery, where to his 
memory they have reared a monument that will tell 




MRS. ISAAC VAN ZANDT. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



513 



to the stranger where sleeps a man whom all Texians 
of his day delighted to honor. 

In person he was above the average stature, erect 
and well proportioned. His head was covered with 
abundant locl<s, that were as black as the raven's 
plumage. His face was comely and attractive in a 
marked degree ; his dark gray eyes sparkled with 
intelligence, and liis look habitually wore the im- 
press of frankness and benignity. His carriage 
was eas3', graceful and dignified, and his manners 
were urbane and courteous. In a word, none 
could come near him and not feel that thej' were in 
the presence of a true gentleman. 



This sketch would be incomplete with no mention 
of the fact that Isaac Van Zandt was a Christian. 
From his early youth he had been a member of the 
Baptist Church, and his exemplary walk in life 
indicated that revealed truth bad been heartily ac- 
cepted by him, and been allowed to mould his 
heart and character. The serene composure of his 
dying hours, and the devout expressions of Chris- 
tian hope and resignation that characterized them, 
grandli" witnessed that : — 

" The chamber where the good man meets his late, 
Is privileged beyond the common walks 
Of virtuous life — quite on the verge of Heaven." 



MRS. F. C. VAN ZANDT, 

FORT WORTH. 



Mrs. F. C. Van Zandt was born in Louisa 
County, Va., March 4th, 1816. Her parents, 
William and Ann (Cooke) Lipscomb, were both 
Virginians. In the fall of 1826 she, with the other 
members of her father's family, moved to Franklin 
County, Tenn. Her life here for the nest 
seven or eight years passed quietly and pleas- 
antly. The State then afforded few opportunities 
for the acquisition of that education acquired 
through schools ; but, despite this disadvantage 
the years of her girlhood, passed in the society of 
a sainted mother, were by no means devoid of 
broadening, educating influences. Even then she 
began to evince that sweetness of disposition 
and remarkable strength and force of character 
that have all through life distinguished her ; that 
rare blending of the clear foresight and cool judg- 
ment of a man with the quick intuition and warm, 
tender sympathy of a woman. 

In December, 18.33, she married Isaac Van Zandt, 
afterwards such a prominent figure in Texas 
history, and then barely upon the threshold of 
manhood. Those older Texians now living who re- 
member him, remember him as a man of noble and 
commanding presence. E)ven as a youth his fine, 
intellectual countenence, indicative of. sensibilitj% 
thought and purpose ; the grace and dignity of bis 
carriage and his polished and genial manners, gave 
to him an air of distinction and inspired respect 
and confidence. 

Upon his death Mrs. Van Zandt was left with five 
children, the oldest of them twelve years of age. 



She had loved her husband with a strength and 
depth of devotion that would have been impossible 
in a woman of a less noble spirit; but, now alone, 
she calmly took up the work that the two h.ad begun 
and set herself first of all to the task of raising and 
educating her children. The friend to whom she 
looked for advice and help during the early years 
of her widowhood was Mr., afterwards Colonel, J. 
M. Clough, who had been her husband's partner, 
and who later married her oldest daughter, Louisa. 
Col. Clough relieved her as far as possible of all 
business troubles and aided her no little in the 
direction of her children. Mrs. Van Zandt had 
joined the Primitive Baptist Church soon after her 
marriage, but later became much interested in the 
meetings of Alexander Campbell, and, convinced 
that his views in regard to the Bible and the Church 
were correct, in 1852, at the first opportunity 
offered her, united with the Christian Church. 
Four years later she took her younger children to 
Tennessee to put them under the teaching of Mr. 
Tolbert Fanning, at Franklin College. Her princi- 
pal object in selecting this instructor and institu- 
tion was to have them properly taught the Word of 
God, for, above all things else, she desired them to 
be Christian men and women. They returned to 
Marshall when this school work was finished, and 
there her children were married. To-day all of 
them live in Fort Worth: Mrs. Clough, whose 
husband, gallant Lieut.-Col. J. N. Clough, of the 
Seventh Texas, was killed at Fort Donelson ; Maj. 
K. M. Van Zandt, Dr. I. L. Van Zandt, Mrs. E. J. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Beall (with whom ber mother makes her home), 
and Mrs. J. J. Javvis. 

Mrs. Van Zandt is a woman remarkabl3- 
young for her years, which now number nearly 
four score. She lives surrounded by her chil- 
dren and her children's children, and finds re- 
newed in them her own youth. An earnest, de- 
voted Christian, one may see her in her accustomed 
seat in church on almost every Sunday of the year. 
Her faith is one of works, too, as well as prayer, 
and all love her for the kind word and helping hand 
so often given in time of trouble. Her only wish 



has been realized — all of lier children having grown 
up to be active Christian men and women, honored 
for their integrity and their adherence to what thej' 
believe to be right, Their mother, with her un- 
swerving faith in the Bible as an all-sufficient guide, 
with her untiring earnestness in every good work, 
and with her unfailing cheerfulness in every time of 
trouble, is to them and their children a continual 
inspiration to lead useful and worthy lives. Truly 
that saying of her Master, than which there can be 
no higher praise, maybe spoken of her also: "She 
hath done what she could." 



ALBERT E. DEVINE, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



Albert E. Devine, youngest son of the late Judge 
Thomas -J. Devine, was born March 28th, 1862, in 
San Antonio, Texas, where he received his early 
schooling. He took a literary course of study at 
Rock Hill College, Maryland, and after making a 
tour in South America and Africa attended Cum- 
berland University, Tennessee, in 1883, from the 
law department of which he graduated the year fol- 
lowing. He then visited the Pacific Coast cities, 
returned to San Antonio and engaged in stock rais- 
ing in which he has excelled as a breeder of fine 
registered and standard bred horses. At San 
Antonio in 1882 was organized the banking firm of 



Smith & Devine, of which he became a member. 
He married, in 1890, Miss Bessie Weil, of San 
Antonio, a daughter of Henry Weil, a well-known 
stock-raiser of Southwestern Texas, long identified 
with the best interests of that section. 

One child has been born of this union. Mr. 
Devine has never engaged in politics but under Gov- 
ernor Culbertson served as a member of the Board 
of Directors of the West Texas Insane Asylum. 

He is a wide-awake, progressive and able man, 
thoroughly in sympathy with all movements that 
promise the promotion of the welfare of his people 
and State. 



JAMES H. ASTIN, 



HEARNE. 



James H. Astin was born in Marion County, 
Ala., in November, 1833; came to Texas in 1854; 
shortly thereafter went to California, where he fol- 
lowed the life of a miner until 1859; returned to 
Texas ; entered the Confederate army at the open- 
ing of Ihe war between tlie States as a soldier in 
Company I., Fourth Texas Cavalrj', Hood's Brigade, 
with which he served until severely wounded at the 
battle of Chickamauga ; returned to Texas and settled 



in Navarro County ; in 1864 married Miss Celia 
AUsbrook in that county, and a year later moved to 
Bryan ; followed various occupations for two or 
three years and then rented a piece of land and 
moved into the Brazos bottom ; his- sole earthly 
possessions at that time were a wagon and a team 
and ten dollars in money and a family consisting of 
a wife and baby ; rented for ten years and then in 
1877 made his first purchase ; has bought land from 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



bib 



time to time since and now owns 7,000 acres, G,000 
of which are under cultivation ; raises about 5,000 
bales of cotton annually ;ind is considered one 
of the wealthiest planters in his section of the 
State. 

His wife died in December, 1874. She left him 
four sons, James Robert, now an attorney at law at 
Dallas ; William E., a planter in Robertson County ; 
John E., on the farm with his father, and Joseph 
P., bookkeeper in the Hearne National Bank. 

In 1878 Mr. Astin married Miss Ona Ward, at 
Bryan, Texas. The issue of this union has been 
three children : Irwin, Daisy, and Roger Q. He is 
a man of unbounded energy and exceptionally fine 
judgment and is thorough-going in his business 



methods. He has grown wealthy, as he expresses 
it, "by hard knocks." 

He is a representative of the Southern gentleman 
and dispenses that hospitality which has rendered 
his section famous from time immemorial. 

While feeling a deep interest in the cause of 
popular government and all that affects the destiny 
of mankind, he has never sought nor desired, nor 
would he accept, office. He is content to follow 
out the lines of life that he has laid down for him- 
self. He was one of the original projectors of the 
Hearne & Brazos Valley Railroad, and is now a 
stockholder in the company. Charitable, generous, 
and public-spirited, he has been a potent factor for 
good in his section of the State. 



EMIL VOELCKER, 

NEW BRAUNFELS, 



A son of the late lamented pioneer, Julius Voelcker, 
was born on his father's farm near New Braunfels, 
July 24th, 1859 ; enjoyed the advantages of a good 
business training ; pursued farming until 1890, and 
then established himself in the furniture business 
in New Braunfels, in which he has since continued. 



He was elected to the City Council in 1893, and 
re-elected in 1895. 

He married, in 1872, Miss Caroline Zuehl, daugh- 
ter of William Zuehl, a farmer of Guadalupe 
Count}'. 

They have two children: Louise and Herbert. 



DR. CHARLES T. SIMPSON, 

TEMPLE, 



Was born in Macon County, Ala., October 15, 
1853. His parents were E. G. and A. W. Simp- 
son, of Macon County, Ala. His father died at 
the old home about eight years ago, and his 
mother two years since (1893) at Temple, Texas. 
They had four children, none of whom arrived at 
maturity except Dr. Chas. T. Simpson, the subject 
of this notice. Dr. Simpson completed his literary 
education at the University of Georgia ; graduated 
in medicine at the Alabama College, at Mobile, 
Ala., in 1876; moved to Texas the following year 
(1877), and settled in Bell County, near the pres- 
ent site of Temple, where he has since made his 



home, except during a period of three years, in 
which he lived in San Antonio, where he moved on 
account of ill-health in his family. He practiced 
his profession while there, meeting with much suc- 
cess. 

After the inauguration of Hon. C. A. Cul- 
berson as Governor of Texas, Dr. Simpson was 
tendered and accepted the position of Superin- 
tendent of the State Lunatic Asylum at Austin, an 
office which he is filling in a manner worthj' of his 
high reputation as a physician. Dr. Simpson mar- 
ried Miss Ida B. Williams, daughter of Dr. Duke 
Williams, at Temple, Texas, in 1883. They have 



516 



ryniAx wars and pioneers of texas. 



three children: Edna, Kennedy, and Kate. 
Learned in his profession, ripe in experience, firm 
yet kind, and possessed of rare executive ability; 



the Governor could have selected no better man 
for Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, located 
at the capital city. 



HENRY D. GRUENE, 



GOODWIN. 



Born July 2.5th, 1850, in Comal County, Texas, 
son of Ernest Gruene, a venerable Texian pioneer 
still residentnear New Braunfels ; grew up to stock- 
raising and trading, which he engaged in for several 
years after reaching maturity, shipping large num- 
bers of cattle to Kansas City and other Northern 
markets. 

In 1872 he married Miss Bertha, daughter of 



F. Simon (deceased) a well-known pioneer who 
came to New Braunfels in 1846. He has four 
children, two sons and two daughters, viz. : Paula, 
Otmar, Ella, and Max. Since going out of the 
stock business he has resided near Goodwin, Comal 
County. Has engaged at various times in milling, 
merchandising and other enterprises and now owns 
valuable property interests. 



ALVIN MORGAN, 



Alvin Morgan, an estimable citizen of South- 
eastern Texas, was born in Vermillion Parish, 
La, July 15th, 1842; moved to Texas in 1855, 
followed various occupations, and in 1879 was 
employed by the railroad company to run the 
pump at the water tank situated at the point on 
the line where the thriving town of Alvin now 
stands. 

Impressed with the natural beauty and the rich- 
ness of the soil of the surrounding country he, in 
1882, purchased 1,280 acres of land from the State 
and twelve acres from a non-resident owner. Upon 
this tract the first part of the town of Alvin, named 



in his honor, was built. Mr. Morgan was the first 
Justice of the Peace for the place, and was for two 
years engaged in merchandising. He married at 
Victoria, Texas, Miss Sarah E. Hayes, daughter of 
Rudolph Hayes, a stock-raiser of Brazoria County. 
She died in 1861, leaving two children, Olivia and 
Alvin Morgan, Jr. His second marriage was to 
Miss Ecephaney Hoffpauer. They have one child, 
a daughter, Mary Alice, now Mrs. T. M. Savell, of 
Alvin. 

Alvin has become famous as the center and ship- 
ping point for the finest fruit-grovving region of 
Texas. 




WESLKY OODEN. 



INDJAX WAIiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



617 



WESLEY OGDEN, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



The late Judge Wesley Ogdeu, deceased June 
16th, 1896, was for many years a prominent figure 
in Texas as pioneer, lawyer and judge. He was 
born in Monroe County, N. Y., the year 1817, 
and was the fifth child of Benjamin and Lucy 
(Johnson) Ogden, both of Pennsylvania. His 
paternal grandfather was William Ogden, also a 
Pennsylvanian by birth, whose father was one of 
two brothers who came from England and settled 
in that State. The other br6tlier located in New 
York State, where he became the founder also of a 
large and influential family. William Ogden was a 
soldier of the Revolutionary War, who finally located 
a large tract of land in Pennsylvania at tbe head- 
waters of the Ohio river. Judge Ogden's maternal 
ancestors were of German descent. His maternal 
grandfather, Moses Johnson, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Benjamin Ogden was married in Pennsylvania 
and soon after settled in Monroe Conntj', N. Y., 
then a new and almost uninhabited section of 
the country. There he pioneered as a famer. He 
served as an officer under Gen. Winfield Scott in 
tbe War of 1812 and participated in the battle of 
Lundy's Lane and other historic engagements. He 
died in the year 1833. His wife, Mrs. Lucy Ogden, 
died while her son, Wesley, was yet an infant. 

Born on what was then the Western frontier, of 
thrifty, yet humble parents, reared in a wild 
country as one of the common people, he proved, 
however, to be of no common mould. He was 
accorded and took full advantage of such schools 
as the country then afforded, after which he 
attended the local district school, then took an 
academic course of study, and later rounded off 
his studies with a brief course at Brockport College, 
N. Y. 

He began life for himself as a school teacher in 
Summit County, Ohio. Later he studied law at 
Akron, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar of that 
State in the year 1845. He soon thereafter returned 
to New York and taught school in the city of 
Rochester from 1845 to 1849. 

Owing to poor health, he then, upon the advice 
of a physician, sought a milder climate, and in so 



doing landed at Port Lavaca, Texas, late in 1849. 
The change proved most beneficial and he there 
soon entered upon the practice of law. In 1866 he 
was appointed United States District Attorney for 
the Tenth Judicial District of Texas. He filled 
that position for about one year and was then made 
Judge of the Distiict, the duties of which office he 
most ably and acceptably discharged until the fall 
of 1870.'^ 

The following January he was appointed an Asso- 
ciate Judge of the Supreme Court of Texas by Gov- 
ernor E. J. Davis. He sat on the Supreme Bench 
four years, the last year as Presiding Justice. 

He then retired from the bench and in 1874 loca- 
ted at Sin Antonio and there successfully practiced 
law until the year 1888 when he retired to the 
shades of a quiet, peaceful and attractive home in 
that city. Judge Ogden was twice married, first in 
1845 to Miss Jane Church, of Albion, N. Y., a 
sister of Hon. Sanford E. Church, for many years 
the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of New 
York. She died in Texas in the year 1853, leaving 
three children, viz. : Helen, who is the wife df Hon. 
Sam. M. Johnson, of San Antonio ; Henry, who died 
in 1865, and Hon. Charles W. Ogden, an able mem- 
ber of the Bexar County bar, resident at San 
Antonio. 

His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Chester, of 
New York, whom he married in 1858. Of this 
union five children were born, viz. : Lillian, who is 
the wife of Mr. Edward F. Glaze, of San Antonio ; 
Miss Mary S., who is living at home; Alma, who 
is the wife of Lieut. Wm. Brooke, United States 
army, a son of Gen. Brooke; Wm. B., in the 
Government employ in the Alaska Sealing Service, 
and Miss Ida, living at home. Judge Ogden was 
a life-long and consistent Republican. His father 
a member of tbe old Whig party, he imbibed its 
doctrines and faithfully adhered to the main 
features of its political faith to the last. He 
began the practice of law with ample qualifications 
and steadily advanced to the attainment of high 
professional eminence. He was a lawyer of splen- 
did abilities and a judge of clear and profound 
discrimination. 



518 



INDIAN WARiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



CHARLES W. OGDEN, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



A leading member of the Bexar County bar, was 
born in Calhoun County, Texas, April Gth, 1852, 
and is a son of the late Judge Wesley Ogden, a 
biography of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 
Mr. Ogden completed his literary education at 
the Texas Military Institute at Austin, afterwards 
read law in his father's office, and was admitted to 
practice in 18 . lie located in San Antonio in 
18 , and is one of the foremost lawyers of South- 
west Texas. He is a Republican in politics and 
one of the leaders of his party in the State. 



Mr. Ogden was united in marriage to Miss Cora 
Savage, a lady of domestic and social culture, who 
presides over one of the finest homes in San 
Antonio. They have two children, Ira Charles and 
Herbert Savage. 

No citizen of San Antonio is more highly re- 
spected than Charles W. Ogden and his influence 
in matters of public concern is always exerted in 
the interests of good government and modern 
advancement. 



L. H., D. H., AND W. A. ROWAN, 

BRAZORIA COUNTY. 



Pleasant Bayou Rancho is situated in Brazoria 
County, twenty-flve miles southwest from the city 
of Galveston, and fronts upon the bay. It is 
bounded upon one side by Hall's bayou and on the 
opposite side by Chocolate baj'ou, navigable for 
twenty miles. Ten and one half miles of the best 
wire fence, running from Chocolate to Hall's 
bayou, completes the inclosure, which embraces 
31,540 acres of land, 3,000 of which are heavily 
timbered. A number of never-failing streams 
water the place, among the number Pleasant 
bayou, from which it derives its name. 

The line of the Mexican Central R. R. passes 
directly through the estate, and a depot is situated 
six miles distant from the dwelling house, which is 
a typical and beautiful old-time Southern home. 
The barns, sheds, corrals, cross-fencing and all 
other appurtenances are fully up to the best 
employed by the most scientific and progressive 
stock-raisers in other sections of the country. The 
land consists of a variety of soils, from sandy loam 
to dark, rich, chocolate-colored alluvial soil, 
adapted to the growth of sea-island cotton, corn, 
oats and all kinds of grasses, grains, vegetables, 
berries and fruits known to a semi-tropical clime. 
Oranges, lemons and bananas could be grown. 
Each month of the year could be made to yield its 
delicious fruits. 



The rancho is centrally situated in the famous 
sugar-raising district of Texas, than which there is 
none better in the Southern States. The topog- 
raphy of the country is practically level, the ground 
rising from the sea toward the interior with 
a gentle slope. The drainage is superb, the 
mean temperature about 68° and, in conse- 
quence of these facts and there being no local 
causes for disease, the rancho is considered one of 
the most salubrious spots in the State. The nights 
are alwaj's cool, and a grateful and refreshing 
breeze throughout the warmest summer days blows 
continuously from the Gulf of Mexico. Shell fish 
and game are abundant. Boats land within a short 
distance of the mansion house, and from the 
balcony of its second story can be viewed wide ex- 
panses of Galveston Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico 
beyond, with ships passing and repassing, with 
their snowy sails spread to favoring gales like the 
wings of swift-flying and graceful birds. 

The house is surrounded by a magnificent grove 
of fig trees that bear two crops a year. There are 
about three thousand head of cattle on the place. 
The rancho was established by Stephen F. Austin, 
the father of Texas, and was purchased by the 
present owners, Messrs. L. H., D. N. and W. A. 
Rowan, from his heirs. He had all the country, 
from Red river to the Gulf and from the Sabine to 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



51!) 



the Rio Grande, to select from. He chose this fer- 
tile and ideally romantic and beautiful spot in 
preference to others, which he considered less at- 
tractive. 

The early Texians confined themselves mainly to 
raising stock and such crops as were absolutelj' es- 
sential for the subsistence of man and beast. They 
little dreamed of the possibilities of the soil of the 
section in which Pleasant Rancho is situated. It and 
all the country contiguous to the town of Alvin has 
developed within the past five years into a horticul- 
tural region more wonderfully prolific than any in 
California. Thousands of dollars have been in- 
vested, fortunes have been and are being 
made in this line of industry, and it is probable 
that the days of Pleasant Rancho as a stock farm 
are numbered, as orchards, strawberry fields and 
the establishments of florists who raise rare flowers 
for Northern markets are encroaching upon it 
from all sides except that laved by the languorous 
waters of the Gulf. L. H., D. N. and W. A. 
Rowan are sons of Mr. James and Mrs. Jane Rowan 
(of Irish parentage and natives of Lisbon, St. Law- 
rence County, New York), and were born respect- 
ively in Newburg, Lenox and Adlington counties, 
Canada. Mr. James Rowan was a member of the 
Lisbon Rifles, and as such participated in the battle 
of Ogdensburg during the War of 1812. He was for 
a time the owner of a saw mill and flouring mill 
plant and engaged in general merchandising in 
Canada, and thereafter moved to New York, where 
he engaged in the manufacture of lumber at Wood- 
hull, Oneida County, and conducted a wholesale 
and retail lumber business in the city of Brooklyn. 



His wife's father was Maj. Armstrong, a gallant 
soldier of the War of 1812, who, like himself, faced 
the British and burnt gunpowder at the battle of 
Ogdensburg. In 1876 D. N. Rowan, a lawyer in 
the city of New York, where he still resides, visited 
Texas and, seeing Pleasant Bayou Rancho, was 
much pleased with its situation and various advan- 
tages, and bought an interest in the property from 
the heirs of Austin for himself and brothers L. H. 
and W. A. Rowan, and later purchased the re- 
mainder of the tract. 

L. H. Rowan, also an able lawyer, came to Texas 
in 1877, and so well pleased has he been with his 
new home that, save for occasional trips to the 
North, he has since remained here and practiced 
his profession. His wife was a Miss Gray, of 
Lisbon, N. Y. They have one child, a daugh- 
ter, Mrs. G. B. Philhower, now living at Nutley, 
N. J. 

W. A. Rowan moved to Texas with his family in 
1878 and has since made this State his home. He 
has been twice married, first to Miss Golden, of 
Virginia, by whom he had one child, a daughter, 
who died in Alvin, Texas, in 1894 ; and second to 
his present wife, Miss Ford, a native of Texas and 
a daughter of Judge Spencer Ford, of Bryan. She 
has borne him four children : Spencer Ford, Charles 
Louis, Robert Livingston, and Archibald Hamilton 
Rowan. 

The Messrs. Rowan are wide-awake, progressive 
men who are thoroughly in sympathy with all 
movements designed for the upbuilding of the 
country, and few gentlemen land-holders in South- 
eastern Texas have a wider circle of friends. 



ANDREW FISCHER, 

COMFORT, 



A well-known and esteemed citizen of Comfort, is a 
son of Andrew Fischer, deceased, a native of Prus- 
sia, who came to Texas in 1868, bringing with him 
his wife and five children, viz. : Caroline, Fritz, 
Dora, Amelia and Augusta. His other children, 
William, Elizabeth, and Andrew, came in 1871. 
William and Andrew (the latter the subject of this 
sketch) were soldiers in the Prussian army, and 
therefore could not come with the family in 1868. 
The journey was made by sea from Bremen to Gal- 
veston and Indianola and overland to Sisterdale, 



Texas. One year later the family moved to the 
present Fischer home near Comfort. Andrew 
Fischer, Sr., died in 1874, at about fifty-six, and 
his wife in 1883, at sixty-three years of age. Caro- 
line Fischer married Joseph Guissler. She is now 
a widow and lives at Waring. Dora is Mrs. Charles 
Ochse, of San Antonio ; Amelia is Mrs. Charles 
Roggenbucke, of Comfort, and Elizabeth is Mrs. 
Gottleib Fellbaum, of Comfort. Andrew Fischer, 
Jr., was born June 27, 1848. He married, March 
8, 1875, Miss Willhemina Boerner, daughter of 



520 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Hemy Boerner. She was born in Texas, February 
25, 1857. They have tliree sons and one daughter, 
viz. : William. Iiorn December 6, 1875 ; Henry, born 



September 29, 1876 ; Lena, born March 3, 1880, 
and Alexander, born December 4, 1882. Mr. 
Fischer has a good farm of 145 acres. 



WILLIAM DIETERT, 



BOERNE. 



The late William Dietert, of Boerne, was borue 
June 21, 1830, in the province of Bradenburg, 
Germany; landed at Galveston in 1855, with his 
brother, Christian, and at once proceeded from that 
place to Comfort, in Kendall County, where the3' 
found work as wheelwrights. Two 3'ears later Mr. 
Dietert went to Boerne, where he established a saw- 
mill and grist-mill, run at first by water power, which 
he developed by the construction of dams across the 
stream and later by steam. The mill burned some 
years since. In his milling enterprise he was joined 
by a j-Qunger brother, Henry, still a resident of 
Boerne. The later years of Mr. Dietert's life were 
devoted to agriculture. His father was Frederick 
Dietert, a wheelwright, who came to this country 
from the Province of Bradenburg in 1856, bringing 



with him four sous: Christian, now a resident of 
Kerrville, in Kerr County; William, the subject of 
this notice ; Fritz, a citizen of Comfort, Henry, 
a citizen of Boerne ; and a daughter, Lena, now 
Mrs. Joe Wiedenhammer, of San Antonio, all born in 
Germany. 

William Dietert married, in 1860, Miss Rose Berg- 
man, a daughter of Joseph Bergman, a deceased 
pioneer of Kendall County, mentioned elsewhere in 
this p-ork. Mr. Dietert died in March, 1894, leav- 
ing a wide circle of friends, a bereaved widow and 
nine children to mourn his departure. His children 
are: Theodore, Aunite, Ida, Edward, Ernest, Olga, 
Minnie, Alma, and Rosa, all born in Kendall 
County, this State. Ida is the wife of Joe Dinger, 
a merchant of Boerne. 



FREDERICK HOLEKAMP, 



COMFORT, 



Came to Texas in 1845 as a passenger aboard the 
^^ Johanu Dethard" on her first voyage to this 
countr3', with one of the first party of German colo- 
nists who settled in Texas. The ship was laden with 
two-hundred and twent3"-eight passengers, gathered 
from the kingdom of Hanover, and other portions of 
Germany, by the German Emigration Company, 
which was then under the direction of Prince Solms, 
who accompanied the voj'agers to their new homes. 
P'rederick Holekamp was born in Hanover, January 
22, 1812. After completing his education at the Uni- 
versity he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and 
farming, in his native land. His father, Daniell 
Holekamp, a builder and contractor, never came to 
America. Frederick Holekamp, subject of this 
notice, married, March 17, 1844, Miss Betty Wilheli- 



mena Abbethern, a daughter of Henr}^ Cliristian 
Abbetliern, who was a member of the household of 
King Ernest August, then King of Hanover, holding 
the position of Ministerial Accountant, which he 
filled until the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holekamp set sail for America in the full glow of 
youth and hope to make for themselves a home in 
the new world. They landed at Galveston, Novem- 
ber 24, 1844, and proceeded overland to New 
Braunfels, where Mr. Holekamp was among the 
first to have a head-right allotted to him by the 
colony. Here he remained for about two years and 
then went to Fredericksburg, where he also lived for 
two j'ears. He later lived for three years at Sister- 
dale and still later for a time near San Antonio on 
a farm. In 1854 he located with his family at 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



521 



Comfort, which has since been his home. During 
the late Civil War Mr. Holekamp served the Con- 
federacy as a member of Capt. Karapman's Com- 
pany and died in September, 1862, of wounds 
received in the service. His remains were interred 
near the camp ground where he expired. The 
exact spot is now unknown. He left a widow and 
seven children: George, Justice, Daniell, Dora, 
Ernest, Johanna, and Bettie. George now lives at 
Comfort and is one of Kendall County's most pros- 
perous and influential farmers. He was born at 
New Braunfels, Comal County, August 7, 1846; 
married Miss Fannie, daughter of Oscar Von Rog- 
genbuske in Kerr County, in 1871, and has eight 
children : Ida, Dora, Fritz, Moritz, Elsie, Oscar, 
Kurt, and Richard. Mr. Von Roggenbuske was an 
early Texas pioneer and died in 1887. 

Julius, the second oldest of the family, was horn 
at Sisterdale, June 10, 1849. He married Miss 
Susan Fricke at Roundtop, Fayetteville, in 1876, and 
has eight children: Paul, Bodo, Norman, Louis, 
Ella, Alma, Erna, and an infant. He is a farmer 
and lives at Comfort. 

Daniell, a well-known and influential business 
man at Comfort, was born at San Antonio, April 
13, 1851. He married Miss Frames, a daughter 
of Theodore Wiedenfeld, of Comfort, in 1884. 
They have five children : Otto, Edgar, Clara, 
Agnes, and Daniell, Jr. 

Dora was born August 9, 1854, in New Braun- 
fels. She married Paul Karger, a farmer living 
near Comfort, and they have five children : Otto, 
Elizabeth, Alfred, Bettie, and George. 



Johanna, born at Comfort, August 21, 1856, is 
now the widow of the late F. G. Harner, and lives 
at Comfort. She has three children: Alex, Minnie, 
and Chester. 

Ernest is a merchant of Johnson City, Texas. 
He was born at Comfort, March 2, 1859, and mar- 
ried Miss Dora Muegge at San Antonio, in 1835. 
They have four sons: Julius, Edwin, Walter, and 
Conrad. 

Bettie was born at Comfort, February 14, 1862, 
and is now the widow of the late Henry Schmelter. 
She lives at Comfort and has two children : Matilda 
and Mjrtha. 

To Mrs. Frederick Holekamp belongs the dis- 
tinction of having made the first American flag that 
floated to the breezes at the old colonial town 
of New Braunfels. It was made from the cloth of 
various old garments of suitable colors, gathered 
from settlers. It bore the lone star in the blue 
field and wa? about two yards long and of propor- 
tionate width. Its unfurling on the public square 
gave offense to Prince Solms, the then governor 
and dictator of the colony, indicating as it did the 
appreciation of the fact by the immigrants that they 
had found a home in a free and independent coun- 
try. 

Mrs. Holekamp still survives, a quiet old lady 
whose life has been devoted to the welfare of her 
children and grandchildren and crowned with their 
love and veneration. 

Her home is in the peaceful and romantic little 
town of Comfort, where she has passed so many 
years of a busy life. 



WILLIAM WEIDNER, 



BULVERDE, 



I 'me of the substantial farmers of the moun- 
tain ^..strict of Comal County. His father, Frede- 
rick Weidner, came to Texas in 1854 from Saxony, 
Germany, where he was born, reared and learned 
the trade of a weaver of linen fabrics. After 
coming to Texas he engaged in farming on' rented 
land near New Braunfels until 1858 and then pur- 
chased 160 acres of land, a portion of the present 
home of his son, Charles Weidner. Here the 
family grew up. William Weidner, the subject of 
this notice, had already attained manhood when his 
parents came to Texas. 



The names of the chihlren of Frederick Weidner 
(all born in Germany except Joseph, who was born 
in New Braunfels), are as follows: William, 
Christine Liberecht, Adolf, Charles, Emilie, 
Auguste, and Joseph. Auguste died at twelve 
years of age in 1855. 

Frederick Weidner was twice married. William, 
Christine Liberecht and Adolf are children by his 
first wife, whose maiden name was Christine Waner. 
She died in Germany in 1848. His second marriage 
was to Miss Frederica Lombatch. 

William Weidner was born in Saxony, April 20, 



522 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



1835, and was over eighteen years of age when he 
came to Texas with his father in 1854. After com- 
ing to Texas he worked as a laborer on farms for a 
time and later went to San Antonio, where he worked 
for Herrmann Kampmann. He served as a soldier 
in Capt. Kampmann's Company from the fall of 
1861 to 1865 during the war between the States, 
spending one year in La Grange in a hat factory 
established by the Confederate States government. 
After the war he located in New Braunfels and 
manufactured hats for a year, and later formed a 
partnership with three others, for the manufacture 
of sash, doors and blinds, a connection which lasted 
for three 3'ears. 

Mr. Weidner located on his present farm in 1871. 



It now consists of 400 acres of good farming and 
grazing lands. He had a fine home and an inter- 
esting family. He has been for years trustee of 
the public free schools and has served as County 
Commissioner of Comal County. 

Mr. Weidner has been twice married. His first 
wife was Miss Cora Reader, to whom he was mar- 
ried in January, 1868. She died in November of 
that year leaving him one child, Hermann Weidner, 
as a pledge of her affection. He married his 
second wife, Mrs. Marie Kram, widow of Henry 
Kram, and a daughter of Andrees Langbeen, of 
Sisterdale, in Kendal County, 1871. By this union 
five children have been born : Clara, Natalie, Alvine, 
Gustav, and Bertha. Three children are deceased. 



JEROME C. KEARBY, 



DALLAS. 



Jerome C. Kearby, nominee of the People's party 
for the office of Governor of Texas, was born in 
Arkadelphia, Ark., on May2Ist, 1848. His father, 
Dr. E. P. Kearby, who now resides in Rains County, 
moved to Texas in 1856, stopping first in Hunt 
County and in 1857 located in Denton Count}', 
where the subject of this brief sketch was reared. 
His early boyhood was spent on a horse ranch. 

At the age of thirteen j'ears he entered the Con- 
federate army, as a private in Capt. Otis G. 
Welch's company. Cooper's regiment, which was 
composed of two white and eight Indian companies. 
He remained in this service one year. In 1862 his 
company attached itself to the Twenty-ninth Texas 
Cavalry, commanded by Charles De Morse as 
Colonel, with Welsh as Lieutenant-Colonel, and the 
late Judge Joe Carrol as Major. With this regi- 
ment he served until the close of the war, in Com- 
pany E., commanded by Capt. Matt Daughtery. 



After the war he began the study of law at Mc- 
Kinney, under Judge R. L. Waddill, and continued 
under him until his death, which occurred in 1867. 
He then continued his studies under Col. Otis G. 
Welsh at Denton. 

In 1869 he obtained license to practice law and 
began the study of his profession in Van Zandt 
County in that year. In June, 1875, he located 
in Dallas, where he has since resided and prac- 
ticed his profession. 

As this book is being put to press, the campaign 
of 1896 is at its hottest, and Mr. Kearby is en- 
gaged in a canvass of the State, in which he is 
bearing himself with his usual ability. Whatever 
the outcome, he will have the satisfaction of know- 
ing that he has discharged his every duty to the 
party that honored him with the nomination as its 
chief standard-bearer in Texas. 




JEKOME C. KEARBY. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



523 



W. C. BURRIER, 



FREDERICKSBURG. 



Capt. W. C. Burner was horn in Fredericl^ 
County, Md., January 1st, 1821, fought under Gen. 
Zachary Taylor in the war between the United 
States and Mexico and was severely wounded in the 
hard-fought battle of BuenaVista, and in 1848 after 
the close of the war, located near Red Rocli, in 
Bastrop County, Texas, where he followed farming 
for many j'ears. 

He married Miss Mary Bell, daughter of Jesse 
Bell (one of the first settlers of Bastrop County), 
at Cedar creek, in 1847. 

Four children were born of this union, viz. : 
Richard M., a leading merchant and dealer in live- 
stock at Fredericksburg, and John, James and 
William, well-to-do farmers in Gillespie County. 



Capt. Burrier joined Parson's Fourth Texas Cav- 
alry at the beginning of the war between the States 
and, after the expiration of the term for which he 
first enlisted, re-enlisted in Grady's Company, with 
which he served along the Gulf Coast until the close 
of hostilities. He has been a resident of Fredericks- 
burg, Gillespie County, for about thirteen 3'ears, 
and no citizen of that part of the State is better 
known or more highly respected. Richard M. Bur- 
rier, eldest son of Capt. W. C. Burrier, was born 
in Bastrop County, Texas, June 13th, 1849. He 
was married to Miss Sarah Stevens in Caldwell 
County, this State. They have eight children, 
viz.: William R., Mary, John, Edward F., Elma, 
Myrtle, Katy, and James. 



HENRY BAUER, 

SEGUIN, 



Is a native of Wiesbaden, the capital city of the 
formerly dukedom of Nassau, Germany. He came 
to America in 1849 ; stopped for a short time at 
New Braunfels and finally located about six miles 
west of Seguin on the Guadalupe river, where he 
erected a log house with the aid of his friend 
August Dietz, who had come over from Germany 
with him, and engaged in farming. Full of the 
vigor of youth and possessed of a courageous spirit 
they began their settlement by fencing and plowing 
thirty acres of land surroumling their simple dwell- 



ing. Mr. Bauer afterwards moved and improved 
two other places, which he afterwards sold. Mr. 
Dietz having sold the old place, Mr. Bauer repur- 
chased it in 1876 and from that time lias continu- 
ously resided thereon, bringing it up to a perfect 
state of improvement. Hardy for one of his age, 
and healthy, he enjoys the pleasures of a quiet old 
life, in the society of the family of bis nephew, the 
son of his beloved sister, who after a few years 
sojourning with him, found her last resting-place 
in the new land of their aioption. 



FRITZ VOCES, 

BULVERDE, 



Son of Henry Voges, Sr., was born April 17, 
1843, in Germany ; and is a thrifty and well-to-do 
farmer of Voges' Valley, Comal County. He mar- 
ried, July 31, 1869, Miss Sophia, a daughter of 
Charles Koch, Esq., of Anhalt, and has three 
children living, viz. : Otto, Louise, and Frederick. 



Louise is now Mrs. Alfred Toepperwein, of Bexar 
County. Otto married Augusta, a daughter of 
Mr. L. Weidner, of Bulverde. 

Mr. Voges lias one of the finest vineyards in 
Comal County and his elegant home at Voges 
Valley is the seat of old-time hospitality. 



524 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



AUGUST FALTIN, 

COMFORT, 



A representative citizen and business man of 
Kendall County', for many years past a resident 
and stock-raiser at Comfort, was born in Prussia, 
July 19, 1830. His father, Fredericl< Faltin, was a 
merchant at Dantzig, Germanj'. August Fallin 
was reared and disciplined in that calling, and 
embarked in business for himself at Leipsic. He 
was married in Geimany, in 185(5, to Miss Clara 
Below, a daughter of Edward Below, an officer of 
rank in the Prussian army, detailed at that time as 
director of a government gun factory. Mrs. Faltin 
was born in Leipsic, January 30, 1835. 

Mr. and Mrs. F'altin touched American soil at 
New Orleans, from which city they came to Gal- 
veston, New Braunfels, and thence on to Comfort, 
where he engaged in merchandising and stock- 
raising for a period of about thirty-five years and 
then, in 1889, retired from active business pursuits, 
in which he has been succeeded by his sons, 
Richard and August, under the firm name of 
Faltin Bros. & Co. 

Mr. and Blrs. Faltin have six children living, viz. : 



Helen, who was born January 17, 1857, and mar- 
ried Dan Holeckamp, and died in 1880, at twenty- 
three years of age, leaving two sons and one 
daughter; Elise, who was born July 1st, 1859, is 
now Mrs. Ernst Flach ; Jennie, who was born April 
27, 1861, and is now Mrs. Otto Flach; Richard, 
who was born June 23, 1863, and married Miss 
Alvina Steves, of Comfort, Texas ; August, who 
was bnrn September 2d, 1870, and married Miss 
Erna Flato, of Flatonia, Texas ; and Mimi Emilia, 
who was born March 7th, 1866. 

Mr. Faltin has been one of the most successful 
and ent?rprising business men in his part of the 
State. For ten years (from 1870 to 1880) he was 
a partner wiih Charles Schreiner in the mercantile 
business at Kerrville and from 1880 to 1890 at the 
head of the merchandising firm of Faltin & 
Schreiner, of Junction City. He has also filled 
large contracts for government supplies. 

The Faltin mansion at Comfort is one of the 
most luxurious and complete family residences in 
that section of the country. 



CHARLES FORDTRAN, 



INDUSTRY. 



Charles Fordlran was born in Westphalia, May 
7, 1801. His father was John H. Fordtran, who 
was a native of Schleitz, a province of Saxony. 
The stock came originally from France, being 
Huguenots who refugeed to Germany after the 
revocation of the Edict of Nantz, in 1685. They 
were a wealthy and intelligent class of people, 
being manufacturers of soap, wax candles, and 
perfumeries, etc., and carried the knowledge of 
the production of these articles into Germany, 
where it was kept in the family for generations. 
The father of the subject of this sketch was en- 
gaged in this business, and wished his son Charles 
to follow it, but it was not to his liking, and as 
soon as he was old enough he gave it up. Charles 
got but little education, Europe during his early 
youth being in the throes of the wars brought on 



by Napoleon, in which eveiy available man, whether 
a member of a learned profession or not, was 
forced into military service, teachers among the 
rest. He was reared in Minden, and received ex- 
cellent home training, and the benefit of good books 
to read, which compensated in some measure for 
lack of scholastic training. 

He sailed from Hamburg for New York in 1830, 
which place he reached in due course of time. At 
New York he met a number of h's countrymen, 
and received valuable suggestions from them con- 
cerning the new country. Among these was John 
Jacob Astor, then engaged in laying the founda- 
tion for that fortune which has since made his 
name known everj'where. 

Mr. Fordtran relates that he took a walk with 
Mr. Astor one afternoon to what was then the out- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



425 



skirts of the city, and in a conversation concerning 
the city's growth, Mr. Astor said, that the metrop- 
olis would soon cover the vast scope of country 
then embraced in farms, and that there was the 
place for young men to invest their earnings. 
While in New York, and still undecided as to 
where he would settle, Mr. Fordtran met the 
former gardener of the Duke of Oldenburg, of his 
native country, who, through some unfavorable 



literature to change their destination to Texas, 
and, accordingly, reached Austin's settlements on 
the Brazos early in January, 1831. 

There Mr. Fordtran met Padre Muldoon, Samuel 
M. Williams and other men of local note, by whom 
he was welcomed and soon made to feel at home. 
Col. Williams gave him his first employment, name- 
ly, making the boundary of the two leagues of land 
which he (Williams) had secured as a grant from 




CHARLES FORDTRAN. 



turn of fortune, had been reduced to poverty, and 
was anxious to go West and begin life anew. Mr. 
Fordtran volunteered to help the gardener and his 
good wife out, and as their guide and counselor 
took passage on a ship bound for one of the South- 
ern ports, whence the party designed going to the 
then newly created State of Missouri. Aboard the 
ship they fell in vrith an enterprising Yankee who 
had some interests in Texas and who was distrib- 
uting literature, telling of the wonders of the coun- 
try. They were induced by Mr. Yankee and his 



Stephen F. Austin. Mr. Fordtran was given one 
of these leagues for surveying and locating the 
other. 

After being in the countrj- something over a year 
he was stricken down with fever and becoming dis- 
couraged determined to return North. He had im- 
proved his land in the meantime and collected about 
him some stock and implements of husbandry. He 
offered all his possessions for $1,000, but could not 
find a purchaser, and finally left what he had in the 
hands of friends and started away in search of 



526 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



health. He accepted au invitation from Capt. 
Henry Austin and made a stay of about three weelis 
at his house at Billiver Point, after which he went 
to Mississippi in company with Nathaniel Townsend 
to visit a brother of the latter, Judge Townsend, a 
wealth}' and hospitable gentleman of that State. 
His stay in Mississippi resulted in making him a 
number of warm, personal friends and in a complete 
restoration of his health, and he returned toTexaswith 
the determination of making it bis home in the future. 
He made a contract with Col. Samuel M. Williams to 
bring in for Austin's colony 800 families, for which 
he was to have liberal donations of land. He went 
to New Orleans where large numbers of his country- 
men and others were rendezvousing preparatory to 
ffoiug to South America, where extensive coloniza- 
tion schemes were then on foot, and there under- 
took to secure settlers to carry out his contract with 
Williams. But interested parties soon started the re- 
port that the Texians were only beguiling the ignorant 
foreigners to the Mexican provinces to sell them into 
slavery and so strongly were the intending settlers 
persuaded of this that they could not be induced 
to come to the country. Mr. Fordtran threw up 
his contract in disgust, and returning to Texas 
settled on a tract of land in what is now Austin, 
County, where he began making permanent improve- 
ments with the intention of thereafter making it his 
home. 

Shortly afterwards he became acquainted with 
Miss Amelia Brookfleld, whom he married in 1834, 
and with whom he took up his abode on bis home- 
stead. She was born in Detroit, Mich., and was 
a daughter of William and Lalliet Brookfleld, 
who emigrated from New York to Texas in 1831 
and soon after coming to this State located in 
what is now Fayette County. As a civil engineer 
and Indian Bghter William Brookfleld had consider- 
able to do with the early history of Austin's colony 
and of Texas, and is remembered for his patriotic 
services by the few of his old associates still living. 
He was a man of wide learning, an orator of ability 
and an author of some note, having published just 
before his death in 1847, a book in the defense of 
the Jews. He raised a family of four sons and two 
daughters. His oldest son, Charles, served on the 
side of the colonists in the revolution of 1835-6. 
Charles, Frank and Walter were volunteers in the 
Texas contingent of the United States army in the 
war of 1846-8, with Mexico. Walter died in Mexico. 
Charles is supposed to have been murdered by his 
Jlexican servant. Frank has also passed away^ 
and now dwells above. Edward, the youngest of 
the four brothers, was frequently in the ranging ser- 
vice helping to keep back the marauding bands of 



Mexicans and Indians until their flnal dispersion 
and removal from the country. He also lies at 
rest. The daughters of William Brookfleld were 
Mrs. Emma Evans, wife of Vincent Evans, and 
Mrs. Amelia Fordtran, wife of Charles Fordtran. 
Mr. Fordtran's home at the time of his marriage 
was on the outskirts of civilization and he saw and 
experienced all there was of frontier life. His nar- 
ratives touching the ways of getting on in those 
days, the long distances they went for supplies, the 
dangers encountered, etc., are most interesting. 

He was one of those who always held himself in 
readiness to go to the relief of any section of the 
country that was attacked or threatened by the 
Indians, and for years after coming to the coun- 
try he was in every campaign organized to repel 
the redskins from Austin's colony, and was a 
member of a number of rescuing parties. In the 
vicinity of his own home he assisted in saving Mrs. 
Williams and Mrs. Peltis from capture and helped 
several times to drive off the Toncahuas, who car- 
ried on an extensive scheme of stealing under the 
direction of one Ross, a disreputable character. 
On the occasion of the invasion of the country 
under Santa Anna in 1835-36, Mr. Fordtran joined 
Capt. Bird's company of the Spy Rangers and 
assisted in protecting the outlying settlements from 
attack by Indians and in facilitating the escape of 
those families who were in the path of the invaders. 
The service so rendered was the only public service 
ever performed by him. He has never cared for 
office and when urged in an earlier day to become 
a candidate persistently refused to do so. He was 
opposed to annexation and secession, but had four 
sons in the Confederate army during the late war. 
He brought up a family of nine children, viz. : 
William, who died in Fayette County; Portia, wife 
of Dr. G. C. McGregor, of Waco; Eugene H., 
Frank, who died in the Confederate army during 
the war; Charles, Jr., of Waco; Louisa, wife of 
M. A. Healy, of Brenham ; Ann, who was married 
to J. L. Hill, of Galveston, both of whom are 
deceased ; Josephine, wife of G. H. Mensing, of 
Galveston ; and Sarah, wife of James B. Baker, of 
Waco, and has more than sixty grandchildren. His 
beloved wife died in November, 1888. During 
slavery days Mr. Fordtran's was one of the best 
known countr}' places around, well furnished, open 
to all, and abounding in all good things — good 
society, good music, good cheer, etc., etc. 

Asked to what he attributed his great age and 
remarkable vitality (for he still goes about every 
day, the same as for the past seventy-five 3'ears), 
he said, to a naturally strong constitution and to 
correct modes of living. He has always led an 



JXDIAX WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



527 



active outdoor life and has been strictly temperate 
in his habits. He is fond of good books, the 
society of 3'OUDg people and good music and has 
grown old gracefully. 



He is a remarkable man — a veteran and citizen 
whose life has been full of usefulness to those about 
him and of honor to his country', to whose pros- 
perity and glory he has so materially contributed. 



CAPTAIN C. B. HOBRON, 



BOERNE, 



AVas born in New London, Conn., January 23, 
1830. Descended from an old Connecticut sea- 
faring family. Capt. Hobron's early life was spent 
at New London. He followed the sea from sixteen 
years of age until about the year 1866, first in the 
whale fishing service and later in the merchant 
marine between New Orleans and New York. When 
twenty-three years of age he became first officer of 
the '■'■Samuel Russel," and later first officer of 
" The David Broicn," both clipper-built ships, ply- 
ing between New York City and Chinese ports in 
the tea trade. About 1860 he bought an interest 
in the ship " /ndiawa " and engaged in the New 
Orleans cotton trade. The Civil War broke out 
and practically destroyed the trade. When war 
was declared his ship was anchored at New Orleans, 
but he cleared for New York City with clearance 
papers issued by the Confederate government and 
made New York City in the marvelously quick time 
of thirteen days. 

Februarj' 3d, 1862, he married, in Philadelphia, 



Pa., Miss Elizabeth Loosley, daughter of William 
Loosley, an Englishman, who died when she was 
very young. After his marriage Capt. Hebron and 
wife made a voyage around the world, occupying 
about three years, during which he visited the ports 
of Australia, New Zealand, Peru, South America 
and other countries, returning to New York via 
Panama. The time intervening between his return 
and the year 1877 he spent at various points in the 
New England and other States, and then came to 
Texas for the benefit of his health and that of Mrs. 
Hobron, and purchased his present home, three 
miles southeast of Boerne. He has made a specialty 
of fine Merino sheep and Jersey cattle. Capt. and 
Mrs. Hobron have one son, Charles L., born August 
5, 1867, in Philadelphia, Pa. ; one daughter. Mat- 
tie, was born in Melbourne, Australia, and died at 
home near Boerne, 1880, at fifteen years of age. 
She was a young lady of charming manners and 
promising future. Capt. and Mrs. Hobron enjoy 
the esteem of a wide circle of friends. 



JOHN KLECK, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



■Came to Texas in 1845 from Prussia, landing in 
this country at Galveston. He located and lived 
at Victoria for one year and in 1846 moved to 
Fredericksburg. There he erected the first black- 
smith shop in the town and followed his trade for 
about fifteen years, after which he engaged in farm- 
ing. 

He married Miss Victoria Failer, who bore 
him twelve children, of whom three sons and six 



daughters are living. Mr. Kleckdied July 4, 1887. 
John W. Kleck, a well-known citizen of Fredericks- 
burg, the sixth child of John and Victoria Kleck, 
was born November 29, 1856, in Fredericksburg, 
and grew to manhood on his father's farm and 
stock ranch on Grape creek, in Kendall County, 
where his father lived for twenty-five years. John 
W. Kleck has later been engaged in farming, stock- 
raising and speculating in real estate, and in 1883 



528 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



laid Kleck's Addition to the town of San Angelo, in 
Tom Green County. He married Miss Louise Fel- 
ler, daughter of William Feller. She is a native of 
Gillespie County. They have two children. John 



W. Kleck later sold his San Angelo property and 
removed to Fredericksburg, where he now lives, 
and owns one of the best business houses on Main 
street. 



JOHN SCHNABEL, 



BRAUNFELS, 



A well-known early settler at New Braunfels, was 
born in Prussia in the year 1831 ; came to America 
in 1851, and located at New Braunfels. He spent 
about two years in various employments and then 
purchased land and engaged in farming, which he 
continued until 1893. He married in 1857 Miss 
Elizabeth Troeste. She died October 18, 1886, 
leaving a family of eleven children, viz. : Dora, 
Henry, Anton, Phillip, .John, Augusta, Annie, 
Lina, Ida, Albert, and Ella, eight of whom are mar- 
ried. 

Dora married William Voigt and lives in 
Gonzales Count}- with her husband. Their children 
are Olga, Wanda, Oscar and Hertba. 

Henry married Miss Augusta Ebert. They live 
in Gonzales County, where they own a large ranch. 
Their children are: Hilda, Laura, Alice, and 
Herbert. 

Anton married Miss Annie Reinhard, and is a 
merchant at Belmont. His wife died August 11. 



1895, leaving three children: Malinda, Eugene, 
and an infant not named. 

Phillip married Miss Lena Schultz. He is a mer- 
chant at Belmont. They have one son, William. 

■John married Miss Lizzie Hegemann and lives at 
the old family home at First Santa Clara, Guada- 
lupe County. They have one daughter, Josephine. 

Augusta married William Hoeke, a farmer, resid- 
ing near New Braunfels. They have three children : 
Erna, Roma, and Martin. 

Annie married Adolf Reinarz. She died June 3, 
1895, leaving two children, Gilbert and Gerome. 

Lena married Adolf Forshagen, a merchant of 
Belmont. 

The Schnabel home at First Santa Clara consists 
of five hundred acres. Besides this homestead 
Mr. Schnabel owns valuable property in New 
Braunfels and a comfortable home, to which he 
retired in 1893, with his three youngest children, 
and lives at ease. 



WILLIAM EDWARD MAYNARD, 



BASTROP. 



W. E. Maynard, member of the well-known firm 
of Fowler & Maynard, at Bastrop, was born at 
Lockhart, Texas, January 13, 1858. His parents 
were C. B. Maynard (a prominent merchant) and 
Mrs. Maggie M. Maynard — both deceased. 

He attended the Waco University two years, and 
completed his education by a two years' course at 
Emory and Henry College, Washington County, 
Virginia, after which he entered the office of Hon. 
Joseph D. Sayers, under whom he read law for two 



years. At the expiration of this time he read law 
under Hon. J. P. Fowler for one year ; was 
admitted to the bar in 1878, and thereupon formed 
a copartnership with Mr. Fowler, which has since 
continued. Mr. Maynard is devoted to his profes- 
sion, possesses a clear, searching and analytical 
mind, and is an eloquent and persuasive speaker. 
He has acquired a standing at the bar second to 
that of no other advocate in his section of the state. 
In January, 1880, he was united in marriage to 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



529 



Miss MoUie A. Clements, of Virginia, and lias five 
children : Maud May, Powell Clements, Virgie 
Deel, Nettie Gertrude, and William Edward. 

He was appointed City Attorney of Bastrop in 
January, 1879, and in November, 1880, was elected 
County Attorney of Bastrop County. He was 
re-elected County Attornej' for five successive 
terms and, finally, declined to again become a can- 
didate for the olBce. In November, 1890, the Dis- 
trict Attorney died, and the bar of the Twenty- 
second District at once petitioned Governor Ross 
to appoint Mr. Maynard to fill the vacancy. The 
petition met with a favorable reception, and he was 
tendered and accepted the appointment, and has 



since discharged the duties of the office, winning 
golden encomiums from the press, his fellow-mem- 
bers of the bar and from tlie people at large, by 
whom he is held in high esteem as a man of high 
integrity, and a capable, faithful and fearless 
public official. Mr. Maynard has twice been 
elected to the office of District Attorney of the 
Twenty-first District, which is composed of the 
counties of Bastrop, Washington, Lee and Burle- 
son, and at present holds that position. 

He is a Democrat of the strictest sect, a member 
of the Methodist Church, and has represented his 
home lodge of Odd Fellows in tbe Grand Lodge for 
a number of years. 



DAVID McFADDEN, 



CRAWFORD. 



David McFadden, of Crawford, McLennan 
County, was born in Randolph County, Mo., Octo- 
ber 14th, 1831 ; a son of Wyatt McFadden, a native 
of Kentuckj-, who came to Missouri at an earlj' day 
settling in Randolph County, where he was a prom- 
inent farmer and married Miss Rebecca Hammitt, a 
daughter of Elijah Hammitt, also of Kentucky, and 
a pioneer settler of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt 
McFadden reared a famil}' of four children, namely : 
Jonathan who came to Texas in 1849 and served as 
a State ranger and also in the Confederate army 
during the late war and is now living in Bosque 
County ; Catherine, deceased, . who married I. 
Richardson, of McLennan County ; Sally, who died 
in 18fi4 ; and David, our subject. The father came 
to Texas in 1856, settling in McLennan County, 
where he died in 1876. 

The subject of this notice remained in his native 
county until 1846, when he enlisted for the Mexi- 
can War under Gen. Price. He served through that 
struggle and was mustered out at Independence, 
Mo., in 1848, after which he returned home. He 
participated in the battle of Santa Cruz, took part 
in all skirmishes of his command and was never 
wounded. 

With the earnings received from this service he 
came to Texas in 1848, settling first at Austin, and 
then at San Antonio. In 1850 and a part of 1851 
he was a State ranger and during the latter year he 
bought 320 acres of his present farm. He then 



commenced the improvement of his land, built a 
log cabin, and added to his original purcLase until 
he now owns 695 acres situated on Hog creek, 
in the western part of McLennan County. This 
log cabin was on the extreme frontier, there not 
being a white settler west of him. He had consid- 
erable trouble with raiding parties of Indians. 

In 1862 Mr. McFadden enlisted in the Confeder- 
ate army, served in Arkansas for a time, was dis- 
charged and then came home and joined McCord's 
frontier regiment. He participated in the Dove 
creek figlit with the Kickapoo Indians, was in many 
skirmishes with the Indians and was at Camp Col- 
orado at the time of the surrender. After he 
returned home he resumed his farming operations, 
erecting a large two-story frame dwelling, and 
adding many other conveniences to his place until 
he now has a home to be proud of. He has 135 
acres of his farm in cultivation. The pasture part 
he has always kept well stocked with horses and 
cattle. When Mr. McFadden came to this State 
his worldly possessions consisted of a horse, saddle 
and bridle, and about 1200.00 in money, and he can 
truly be called a self-made man. He served seven 
years as a soldier and defender of his country and 
since his residence in McLennan County has taken 
an active part in the development of that section of 
the State. 

Mr. McFadden was united in marriage, July 8lh, 
1852, to Miss Salena Harris, who was born In 



530 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEllS OF TEXAS. 



Randolph County, Mo., August 24, 1835, a daugh- 
ter of David Harris, who came to Travis County, 
this State, in 1847, and died there in 1849. 

Mr. and Mrs. McFadden have had five children, 
viz. : Bell, born September 2, 1853, first married 
AVm. Isb, and after his deatii Dr. Boyett, now of 
Waco ; Dink, born September 22, 1855, married to T. 
Woodmansee, — both are now deceased — of which 
union one child, Zo, now survives and resides with 
her aunt at Waco ; Aribell, born in 1857, died in 
1863; Emma, born March 18, 1860, married G. W. 



Jones, a farmer of Bosque County ; and Ruva, born 
December 8, 1868, married Dr. Thompson, of 
Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County. Mr. McFadden 
lost his first wife, October 8, 1893, and he was 
married again October 25th, 1894, to Mrs. 
M. E. Mevone3', of Crawford, McLennan County, 
where they now reside. Mr. McFadden and liis wife 
are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
His first wife was also a member of that church. 

He is a staunch Democrat in his political views. 
He hates blue coats and brass buttons. 



E. S. PETERS, 



CALVERT, 



Was born in Detroit, Mich., May 2, 1852. His 
ancestors came to America as colonists in 1636, 
and settled in Connecticut, where his father, 
Samuel E. Peters, was born at the town of Litch- 
field in 1818. Mr. Samuel E. Peters was an 
active, progressive man, a pioneer real estate 
dealer at Detroit, Mich., and accumulated a large 
property. 

The subject of this notice, E. S. Peters, was 
educated in the public schools of Detroit; studied 
law in the office of Ward & Palmer for some time, 
when, his health failing, he, in 1872, moved to 
Texas and lived for a time with relatives at Cor- 
sicana. 

He was united in marriage in 1879 loMissMollie 
Hannah, daughter of James S. Hannah, a pioneer 
from Alabama, who settled in Robertson County in 
1851. Mr. Peters embarked in the hardware bus- 
iness at Corsicana in 1879, in partnership with 



S. J. T. Johnson, a connection that continued 
until 1882, after which Mr. Peters conducted the 
business alone until 1885, when he sold it, and 
engaged in ranching near Calvert, in which he has 
since been eminently successful. His land-hold- 
ings are among the largest in the Brazos Valley, 
and embrace extensive tracts devoted chieily to 
the cultivation of cotton. He also owns valuable 
interests in Corsicana, Texas, and his native city, 
Detroit, Mich. 

He is Texas President of the American Cotton 
Growers Association, and National E^xecutive Com- 
mittee of the Populist party, owner of the Weekly 
Citizen Democrat, a well established and influential 
newspaper published at Calvert, and has been, and 
still is, active in all that pertains to the advance- 
ment of his adopted city, countj- and State. 

He has two children, a son and daughter, Eber 
and Beulah Peters. 



JAMES BIDDLE LANGHAM, 



BEAUMONT, 



Was born October 9, 1820, four miles from the 
town of Summerville, in Fayette County, Tenn. 
His parents were Thomas and Wilmuth (Lee) 
Langham. His mother died in Jefferson County, 
Texas, in November, 1855, and is buried near 



Beaumont. His father died in Jefferson County In 
1868. His parents came to Texas from Tennessee 
in 1836, located at San Augustine, lived there 
two years, then moved to Nachitoches, La ; lived 
there four years (the mother and four sons); 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



531 



removed to Tennessee, where Ibey remained a year 
and then again came to Texas. The subject of this 
notice, Mr. James B. Langliam, then a youth six- 
teen years of age, left tiie family, at San Augustine 
and went to Montgomery County, wiiere he worked 
on a farm for eighteen months, receiving $20.00 
per month for his services and taking horses for his 
pa}'. He drove these horses to Beaumont and left 
them, with the exception of one that he retained as 
a saddle animal, with an uncle living at Grigsby's 
Bluff. 

He married Miss Sarah Jane Nettles, daughter of 
James Nettles, of Jefferson Countj', Texas, May 



T. D. Brooks, proceeded with it to a spot situated 
near where the city of Dallas is now situated and 
there erected a fort. He was with the company 
something over tliree months. 

At the breaking out of the war between the 
States, being physically unable for active service in 
the Confederate army, he promptly joined the 
militia for home protection and was stationed at 
Sabine Pass immediately after the capture of the 
" Morning Light." 

After his marriage Mr. Langham farmed two 
years, then moved to Village Creek with his family 
and remained there a year, then moved to Leon 




JAJiES BIDDLE LANGHAM. 



15, 1845, and settled about two miles from Beau- 
mont on a tract of one hundred acres of land, 
inherited by them from his wife's father, and 
opened up a farm on it. They have had nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living, viz. : Thomas, now 
Sheriff of Jefferson County, an office that he has 
held for nineteen years; AVilliam, City Marshal of 
Beaumont; Lizzie, wife of Frank Wilson, of Har- 
risburg, Texas ; Biddle, a farmer of Orange County, 
Texas; Victoria, wife of Charles Wakefield, of 
Beaumont; Annie, who died August 20, 1882, at 
the age of twenty-two years ; Nora, wife of Alex. 
Broussard, of Beaumont; Cora, wife of Richard 
Garrett, of Beaumont, and one child who died in 
infancy. 

At an early day Mr. Langham joined, at Nacog- 
doches, a ranger company, commanded by Capt. 



County, and stayed there a year, then moved to New- 
ton County, where he rented land and farmed one 
3-ear and then moved back to the house in which he 
was married in Jefferson County, where all of his 
children were born except two. Here he again 
went to farming, at the time owning two negroes. 
At the beginning of the late war he owned fourteen 
slaves, and had acquired three leagues of valuable 
land. In April, 1891, Mr. Langham was hurt by a 
horse, which caught him by the coat collar and 
jerked him backward, breaking his hip. When he 
came to Beaumont he endured all of the hardships 
incident to a pioneer life in Texas. He has pro- 
vided a home for all of his children. He is one of 
the well-to-do men of the town. His wife died 
February 12, 1875, and is buried in the family 
cemetery at the old homestead. 



532 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



WILLIAM W. ALLEY, 

COLORADO COUNTY. 



William W. Alle3', a prosperous farmer of Colo- 
rado County, Texas, was born in that countj', Janu- 
ary 3, 1849. His parents were Abraham and Nancy 
Alley. His father and mother's brother, Daniel 
Millar, were San Jacinto heroes. The Alleys have 
been conspicuous in Texas history for patriotism 
and valor. Many of them in the early days fought 
for the defense of the frontier homes. -John Alley, 
an uncle of the subject of this notice, returning from 



a scout after hostile Indians, attempted to cross the 
Brazos river, then swollen by recent rains, and was 
drowned, and another uncle, Tom Alley, was killed 
by Indians. 

Mr. William W. Alley is a useful and influential 
citizen and a wide-awake, progressive and broadly 
cultured farmer, one of the leading representative 
men of Colorado County. 



JOHN R. ALLEY, 

NIGH. 



John R. Alley, the popular and efficient postmas- 
ter at Nigh, Colorado County, Texas, was born June 
15, 1846, in that county. He is a son of Abraham 
and Nancy Alley, a biographical notice of whom 
appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Alley mar- 
ried first in 1867 and again in 1878. He had two 
children by his first wife, Lena and Mack, and five 
by his second wife : Florence, Daniel, Peter, Ray, 



and Shelly. He was a gallant Confederate soldier 
during the war, serving in what was known as Henry 
Johnson's Company, a part of Bates' regiment. 
Besides being postmaster, Mr. Alley is also a ginner 
and miller. 

He owns a nice home in Nigh, takes an interest in 
all public improvements, and is one of the solid men 
of that county. 



JOHN HARDAMAN OWEN, 

NAVASOTA. 



The subject of this sketch was born in Oglethorpe 
County, Ga., October 10, 1823, was reared on a 
farm in his native count}', and after growing up 
became a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He 
married Miss Elizabeth Grier Fleming, a daughter 
of Robert Fleming, at Newman, Ga., in 1845, and 
engaged in business in that place. In 1851 he 
came to Texas and settled near Piedmont Springs, 
in Grimes County. Later he moved to Anderson, 
and resided there until 1874, when he moved to 
Navasota. He was engaged in various pursuits 
and made considerable money, being energetic and 



progressive and a man of good business ability and 
sterling integrit}'. He was never in public life, and 
during the late war served onl}' on detail duty, his 
career being thus purely of a private nature, though 
he was public-spirited. Mr. Owen's death occurred 
in 1886 and he left surviving a widow and a 
number of sons and daughters, most of whom 
reside in Texas. 

He was esteemed by all for his sterling traits of 
character ; beloved by many who found bim a 
friend in time of need, and had the confidence of 
the people wherever he lived. 



I^WIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



533 



JOHN B. BARNHILL, 

FAYETTE COUNTY. 



John B. Barnhill was born in Gieenville District, 
S. C, December 12tb, 1824; educated in Ten- 
nessee and came to Texas in 1877 and settled 
near Plum, Fayette Count}', where he engaged in 
farming, and two years later married Miss Florence 
Bledsoe. 

During the war between the States he enlisted 
in Company I., Twenty-seventh Tennessee, 



and afterwards served with Forest's cavalry and 
participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
Brice's Cross-roads, Fort Pillow and other engage- 
ments, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant and 
conducting himself witli commendable gallantry. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a sturdy 
Democrat and a leading and influential citizen in 
his section. 



FREDERICK HAMPE, 

NEW BRAUNFELS, 



Was born in Hanover, January 5, 1840, and emi- 
grated from his native land to New Braunfels, 
Texas, with his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Ernest 
Hampe) and his brother, August (now deceased), 
in 185.5. Frederick and his brother August enlisted 
in Company F., Thirty -second Texas Cavalry, Capt. 
Edgar Schramme, and fought for the Confederate 
cause until the surrender in 1865. Frederick 
Hampe enlisted as a private and served as such 
until the end of the war. He was offered a com- 
mission at various times and declined the honor, 
but was finally induced to act as first sergeant of 
his company. Even this position was not desired. 
His services to the Confederacy were cheerfully 
and faithfully rendered until he received an honor- 
able discharge at New Biaunfels, May 24, 1865, 
when the battle-scarred veterans of the South were 
at last compelled to stack their arms. October 9, 
following, he formally tui'ned over his rifle to Capt. 
William Davis, of the Eighteenth New York Cavalry, 
acting United States paroling officer, and received 
his full reinstatement as a citizen of the United 
States. After the war he worked as a salesman in 
various establishments in New Braunfels, until 1869, 
when he embarked in a modest way in business for 
himself. He was appointed Clerk of tlie District 
Court for Comal County, August 4, 1869, by Will- 
iam R. Bainridge, Secretary of Civil Affairs, to 
succeed Theodore Goldbeck, resigned. In 1873 
be was duly elected Chief Justice (or, as now 
styled, County Judge) of Comal County as a 



Democrat at a time when the county polled a 
Republican majority. He received his certificate 
of election from the Republican incumbent, Fred 
Goldbeck, but possession of the office was peremp- 
torily denied him. During the period of recon- 
struction the Republicans held the reins of State, 
and in many instances, of county and municipal, 
government; but, when reconstruction was finally 
accomplished and the country polled its full voting 
strength, the Democratic party in Texas resumed 
control. Thus Richard Coke, Democrat, was 
elected Governor of Texas to succeed E. J. Davis, 
Republican, after a bitter fight, in 1873. The 
majority was overwhelming, but Davis declined 
to surrender the oflSce, because of the alleged 
unconstitutionality of the new election laws, which 
position, upon appeal, the State Supreme Court 
upheld. It was upon this decision that Mr. 
Hampe was denied the exercise of the duties of his 
office. Prompt and vigorous legal measures were 
taken, however, to enforce the expressed will of the 
people of Comal County, and Mr. Hampe was duly 
installed as Judge a short time before Governor 
Coke took his seat as Governor of Texas. Judge 
Hampe was elected for four years, but by the terms 
of the subsequently adopted constitution of 1875, 
his term as Judge was shortened to two years. He 
retired from office at the end of that time. In 
1875 he was elected County Assessor and served 
until 1884. He has held a commission as Notary 
Public under every Governor since 1874. He was 



534 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



a member of the New Braunfels City Council soon 
after the reconstruction era, when the duties of the 
position were arduous, the city being heavily in 
debt and its affairs generally unsettled. He has at 
all limes been a consistent and active Democrat and 
has for several years held the chairmanship of the 
County Executive Committee of his county. 

Mr. Hampe married, in 1865, Miss Jacobine 
Wolfshole, a daughter of August Wolfshole, who 
came from Nassau, Germany, to Texas, in 1845, 
and of whom further mention will be made else- 
where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hampe have 
seven children: Johanna, wife of Charles Floege, 
a merchant of New Braunfels ; Augusta ; Kate, wife 
of Gustav Tolle ; Lena, wife of C. F. Hoffman, 
jeweler, of New Braunfels ; Fritz, Alfred, and 
Alfrida. The two latter are twins. The unmarried 



children live under the old parental vine and fig 
tree. 

Judge Hampe is esteemed for his good citi- 
zenship, for his enterprise and thrift as a busi- 
ness man, and for his genial and courtly manners. 
August Hampe, a brother of the subject of this 
notice, served as a private in the same company as 
his brother, Frederick, and after the war returned 
home and married. He died in 1882 at thirty-eight 
years of age. During his later years he held the 
office of City Marshal of New Braunfels. He left 
a widow, two daughters and four sons, all now 
residing in Comal County. His widow remarried 
in 1888. Mr. Hampe has served as a member of 
the State Democratic Executive Committee, and 
Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee 
of his Senatorial District. 



JOHN WEINHEIMER, 

FREDERICKSBURG. 



Jacob Weinheimer, father of the subject of this 
notice, was born in the town of Meunster, Prussia, 
in 1797, and emigrated to America in 1845. 
Landing with his wife and six children at Gal- 
veston in October of that year, he proceeded to 
Indianola, where he remained for about fifteen 
months, and then, in 1847, moved to Fredericks- 
burg, where he and his two sons each received 
their allotment of two town lots and ten acres of 
land adjoining the town. Jacob Weinheimer died 
at Fredericksburg in 1887, aged eighty-nine years, 
and his wife at the same place during the same 
year, aged eiglity-five years. The six children, all 
of whom are living, are : George, who lives on a 
farm five miles from Fredericksburg ; Antone, who 



is a farmer near Fredericksburg ; Elizabeth, who is 
the wife of John Deilz, and resides near Fredericks- 
burg; Sophia, wife of B. Meckel, a citizen of 
Fredericksburg; Anna, wife of John Pelsch, a 
farmer on Grape Creek, and John Weinheimer, of 
Fredericksburg. 

John Weinheimer was born in Meunster, Prussia, 
March 23, 1833. He was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Merz, daughter of Mr. John Merz, of 
Fredericksburg. They have ten children, viz. : 
John, Jacob, Anna, Otto, Mary, Henry, Ida, 
Louise, Adolph, and Louis. 

Mr. Weinheimer has pursued in a quiet and suc- 
cessful way the occupation of a farmer and stock- 
miser. He is esteeemcd wherever known. 



FRITZ KOCH, 



BULVERDE. 



Fritz Koch is a son of Charles Koch, of Anhalt, 
one of the leading pioneers of Comul Couniy, a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this book. 

Fritz Koch was born March 21, 1851, in Comal 
County, Texas. He married Bliss Wilhelmina 



Voges, a daughter of Henry Voges, July 18, 1873. 
They have five chileren : Emma, Bertha, Frederick, 
Bruno, and Annie. Mr. Koch owns an excellent 
farm of three hundred and sixty acres and is one 
of tlie most enterprising farmers of Comal County. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



535 



HENRY S. WILLIAMS, 

COLUMBUS. 



Heory S. Williatcs was born in Obion County, 
Tenn., March 10th, 1854; came to Johnson County, 
Texas, November 1, 1876, and in 1883 moved to 
Columbus, in Colorado County, where he has since 
resided. May 18th, 1884, he was married to Miss 
Mattie Ramsey, of Columbus, and has six children: 
Roy, Henry S., Sr. , R. Q. Mills, Mattie, John and 
Joe. He served an unexpired term as City Marshal 
of Columbus and is now a member of the Board of 
Aldermen. 

He owns a large grocery, grain and feed business 



in the town, and a fine farm in the country which he 
has let to renters. When Mr. Williams first went 
to Columbus he was an entire stranger to the peo- 
ple and without money, or even cheering prospects. 
He set to work with a will, however, and conducted 
himself in a manner that won for him the friendship 
of the best people in the community. He was soon 
on the high road to prosperity. He is one of those 
bright, stirring, able self-made men who have won 
their way to the front in Texas. Mr. Williams is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 



AUGUST KNIBBE, 

KENDALIA, 



Was born in New Braunfels in 1848. He is a son 
of Detrieh Knibbe, an early Texas pioneer and the 
first settler at Spring Branch, in Comal County. In 
1862 the subject of this notice, then fourteen years 
of age, left the family at Spring Branch and went 
to Curry's Creek, where he ran a flouring mill 
until July, 1869, when it was washed away by a 
flood. 



He was united in marriage, March 2.5th, 1869, to 
Miss Mary Gourley. They have thirteen children : 
Donie (a daughter). Mar}', Emma, Augusta, 
William, Ida, Lafayette, Exer, Ora, Rosa, Felix, 
Rolla, and Theodosia. Mr. Knibbe ran a shingle 
manufactory from 1869 to 1886, and then embarked 
in merchandising at Kendalia, in which he is still 
engaged. 



OTTO VOGEL, 



SIVIITHSON'S VALLEY. 



Otto Vogel, a successful business man, of Smith- 
son's Valley, Comal County, has been a resident 
of Texas since 1885. He was born in Rhineland, 
Germany, February 17, 1863, and came to this 
State with his brother, Fritz, now an engineer in 
Mexico. He worked for about two years by the 
month on a farm and commenced the well-boring 



business, which he has since followed. He mar- 
ried, in 1888, Miss Laura Boltom, of Smithson's 
Valley. They have three children : Bruno, Fred- 
erick, and Otelia. Mr. Vogel is one of the most 
enterprising men in Comal County, and by indus- 
try and sagacity has become in a brief time inde- 
pendent in money and property. 



536 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



CHARLES KARGER, 



COMFORT, 



A well-known and prosperous farmer of Comfort, 
Kendall County, Texas, was born in the town of 
Falkenberg, Province of Schlussing, in Nortli Ger- 
many, March 24th, 1845, and came to Texas with 
his father and mother (Mr. and Mrs. Karger) and 
other members of the family, in 1860. They first 
touched Texas soil at Galveston, disembarked at 
Indianola a few days later and journeyed overland 
in ox teams from that place to San Antonio. They 
went almost immediately from San Antonio to Sis- 
terdale, where they lived for about a year, and then 
moved to Comfort. John Karger was a tanner and 
did a prosperous business at his trade at Comfort 
durins; the war between the States. He died in 



1864, at forty-eight years of age, leaving a widow, 
who survives at seventy-three years of age, and 
eigiit children : Marie, Cbarles, Frederica (widow 
of Fritz Dietert), Paul, Eraii, Fritz, August and 
Ernst, all living. 

Charles Karger married Miss Alvina Weber, a 
daughter of Henry Weber, of Comfort. They have 
three daughters and two sons, viz. : Ida, Bertha, 
Helen, Louis, and Adolf. 

Mr. Karger has a good farm of seven hundred 
and seventy-five acres. 

He has served several years as Deputy Sheriff of 
his county and Deputy Postmaster at Comfort, and 
has held several mail contracts. 



AUGUST PIEPER, 

BULVERDE, 



Is one of the original settlers of Comal County. 
He was born in Hanover, Germany, June 13, 1824 ; 
came to America with the Prince Solms colony in 
1835 and located at New Braunfels, where be worked 
at his trade (that of carpenter and joiner), for two 
and a half years, and later followed the business 
of contractor and builder for nine years. In 1850 
he married Mrs. Johanna Kwamm, a daughter of 
Conrad Kwamm, and in 1852 they became the first 



white settlers of what has since been known as the 
Pieper Settlement, a settlement situated in one of 
the finest mountain districts of Comal County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pieper have seven children: Caroline, now 
Mrs. Peter Lex ; Emma, now Mrs. Otto Wehe ; 
Sophia, now Mrs. Gustav Eeker ; William, married 
to Miss Minnie Reinhardt; Frederick, married to 
Miss Augusta Arns, and Herman, married to Miss 
Helen Ecker. 



CHRISTOPHER SCHMIDT, 



KENDALIA, 



Came to Texas in 1850 and located at New Braun- 
fels, where he worked for James Furguson until 
1855, when he took up land on the Little Blanco 
river, where he was the first settler, and lived there 
until 1878, when he moved to Kendalia. There he 



purchased and developed a fine farm of about 
800 acres, a portion of which his son Adolf now 
owns. 

Mr. Schmidt was born September 21, 1828, in 
Saxony. He came to America by way of Bremen, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



537 



landed at Galveston and i)roceeded thence to 
Indianola and New Braunfels. He was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Schalfer of Boerne, in 1859. 
She was born in Germany in 1835. They have ten 
children : Winnie, now Mrs. John Kuepper, of 
Kendalia ; Herman, a citizen of Kendalia; Henry, 



who lives at the head of the Little Blanco, four 
miles from Kendalia; Christian, Jr., living at 
Kendalia; Martin, Mary, Theresa, Emma and 
William, who are single and live at Kendalia, and 
Adolf, who is married and lives near the old home. 
Five chi dren are deceased. 



ROMANUS TALBOT, 



CALVERT, 



Familiarly known as Roe Talbot, a well-to-do 
planter of Robertson County, was born in Pike 
County, Ala., in 1833. He accompanied his 
parents, James and Hannah Talbot, to Texas, in 
1852, and the following year settled on the farm 
where he has continuously lived for the past forty- 
two yf^ars. In 1858 he married Miss Nannie Wood, 
daughter of Aaron Wood, who emigrated to Texas 
from Aberdeen, Miss., where Mrs. Talbot was 
born, and settled in Robertson County in 1851. In 
January, 1862, Mr. Talbot entered the Confederate 
army, enlisting in Capt. Johnson's Spy Companj', 
which was organized for service in Gen. Ben Mc- 
Culloch's command and which for two years was 
engaged in scouting and outpost duty in Arkansas. 
At the time of the investment of Arkansas Post by 
the Federals, Mr. Talbot was sent with fifteen others 
to occupy outlying points and report the movements 
of the enemy. He continued at this work, return- 
ing messengers until only himself and one comrade 
were left, when the final fall of the post occurred, 
news of which reaching him, he made good his 
escape and returned to Texas. Here he raised a 
company of which he was elected First Lieutenant 
and again entered the service, accompanying his 



command to the forces then massing along the 
Louisiana and Arkansas line to resist the invasion 
of the Federal army under General Banks. He 
took part in the series of engagements incident 
to Banks' Red River campaign, commanding his 
company most of the time, and surrendered at the 
general armistice in May, 1865, having been in 
active service foi three years without being cap- 
tured or wounded. 

After the war Mr. Talbot took up farming and, 
though pursuing it under many disadvantages, 
made good progress from year to year, and is to- 
day one of the wealthy planters of Robertson 
County, having in cultivation over 800 acres in the 
Brazos Valley. 

He represented Rjberston County in the Twen- 
ty-third Legislature, discharging acceptably the 
duties imposed on him, and refused the position 
a second time. He and bis good wife have 
raised four sons, all of whom were given educa- 
tional advantages, and three of whom, Frank L, 
Aaron and James R. , are now living and occupy 
positions of usefulness. Their second son, Joseph 
W., was accidentally killed on the railroad in June, 
1894. 



HENRY VOCES, SR., 

BULVERDE, 



One of the most prominent pioneers of the Comal 
County mountain district and the worthy founder 
of one of the most highly esteemed families in Cen- 
tral Texas, was born in the town of Pina, near the 



city of Brunswick, Germany, May 27, 1811. He 
came from Bremen, Germany, to Galveston, in 18-15, 
bringing with him two sons and one daughter. 
The latter is deceased. The two sons are Frederick 



538 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and Henry, residents of Voges' Valley. From Gal- 
veston they proceeded to Seguin, and later to New 
Braunfels and in 18(50 located in what is now known 
as Voges' Valley, in Comal County, where he 
reared his family and is now spending his declining 
years in peace and quietude. From 1846 to 1852 



located in the mountains of Bexar County, where he 
livwl until 18G0 and then removed to liis present 
home. He has been twice married. By his last 
marriage he has two sons and two daughters, all 
single. He helped build the Catholic Church 
at New Braunfels and has been active in good 



he did whatever his hands found to do. He soon works. 



JAMES TALBOT, 

ROBERTSON COUNTY. 



James Talbot, deceased, for many years a resi- 
dent of Robertson County, Texas, was born in 
Morgan County, Ga., in 1805, and was a 
descendant of that old Georgia family of Talbots 
for whom Talbot County in that State was named. 
His father was William Talbot, a well-to-do planter, 
and was, it is believed, a native of Virginia, emi- 
grating to Middle Georgia about the close of the 
last century. 

James Talbot was reared in his native State and 
at about the age of twentj'-one went to Alabama 
and settled in Pike County. There he resided a 
number of years and was twice married, moving 
thence to Texas. He came to this State first in 
1849, remaining only a short time. He moved out 
and settled in 1852, stopping for a while in Wash- 
ington County, and settling permanently in the 
summer of 1853 in Robertson County, where he 
had in the meantime purchased land. Though a 
number of settlements had been made along the 
Brazos where he bought, still but little improving 
had been done, and he was one of the first to open 
a plantation in that vicinity. The old Talbot home- 
stead is about five miles from the present town of 
Calvert, and there Mr. Talbot spent all his subse- 
quent j'ears in Texas. He was a plain farmer ; 
but, with a fair degree of success as such, fulfilled 
all the obligations of a good citizen, and left this 
world somewhat the better for having lived in it. 
He was for many years a member of the Missionary 
Baptist Church, and a Mason, joining one of the 
first Masonic Lodges organized in tlie county, that 
at old Sterling. 

Mr. Talbot was three times married, and the 



father of four cliildren. He first married Miss 
Eliza Moore, of Pike County, Alabama, and after 
her death, Jiliss Hannah Herring of the same 
county. The issue of the former marriage was a 
daugliter, Eliza, and of the latter, a son, Romanus, 
and a daughter, Ann. Eliza was twice married, 
first to Dr. Jones, of Alabama, and after his 
death to Dr. Ware, of Texas, and died in 
Robertson County, this State. Romanus Talbot 
lives on the old Talbot homestead in Robert- 
son County. Ann was married to Charles 
P. Salter, and is now deceased. Mrs. Hannah 
Herring Talliot died January 1, 1855, and somej-ears 
afterwards Mr. Tall)0t married his third and last 
wife. Miss JNIary Rucker. A daughter was born of 
this union, Fannie P., now Mrs. John La Prelle, 
of Austin. Mr. Talbot had four brothers, 
Matthew, William, Greene and Hale, two of whom, 
Matthew and Greene, were in Texas in an early 
day, but never lived here. He also had two sisters, 
Mrs. Nnnnelly, who lived and died in Georgia, and 
Mrs. John ILxrvey, who accompanied her husband 
to Texas in 1835 and settled on what was then the 
very outskirts of civilization, being a point near the 
present Talbot homestead in Robertson County 
where the same year the father, mother and a son 
were murdered by the Indians, and a sixyear-old 
daughter was taken into captivity and held for a 
number of years. The history of this captive child, 
Ann Harvey, afterwards Mrs. S. Biiggs, who lived 
for many years in Robertson County, forms one of 
those thrilling episodes in which the early history 
of Texas abounds. 

James Talt)ot died in 1862. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



539 



HENRY PANTERMUEHL, 



SMITHSON'S VALLEY, 



Was born in f,he province of Pomraeria, vicinity of 
Koitenhagen, March 19, 1842. Hisfatlier, Joacliim 
Pantermuehl, a farmer by occupation, emigrated to 
America in 1854, witli bis seven sous (suliject of 
tbis notice) and two daughters. Of these daughters 
Mary was at that time married to John Schultz, now 
a prosperous farmer, who accompanied her to the 
New World and now lives on the Guadalupe river, in 
Comal County. Louise, the other daughter, is Mrs. 
Chas. Ohlrich, of Smithson's Valley, in the same 
county. A third daughter came to America a few 
years later with her husband, Fritz Wunderlich, and 
located at New Braunfels, where she died May 17th, 
1878, leaving a son, Julius Wunderlich, now a 



farmer living on the Guadalupe river in Comal 
County, and a daughter, Augusta, who is the wife 
of Benjamin R. Smithson, of Smithson's Valley. 
The subject of tbis brief notice, Henry Pantermuehl, 
was twelve years of age when he arrived in tbis 
country. He lived on a farm during his earlier 
years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the busi- 
ness and is now a prosperous farmer. He married, 
May 20th, 1874, and has three living children: 
Herman, born June 12, 1876; Emilie, born July 
16th, 1878, and Richard, born November 9th, 1879. 
Mrs. Pantermuehl's maiden name Miss Pauline 
Startz. She is the daughter of Henry Startz, and 
was born January 9th 1856. 



CHAS. GROSSGEBAUER, 

GOODWIN, COMAL COUNTY, 



Resident near New Braunfels, farmer by occupa- 
tion, came to Texas from the province and town of 
Brunswick, Germany, in 1857. Was born in Zil- 
feldt, Brunswick, November 7th, 1847. He was 
accompanied to this country by his mother, then a 
widow, who later married Henrj' Kellermann, 



under whom tbis subject learned his trade. Em- 
barked in business for himself in 1875 and has 
since been quite successful. Married in 1874 Miss 
Caroline Warnecke, and has three sons and three 
daughters: Charles, Louise, Albert, Anna, Emma, 
and Jerry. 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMITHSON, 

SMITHSON'S VALLEY, 



Is a Texas pioneer and was the first settler in 
Smithson's Vallej'. He was born in Jtfferson 
County, Ala., March 19, 1825. His father, William 
Smithson, a native of Virginia, and soldier in the 
War of 1812-14, came to Texas in 1837 from Ala- 
bama with his wife and nine children and died in 
1844. Of this old family three members only, the 
subject of this sketch, Jane and Richard C, are 
now (1895) living. B. F. Smithson removed to 



Comal County in 1851 and located on his present 
homestead, where he has since continuously resided. 
In 1842 he was a member of Capt. Belting's 
Company of Texas rangers, participated in the 
battle of Salado and later took i)art in many other 
skirmishes with the Mexicans and Indians. During 
tlie Mexican War he was a memt er of Bell's Regi- 
ment and was stationed on the Texas frontier. He 
was the first postmaster of Smithson's Valley and 



540 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



assisted in buildiiio; the first school house in that 
section of the country. He married, January 9, 
1856, Miss Augusta Vogel, a daughter of Louis 
Vogei, an early Texas pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smithson have four children, all born inSmithson's 



Valley, viz.: Louise (wife of Mr. Henry Wezen, 
of Smithson Valley), Sarah (wife of Theo. Bose, of 
the same locality), Richard B. (who married Miss 
Augusta Wonderlich), and Emma (Mrs. Adolf 
Hoffeing, residing near Burnet, in Kendall County). 



ARMISTEAD E. WATSON, 



MARLIN. 



Armistead E. Watson was born January 28, 
1834, in Prince Edward County, Va., the seventh 
of ten children, whose parents were Joseph A. and 
Jane (Bruce) Watson. Joseph A. Watson, also 
born in Prince Edward County, was a son of Col. 
Jesse Watson, who served with the rank of Captain 
in the War of the Revolution and was subsequently 
appointed Colonel of State troops. He was a son 
of John Watson, who was a native of Virginia and 
of Scotch ancestry, and was among the early 
settlers in the colonies. 

The worthy mother of Mr. Watson was the 
daughter of Alex. Bruce, and was born in Lunen- 
burg County, Va., as was her father, Alexander. 
His ancestors were from Scotland. 

Armistead E. Watson was reared on a plantation 
and secured his education in the principal schools 
of that day, which were of superior order. In 1856 
he decided to leave the Old Commonwealth. His 
course lay through Montgomery and Mobile, Ala., 
b3' rail, and thence by steamer to Galveston, Texas, 
via New Orleans. From Galveston he went to 
Washington County, where he purchased a tract of 
land, on which he settled. His slaves came by land 
and were about three months on the road. There, 
amidst new scenes, he commenced the building up 
of a new home for himself and to do his part in 
developing the grand resources of his adopted 
Slate ; but he was not long to remain in those pur- 
suits. The ominous war-cloud, long hovering over 
the land, soon broke in savage fury. Responding 
to a sense of duty, he promptly enlisted in Companj^ 
G., Fourth Texas Infantry, commanded by Colonel, 
afterward General, Hood, took part in man3' of the 
great battles of the war, and bore himself as became 
a gallant soldier fighting in defense of his home and 
country. Among the battles in which he partici- 
pated may be mentioned Gaines' Mill, the Seven 
Days' battle around Richmond, and Malvern Hill. 



At the end of two years, spent in almost continu- 
ous fighting, he was released from service on 
account of failing health, and returned home to 
Texas and again resumed his agricultural pursuits, 
which he followed until January, 1868, when he 
moved to Galveston and engaged in business as a 
cotton buj-er. In 1870 he made another change, 
going to Falls County, where he engaged in plant- 
ing. Subsequently he became engaged in raising 
and dealing in stock, acquiring, from time to time, 
land interests. In the spring of 1892, he assisted 
in the organization and became president of the 
First National Bank of Marlin. 

Mr. Watson possesses admirable business quali- 
ties and has been eminently successful in all his 
operations, at the same time doing much towards 
the development and growth of the country. 

He was married May 25, 1869, to Amanda, 
daughter of the late Churchill Jones. To this 
union three children were born : Irene, Clara, and 
Armistead. Armistead, a bright and promising 
youth of eighteen years and the idol of his father, 
was untimely taken from this world by a stroke of 
lightning whilst pursuing his studies at Roanoke 
College, Va., June 27, 1892. This was a sad blow 
to his devoted father, inflicting a wound from which 
he will never recover. 

His wife died June 8th, 1874, at the age of thirty 
years. She was a member of the Baptist Church. 
He was subsequently married, February ]8Lh, 1878, 
to Xeminia C. Powers, daughter of Joseph and 
Susan (Turner) Powers, who were among the old 
and prominent families of Alabama. To them has 
been born one child, Ximinia. Mrs. Watson is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

In 1884 Mr. Watson was elected by the Demo- 
cratic party to the Nineteenth Legislature, and 
filkd that responsible position with credit to him- 
self and satisfaction to his constituency. 





A. E. WAl'SOA. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



541 



RICHARD KIMBALL, 



MERIDIAN, 



Richard Kimhall, a leading lawyer aud one of 
the most extensive planters in Bosque Count}', 
Texas, was born in New York City in 18i5, the 
eldest of five children born to Richard B. and 
Julia C. (Tomiinson) Kimball. The Kiraballs 
were a very old English family, tracing their 
genealogy back to remote limes. The progenitor 
of the American branch, Richard Kimball (a name 
that has passed down from generation to generation 
in the familj'), crossed the ocean and settled in 
Massachusetts in 1635. The Tomlinsons were also 
an ancient English family, representatives of which 
came to America in colonial days. Both families 
contributed gallant soldiers to the patriot armies of 
the American Revolution and distinguislied mem- 
bers to the learned professions in America in the 
earlier and later history of the country. The 
father of the subject of this memoir graduated with 
honors at Dartmouth College, studied law and 
began practice at Waterford, N. Y. ; shortly there- 
after moved to New York City, where he soon rose 
to eminence and became attorney for various rail- 
road corporations and financially interested in 
railroad building ; in 1846 bought various tracts of 
land in Texas, aggregating more than 100,000 
acres, and about 1859 founded the town of Kim- 
ball on the Brazos river, in Bosque County. It 
was on the cattle trail and soon became a flourish- 
ing place. Its prosperity' continued until railroads 
were built throughout the country and then, being 



left inland, its fortunes declined. It is still a post- 
offlee. He was the leading spirit in the Galveston, 
Houston & Henderson Railway Co., organized 
about the year 1853. The road was completed 
from Galveston to Houston and he served as its 
president until the war between the States. After 
the war he disposed of his enterprises in Texas and 
thereafter devoted his time to a large corporation 
(principally railroad) practice in America and 
Europe. He was a polished and educated gentle- 
man of refined literary tastes and was the author 
of several books. He died in 1892 in New York. 
His wife had died in 1879. 

The subject of this notice graduated at Dart- 
mouth College in 1855 ; studied law at Poughkeep- 
sie, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1867, 
and the following year came to Texas and located 
on a fine estate on the Brazos river, some 3,000 
acres, which he proceeded to improve. In 1888 he 
moved to Meridian and engaged actively in the 
general practice of his profession and is now con- 
sidered one of the best lawyers in that section of 
the State. 

He has ever been an active working Democrat, is 
chairman of the County Democratic Executive 
Committee and has for years been a delegate to 
the various party conventions. 

In 1881 he married Miss Nannie A. Ogden, of 
Missouri. They have five children : Richard Hunt- 
ington, Ma}', Julia, Harold Ogden, and Margaret C. 



JOHN M. ZIPP, 

NEW BRAUNFELS, 



Oldest son of a Texas pioneer of 1847, the late 
John Jacob Zipp, was born in Germany and was 
about seventeen years of age when he came to 
Texas with his father and family. 

He married in June, 1864, Miss Helen Hoffman, 



daughter of a worthy Comal County pioneer. She 
was born in 1839. 

They have a family of six children. Mr. Zipp is 
a prosperous farmer, a man of great thrift and in- 
dustry, and a fair type of Comal County pioneer. 



542 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS 



THOMAS HARVEY PUCKETT, 



KENEDY. 



T. H. Puckett was born March 2, 1825, near 
Terre Haute, Ind., where his parents, Isam and 
Edith (Garrett) Puclvett, natives of North Car- 
olina, bad settled at an early day. His mother 
died twenty-four liours after his birth, and his 
father April 7, 1835. In 1836, he, together with a 
brother, Micajah, and a sister, Hannah Puckett, 
were brought to Texas by a paternal uncle, Thomas 
Puckett, who moved to the infant Republic with his 
family in that year, and oi)ened a small farm about 
twelve miles distant from the present city of Austin, 
which was founded and established as the seat of 
government under the laws of the Republic of 
Texas. Three years later, William Hornsby and 
William Gilleland were the nearest neighbors of the 
Pucketts. Gilleland was killed by the Indians 
about the year 1841. 

Travis County in 1836 was situated at the ex- 
treme western limit of the settlements in the very 
heart of the wilderness, and was subject to well- 
nigh incessant Indian raids. Upon many occa- 
sions the hardy pioneer family found it necessary 
to fi»ht the savages in defense of home and life, 
and met with the usual number of perilous adven- 
tures. 

Mr. Thomas Puckett drove a herd of cattle to 
Coles Countj', 111., in 1858, and, owing to the 
hardships and exposure incident to the trip, died 
soon after reaching there, at the home of a married 
daughter, who ministered to his last wants. He 
left eight children, four boys and four girls. 

The subject of this notice, T. H. Puckett, who 
had then about reached manhood, went to Indiana 
on a vis:it at the commencement of the war between 
the United States and Mexico, and there met and 
enlisted under Capt. Black, who was raising a com- 
pany for service in the United States army. Three 
older brothers, William, Richard, and James P. 
(who were afterwards killed at the battle of Buena 
Vista), also went out with this company. T. H. 
Puckett passed through the war without serious 



mishap, and received his discharge at New Orleans 
in 1847, and returned to his home in Travis County, 
where he reraaineil until 1849, when he accepted em- 
ploj'ment with a Mr. Ewing and drove a herd of cattle 
overland with him to California, having numerou 
sharp encounters with Indians along the route. 
After remaining in California for more than a year, 
Mr. Puckett and about twenty other j'oung men 
associated themselves together and went to Chili, 
for the purpose of buying land and engaging in 
raising wheat, flour then commanding about one 
dollar a pound on the Pacific slope. After spend- 
ing a few months in Chili, however, they abandoned 
this purpose, made their way to the Amazon river, 
and later after visiting a number of English and 
French ports, landed at New York, from which city 
Mr. Puckett proceeded to Texas by way of New 
Orleans and settled on the San Antonio river, in 
what was then (1852) a part of Goliad, but since 
1853 a part of Karnes County. Here, near the 
present town of Kenedy, he has since resided. He 
has been twice married, first in Karnes County, 
January 15, 1857, to Miss Elmira Archer, who bore 
him eleven children (six b03's and five girls) all of 
whom are living and nine of whom are married, and 
second, Decemlier 20, 1892, to Mrs. Hannah Cook. 
There were no children by the second marriage. 
Mrs. Elmira Puckett died August 27, 1886, and 
Mrs. Hannah Puckett, September 3, 1894. Mr. 
Puckett served in Company H., Twent3--fourth 
Texas Regiment, during the war between the States, 
until captured at Arkansas Post, where he made 
his escape by swimming the Arkansas river, after 
which he returned home and entered the frontier 
service, in which he remained until the close of 
hostilities. 

His sister, Hannah Puckett, who married William 
Rush, died wiihout issue. His brother, Micajah, 
was lost sight of in 1845 or 1846, and is supposed 
to have fallen in the Mexican War, as did three 
other brothers of the family. 



INDIAN WARS ^IND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



543 



JOSEPH E. HERNDON, 



CALVERT, 



Was born in Spottslyvania, Va., May 5, ISIG. At 
the age of eighteen, he went to Georgetown, K}-., 
where, December 17, 1840, he married Miss Mary 
A. Briscoe, a native of Scott County (of which 
Georgetown is tlie county seat), and lived there 
until 1857, when he came to Texas and settled in 
Eobertson County. He lived there until his death, 
June 27, 1881. He opened and successfully oper- 
ated a large Brazos-bottom plantation, and was a 
citizen above reproach and much admired for his 



many virtues. His wife died November 19, 1877. 
They had five children, only two of whom, however, 
lived to maturity. A son, Jacob W. Herndon, who 
entered the Confederate army at the opening of the 
late war, enlisted in Company C. (Capl. Town- 
send), Hood's Brigade, and was killed at the battle 
of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. A daughter, Lucy 
G., married Robert A. Brown, and is now a widow 
residing in Calvert, Texas. 



ROBERT A. BROWN, 



CALVERT. 



The late Robert A. Brown, of Calvert, was an 
esteemed Texas pioneer of 1851, and few men in 
this State, in his day, led a more active life and 
accomplished more as a business man. Coming to 
Texas at seventeen years of age, full of the vigor of 
youth and just merging into manhood, the Lone 
Star State had use for man}' young men of his stamp 
in the development of its natural resources. 

Mr. Brown was a native of Virginia, and was 
bora at Culpepper County, near Brandj-wine Sta- 
tion, February 22, 1833. Upon coming to Texas 
he located at Galveston, where he found employment 
as a salesman in the mercantile establishment of 
Gen. Ebenezer Nichols. 

At the commencement of the war between the 
States he returned to his native State and county 
and there volunteered in the defense of the cause of 
the Confederate States as a member of the famous 
Black-Horse Cavalry of Virginia, and as a soldier 
served with distinguished bravery in the various 
thrilling engagements incident to the defense of the 
Confederate capital until his capture with many of 
his comrades in the Valley of the Potomac in 1864. 
He was confined as a prisoner of war, first at Fort 
Delaware and afterwards at Washington, D. C, 
until the conflict ended, when he was released and 
returned to Galveston. 

At Galveston, in compan}' with an uncle, John 
Shackelford, he engaged in business as a cotton 



factor and commission merchant under the firm 
name of Shackelford & Brown, doing a successful 
business. 

Mr. Shackelford died in 1886 and Mr. Brown 
continued the business with Mr. George Walshe 
under the firm name of R. A. Brown & Co., 
with marked success until 1886 when he moved to 
Robertson County, located at Calvert, invested 
large amounts of money in Brazos Valley farming 
lands and Calvert city realty and became one of the 
most enterprising and progressive citizens of that 
town. He, also, devoted a large share of his time 
to farming. 

Robert A. Brown was pre-eminently a business 
man, in the strictest sense and use of the term. In 
early life he received a good business education and 
was an expert accountant. He early learned the 
lesson of self-reliance, was fertile in resources and 
was never lacking in the promptitude and energy 
necessary to a successful business career. 

Mr. Brown was known through his extensive 
business relations in Galveston and later at Calvert, 
as a social, genial gentleman and drew about him a 
host of warm personal friends. He was a man of 
the strictest integrity, possessed a high sense of 
honor and enjoyed the confidence of the entire 
business public. 

Mr. Brown married in 1867 Miss Lucy, daughter 
of the late Col. Joseph E. Herndon, a Texas 



544 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



pioneer of whom biographical mention is made 
elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Brown and eight 
children survive him. 

Eobert Herndon, the oldest son, engaged in the 
stock business at Waco. The other children are : 
P'rederick Watts, actively engaged in farming near 
Calvert; Lucy Summerville, Herndon, Maud, 
Nettie, and John Brown, all of whom reside at the 
family home at Calvert. 

Mr. Brown in his domestic relations and home- 
life was a model husband, a kind and indulgent 



father, anil delighted in contributing to the hajjpi- 
ness and welfare of his family and friends. 

He died at Bremond while on a visit to his 
almost life-long and trusted friend, John C. Roberts. 

His funeral obsequies were attended by a large 
concourse of sorrowing friends. The banks and 
business houses closed on the day of his burial as a 
testimonial of the respect and esteem in which he 
was universally held. 

He left a large and valuable estate and an honor- 
able name as a heritage to his familv. 



HENRY BENDER, 

SPRING BRANCH, 



Owner of Spring Branch Ranch, one of the most 
pictures: que and valuable farm properties in Texas, 
was born near the city of Worms, in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, February 15, 1842,. and came to 
America when about nineteen years of age, landing 
at New York in May, 1861. From that city he 
went West, where he enlisted in the Union army in 
1864, at Wabash, Ind., joining Company G., One 
Hundred and Thirt}'-eighth Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, which was immediately ordered to the 
front ; joined Sherman and participated in the fa- 
mous " march to the sea." After the close of the 
war Mr. Bender returned to Wabash and resumed 
his former position as clerk in a store. His health 
failing, he came to Texas on a visit to his brother, 
Charles Bender, now of Houston, but then residing 
at New Braunfels, remained with him for a time 
and then, later on, settled on his present place on 
the Guadalupe river and engaged in farming. He 
now owns 2,200 acres of the choicest farming and 
grazing lands in the State. On the property is 
located the famous head of Spring Branch, a spring 
under the bluff in front of his residence, that gushes 



forth several hundred thousand gallons of pure 
cold water every hour. With its lovely valleys, 
hills and lofty mountain peaks in the background, 
sparkling springs and trout brooks, wonderful 
growth of cypress and other shade trees, abundance 
of timber and fertile soil. Spring Branch Ranch is, 
without question, as valuable and attractive a piece 
of property as can be found in Texas. Mr. Ben- 
der has his entire estate under fence, several miles 
of which is of solid stone; 115 acres are under 
cultivation. Mr. Bender's father, Peter J. Ben- 
der, was a farmer and wine grower in Germany, 
sold his wine product to the royal family and no- 
bility of the empire, enjoyed a handsome income, 
and gave his ten sons and two daughters excellent 
educational advantages. Mr. Bender married 
Miss Harriet Sayers, daughter of Jacob Sayers, at 
Wabash, Ind., August 10, 1865. Her father was 
formerly a planter, merchant and mill-owner in 
Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have four sons 
and four daughers : Louis H. (deceased), Freder- 
ick H., Mary Alice, Rose K., Henry P., John F., 
Lillie N., and Wm. M. Bender. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



545 



ALFRED S. GARDNER, 



CALVERT. 



Judge Alfred S. Gardner, the venerable subject 
of this sketch, is a Texas pioneer of 1844, a Mexi- 
can War veteran of 1846, and one of the oldest liv- 
ing citizens of Robertson County. He is a native 
of Hart County, Ky., born near Munfordsville, in 
the year 1822, where he grew up and lived until 
twenty-two years of age. Anticipating the war that 
two years later broke out between the United States 
and Mexico, he came to Texas as above stated and 
almost immediately identified himself with military 
movements that were being put on foot. He found 
his way by degrees to Wbeelock, now in Robertson 
County, then in Old Leon County. Here he fell 
in with Capts. Eli Chandler and Jack Hays and 
engaged with them in skirmishing with the Indians 
that were then more or less troublesome along the 
Brazos River Valley. 

Later, in 1846, he volunteered for the Mexican 
War under Capt. James Gillespie, and served under 
him a period of about seven months, or until the 
war ended. He then returned to Leon County. 

Judge Gardner in his youthful days worked in a 
blacksmith shop and learned the trade in Texas, 



which he followed with prolit at the town of Leona. 
He was later elected County Judge of Leon County 
and held the ofBce for six years. 

Judge Gardner has been twice married. His first 
wife was Martha Braden, by whom he had one 
daughter, Martha Jane, now the wife of James 
Nash, who resides in Louisiana. 

His second marriage was to Miss Martha Jane 
Moore. -A daughter by this union, Louella, is the 
wife of George K. Proctor of Calvert. The other 
two children are Samuel and Alfred, farmers in 
Leon County. 

Judge Gardner's father, Edmund Gardner, a 
native of Spottsylvania County, Va., and a soldier 
under Gen. Jackson, in 1815, was born in 1786. 
He came to Kentucky in 1807, lived in Hardin 
County, pursued farming, and there died in 1885, 
at ninety-nine years and three months of ace. 

Judge Gardner's mother, Martha Shelton, was a 
daughter of Capt. Tom Shelton, of Spottsylvania 
County, Va., and a Captain in the Continental army. 
Judge Gardner now (1896) is spending his declin- 
ing years at Calvert. 



EMIL WARMUND, 



FREDERICKSBURG, 



Emil Warmund, Sr. , is a worthy representative 
of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer 
families of Gillespie County, Texas. His parents 
were Christian and Augusta Warmund, from 
Nassau, Germany. They had four sons: Louis, 
William, Emil, and Charles. The family came to 
Texas in 1846, landing at Galveston in January 
after a voyage of one hundred and twenty days on 
a sailing vessel. From Galveston they went to 
Indianola where they spent two weeks, and then 
proceeded to Fredericksburg in wagons drawn by 
ox-teams, the trip requiring four weeks. Emil 
remained in New Braunfels with his brother William 
(a clerk for the German Emigration Company) for 
eighteen months, at the expiration of which time 
they joined the family at Fredericksburg. There the 



parents died, the mother in 1848 at forty-two years 
of age and the father in 1872 at seventy-three years 
of age. Louis died in 1884 and William in 1891. 
Emil, the subject of this notice, located on Live 
Oak creek, where be raised stock, farmed and made 
money. Later he lived on Bear creek, nine miles 
distant from Fredericksburg. In the fall of 186.5 
he located in Fredericksburg and engaged in mer- 
chandising, at which he has been quite successful. 
He is now one of the wealthiest citizens of liis 
county. He was a member of the local militia 
during the war and did all he could to promote the 
Southern cause. 

He was married in Fredericksburg in 1847 to 
Miss Augusta Sander. They have seven chil- 
dren: Adolph, now deceased, who left i 



546 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



widow and two sons ; Emil, August, Louise, now 
Mrs. William Basse ; Emma, now Mrs. Alba 
Patton ; Matilda, now Mrs. Henry Meckle ; and 
Lena, now Mrs. Alfred Basse. They have twenty- 
five living; ojrandchildren. 



local development and the history of that portion 
of Texas in which its members have lived. 

William Warmund, deceased, was a man of most 
excellent character. He served several terms as 
County Judge of Gillespie County and left a large 



The Warmund family has left its impress upon estate to his family and an honorable name. 



JOSEPH BATES, 

BRAZORIA. 



Few men in Texas were l)ettcr known or more 
universally admired in their day and generation 
than the subject of this memoir. Gen. Joseph Bates, 
of Brazoria. 

A writer in " Reminiscences of Public Men in 
Alabama," an historical volume published in that 
State, says of him: " Indeed, nature seemed to 
have marked him for command. He was tall, 
athletic, and of exact symmetry in his person, with 
a head and face which a sculptor would delight to 
copy as a master-piece. His mental powers were 
not inferior to his physical. Though not a lawyer 
by profession, he bad all the readiness in thought 
and language of a practiced speaker. He possessed 
greater qualities still. When difficulties multiplied, 
he rose with the occasion, and was always adequate 
to the emergency, never at a loss, never taken by 
surprise ; and his bearing always reminded me, in 
conception, of a grand field-marshal of Napoleon 
at the head of a column, advancing, while a hun- 
dred pieces of artillery played upon him, until he 
pierced the enemy's center, and decided the for- 
tunes of the day. Never did I gaze upon a more 
lofty man in his physical developments, coupled 
with what I knew to be his intellectual qualities." 

The following article, under date of February 27, 
1888, appeared in the Galveston News of March 1, 
of that year, announcing the close of his illustrious 
career in death : — 

'' On the morning of the eighteenth instant, at 
about 4 o'clock, Gen. Joseph Bates breathed his 
last, at his residence in this county. For the past 
few months the General had been growing feebler, 
and to the anxious kinsmen and friends it was 
plain to see that his life's course was nearing its 
close. 

"Gen. Bates was born at Mobile, Ala., Jan- 
uary 19, 1805, and had reached the eighty-third 
year of his age. The General was not of a com- 



municative turn of mind, especiall3' touching his 
personal history, and were it not that his name 
figures conspicuously in the record of the legisla- 
tive and political events of early times in Alabama, 
the writer would not have much to say respecting 
his early life. However, in 1829, we learn that he 
was a member of the Lower House of the General 
Assembly of that State. In 1835 he was taking an 
active part in what is known as the Seminole Indian 
War in Florida. In 1837, then being Major-general 
of the Sixth Division of the State militia, he was 
returned to the House of Representatives from 
Mobile County and again, in 1840, we find him at 
his old post of duty in the legislative halls of his 
native State. During this long tenure of office he 
is shown to have been ever vigilant in protecting 
the rights of his constituency. And particularly 
on the occasion of the passage in 1837 of what was 
known as the State Cotton Agency Bill, he is repre- 
sented as having done yeoman service in opposing 
the bill. As the leader of the minority he made a 
written protest against its passage, which, the 
chronicler of those events tells us, ' is to be found 
spread upon the journal of the House at page 202, 
a monument of the faithfulness of a representative 
in vindication of his constituents in the city of 
Mobile.' 

"He was a warm personal friend and political 
supporter of Hon. Henry Clay, and in 1844, when 
that gentleman visited the city of Mobile, Gen. 
Bates was his constant companion during his stay, 
and one who saw them together and knew them 
both remarked that ' a view of two such men side 
by side, so peculiarly striking and so gifted, each 
in his sphere, may never again be the privilege of 
any spectator.' 

" He came to Texas about 1845 and stopped in 
Galveston, of which city he was Mayor for two 
terms. While there he also held the position of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



547 



United States Marshal for the F^astem District of 
Texas under President Fillmore's administration. 
About 1854 he removed to and located in the west- 
ern portion of the county, near the coast, where 
we find him at the beginning of the late war, 
engaged in the quiet occupation of farming and 
stock-raising. But when the tocsin of war rang 
its peal of alarm, and the war clouds gathered 
dun and dim, he forsook these quiet pursuits, and 
at his country's call, -like the patriot that he was, 
armed himself for the fray. 

•'He entered the service of the Confederacy as 
a Colonel of the regiment he had succeeded in 
raising and, under Gen. Macgruder, was assigned 
to duty on the coast defenses of Texas. He estab- 
lished his headquarters at Velasco, and was ever 
vigilant and watchful of his charge. In recognition 
of his services he was promoted from one degree 
to another until his stately form was at last adorned 
with the uniform of a General. And here, at this 
post of duty, it was that those traits of character, 
which marked him as one born to lead and com- 
mand, shone forth with all their brilliancy. The 
order was given to evacuate the coast defenses, 
and, with that peculiar keenness of forethought, 
which was his alone, he saw that disaster to the 
country could but result from such a step, and, in 
opposition to all who favored the move, he refused 
to retreat, held his position, and thus, by the in- 
terpid and determined efforts of this one brave 



man, this, the fairest portion of our fair State, was 
saved from the ruin and desolation tliat waits 
attendance on an invading army, and this, alone, 
is sufficient to make his name loved and memory 
dear to those who now enjoy the fruits of his 
knightly conduct. After the war had closed and 
the Confederacy had furled its flag and yielded it 
to the victors, he in the turbulent time of recon- 
struction bore himself with such moderation, dis- 
cretion, and firmness, that his example and zealous 
efforts went far towards bringing about a pacific 
adjustment of our local affairs. The General had 
three sons and two daughters living, and a host of 
friends to mourn his loss. His love of home and 
friends, his high sense of justice, unbending in- 
tegrity and constancy of purpose, are all traits of 
character which united in him, and gently blended 
in such degree as to make him loved at home and 
admired and respected abroad. With all the noble 
traits of character possessed by this good old man, 
it is needless to add that round the family fireside 
the rosy light of love and peace at all times shed 
its genial glow. 
" Like us all : — 

" ' He had some faults, 

But these, in some way, 

Have escaped my mind; 

I only remember 

The warm, feeling heart 

That made him a friend 

To all mankind." " 



LEOPOLD MILLER, 

ORANGE. 



Men of foreign birth have done much to develop 
the resources of Texas, and form one of the most 
progressive elements of its population. The man 
who is slothful or timid or who bends himself easily 
to existing conditions, never tries his fortune in a 
strange and distant land. A majority of those who 
have come to us from across the seas, represent the 
best blood and intelligence of the countries of their 
birth. They have the ambition and just pride to 
wish for and labor with energy to accumulate a 
competency, the power of mind to plan and execute, 
the firmness and courage to dare and do upon life's 
great field of action, and the love of liberty to 
appreciate and help maintain the blessings to be 
enjoyed under free institutions. The life of no 



man whose name the writer can recall, more forcibly 
illustrates the truth of these statements than that of 
the subject of this memoir, Leopold Miller, the 
well-known mill owner and merchant of Orange, 
Texas. 

Mr. Miller was born in Hamburg, Germany, 
October 27, 1853. His father, A. Miller, for 
many years a cigar manufacturer and enterprising 
business man of Hamburg, was born at Weisen- 
burg, Germany, in 1802, and died at Hamburg in 
1886. 

His mother, who bore the maiden name of Hen- 
rietta Markus, was born at Hamburg in 1820. She 
is still living in Hamburg and, although she has 
passed the allotted span of three score years and 



548 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ten, is in good health. Always of a cheerful and 
happy mood, she is like a ray of sunshine in the 
home and, beloved by children and grandchildren 
and all who know her, the evening of her days is 
bright and sunny. Of the eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, born to her, all are now 
living. 

Mr. Leopold Miller left his native city for 
America in 1869, when sixteen years of age, and 
after an uneventful voyage reached his destination 
at New Orleans. After working for four years in 
a mercantile establishment in that city, he moved 
to Mississippi, where he clerked in a store for 
about eight years. He returned to New Orleans, 
remained there for a period of eight months and 
then, August 1, 1881, started for Texas, which has 
since been his home and where he has acquired an 
independent fortune. Upon his arrival in this 
State he at once embarked in merchandising. In 
1888 he became connected with the saw mill busi- 
ness and now owns the largest shingle mill in the 
South. His mercantile business has also grown 
to large proportions. He is president of the 
Orange Electric Light & Water Works Company, 
was one of the organizers and is now one of the 
directors of the First National Bank of Orange, 
and is a member of the Board of Trade of Orange. 
He has also served as a member of the Board of 
Aldermen and School Board and has been an 
active, untiring and progressive worker for the up- 
building of the town and section of the State in which 
he lives. He has given liberally of his time and 
means to the promotion of every worthy enterprise, 
is a member of the Legion of Honor, Knights of 
Honor, Knights of Pythias, I. O. O. F.,and Masonic 
fraternities, and has thoroughly identified himself 
with the best interests (social, educational, moral 
and commercial) of the State to whose develop- 
ment he has so materially contributed. He is rated 
as one of the wealthiest business men of Orange. 
Starting in life a penniless young man, he has had 
to make his own way in the world. 

He was married in New Orleans, November 16, 
1879, to Miss Camilla Kaiser, daughter of B. 
Kaiser, a wholesale merchant of that city. She 
was born in 1856, received an excellent education 
and is a lady of rare accomplishments. An elegant 
entertainer, her husband's home is famous for its 
refined hospitality. Her father lost all of his 



propert3' during the war between the States. Even 
his watch, chain and Masonic charm were taken from 
him during the occupancy of the city by the Fed- 
eral troops under Gen. Ben. Butler. The Masonic 
charm was afterwards returned to him. Mrs. 
Miller is a sister of Maik Kaiser, the celebrated 
violinist of New Orleans, who is conceded to be 
the best in the South. When Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
were married they had nothing, but shortly there- 
after established a small business in Monticello, 
Miss. After remaining there for sixteen months, 
they returned to New Orleans, where he placed 
all of his wares and merchandise aboard the 
steamer " Katie Nye." The steamer, it afterwards 
transpired, had been condemned by the board of 
underwriters. Mr. Miller was not aware of this 
fact, but, on the contrary, was under the impres- 
sion that his commission merchant had taken out 
insurance. Six hours after the vessel started she 
was burned to the water's edge and his goods 
destroyed. As they were uninsured his loss was 
complete. 

His faithful wife stood by him in this hour of 
gloom and disaster without a complaint or murmur, 
having confidence in his ability to surmount the 
difficulties that confronted them. Mr. Miller attrib- 
utes all of his after success to her, saying that she 
has sustained him with her unfaltering faith and 
encouraged and urged him forward at all difficult 
points they have encountered along their path- 
way. 

Four children have been born to them, three of 
whom, Joe, fourteen, Morris, twelve, and Etta, ten 
years of age, are now (189.5) living at home and 
are receiving that advice, attention and careful 
rearing that give promise of useful lives when they 
shall, in the years that are coming towards them, 
leave the parental roof-tree to encounter the vicissi- 
tudes, and strive for the honors of adult life. 

Mr. Miller is still a young man. His powers 
have been developed in the school of experience. 
At the head of important enterprises, full of plans 
for the future, with a large fortune at his command 
and in the hey-day and prime of a vigorous man- 
hood, it is to be expected that he has only fairly 
entered upon his achievements as a financier and 
that he will make his influence still more powerfully 
felt in the upbuilding of the commercial and other 
interests of his adopted State. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



549 



JOSEPH F. SMITH, 



Joseph F. Smith, the subject of this imperfect 
sketch, was boru in Fulton County, Ky., in 1808. 
He removed to Arlsansas at an earl3' day, where he 
acquired considerable property in land and negroes. 
He came to Texas in the early thirties, or perhaps 
in the latter twenties, and entered into partnership 
with his uncle, ex-Governor Henry Smith, in the 
purchase of vast quantities of landscrip, which 
Mr. Smith located, coming into what was then the 
wild West for the purpose. The bulk of this land 
was located in Refugio and San Patricio counties, 
over land previously illegally located, as Mr. Smith 
claimed, and time and the law bore him out as being 
correct in his conclusions. This, necessarily, in- 
volved him in almost endless litigation, and he 
studied law and was admitted to the bar solely for 
the purpose of attending to his own large and 
important land suits, for it was very seldom that he 
ever attended to suits for other parties, and only 
then, it is believed, where he had been concerned 
in the location of the land in controversy, although 
he was considered one of the best, if not the best, 
land lawyers in Texas. In other suits, either civil 
or criminal, he never engaged. 

When quite j'oung, he joined the ill-fated expedi- 
tion from Texas, which fought the famous battle 
of Mier, in which a little band of brave Texians 
took the city, defended by a large body of Mexican 
troops, killing several times their own number of 
the enemy. But large reinforcements arriving, 
they were offered terms by Gen. Ampudia, which 
they were compelled to accept, and thus became the 
famous Mier prisoners. The Mexicans after the 
surrender, treated the prisoners with the usual 
faith of the nation. In the fatal lottery that fol- 
lowed the attempt to escape at the hacienda of 
Salado Mr. Smith was so fortunate as to draw a 
white bean, thereby winning one of the first prizes, 
his life. 

After regaining his liberty, he returned to Texas, 
fixing his domicile at what was then known as Black 
Point, on Aransas Bay, now St. Mary's. Mr. 
Smith laid out and founded the town of St. Mary's 



some years before the Civil War. Here he built a 
fine and large stone house, from native quarries, 
which he designed as a residence for his daughter, 
who in the meantime had married, in Eastern 
Texas, a Mr. Kennedj'. He was anxious to have 
his daughter and her children near him, as he 
grew older, he having been, through force of cir- 
cumstances, separated from her nearly all of his 
life ; but, before the house was finished and 
preparations completed, his daughter failed so much 
in health, that the project for her removal was 
abandoned. In a few years his own health failed 
so materially that he thought himself compelled to 
give up his own home and seek an even milder cli- 
mate than Texas, and this he found in Tuxpan, 
Mexico, where he removed, and bought the rancho 
" Lapatal," consisting of some thirty thousand 
acres of land. Here death claimed him, and he 
died in this alien land, far from the country he 
loved and from all his kindred, in 1878, his beloved 
daughter having preceded him to the land of the 
departed by some years. He left a will bequeath- 
ing all of his possessions to his two granddaughters, 
the Misses Mary Elizabeth and Lucy .Jane Kenned}', 
the former and elder having since married the Hon. 
B. M. Sheldon, now mayor of Rockport, which 
town, Mr. Smith, during the course of his useful 
life, materially assisted in founding and also assisted 
in carrying on to prosperitj'. The writer perhaps 
knew Mr. Smith as well as any person now living, 
but not sufficiently well to relate all the incidents 
in his long and eventful life, which, if properly 
collated and set down, would easily fill a large and 
interesting book. Though very reticent — and 
somewhat prone to speak over-little of incidents in 
his own life, he was known as one of the early heroes 
of Texas, an eminently just man, and one who 
largely assisted in all the best enterprises that made 
early Texas' history so glorious. 

Never having seen his name in any hitherto 
printed Texas history, it is a pleasure to the 
author to accord him his rightful place in this 
volume. 



550 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



B. M. SHELDON, 



ROCKPORT, 



Hon. B. M. Sheldon came to Texas in 1875 from 
New Orleans, where he was born August 12, 18G2. 
His father, Capt. Stephen Sheldon, a steamboat 
owner who ran vessels on the Mississippi and Ohio 
rivers for many years, was a native of Ehode 
Island ; married Miss Georgiana Arnold, also a 
native of that State, and died at New Orleans in 
1869. Besides the subject of this memoir there 
were two daughters and one son, viz. : Albert B., 
Fannie, and Georgiana. A. B. died at Corpus 
Christi in 1884 at twenty years of age. Fannie is 
the wife of Benjamin Sprague, of Providence, R. I. 
When twelve years old B. M. Sheldon came to 
Texas with his mother, worked on a farm for a few 
months and then apprenticed himself and learned 
the painters and signwriters trade, which he fol- 
lowed for about twelve years at Corpus Christi. 
He then went to Rockport to pursue the same busi- 
ness. He married, February 3d, 1890, Miss Lizzie 
Kennedy, an accomplished daughter of Prof. John 



T. Kennedy, Professor of Mathematics, at Mc- 
Kenzie Institute, Clarksville, Texas, where Mrs. 
Sheldon and her sister Janie were born. They 
were reared and educated at Palestine, Texas. 
Mrs. Sheldon is a lady of attainments and fine 
domestic traits. Miss Janie Kennedy is a member 
of the household and a lady of social and intel- 
lectual culture. Mr. Sheldon engaged extensively 
in contracting at Rockport for a time and has since 
been engaged in the real estate business. He 
served three years as Alderman of Rockport and is 
now serving his second term as Mayor, and has 
greatly assisted in bringing the city out of debt 
and pushing its fortunes. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon's 
home is one of the handsomest and most luxuriously 
appointed in the lovely seaside city. They have 
two sons, Joseph Smith Sheldon and Arnold Ken- 
nedy Sheldon, and a daughter, Constance Sheldon. 
Maj. Sheldon is a wide-awake and progressive 
public officer and citizen. 



EDWARD Q. KREIGNER, 



SPRING BRANCH, 



One of the early settlers of Kendall County, was 
born in Toeplitz, Germany, January 4, 1821 ; came 
to Texas in 1846, and located at New Braunfels, 
where he joined the United States army for the 
Me-xican War, enlisting as a private in Col. Jack 
Hays' regiment of Texas rangers. The rangers 
were detailed by Gen. Zacbary Taylor for scouting 
service, and were often twenty-five or thirtj* miles 
in advance of the main army. The names of Jack 
Hays and his famous command are surrounded 
with a halo of heroic tradition. An account of 



their exploits would read more like a romance than 
sober history. Leader and men were the bravest 
of the brave and no enemy was ever known to with- 
stand their fierce and deadly charge. 

After the war Mr. Kreigner settled at the junc- 
tion of Curry's creek and the Guadalupe river, 
where he established a farm (novv consisting of 600 
acres) and has since resided. He married Miss 
Wilhelmina Koether. Her parents came to Texas 
in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Kreigner have no chil- 
dren. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



551 



JOSEPH HEBERT, 



BEAUMONT. 



Was born in Lafaj'ette Parish, La., in 1818; came 
to Texas at twent3-four years of age and settled in 
Jefferson Count}' ; remained tiiere three years, 
when he returned to Louisiana and married Miss 
Meliiia Andrus, of St. Landry Parish and then re- 
turned to Texas and engaged in the stock business 
near Beaumont, in which he accumulated a fortune 
in cattle and land. 

Nine children were born of this union, eight of 
whom lived to maturity, viz. : Mary Azema, who 
married first in 1866, Eloi Broussard of Vermillion 
Parish, La., and after his death, Lovan Hampshire 
of Jefferson County, Texas; J. M., a stock-raiser 
and farmer residing at Beaumont; B. C, a stock- 
raiser and farmer of Jefferson County; L. J., a 
stock-raiser and real estate dealer at Beaumont ; 
W. A., a stock-raiser and farmer at Beaumont; 



Clara Silliman, wife of Sidney Arceneaux, of 
Arcadia, La. ; Louise Cedelize, now deceased, wife 
of Raymond Richard, of Arcadia Parish, and Lizzie, 
now deceased, wife of J. B. Richard of Arcadia 
Parish, La. Coralie, the fourth child, died in 
childhood. 

At the beginning of the war between the States, 
Mr. Hebert raised the first company that was 
organized in Beaumont for active service in the 
Confederate army, but the companj' was disbanded, 
after which he served as Captain in a military com- 
pany, detailed as home guards at Houston, Texas. 

He died at his home, in February, 1865, and is 
buried in the family burying-ground, near his old 
home. 

His wife died in January, 1869, and is buried 
beside him. 



JOSEPH MARTIN HEBERT, 



BEAUMONT, 



Was born July 2, 1847, in Jefferson County, Texas, 
and educated in Beaumont and Liberty counties. 
He was a soldier in Company C, Madison's regi- 
ment. Lane's brigade, in the Confederate army, 
with which he served until the close of hobtilities. 
He then returned home and assumed charge of 
his father's estate and soon thereafter engaged on 
his own account in the stock business, which he 
has followed ever since. He now owns a well- 
stocked cattle ranch in Jefferson County, his 
brother, L. J. Hebert, being associated with him. 



He also engaged in the land business, with Judge 
Chaison, of Beaumont. 

Mr. Hebert married, in 1867, Miss Emilie Brous- 
sard, daughter of Edward Broussard, of Vermillion 
Parish, La. They have nine living children, viz. : 
Cora, now wife of D. Bonnemaison, of Youngsvilie, 
La. ; Jules, Felix, Numa, Seth, Louis, Clerfey, 
Edward, and Eve, who live at the family home. 

Joseph Hebert, Sr., was leader in all movements 
inaugurated for the up-building of his section of 
the country. 



552 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



W. G. KINGSBURY, M. D., 



BOERNE. 



Tbe subject of this sketch was born in Booncillo, 
Oneida County, N. Y., on tbe 6th of November, 
1823, where his parents owned a small farm at 
the time. His education was obtained in the dis- 
trict school and at a Seminary at Cazanovia. He 
then studied and perfected himself in the profes- 
sion of dentistry under Dr. Lemon, the leading 
dentist of the city of Baltimore. F'rom Baltimore 
he returned to his old home in York State and 
attended school for a season, practicing among the 
students and in the neighborhood, and earning 
nearly enough money to pay expenses. 

Determining to go West, he reached Texas, in 
the beginning of the first month of the year 1846. 
He soon got out his kit of tools and went to work 
at his profession and, being the only dentist in 
the country, got plenty of work and made money. 
Among his first acquaintances was tbe noted Texian 
ranger, Capt. Sam. Walker, who persuaded him to 
go to the Mexican War with bim. He did not enlist 
as a regular soldier. Walker told him he could not 
be a private soldier and be on equal terms with an 
officer and eat at tbe same table, so he went as a 
friend and companion, taking his tools as a means 
of living, knowing that he could make more money 
than any soldier's wages. He followed Walker 
through tbe various vicissitudes of the Mexican War, 
was with bim when he fell, as only fall the bravest 
of tbe brave, was in every battle that was fought 
when he was able to take part and left tbe country 
with eighteen wounds, one being a bad saber stroke 
upon his right cheek, which distinguishes him from 
ail other men. 



Returning from tbe Mexican War, Dr. Kingsburj' 
practiced at many of tbe towns in Western Texas, 
and finally settled in San Antonio, where he occupied 
one office for twenty-five years, made money and 
gained distinction in his profession. 

In the fall of 1869 he was mainly instrumental in 
getting up a fair, and was chosen president of the 
association and then and consequently did much to 
make known abroad the advantages Texas bad to 
offer. 

Dr. Kingsbury's writings attracted tbe attention 
of the Governor of tbe State, and he was appointed 
Commissioner of Immigration, and as long as the 
bureau of immigration existed, be was stationed in 
St. Louis and by tbe dissemination of bis writings, 
thousands of people came to Texas as emigrants. 

Later he represented various railroads as immi- 
gration agent in Europe and maintained an office 
at London, England, from 1875 to 1884, during 
which time be delivered speeches and wrote articles, 
pamphlets and books, which with other suitable 
matter were published in the language of nearlj- 
every civilized country and were circulated broad- 
cast over Europe, and sent tens of thousands of 
desirable immigrants into Texas. 

It is safe to say that no man ever worked harder 
or more intelligently for tbe good of Texas than 
the subject of this notice. It is also safe to 
say that no man ever retired from a large business 
leaving his affairs in better shape. He has three 
sons to carrj^ on tbe good work, a flourishing town 
in Guadalupe County bears bis name, and he has 
thousands of friends to perpetuate his name. 



JOHN WARREN, SR., 



HOCKLEY, 



An old settler of Harris County, residing at Hock- 
ley, was born in Cumberland County, England, in 
1822, and is the son of James and Jane Warren, 
both also natives of Cumberland, in which county 
bis ancestors lived from time immemorial. Tbe 
subject of this notice was reared in his native place 



(brought up on a farm) and there resided until 
1851 or 1852, when he sailed for Texas, tbe soil of 
which he first touched at Galveston. He bad in- 
tended to settle at Corpus Christi, but changed his 
mind and took up bis residence in the northwest 
corner of Harris County, not far from the Mont- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



553 



gomery County line, where lie kept the stage stand. 
Later he purchased land and engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, which have been his chief pur- 
suits since. Business took hira back to England a 
year or so after coming to this country and he 
remained there until 1857, when he returned to 
Texas. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad 
having in the meantime been built as far as Hock- 
ley (about three miles from the place of his first 
settlement), he located at that place and has there 
resided since. He has purchased land from time to 
time until his holdings at this writing aggregate 
about 6,500 acres, lying in Harris, Montgomery 
and Waller counties (mostly in Harris) all of 
which he has stocked with cattle and horses. In 
point of wealth, as well as in point of time of 
residence, he is the first citizen of the locality 
where he lives. He has followed a quiet and unos- 
tentatious life, never having desired, sought nor held 
a public ofBce of any kind. Nevertheless he has at 
all times manifested a commendable interest in all 
that pertained to the public good and has aided 
every worthy enterprise to the extent of his oppor- 
tunities and means. He has never sold a foot of 
land since he came to the State, which will show 
how much confidence he has at all times had in the 
future of Texas. He thinks that Texas is as good 



a country as there is in the world and does not see 
why any man cannot become independent here if 
he tries. 

Mr. Warren married Miss Jane Maffat, of Cock- 
ermouth, Cumberland, England, December 18, 1846. 
She was a native of that place, and, like himself, of 
old English ancestry. Six children have been born 
of this union, three of whom are still living, viz. : 
Jane Eliza, now Mrs. George Ellis, of Houston; 
Mary G., now Mrs. W. J. Peele, of Hockley, 
Harris County ; and John, Jr., a ranchman in Harris 
County. 

Mr. Warren says he has never gone in debt for 
anything in his life, never had a copartner, never 
engaged in speculation in any form and never car- 
ried a dollar's worth of insurance. He has paid 
some security debts, however, sustained two losses 
by fire and gone through with the usual number of 
vicissitudes, privations and hardships that fall to the 
lot of even the prudent. He has always met his 
obligations of every kind promptly and honorably 
and now, at the advanced age of seventy-three 
years, enjoys an untarnished reputation, good 
health and an abundance of good spirits. He has 
great faith in his country and fellow-men and feels 
that, all in all, time and fortune have dealt very 
kindly with him. 



GOTTLIEB OBST, 



BULVERDE. 



Gottlieb Obst was one of the pioneer settlers of 
Bexar County, Texas. He was born in Germany, 
January 25, 1817, and emigrated to America in 
1847; and located in the vicinity of Bulverde, 
where he developed a good farm and raised a 
family. He married Miss Johanna Bunzel in 
Bastrop, by whom he had five children, viz. : Her- 
mann, born January 12, 1862 ; Gustav, born June 
25, 1863; William, born October 23, 1864; Charles, 



born September 26, 1866, and Emma, born Octo- 
ber 5, 1869. Mrs. Johanna Obst was born Decem- 
ber 15, 1827, and died February 2, 1882. 

Mr. Obst died November 1st, 1888. He was an 
honest and industrious man and highly esteemed. 

William, Charlie and Emma, who are not married, 
live on the old home place, emulating the example 
and cherishing the memories of their departed 
parents. 



554 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



SEBASTIAN BEIERLE, 

WESSON, 



A Texas pioneer, horn at Baden, Germany, Jan- 
uary 20, 1827, came to Comal County, Texas, in 
1854. Lived in town for eiglit months and tlien 
located ou the Guadalupe river, where he purchased 
land from the State, to which he has since added 
until he now owns 1,542 acres. 



^Ir. Beierle brought his wife with him from Ger- 
many. They have six children: Charles, Valen- 
tine, Catherine, Christiana, Mary, and Emelie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Beierle are venerable old people and 
much esteemed for their many excellent traits of 
character. 



MAX WAHRMUND, 



FREDERICKSBURG, 



Well known throughout his native county of Gil- 
lespie, and a leading citizen of Fredericksburg, at 
which place he was born July 27, 1863 ; is a son of 
the late Louis Walu'mund, who was born in West 
Baden, Germany, Kingdom of Prussia, March 19, 
1822. Of the coming of the family to this country 
in 1846, something is said in the sketch of the life 
of Emil Wahrmund, elsewhere in this work. Louis 
Wahrmund followed freighting between Victoria 
and Indianola, and interior points in Texas, up to 
about 1860, after which he engaged for a time in 
farming at Bear creek, and then moved to Fred- 
ericksburg, where he engaged in business, which he 
followed up to the time of his death in 1883. He 



was united in marriage to Miss Susana Ressmann, 
daughter of John Peter Ressmann. They have 
eiglit children, viz. : Charles, Mina, now Mrs. 
August Schmidt; Nellie, now Mrs. Charles 
Jung; Ferdinand, Gustav, George, Edward, and 
Max. 

Max Wahrmund married Miss Sophia Weyrich, 
daughter of Chas. Weyrich (a pioneer settler of 
Fredericksburg), in 1884. They have four chil- 
dren : Arno, Alma, Egon, and Kurt. 

He was elected Treasurer of Gillespie County in 
November, 1894, and is now (1895) the incumbent 
of that office, which he is filling acceptably to the 
people. 



JOHN T. HART, 

ORANGE. 



Lawyer. Born June 18, 1854, at Mobile, Ala., 
and raised on his father's plantation near Demo- 
polis, Ala. His father, James M. Hart, a well- 
known Southern planter, was born in South 
Carolina, April 4, 1802, and died May 4, 1864. 

His mother, Sara J. (Turner) Hart, was born 
near Althens, Ala., November 16, 1815, and died 
October 30, 1893. 

John T. Hart acquired his primary education in 



private schools in Alabama, and completed it at 
Springfield Hill College, Miss., attending the latter 
institution during three sessions and graduating 
therefrom in 1869 with high honors at the age of 
seventeen. Came to Texas in April, 1872, and 
located at Orange, where he has since resided. 

He worked in a saw-mill for three or four 
months, and then accepted a position in the mer- 
cantile establishment of Mr. Henry Thompson, a 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



565 



connection that continued nearly four years, dur- 
ing wliicli time he studied law at spare moments. 
He then resigned his position and read law for 
eighteen months in the office of Triplett & Talvey, 
at Orange, and while absent on a visit to bis old 
home in Alabama was elected County Attorney 
of Orange County before he was admitted to the 
bar. 

He was, however, granted temporary license by 
the District Judge and sworn into office. He re- 
ceived his permanent license at the following term 
of court (in 1878). He was re-elected two years 
later, served about half of the term, and then 
resigned the position to devote his entire attention 
to his growing practice. 

Mr. Hart has been successful in many important 
cases, both civil and criminal, and in but few cases 
have judgments secured by him been reversed on 
points of law. He was a prime factor in the organ- 
ization of the city's government, drawing up all of 
the first code of ordinances. He has been a mem- 
ber of the local board of trade ever since it was 



organized. He was elected a member of the first 
board of Aldermen, selected by the people after 
the incorporation of the town, did good service as 
president of the school board, and in 1893 was 
appointed Postmaster at Orange by President 
Cleveland, a position that he now holds. Starting 
in Orange with a capital of nine dollars he has 
accumulated a competency. He owns considerable 
property in Texas, a large tract of land in Ala- 
bama, and the old famil}' homestead in the latter 
State. 

He married, January 15, 1878, Miss Addie Good- 
man, of Orange, daughter of Mr. C. G. Goodman, 
of that city. Three children have been born to 
them, two of whom are still living, viz.: Edna M. 
Hart, aged sixteen years, now attending the North 
Texas Female College, at Sherman, Texas, and 
John W. Hart, living at home with his parents. 

Mr. Hart is a member of the Knights of Honor 
and Legion of Honor. 

In politics he is a strong Democrat, and has 
done good service for his party. 



JAMES G. BROWNE, 



BROWNSVILLE, 



A well-known Texas pioneer, was born of Irish 
parents in Manchester, England, January 1, 1820. 
He was a carpenter by trade, a master of his call- 
ing, and became a contractor for the government, 
and, in the latter capacity, came to Texas and 
erected barracks, soldiers' quarters, etc., at Point 
Isabel, Texas, in 1848. Soon thereafter he engaged 
in merchandising at Freeport, on the Rio Grande 
river, which place was soon absorbed by the estab- 
lishment and growth of Brownsville and finally 
taken into that corporation. When Brownsville 
commenced to grow in population and importance, 
he moved there from Freeport and continued in 
merchandising, meeting with gratifying success 
until 18fi3, when he lost heavily by fire. He then 
moved across the river to Matamoros, Mexico, and 
engaged for a brief time in business there, after 
which he removed to Camargo, Mexico, near the 
Texas line, and opposite Rio Grande City. There 



he remained in business until the close of the war 
between the States. In 1865-6 he returned to 
Brownsville to look after his extensive landed inter- 
ests in Cameron County. He left his ranches well 
stocked with cattle, sheep, horses, etc., all of 
which were confiscated and utilized by the Confed- 
erate government or stolen by marauding Indians 
and Mexicans. 

He set about the restoration of his estate to its 
former condition, however, with his accustomed 
energy, and made a large amount of money raising 
stock. He married Miss Helen Kilvin in Mata- 
moros, Mexico, daughter of one of the early settlers 
of San Patricio County, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. 
Browne had six children, four of whom survive: 
Mary C, widow of the late Henry San Roman, of 
Brownsville; James A., of Brownsville; William, 
Assessor and Tax Collector of Cameron County, 
and a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of that 



556 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



county, and Albert A., Chief Clerk in the United 
States Customs Office at Brownsville. 

James G. Browne was an industrious, useful and 
frugal citizen. He was a well-informed man and 
popular with the masses. He held the office of 
Sheriff of Cameron County and also that of Tax 



Collector many years. He left to his children an 
honorable name and a handsome estate. 

He died at his home in Brownsville, surrounded 
by the members of his family. 

The memory of his worth is preserved by many 
loving; friends. 



FRANCIS M. HENRY, 



TEXARKANA. 



Hon. F. M. Henry, ex-member of the Stale 
Senate, a lawyer of distinction, and a Democrat 
who has served his party with fidelity since old 
enough to vote, was born November 11, 1832, in 
Rhea County, Tenn., and has lived in Texas since 
the late war ; during the last twenty years at 
Texarkana. 

His parents were Henry and Mrs. Jane (Mont- 
gomery) Henry. His father was born and reared 
in Sevier County and hie mother in Rhea County, 
Tenn. 

The subject of this memoir received an excellent 
education in Tennessee and Georgia. In 1860 he 
was married to Miss Mary E. Taylor, born Feb- 
ruary 18, 1838, in Clark County, Ark., and has five 
children: Francis Beauregard, Stonewall Jackson, 
Robert Lee, Johanna M., and Patrick Gustavus, all 
of whom are living, except Francis B., who died in 
infancy. Stonewall J. is practicing law at Texar- 
kana and Robert L. at Waco. 

Capt. Henry commanded Company D., Nine- 



teenth Regiment of Arkansas Infantry, in the Con- 
federate army, east of the Mississippi river, during 
the early part of the war, and a company west of 
the Mississippi river in 1863-4, and in that capacity 
distinguished himself as a brave and capable officer 
and won for himself the confidence and respect of 
his men and superior officers. He has participated 
prominently in i)ublic affairs in this State during his 
residence here, but has never, of his own notion, 
sought political preferment. In obedience to the 
wishes of the Democracy of the district, he served 
as Senator in the Texas Legislature in 1876-8, and 
participated in the framing and enactment of much 
of the important legislation accomplished during the 
session. His soundness of judgment, his learning 
as a lawyer, and his grace as a speaker, won for him 
a prestige that caused him to rank among the fore- 
most of his colleagues. He has been very success- 
ful at the bar and has been engaged in the practice 
of law and dealing in real estate for the last thirty 
years. 



W. W. DUNN, 

FORT WORTH. 



The subject of this sketch was born in Washing- 
ton County, Va. , six miles west of King's Salt works, 
near Dunn's Hill, May 6th, 1822. 

His mother died February 4th, 1825, leaving five 
children, three daughters and two sons. A year 
later his father married a Miss Taylor, of Sullivan, 
Tenn., a daughter of John Taylor. She bore 
five children, three boys and two girls. In 1831, 



the father sold his home with the intention of going 
to Missouri, but through persuasion of his brother, 
John Dunn, of Abingdon, located six miles west of 
Abingdon, where he died, February 3d, 1836. 
There being ten children to care for, in the winter 
of 1837 the subject of this memoir, W. W. Dunn, 
launched out for himself and hired to a hog-driver 
at $10.00 per month, to aid in moving about five 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



hbl 



hundred hogs to Lynchburg, Va., a distance of two 
hundred miles. All things moving slowly on for 
two months, they landed the hogs at Lynchburg, 
where they were sold for $10.00 per hundred, and 
young Dunn set out on foot to return home, making 
the trip in tive and a half days. 

Then he spent three months in Abingdon, going 
to school, after which he returned home and worked 
on the farm until about the first of August, 1838, 
when, with his sister and her husband, Stephen 
Bray, he made his way to Scott County, and there 
found his brother Jacob, who had preceded them 
about one year. In Scott County he entered into a 
contract with Hiram Cowden, living on Sinken 



widowed Mrs. Cowtlen until he was twenty-two, all 
of whicii he did not fail to do. At the age of twenty- 
two he left the widow and located in Castlewoods, 
Russell County. There he boarded with one Nath- 
aniel Dickinson and went to school, working evenings 
and mornings for his board. Spring time came, 
the school was out, and all the boys and gjrls had 
to go to work — the girls to spinning and weaving 
flax ; the boys to sowing, mowing and reaping, and 
thus the summer was spent. By this method he 
managed to earn sufficient to defray his modest 
expenses during the succeeding winter. He left 
Castlewoods and went to Lebanon, the county seat 
of Russell County, and there engaged with Bone 




W. \V. DUNN. 



creek, the contract being to serve him until twenty- 
one years old, for which young Dunn was to receive 
necessary wearing apparel and have one year's 
schooling, a horse, saddle and bridle, and last, but 
not least, $50.00 in actual cash. This, the last 
prize, caused him to bear his burdens cheerfully 
and look forward with much pleasure, meditating 
over what nice things he would get with the money. 
All went smoothly ; but, alas, his good friend Cow- 
den fell sick and died of consumption in the spring 
of 1841, not, however, without providing for his 
young employee by will, bequeathing to him all that 
he had stipulated in the first part of the contract 
and $100.00, the latter to be paid the grateful 
devisee when twenty-one years of age, and one hun- 
dred and fifty more, provided he remained with the 



and George Gray, merchants of that place. He 
was to cultivate a small farm and do such hauling 
with a four-horse team as he could get about the 
town. So he hauled wood, rock and charcoal and 
broke lots and gardens for the good citizens of the 
village during the summer. In the fall he gathered 
his small effects together, procured a one-horse 
peddling wagon, bought $84.00 worth of goods 
and traveled across the mountains into Kentucky. 
There he busied liimself among the early settlers 
of Letcher County for about three months, coming 
out fifty dollars ahead. During one of his jour- 
neys the following humorous incident occurred on 
Millstone creek. His was the first wagon, per- 
haps, that ever passed that way, or at least the 
first that many of the younger children had ever 



558 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



seen. The way was very rough ami in driving over 
roots and gulleys the curtains of his wagon came 
loose, and hung down and flapped much lilie the 
wings of a bird. He spied three boys in the road 
ahead of him. They were running and liallooing 
for life. For about a mile they ran. Arriving at 
home, Jthey reported the biggest thing they had 
ever seen iu life, flying up the branch with a man 
in its mouth and chasing a horse. He returned to 
Scott County and followed peddling during the 
winter. 

In the spring one Wm. E. Sutton (who was 
a leather peddler) and Mr. Dunn joined their 
wagons together and opened a small country store 
and conducted a successful business until the next 
winter, when Mr. Dunu sold out to Mr. Sutton and 
later volunteered as a soldier in the United States 
army for service in the Mexican War, which broke 
out in the spring of 184G. The company raised 
was not received by the government and the men 
were disbanded the first of January, 1847. A. 
McCorkel, Marian Hoozer and Mr. Dunn left 
Abingdon on the lOlh of January, by stage, for 
Lynchburg, and proceeded thence by canal to 
Richmond, Va. , where they enlisted as volun- 
teers in Company H., commanded by Capt. 
E. G. Alburtis. A few days later they em- 
barked on a steamer for Old Point Comfort, and 
remained there for about one month and a half. 
On the 2"2d of February, they sailed on the barque 
'■'Exact " and in due time landed at Point Isabel, six 
miles below the mouth of the Rio Grande. On 
March 9th they made their first march from that 
point to the mouth of the river ; thence liy boat to 
Camargo, Mexico, and thence on foot to Monterey. 
There they rested for about two months, spending 
about one half of the time at Walnut springs, six 
miles from the city. From this point they returned 
to the city of Monterey, where Mr. Dunn's friend, 
McKorkel, died. From Monterey they marched 
and, after much fatigue, reached Saltillo, on 
June 13th. 

In that city and at Buena Vista they sojcjurned 
until the l.Sth of June, 1848, when they set out for 
the United States, landing at Old Point Comfort 
about the first of August. 

At that place they were honorably discharged. 
Soon after they were discharged they scattered, 
many of them to meet no more. It was a sad sep- 
aration, although each and all were eager to see 
their old homes and friends. His route was by 
Richmond and Lynchburg to Abingdon, which he 
reached without adventure. After remaining three 
days at home, he engaged in mercantile pursuits 



again, moving to Tazwell, where he did a fairly 
good business for ten years. 

November 3, 1851, he married Miss Emily Gil- 
lespie, a daughter of Col. Robert Gillespie, of Taz- 
well County. She died December 13, 1853, leavino- 
him one child, a little daughter, Emily Louisa Wid- 
difield, as a pledge of their affection. The child 
was eared for by her aunt, grew up to womanhood 
and was the idol of her father's heart. She was 
united in marriage to Mr. Wm. S. Hartman, an ex- 
cellent gentleman, and is now the mother of seven 
children, four girls and three boys, viz. : Annie, 
Bettie, Eva, Mary, Willie, Sammie, and Clmton 
Hartman. 

In December, 180-2, Mr. Dunn was united in mar- 
riage to the widow Senter, maiden name. Miss 
Nannie Davis. She bore him two sons, Bascom 
and William Dunn. She departed this life in the 
summer of I8G6. Her son William died in 1868. 

In August, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Lina 
Grant, his present wife. She had two children at 
the time of their marriage, Josie and Ada. Josie 
first married Dr. John Dunn and, after his death, 
E. B. Slrowd, of Hillsboro, Texas. 

Ada married G. W. Hollingsworth, and lives iu 
Fort Worth. Bascom is married and has one child, 
Florence. His wife's name was Martin. In 
1869 Mr. Dunn located in Fort Worth and has 
since made that city his home. He purchased of 
E. M. Daggett the block of land he now lives on 
for $3 50.00. The block is 200 by 200 feet, and is 
now worth about $200,000.00. Mr. Dunn owns 
five-eighths of the block yet, on which stands the 
Mansion Hotel, a building that contains one hun- 
dred and fifty rooms, all told. 

He has a fine system of water works which he 
operates in connection with the hotel. His wellis 
333 feet deep ; the water is pure and soft ; no 
better bath water can be found, no better 
drinking water in the world. The supply is 
abundant. It is pumped into tanks, from which it 
is conveyed to all parts of the house. The house 
is three and four stories high, well ventilated, and 
furnished with gas and electric lights. 

Mr. Dunn has passed the seventy-fourth ruug in 
the ladder of life. He is strong and active. Now 
in old age he has but little to reproach himself for, 
and hopes to be as active during the remainder of 
life as he has been in the past. 

His religious belief is based on Christ's promise: 
" I came to the world to redeem all mankind." 

Mr. Dunn has been active in every good work, 
and has thousands of sincere admirers throughout 
Texas. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



559 



WILLIAM KELLY, 

BROWNSVILLE. 



Capt. William Kelly, born in Belfast, Ireland, 
April 2, 1840, is one of the most prominent and 
influential citizens of Brownsville, and is highly 
esteemed for his scholarly attainments, business 
integrity and social qualities. He came to America 
from Ireland, his native country, in 18G1, when 
twenty-one years of age, and at once enlisted in 
the First New York Mounted Rifles, with which 
regiment he served for three years and was then 
mustered out as a First Lieutenant and brevet Cap- 
tain. He was subsequently commissioned as first 
Lieutenant, ICighth United States Colored Troops, 
but was soon transferred to the Quartermaster's 
Department and assigned to duty as a Brigade 
Quartermaster. The close of the war found Mr. 
Kelly in Texas, and he located in Brownsville in 
1865. He began steamboating on the Rio Grande 
in 1866, in the employ of King, Kenedy & Com- 
pany, who then owned and navigated sixteen 
good-sized steamboats, which carried an immense 
amount of freight from Brazos, Santiago, to Browns- 
ville and points on the upper river. At that time 
there were frequently over fift}' vessels of all 
kinds, from 3,000-ton steamers to 1,000-ton 
schooners, anchored in the harbor of Brazos, Santi- 
ago, and off the mouth of the Rio Grande, all of 
them engaged in a paying business. 

Mr. Kelly succeeded to the business of King, 
Kenedy & Company, in 1874, since which time he 
has run the steamboating business on a constantly 
descending scale. From a fleet of twelve steam- 
boats on the lower river and four on the upper, 
run constantly to their utmost capacity, the busi- 
ness is now reduced to one small boat, the 



" Bessie," 110 tons, making two trips a month 
(when there is water enough to float her), from 
Brownsville to Rio Grande City. The changes in 
the Rio Grande river are remarkable and almost 
unaccountable ; but the certainty of other means 
of transportation being provided for, the freight 
which now passes over that route makes it imprac- 
ticable to attempt any improvement of river navi- 
gation, and Mr. Kelly is prepared to abandon his 
last steamboat. 

There are few enterprises for benefiting his sec- 
tion in which he is not personally and financially 
interested. 

He is a director of the Rio Grande Railroad, 
vice-president and director of the First National 
Bank, and one of the foremost promoters of rail- 
road construction to the frontiers of the United 
States and Mexico with a view to connecting the 
systems of those countries and opening the wav for 
trade and manufactures. 

Educational matters have always received his 
careful attention. He has been chairman of the 
School Board for the past twelve years, and the 
value of his services is attested by the flourishing 
condition of the public schools of the city and the 
many improvements in accommodations and 
methods within that period. 

Mr. Kelly owns 6,000 acres of land below the 
city and is interested in silver and lead mines in 
Mexico. 

He was married in 1870 at Brownsville, to Mrs. 
Thornhan. They have five children, viz. : Louise 
M. E. ; William, a graduate of West Point Mili- 
tary Academy ; Mary G., Anna R. and John W. 



A. W. TERRELL, 



AUSTIN. 



Leaving out of account all that part of the long 
and uneventful period of Spanish and Mexican 
domination that antedates the beginning of Anglo- 
American colonization, the history of Texas covers 
a period of time much shorter than that of any 



other of the Southern States. Yet the State has a 
history that in romance, depth of meaning and 
value to the present and the future is second to 
that of no other in the American Union. The 
lessons taught by the immolation at the Alamo, the 



560 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



massacre at Goliad and the victory at San Jacinto 
will never be forgotten. These lessons are the her- 
itage not alone of the English-speaking peoples, but 
of mankind. The action of the Spartans at Ther- 
mopylie and the united Greeks at Marathon and 
Platea for many centuries had only to be recounted 
to incite men, ripe for liberty, to fly to arms in re- 
sistance of tyranny. Texas has added other and 
equally glorious examples of what men should do 
and can do if inspired by the spirit of freedom. Of 
these examples every Texian is justly proud. It is 
also a source of pride that valor in the field was 
followed by wisdom in the Senate, that among the 
first work done by the founders of the Republic 
and subsequent State, they laid the foundation for 
a system of popular education and made provision 
for the establishment and maintenance of the insti- 
tutions for the deaf and dumb, bhnd and insane, 
and mapped out lines of public policy that evinced 
a statesmanship at once wise, noble and unselfish — 
a statesmanship in advance of the times in which 
they lived and that entitles them to the veneration 
of posterity. But the people, above all else, are 
proud of the succession of great men who have in 
an unbroken line appeared in the walks of public life 
and by their abilities and virtues shed luster upon 
the proud and heroic name of Texas. The roll of 
honor is too long for recital here. The name of 
Houston, dauntless in war, peerless as an orator, 
with port and carriage that would have befitted a 
curule Senator in the golden days of the Roman 
Republic ; the name of Rusk, the idol of the people 
and the most distinguished figure in the Senate of 
the United States, up to the time of his menancholy 
death, are enshrined in the heart and memory of 
every man in every land where votaries are to be 
found at the shrine of freedom. There were others 
equally able, no less worthy, and scarcely less dis- 
tinguished for their services, who were contempor- 
aries of these men ; nor, since the fathers have com- 
pleted their pilgrimage of life, have they been 
without successors, worthy- to receive upon their 
shoulders the mantles which they let fall. It is a 
lamentable fact, however, that of late years the 
number has diminished and, instead of there being 
many leaders of genuine statesmanship and patriotic 
purpose whom the people can safely look to, to origi- 
nate and push reforms and give sound counsel in 
time of doubt or danger, there are all too few. 
Among the brightest and best public men that 
Texas can now boast is the subject of this brief 
memoir, Hon. A. W. Terrell, the present Minister 
Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Otto- 
man Empire. In looking back over his career, 
extending as it does over a period of more than 



forty-years, one is struck by the extent, variety 
and value of his public services ; not only that, but, 
what is more worthy of admiration, by the utter 
disregard of self that he has manifested upon many 
an occasion, when he deemed it necessary to speak 
and act in defense of the interests of the country, 
by his singular lioldness and originality of thought 
and the fearlessness he has displayed in the support 
of convictions when those convictions were opposed 
by a blind and senseless opposition due to the fact 
that he was in advance of the immediate times 
and blazing a way for the multitude to follow and the 
multitude's ordinary leaders, with some of whom 
patriotism is a trade, that they do not hesitate to 
turn to profit. In point of sheer intellectual 
strength he compares favorably with any of our 
great men of former days, with any in the South 
to-day, and is certainly without a superior in this 
State. A learned lawyer, a sound and erudite 
scholar and a magnetic, Ciceronian orator, he also 
deserves the distinction of a statesman, using that 
term in its proper signification. The deeper prob- 
lems of life, as regards the race, the nation and 
the individual, have been pondered over by him by 
day and by the midnight lamp, and are ever upper- 
most in his mind. It has never, at any time, 
occurred to him to sacrifice principle for the sake 
of personal aggrandizement. He has shown him- 
self to be far above that vanity of little minds that 
feeds upon applause. He has been actuated by 
nobler motives, — the desire to do his duty fully, 
the love of truth and justice, and a desire to con- 
tribute his part toward the prosperity and glory of 
the country and the welfare of his fellow citizens 
and of the generations whose duty it will be to 
perpetuate free institutions and the blessings that 
are inseparable from the possession of liberty. He 
was among the very first, if he was not the first, 
to call attention to the necessity of abridging and 
controlling corporate power, and the pack was in- 
stantly in full cry at his heels, keeping always, how- 
ever, at a safe distance, or receiving wounds that 
no leech could cure. Now the country is thoroughly 
aroused, and his views have been adopted not by a 
few, but by the toiling millions of the country. But 
for him Texas would have no commission to-day to 
regulate railway freight charges. He started the 
movement that has eventuated in such a commis- 
sion and at last, as a member of the House of 
Representatives, perfected the railroad commis- 
sion bill that became a law. This is his- 
tory familiar to every man conversant with the 
facts, it detracts nothing from the merit due 
to others, and it deserves a lasting place 
upon the pages of the State's historj'. That Texas 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



561 



lias a university, a system of efficient and richly 
endowed public free scliools and eleemosynary in- 
stitutions that are a credit to our enlightened civil- 
ization is largely due to him. As a result of his 
labors as a legislator, or his public spoken or 
written utterances, many of the most salutary laws 
u()on our statute books were enacted. Prior to 
ISS.'J there were no part}' nominations in Texas. 
In that year the American, or Know-nothing party, 
a secret, oath-bound organization, out of touch 
with the spirit of free institutions and based upon 
passion and prejudice, placed a full State ticket in 
the field. The Democracy, ever true to its tradi- 
tions, only needed leadership to perfect organization 
and offer battle, although the chances of its stem- 
ing the tide successfully seemed poor indeed. At 
this juncture. Judge Terrell and a few other leaders 
held what was known as the " Bomb Shell " meet- 
ing in the ciiy of Austin, that resulted in the call- 
ing of a Democratic State Convention, that nomi- 
nated candidates whOj as the standard-bearers of 
the part}', canvassed the State and with the aid of 
other Democratic speakers and workers. Judge 
Terrell among the number, won a victory that gave 
the coup de grace to the " Know-nothing " party in 
Texas. He is entitled to the proud distinction, if 
it is due to any living man, of being one of the 
fathers of the Texas Democracy. He has been 
true to the party's principles and colors and his 
white plume has helped head the way for the Demo- 
cratic hosts upon many hard-fought political fields 
during many years. Party fealty has been some- 
thing more with him than merely a blind worship 
of an organization. He has considered party as 
but a means to an end — good government — and 
he has never hesitated to denounce wrong, labor 
for the adoption of correct policies or to warn 
against mistakes when they were about to be 
committed. The people have grown more and 
more to appreciate his true character, and when 
President Cleveland conferred upon him the 
honor of appointment as Minister to Turkey it 
was a course of gratification to them that a Texian 
should have been selected for that important mis- 
sion at a time when affairs in the East rendered 
it necessary that only a man of sound judgment, 
skillful address and first-class abilities should be 
sent to Constantinople. They knew that he would 
Ijear himself creditably. He has more than met the 
full measure of their expectations. His name has 
become a household word, in every Christian home 
throughout the world, and he has won for himself a 
position that entitles him to honoral3le rank among 
the trained diplomats of Europe, where diplomacy 
has long been reduced to a fine art ; in fact, he has 



accomplished more for the amelioration of the con- 
dition of the Armenian Christians and for the pro- 
tection of Christian missionaries in Armenia than 
the representative of any other single power ; this, 
too, without the aid of warships in the Dardanelles. 
Of dignified and imposing presence, courtly in his 
manners, just in the formation and frank in the 
expression of his views, he soon came to enjoy not 
only the respect but the friendship of the Sultan, 
who is himself a learned and polished man of gen- 
erous sentiments and who assured Judge Terrell 
that he would take pleasure in granting any reason- 
able request, a promise that was redeemed as far 
as it lay in his power to do so. Judge Terrell upon 
his recent return (in April, 1896), to his home in 
Austin, Texas, on leave of absence, was received 
by his fellow-citizens with every public and private 
expression of respect and affectionate regard. 
After a brief stay he will return to his post of duty 
in Turkey. 

He was born on the 3d day of November, 1828, ' 
in Patrie County, Va., finished his education in the 
University of Missouri and was licensed as a lawyer 
before he was twenty-one years of age. He was 
elected City Attorney of St. Joseph, Mo., in 1849, 
and removed to Austin in 1852 in search of a more 
genial climate for his wife, formerly Miss Ann E. 
Bouldin, who died in 1860 ; entered into a law part- 
nership with Hon. W. S. Oldham in 1852 ; engaged 
actively in practice and as counsel took part in the 
trial of many of the leading cases known to the 
courts. 

In 1857 was elected District Judge and re- 
mained on the bench in the Austin District until 
1863, when he resigned and organized a regiment 
of cavalry for tlie Confederate service. He was in 
command of his regiment until the close of the war, 
leading it into action in the battles of Pleasant Hill, 
Mansfield, and the various engagements fou-jht 
during the retreat of Banks down Red river. A 
few weeks before the surrender of the Trans-Mis- 
sissippi Department, in recognition of his capacity 
as a commander, he was commissioned by Gen. E. 
Kirby Smith as a Brigadier-General. 

After the war he settled temporarily in Houston 
to practice his profession, but the uncertain condi- 
tion of the courts induced him to retire from pro- 
fessional work for a time and he engaged in planting 
on the Brazos, near Calvert, until the death of his 
second wife, formerly Miss Sallie D. Mitchell, in 
1871. He then returned to Austin, resumed prac- 
tice and three years later wtis appointed Reporter 
for the Supreme Court, which position he retained 
for thirteen years. During the period of his re- 
portership he published more volumes than have 



562 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ever been reported by any other Supreme Court 
Reporter in the United States. 

Id 1876 he was elected to the Senate without 
opposition and was twice re-elected. During this 
term of service be framed the present jury law 
which was a great improvement upon that previously 
in force and which no subsequent Legislature has 
been able to improve. He was also champion of 
the law that established the State University and 
drew all the acts wliich gave it its permanent 
endowment. He also framed the school law, while 
chairman of the Committee on Education, that 
established what was known as the "Community 
System," which continued until the establishment 
in recent years of the " District System." The 
various measures for rebuilding and enlarging the 
asylum for the insane, and the educational insti- 
tutions for the deaf and dumb and for the blind, 
were originated and pushed to enactment liy him. 
All the laws under which the Texas State Capitol 
were erected were framed by Judge Terrell, and so 
careful was the system of checks and supervision 
provided by law, that the splendid granite capitol 
was finished complete under the original contracts, 
without a deficiency. His influence was felt in 
every direction and he left his impress upon very 
nearly all of the important legislative work that 
was accomplished. Judge Terrell was chairman 
of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate for eight 
years. After securing the |)assage of laws for the 
construction of the State capitol, Judge Terrell was 
again elected to the State Senate, with the avowed 
object of securing the establishment of a State 
University. Its establishment had been required 
in the constitution of the Republic of Texas and 
of the State for over forty years, but the jealousy 
of the different sections of so vast a State had 
prevented its location. An inspection of the jour- 
nals of the Senate show that the bill which finally 
established the State University, was introduced 
by Senator Buchanan of Eastern Texas. It was 
almost the copy of a bill introduced formerly in 
the House, by Representative, afterwards Congress- 
man, Hutchison, of Houston, and may be regarded 
as the joint work of O. H. Cooper, afterwards 
State Superintendent of Education, Mr. Hutchison 
and Judge Terrell. The original bill, which be- 
came law, was in Judge Terrell's handwriting. 
Senator Buchanan, as Judge Terrell's friend, in- 
troduced the bill. At the close of his last term in 
the Senate, Judge Terrell declined re-election, at a 
time when he could have been returned without 
opposition. In 1888 he was made Democratic 
Elector for the State at large and did yeoman ser- 
vice in unifying the party, in disseminating a 



knowledge of fundamental principles and in secur- 
ing an overwhelraning majority for the party's 
nominees. In 1891 he was elected a member of 
the House of Representatives, from Travis County, 
without fiffering himself as a candiilate, and after 
his published declaration that he did not wish the 
position and would not electioneer for it. The 
majority accorded him was the largest ever re- 
ceived by a candidate in Travis County. It was 
at this session that he perfected the railroad com- 
mission bill. He also aided in tlie passage of other 
and mucii needed legislation. 

In 1883 Judge Terrell was married to Mrs. Ann 
H. Jones, formerly Miss Ann H. HoUiday. He has 
three living children : Mrs. Lilla Rector, and two 
sons. 

Judge Terrell delivered a speech at the laying of 
the corner-stone of the magnificient granite State 
capitol, in 1885, and read a poem in Latin, that 
was inscribed upon a bronze plate, which was de- 
posited in the receptacle in the corner-stone. The 
oration was a superb effort and' well suited to the 
occasion and the poem is said by competent Latin 
scholars to be worthy of perpetuation for after- 
times in a language that has been handed down to 
us by the immortal lyric strains of Ovid and Horace. 
He has delivered by special request many ad- 
dresses before colleges and literary and learned 
societies, and delivered many speeches in the dis- 
cussion of problems that confront the people or 
that he knew would in the coming years demand 
solution at their hands. There are many who re- 
member his speech delivered many j'ears ago, in 
the Opera House at Austin, and published under 
the title of "The Cormorant and the Commune." 
No man who has a copy of it would part with it for 
love or money. This was only one among many 
equally striking utterances, the echoes of which 
still reverberate through the land, or have grown 
and deepened into the thunderous diapason of 
popular demands that cannot and will not be 
silenced until justice is done. 

In every campaign, State and national, until his 
appointment as Minister to Turkej', his views were 
eagerly sought, and he was looked to as a leader. 
His fame is national and international. His wisdom 
and patriotism are approved. He has helped to 
make a large and important part of the histor}' of 
Texas. The State is proud of it and the nation's 
representative at the most important court in the 
East, and, when his term of service has expired, 
will right gladly welcome him home again. 

It is to be regretted that he has retired from 
politics, and manifests no disposition to again enter 
the arena. 




RUFUS HARDY. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



563 



RUFUS HARDY, 

CORSICANA. 



Judge Rufus Hardy was bora in Monroe County, 
Miss., December 16, 1855. 

His father, George Washington Hardy, was a 
native of the same State and county, and was one 
of a family of seven sons and seven daughters. 
The family were, as their name implies, a hardy, 
meritorious race. By their indomitable energy, 
good judgment and sterling integrity, they all 
became prosperous. Though none of them sought 
any public position, they were all Democrats of 
the old school, believing that every citizen should 
stand on an equal footing before the law, asking 
no favors, and demanding only an open field and 
a fair chance in the race of life. Three of the 
brothers came to Texas, and settled finally in 
Brazos County, where the\' owned large estates in 
land and negroes. These brothers were G. W., 
A. W., and Henderson Hardy. G. W. Hardy was 
the oldest and the wealthiest. He was a good 
liver ; his home was the seat of hospitality before 
the war, and in everything he was the typical 
Southern gentleman and planter — proud, gener- 
ous, patriotic, and devoted to his friends and 
family. Being a cripple, besides being exempt on 
account of his age, and the act exempting owners 
of a certain number of slaves, he did not enter the 
Confederate army, but his devotion to and zeal 
for the cause of the South in her struggle for 
a separate, independent government, was not sur- 
passed by that of any soldier in the ranks, and all 
during the war his cribs' were open and free to the 
wife or widow of any soldier who was fighting, or 
had died for his country. His confidence in the 
ultimate triumph of the South was supreme, and 
caused him to invest, even in the last years of the 
war, all that he had in negro property, so that 
when the end came he was left without a dollar 
and without even a home. He lived twelve years 
after the war, with health and spirit greatly broken, 
and died in 1877, leaving only a small property, 
accumulated after the war between the States. 

Judge Hardy's mother, prior to her marriage, 
was Miss Pauline J. Whittaker, born and reared in 
Maury County, Tenn. She, too, was one of a 
family of seven sons and seven daughters. The 
Whittakers were a prominent family in Middle 
Tennessee. The old family home, a brick two- 
story building, where the mother of Judge Hardy 
spent her girlhood days, is still standing, but it 



has passed into strangers' hands. Mrs. Hardy 
(nee Whittaker) is still living, and spends her 
time with her four children. 

Judge Hardy has one brother, D. W. Hardy, of 
Navasota, who now owns, besides his home in that 
place, valuable farms in the Brazos bottom, nearby. 

Judge Hardy has two sisters, Mrs. T. J. Knox 
and Mrs. S. Steele, who also live at Navasota. Mr. 
Steele owns a very fine farm in the Brazos valley and 
Mr. Knox a farm near Navasota. 

The subject of this memoir received such educa- 
tion as the private country schools in Texas afforded 
in the old days, when the maxim " spare the rod and 
spoil the child " was still held good. lu his seven- 
teenth year, partly with money earned by himself 
and partly with money furnished by his elder brother, 
D. W. Hardy, and his father, he was enabled to enter 
Summerville Institute, a long-established private 
school in Noxubee County, Miss., where he spent 
one j'ear, during the presidency of Thomas S. Gath- 
right, afterwards the first president of the Texas 
Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Bryan. 
Later he spent two years at the University of 
Georgia, at Athens, one year in the collegiate depart- 
ment and one year in the law department. He 
returned home in June, 1875, and began the prac- 
tice of law at Navasota, in January, 1876, when 
less than twenty-one years of age. He moved 
thence to Corsicana in February, 1878, and has 
since resided in that city. 

In February, 1881, he married Miss Felicia E. 
Peck, daughter of Capt. Wm. M. and Mrs. Nancy 
Forbes Peck, of FairSeld, Texas. Capt. Peck was 
a Tennesseean by birth and his family have been 
represented on the bench of the Supreme Court of 
that State. Mrs. Peck (?iee Forbes), came from a 
fine old family of the good State of Alabama. 
Capt. Peck bore the commission of Captain in the 
Confederate army, having raised a company of 
Freestone County boys in 1861 to fight for the 
Southern cause. After the war he came home, 
like thousands of others, to begin life, as it were, 
anew. He was a man of exceptional energy 
and capacity, of intellectual culture and natural 
refinement, a polished gentleman of the old 
school and successful in everything he undertook. 
In November, 1880, Judge Hardy was elected 
County Attorney of Navarro County, and was re- 
elected in 1882. In 1884 the oflSce of District 



564 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial District, com- 
posetl of Limestone, Freestone and Navarro coun- 
ties, was created and he was elected to the position. 
Two years later he was re-elected to the olHce. In 
1888 he was elected District Judge and was re- 
elected in 1892 and is now occupying the bench. 
His term will expire in November, 1896. This year 
(1896) he has not offered himself as a candidate 
for judicial honors or for any public position, and, 
after a service of sixteen years in office, will retire 
to private life and resume the practice of his pro- 
fession. In all his official career, which has been 
altogether connected with the administration of the 
law, his endeavor has been to do justice without 
fear or favor. As a successful prosecutor, his record 
stands unsurpassed and as judge his re-election to 
a second term without opposition, either inside or 
outside of the Democratic parly, attests how well 
he has discharged his duties. 

Judge Hardy has never failed to take a decided 
stand on all political issues and hence has a multi- 
tude of strong friends. While uncompromising in 
his political action, he has been uniformly courteous 
and fair in his treatment of those who have been 
opposed to him and as a consequence has enjoyed 
their respect and confidence. 

When the idea of a railroad commission, with 
confiscating powers, grew into a fever, he opposed 
it and, though on the bench, attended the Demo- 
cratic primaries to vote against the adoption of the 
extreme views advocated by Governor Hogg and 
others ; but, after the State Democratic convention 
had regularly nominated a State ticket, bowed to 
the will of the party. 

In 1894, when no Democrat in Texas seemed 
willing to run for office and defend the national 
Democratic administration, Judge Hardy, in April, 
wrote a letter announcing himself as a candidate 
for Congress from the Sixth Congressional District 
and in a series of speeches, defended the financial 
policy of Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Carlisle with 
all the fervor of deep conviction and all the 
ability he possessed. The discharge of his duties 
as District Judge rendered it impossible for him 
to make a complete canvass. In fact, he scarcely 
made any canvass except in Ellis and Navarro coun- 
ties, and these two counties, both holding Demo- 
cratic primarj' elections, cast the majority of their 



votes for sound money (Cleveland) candidates. 
Judge Hardy does not assume all the credit for this 
result, because in that somewhat memorable cam- 
paign, while three candidates in the field advocated 
free-silver, Mr. W. Poindexter, of Cleburne, who 
was announced later, was an exponent of sound 
money teachings and in Ellis, Johnson, Hill and 
Bosque counties made a vigorous canvass. The 
sound money fight for Congress was lost, mainly 
for the reason that Dallas was given to a free sil- 
verite because he was a home man, and without a 
canvass or primary, but the counties of the district 
brought up a handsome sound money majority in 
the State Democratic Convention in August, 1894. 

In May, 1895, Judge Hardy attended a conference 
of sound money men, called to meet at W;ico to 
face the gathering free silver movement. The meet- 
ing was called by Judge Alexander, Judge George 
Clark, Gen. Felix Robertson, Dr. Moore and other 
Democrats of Waco. Judge Hardy was called on 
to preside and a series of resolutions were adopted, 
which constituted the opening note of the sound 
money forces in the battle now on for an " honest 
dollar." Since that meeting a pretty thorough 
organization of the sound money Democrats of 
Texas has been perfected with Judge Rufus Hardy 
as chairman of their executive committee. A mem- 
orable State meeting was held at Galveston in Feb- 
ruary, and another at Dallas on San Jacinto day 
(April 21), and, altogether the year 1896 bids fair 
to be long remembered in Texas politics. 

As a public speaker. Judge Hardy is clear, log- 
ical and eloquent, thoroughly exhausts the subjects 
that he discusses, and carries conviction to the 
hearts and minds of his auditors, where that is pos- 
sible. His career as a prosecuting attorney was 
marked by exceptional success and his name became 
a terror to evil-doers. During his long service upon 
the district bench he has made a record of which he 
and his constituents have good reason to be proud. 

Faithful to his convictions upon the great finan- 
cial question, as well as upon all others, both in 
public and private life, he does not believe in com- 
promise and will never give his consent to the sacri- 
fice of principle to expediency. He has given his 
support to every wortiiy enterprise inaugurated for 
the development of the section in which he resides 
and the State at large. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



565 



ROBERT KIDD, 

SEALY, 



Occupation, farmer. Born in Amherst County, 
Va., in 1776 ; received a good common school edu- 
cation ; came to Texas in 1849 or 1850 ; located on 
Sabine Lake, at Auroria, Jefferson County, Texas ; 
remained there for two or three j'ears, theu moved 
successively to Grisby's Bluff, Smith's Bluff, Beau- 
mont, and San Felipe, residing at the latter place 
from 1866 until 18 , when he moved to Sealy, 
where he resided until his death in 1892. Owing to 
his great generosity of spirit, his success, in a 
financial waj', was limited, yet he maintained him- 
self in independent circumstances, and had the 
satisfaction of Ivuowing that he had done some 
good and had lessened somewhat the load of human 
misery. 

In 1884, although one hundred and eight years 
old, Mr. Kidd wallted one mile to the polling place 



to cast his vote for Hon. Grover Cleveland, thus 
contributing his ballot to the re-establishment of 
clean, honest, responsible. Democratic government. 

The measure of success that he achieved in life 
was attributed to his industry, honesty and 
integrity. 

He married Miss Rebecca Hitchcoclc, of North 
Carolina, in 18 . Seven children were born to 
them, four of whom are living: F. M. Kidd, of 
Sealy, Texas, fifty-one years of age, engaged in 
farming and stock-raising ; G. W. Kidd, of Beau- 
mont, Texas, forty-nine years of age. County Treas- 
urer of Jefferson County ; Mrs. Anna Elizabeth 
Caswell, of Beaumont (widow), a large stock- 
holder in the Texas Tram & Lumber Co., of Beau- 
mont, and Mrs. Mary E. Cook, wife of N. H. Cook, 
Esq., of Sealy, a wealthy stock-raiser and farmer. 



G. W. KIDD, 

BEAUIVIONT, 



Was born at Benton, Polk County, Tenn., Decem- 
ber 7, 1846, and was brought to Texas in 1849 or 
1850 by his parents, Robert and Rebecca Kidd, for 
many years a resident at Sealy, this State. He 
grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he 
remained until 1868 and then accepted a position 
as clerk and bookkeeper in a mercantile establish- 
ment in Sealy, Texas, which he filled for fifteen 
years, when he was elected County Treasurer of 
Jefferson County-, to which office he has since been 
continuously re-elected ; often defeating rival can- 



didates at the polls. His discharge of the duties of 
the office has given universal satisfaction. 

Mr. Kidd's chief pleasure during his father's life 
was to care for him and see that his every want 
was supplied. He has been a dutiful son, a faith- 
ful public official and has faithfully discharged the 
duties of every trust confided to him. 

He enlisted in the Confederate army In 1864 and 
served until the close of the struggle. He is a 
member of the Masonic, Knights of Honor, K. of P. 
and P21ks fraternities. 



566 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ERNST SCHERFF, 

NEW BRAUNFELS. 



Ernst Scherff, one of the leading citizens of New 
Braunfels, was born in the town of Goettingen, 
Hanover, Prussia, March 31st, 1826. His father, 
Gottlieb Scherff, an expert mechanic and metal 
worker and manufacturer of surgical instruments, 
died in Germany, and his widow and her children, 
William and Elise, came to America in 1859. 
William entered the Confederate arm}' as a private 
in a cavalry regiment, but it becomiug known that 
he was a skillful worker in metals, was detailed for 
service in the arsenal at San Antonio, where he 
remained until the close of the war. After the 
surrender he clerked in the store of his brother 
Ernst for a time and finally engaged in merchan- 
dising in San Antonio, where he died seventeen 
years ago. Elise became Mrs. Schuenemann. Mr. 
Schueuemann, now deceased, was a wheelwright, 
and his widow and her daughter Sophie, who re- 
sided with her brother at New Braunfels, died 
some years after. The mother of the Sclierff chil- 
dren died in New Braunfels, in June, 1887, at the 
age of eighty-four 3'ears. 

Ernst Scherff's business experience commenced 
at the age of fourteen, as a clerk in a store in his 



native land, and when twentj^-two years old he 
enlisted as a private in the Frei Corps under com- 
mand of GeQeral von der Tann in the German- 
Danish War in Sehleswig-Holstein in the year 1848 
to 1849. After the war he decided to go to Amer- 
ica, and first landed in New York in the year 1849, 
remained there two months and then proceeded to 
Texas, thence to New Mexico and Arizona and in 
the year 1855 he returned to Texas and located at 
New Braunfels. He clerked there until 1861 and 
then entered into business for himself. Being in 
poor health he did not enter the Confederate army. 
He conducted one of the two stores kept open in 
New Braunfels during the war. He continued suc- 
cessfulU' engaged in business until about 1887, and 
then retired from active pursuits, and sold out his 
business to his nephew, George Knoke and Mr. 
George Eiband, both clerks of his business, who 
continue the well-established and successful busi- 
ness under the firm name of Knobe & Eiband. 
In 1859 he married Miss Sophie Rick, a most esti- 
mable and accomplished lady. During the war he 
served eight years as Alderman of his town, but he 
never sought or desired political honors. 



G. W. DURANT, 



ALVIN. 



Maj. G. W. Durant, of Alvin, Texas, is a pioneer 
of 1852, coming from Georgia. He is a native of 
South Carolina, and was born at Georgetown, in that 
State, October 25ih, 1834. His ancestors, both on 
the paternal and maternal side, were soldiers in the 
war for American Independence, serving under 
Gens. Washington and Green throughout the 
struggle. 

His father, F. H. Durant, was a planter, who had 
three sons and one daughter, all of whom, except 
the subject of this sketch, are deceased. 

His mother's maiden name was Miss Martha 
Zewell. 

Maj. Durant, at the age of twenty-one j'ears, in 



1855, was elected Surveyor of Brazoria County, 
Texas, and held that office for several terms. In 
1861 he enlisted as a private in the Magnolia ran- 
gers ; served in the Trans-Mississippi Department, 
was soon elected Captain of the company and later 
was promoted to the rank of Major. He was 
slightly wounded at Vadalia, La., where two horses 
were shot from under him the same day and a third 
wounded. After the close of the war between the 
States, he spent a short time in Leon County where, 
June 1st, 1865, he married Miss Emma L. Durant, 
daughter of the State Senator, Hon. John W. 
Durant. Shortly thereafter Maj. Durant engaged 
in merchandising at Brj-an and also in farming near 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



567 



that place. In 1880 be purchased eighty-three 
acres of land, upon which a portion of the prosper- 
ous town of Alvin now stands. 

He was mainly instrumental in securing the build- 
ing of the Santa Fe from Houston to his town. 
The Santa Fe Company had determined to build 
from Hiichcock to Houston, butMaj. Durant, being 
a practical engineer and having a thorough knowl- 
edge of the topography of the country, made clear 
to the railroad authorities that to build from the 
town of Alvin instead would give a shorter line and 
better grade and if they made the survey and if the 
route was not adopted that he would pay for said 
survey when it was made and the profiles, etc.) 
submitted. The Alvin route was adopted. Little 



of importance in the way of local development has 
been accomplished which he has not actively 
promoted. 

Maj. and Mrs. Durant are members of the Chris- 
tian Church, the first built in the city. The 
Major donated the ground on which it now stands 
and all but $150 of the money used in erecting the 
edifice. 

They have one daughter, Virginia, Mrs. J. S. 
Bering, of Alvin, and three grandchildren: May, 
Emma, and Martha Bering. 

Maj. Durant is broad-minded, liberal in his views 
and has shown himself ready at all times to forward 
any cause that gave promise of promoting the wel- 
fare of his town and people. 



FRANK THOMAS, 

BURNET. 



Frank Thomas, son of John A. Thomas, was 
born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1841. His father 
died when Frank was small and the mother, accom- 
panied by her five sons and one daughter, came to 
Texas in 1855, settling in January of that year in 
Burnet County, where she subsequently lived and 
died, her death occurring in 1869 at the age of 
fifty-seven years. The eldest son of the family, 
James M., was in the Indian service when a young 
man, quitting it to enter the Confederate army at 
the opening of the late war, in which he died soon 
afterwards while stationed as a member of Wilkes' 
Battery at New Braunfels, in this State. The 
second of the family was Frank, the subject of 
this sketch; the third, Mary Jane, who was mar- 
ried to Carter T. Dalton and died in Burnet County 
in 1885; the fourth, William H., who died in 
j'outb ; the fifth, John A., who died at Fort Yuma, 
Arizona, while on his way to California in 1869, and 
the youngest was Marshall, who died at about the 
age of eighteen. 

Frank Thomas was reared in Burnet County from 
the age of fourteen. He entered the ranging ser- 
vice in 1859, as a member of Capt. Dalrymple's 
company and was in the service for nine months, 
covering a large portion of Northwest Texas — from 
Fort Worth to Wichita mountains. In February, 
1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army as a 
member of Capt. Wm. Rust's company. Company 
B., Carter's Twenty-first Texas Cavalry, with which 



he served in Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri, 
participating in fights at Fort Patterson, Mo., Cape 
Girardeau, Mo., Crawley's Ridge, Ark., and the 
operations around Helena, Ark. He was with this 
historic command from February, 1862, to Decem- 
ber, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on 
account of sickness, and returned to Burnet 
County, Texas, where he was elected Tax-assessor 
in 1864 — an office he filled for two j'ears, without 
compensation, as State warrants, by a subsequent 
act of the general government, were rendered 
worthless. From 1864 to 1882 he was engaged in 
farming and stock-raising in Burnet County. In 
June of the latter year he embarked in merchan- 
dising in the town of Burnet, to which he has since 
chiefly devoted his energies. He still retains, how- 
ever, his farming and stock interests. He is a 
liberal, public-spirited citizen and a successful man 
of business, admired by a wide circle of friends. 
He married, in Burnet Count}', in 1866, Miss 
Elvira Rowntree, a native of Travis Countj', Texas, 
and daughter of James L. Rowntree, who came to 
this State at a comparatively early date and was for 
many years a resident of Burnet County. Seven 
children have been born of this union, six of whom 
are living, namely: Marshall, Alice, Robert, Kate, 
Frank, and Weesie. 

Mr. Thomas is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd FpUows, belonging to Emanuel Samp- 
son Lodge, No. 187, at Burnet. 



568 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



AUGUST TOLLE, 



NEW BRAUNFELS. 



This esteemed citizen and prosperous druggist 
of New Braunfels is a native of German}-. His 
father, Frederick Tolle, a tanner Ijy trade, came to 
New Braunfels, Texas, in 1845, by way of Galves- 
ton and Indianola, and located two miles west of 
the present city, where he established a farm and 
reared his family. Advanced in years, lie finally 
retired to New Braunfels, where he died in May, 
1881, at eighty-four years of age. The mother 
survived until 1885, when she died also at the age 
of eighty-four years. Frederick Tolle and his good 
wife were consistent Christians, and members of 
the Lutheran Church. 

The subject of this skeicii, Mr. August Tolle, 
was born August 10th, 1829. He secured a good 
education in his native country. Upon coming to 
Texas, being seventeen years of age, he associated 
himself with Dr. Theodore Koester, a brother-in- 
law, who was at that time a practicing physician, 



and with him opened an apothecary shop in New 
Braunfels, in 1858, under the firm name of Koester 
& Tolle, a connection that continued until Dr. 
Koester died in 1878, since which time Mr. Tolle 
has owned and conducted the business alone. 
Frederick Tolle had four sons and two daughters, 
all of whom, save one, are still living: Christopher 
and August, residents of New Braunfels ; Harry, a 
tanner, at San Antonio ; Frederick (deceased in 
1875); Augusta, now Mrs. Herman Sehimmelpfen- 
ning, of San Antonio, and Mrs. Theodore Koester, 
of Dallas. 

He married, in 1861, Miss Caroline Messer, a 
daughter of Michel Messer, an officer of the 
German army, and has five children: Edith (now 
Mrs. George Stark, of Bastrop) ; Amelia (now 
Mrs. Otto SchoU, of New Braunfels) ; Theodore 
(married to Miss Ella Henne, of New Braunfels) ; 
Clara and Alfred. 



SIMON FEST, SR., 

SAN ANTONIO, 



A native of Alsace, France, born October •26th, 
1823, was a son of Antone Fest and the youngest 
of eight cliildren. Three of his brothers served in 
the French army : Antone, Louis and Lawrence, 
the latter dying in the French service in Africa. 
Simon was reared in his native place to the age 
of twenty, left Alsace in October, 1846, and 
went to Antwerp, from which port he sailed for 
Galveston, Texas, in company with several col- 
onists bound for different parts of the State. 
From Galveston he went to Indianola and from 
thence by ox-teams to Castroville, which he 
reached after a three weeks' journey, landing there 
in February, 1847. He remained in Castroville 
until the August following when, on account of 
scarcity of work there, he went to San Antonio. 
There he worked two months for the government 
and then went to work for John Fries, a contractor 
and builder. After earning money enough to buy 
a yoke of oxen and a wagon, he went to the head 



of the San Antonio river and spent the year of 
1851 farming. In 1852 he moved to Atascosa 
County and engaged in stock-raising, remaining 
there until the close of the war between the States, 
after which he returned to San Antonio and on 
December 25th, 1865, purchased and settled on a 
tract of land on South Flores street, one and one- 
fourth miles from Main Plaza, where he engaged 
in gardening and the dairy business and where he 
has since lived and followed these pursuits up to 
1881. He has for a number of years lived at ease, 
engaged in no active pursuit. His property has 
become very valuable and he is now reckoned as one 
of the large tax-payers of that portion of the city. 
He married Mary Bil, a native of Alsace, France, 
October 16th, 1823, just prior to sailing for Texas. 
She was a daughter of Michael Bil, who accom- 
panied his daughter and son-in-law to this State 
and settled in Dennis colony. Of this union were 
born seven children, six of whom reached years of 



IXDIAX WARS AND lUONEERS OF TEXAS. 



569 



maturity, viz. : Simoa Fest, Jr., who died in S.an 
Antonio, in 1893 ; Caroline, who married Fred 
Miller and died in Ellcbo, Nevada; Mary, who mar- 
ried Henry Karm and resides in San Francisco, 
California; Henry, now living in San Antonio, 
Texas ; Edward, who died at the age of twenty- 
three, and Louisa, who was married to Fred Kerbel 
and died in ISSfi. 



October Utb, 1886, Mr. Fest's wife died and in 
1889 be married Mary Karm, then of San Antonio, 
Texas, but a native of Alsace, France. After his 
removal to Texas, Mr. Fest brought his mother and 
two sisters from the old country, and his mother 
died in San Antonio as did also his brother 
Louis, who came over and settled in that city in 
1852. 



EDWARD EBELING, 



ROUND MOUNTAIN, 



An old settler of Blanco County, was born in 
Hanover, Prussia, April 2, 1828, and was reared in 
his native country and resided there till he was 
thirtj' years old. Was brought up as an agricul- 
turist and was superintendent of a large plantation 
in the province of Hanover previous to his coming 
to his country. He came to Texas in 1858 in com- 
pany with Otto Markensen, one of his countrymen 
who had been engaged for some years previous to 
that lime in bringing out immigrants to this coun- 
try. Made his first stop in Austin County, where he 
secured employment as a farm hand at $7 per 
month. Worked a year at this and then in 
partnership with Markensen rented a farm for a 
year. 

In 1860 Mr. Ebeling settled in Blanco County 
near the Burnet line, where he purchased a small 
place and engaged in the sheep business. Was 
successful at this and as his means continued to 
accumulate he invested in more lands and sheep. 
Prospered from year to year until he is now one of 



the wealthiest, probabl}' the wealthiest man in 
Blanco County. He owns a ranch of 14,000 acres, 
well stocked with cattle (went out of the sheep 
business before the "Dump") and has money 
besides. Is a stockholder in the First National 
Bank at Marble Falls and was chiefly instrumental 
in setting that enterprise on foot. Has given his 
time and attention wholly to his own affairs which, 
with his industry and good business ability, accounts 
for his success. Was in the irregular sort of 
frontier service necessitated by the condition of 
the country from 1860 to 1868, helping to run 
down pillaging bands of Indians, but was never 
under arms by regular enlistment nor has he ever 
occupied any official position. 

Has been twice married and has raised a family 
of six sons and three daughters to each of whom he 
has given proper educational advantages. These 
are: Frank, Olto, Rudolph; Clara, now Mrs. Wade 
Bader; Max; Hedwig, now Mrs. Herman Gisseke ; 
Edmund, Louis, and Bartie. 



JOSEPH HARLAN, 

ROBERTSON COUNTY. 



Joseph Harlan, deceased, one of the pioneer 
settlers of Robertson County, was born in Laurens 
District, S. C, in 1797, and was a son of Aaron 
and Elizabeth Harlan, natives of North Carolina, 
who settled in South Carolina a few years after the 
American Revolution. Aaron Harlan took part in 



the Colonial struggle for independence as a member 
of Marion's command. Joseph Harlan, when about 
sixteen years old, ran off and joined the army at 
Charleston, S. C. for the War of 1812. 

Joseph Harlan was reared in Lauren's District, 
S. C, where he married Delilah Burke, June 14, 



570 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



1825, also born in the district, and resided until bis 
removal to Texas. He came to Texas first in the 
early spring of 1836 on a tour of inspection, 
accompanied by a negro man and woman, making 
a journey overland with a team and wagon. Reach- 
ing Nacogdoches, he found the country in a great 
state of excitement, rumors flying in every direction 
of the- approach of the Mexican army under Santa 
Anna. He left his servants and team with a 
younger brother, Isaiah (who had come to the 
country a short time before, and was then stopping 
at Nacogdoches) and enlisted in the patriot cause- 
He reached Houston's army a few days after the 
battle of San Jacinto, and remained at the front 
until the following July, when, seeing but little 
prospect of further trouble with the Mexicans and 
being desirous of going back for bis family, he pro- 
cured a substitute to take his place in the ranks 
and returned to South Carolina. Settling up his 
affairs there, he moved to Texas with his family and 
possessions in the winter of the following year, 
reaching Old Wheelock, in Robertson County, on 
the lith of February, 1837. In November of the 
same year he took a head-right between the Big 
and Little Brazos rivers, about five miles south of 
the present town of Calvert, and there settled. All 
that section of the country was then very sparsely 
inhabited, his nearest and only neighl>ors for miles 
being John D. Smith, Thomas and Jesse Webb, and 
an old bachelor named Harden. The same winter, 
however, J. R. Robertson, brother of Maj. Sterling 
C. Robertson, the founder of the colony, brought 



out some negroes and a number of young white 
men and made a settlement in the same locality, 
and others arrived and settled to the south and 
east shortly thereafter. A few settlers also ventured 
north into what is now Falls County about this time, 
but were subsequently driven back, and some of 
them then killed by the Indians. Mr. Harlan 
opened a farm where he settled, and divided his 
time during the succeeding years, until his death, 
between the labors of opening up a plantation in 
the wilderness and keeping out marauding bands of 
Indians who continued to harass the frontier until 
after annexation. He died at his home in 1844, in 
the prime of life, being in his forty-seventh year. 
His wife, who accompanied him to Texas, survived 
him many years, dying in 1884 in the eightieth year 
of her life. He had been twice married and raised 
a family of seven children: two, a son and daugh- 
ter (William and Jane), by his first marriage, and 
five, three sons and three daughters (Martha, Eli- 
phalet, Alpheus, Isaiah, Mary and Sarah) by his 
last. The eldest of these, William, died in 1843, 
at about the time of attaining his majority. Jane 
is the wife of L. A. Stroud and now resides in 
Limestone County, where she and her husband were 
among the first settlers. Eliphalet resides at Cal- 
vert, in Robertson County, and Alpheus at Port 
Sullivan, in Milam County. Isaiah was killed at 
New Hope Church, Ga., during the late war, while 
a member of Hood's Brigade, and Mary and Sarah 
were married, the former to John Patrick and the 
latter to W. T. Stephens, and are both now deceased. 



E. HARLAN, 



CALVERT, 



An old and esteemed settler of Robertson County, 
residing at Calvert, son of Joseph and Delilah Har- 
lan (mention of whom will be found elsewhere in 
this work), is a native of Laurens District, S. C 
where he was born January 1, 1829. He was in 
his ninth j-ear when his parents came to Texas in 
1837 and settled in the Brazos bottom, five miles 
from where he now lives. He has resided in this 
immediate locality for the past fifty-eight years. 
Mr. Harlan is probably the oldest settler living in 
the western part of Robertson County, and with 
two or three exceptions, the oldest in the county. 
That the great length of his residence has not be- 



come better known, is due to the fact that he has 
always led a very quiet life and has concerned him- 
self about very few things, except his own personal 
affairs. He is a large planter, owning two large 
plantations and having in cultivation between 1,500 
and 1,600 acres, which, with his other interests, 
occupy his time and attention to the exclusion of 
other pursuits and those diversions (including poH- 
tics) in which most men indulge themselves. He 
has never held public office, except some local posi- 
tions, such as every good citizen is expected to 
take when called on to do so by his fellow-citizens. 
During the late war he helped procure supplies 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



571 



for the soldiers at the front, and in tliis way lent 
the cause of the Confederacy substantial assistance. 
Mr. Harlan, on the oOth of May, 1854, married 
Miss Bettie Jeffries, a daughter of James and 
Rebecca Jeffries, who emigrated from Kentucky to 
Texas and settled at Cameron, Milam County, in 
1852. Mrs. Harlan was born in Glasgow, Ky., and 
was a young lady when her parents came to this 
Slate. Her mother died at Cameron in 1863 and 
her father at Port Sullivan, Milam County, in 1871. 



Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have had born to them two 
daughters: Ella, who was married to Dr. Henry 
Trollinger and is now deceased, and Maud, married 
to John A. Green, Jr., an attorney at law, residing 
at San Antonio, Texas. The religious connection 
of Mr. Harlan's family is with the Baptist Church. 
His wife's people belonged to the Church of the 
Disciples, in which she has for many years held a 
membership. 



ALBERT KEIDEL, 



FREDERICKSBURG, 



Is known throughout the section of Texas in which 
he lives as an able and successful physician. His 
father, William Keidel, M. D., came from Hilde- 
sheim, Hanover, to New Braunfels, Texas, via Gal- 
veston, in 1845, and soon after located in Freder- 
icksburg, where he engaged in the practice of his 
profession. He was born at Hildesheim ; educated 
at Goetingen; married, in Fredericksburg, Mrs. 
Albertine Kramer, a daughter of an early Texas 
pioneer from Hanover ; and died of typhoid pneu- 
monia in 1870, at Fredericksburg in this State. 
Only one child (the subject of this notice) was born 



of the marriage, the mother dying a few days after 
giving birth to her child. Dr. Albert Keidel was 
born in Fredericksburg, Texas, July 1, 1852; re- 
ceived a good literary education in the Hildesheim 
High Schools and perfected his medical studies at 
the University at Goetingen in 1874-78. He was 
married, in 1878, at Galveston, Texas, to Miss 
Matilda Eisfeld, of Goetingen, Germany, and 
immediately located in Fredericksburg, where they 
have since lived and he has built up an extensive 
and lucrative medical practice. They have four 
children : Victor, Felix, Curt and Werner. 



CHARLES SAXON, 



ORANGE. 



Farmer and stock-raiser. Born November 17, 
1823, in Hinds County, Miss. His father, C. 
H. Saxon, was one of Napoleon Bonaparte's 
soldiers. His mother, Mary (Holmes) Saxon, was 
born in South Carolina. Educated himself by 
the old fire-place at the family home after 
working on the farm during the day. Came 
to Texas alone in December, 1842, and located in 
Jasper County, where he remained until 1848, then 
went to Brownsville on the Rio Grande ; lived there 
two years and then settled at Orange, Texas, where 
he has since resided. He was engaged for twenty 
years in the lumber business in this State and then 



embarked in farming and stock-raising, in which he 
has been eminently successful, having acquired 
large property interests. Enlisted in Company B., 
Fourth Regiment, Confederate army, in 1861, and 
served in Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana, par- 
ticipating in many skirmishes and important battles, 
among others in those of Mansfield and Pleasant 
Hill and Yellow Bayou in Louisiana, which prac- 
tically put an end to Banks' raid up Red river. 
He is a charter member of Madison Lodge No. 
126, and Orange Chapter, No. 78, A. F. and A. M., 
and also a member of the Knights of Labor and 
Farmer's Alliance Associations. 



572 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



He has been a Royal Arch Mason since 1858. 
Married tliree times. First in 1854 to Miss Delano, 
of Orange. Next to Miss Sue Swaingain, of 
Orange, in 1861, and third to Miss Elizabeth 
Cooper, of Orange, November 20, 1878. Has four 
children born to him, three of whom are now living, 
one son and two daughters, viz. : Mary E. Saxon, 
now wife of Thomas Andrews, of Orange ; C. H. 



Saxon, who is now living at the family home, and 
is a farmer and stock-raiser, and Abi Saxon, now 
wife of Joseph Cooper, a farmer and stouk-raiser of 
Orange. 

Mr. Saxon is as supple as many young men to- 
day and, at his ripe old age, is in the enjoy- 
ment of all his faculties. He is much esteemed in 
the community in which he lives. 



CHARLES SCHWOPE, 



BOERNE. 



One of Kendall County's prosperous farmers, was 
born in Germany, June 27, 1851, and came to 
Texas in 1857 with his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Chas. 
Schwope) and Annie, Helen, Gottlieb, Julia, and 
Louise, the other children constituting the family. 

The father was born in Germany, April 9, 1816, 
and died at Boerne, Texas, in 1889, at seventy- 
three years of age. The mother was born in Ger- 
many, November 19, 1824, and died at Boerne, in 
1884, at sixty years of age. 

The family first located at Comfort but later on a 
farm near Boerne in the same county, where the sub- 
ject of this notice grew to manhood. December 1, 
1874, Mr. Chas. Schwope, Jr., married Miss Matilda, 
daughter of Chas. Adams, who came from Germany 



and located two miles from Boerne and engaged in 
farming. He came to this country single ; married, 
and in 1879 died, aged forty-seven years. Mrs. 
Adams died in 1887 when forty-seven years of age. 
They left six children, viz. : William, who lives near 
Boerne; Matilda, who is the wife of the subject of 
this sketch ; Louise, now Mrs. Charles Ranselben, 
of Fredericksburg ; Anna, now Mrs. Helman 
Ransloben, of Fredericksburg; Freda, now Mrs. 
Christian Schader, of Boerne, and Hugo, a. citizen 
of Boerne. 

Mrs. Schwope was born April 18, 1859. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schwope have eight children ; viz. : Adolf, 
Ciiarles, Bertha, Julia, Freda, William, Hilmar and 
Fritz. 



J. D. SANER, 



BOERNE. 



Judge J. D. Saner was born in Davidson 
County, N. C, March 28, 1822, moved to Tenne- 
pec in 1832, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob 
Saner, and came to Texas with them and their 
other son, T. A. Saner, in 1849; located in Upsliur 
County, and moved thence to San Marcos, Hays 
County, and thence to Boerne in 1853, and 
engaged in farming. Jacob Saner was a hatter, 
and worked at his trade until he came to Texas. 
His wife, whose maiden name vi^as Miss Mary 
Dontbitt, was born near Salem, N. C. Jacob 
Saner died in 1873, at eighty-four years of age, 



and his wife in 1871, at eighty-two years of 
age. 

Judge J. D. Saner, subject of this notice, located 
near Boerne, in Kendall County, upon emigrating 
to Texas; rented land near that place and engaged 
in farming, and, later, purchased an ox-team and 
followed freighting between Boerne and San 
Antonio. In 1856 he was elected Constable of the 
Boerne precinct of Comal County; 1857 was 
elected County and District Clerk of Bandera 
County; filled the latter position from 1858 to 
1865, and then returned to Boerne, where he was 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



573 



elected County Judge of Kendall County for four 
successive terms. He was followed by a succes- 
sor for two terms, and then again elected to the 
office in 1888, and filled it until 1890. In 1892 
he was appointed Justice of the Peace, and served 
in that capacit}* for two years. 

In April, 1894, he was appointed Postmaster at 
Boerne, and now (1895) holds that position. He 
was married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth Mauess. 
She died in 1863, leaving four children: James M., 



a Deputy Sheriff of Kendall County for ten years 
past; Rosilla, now Mrs. Judge W. K. Jones, of 
Del Rio; John J., a school teacher of Blanco, 
Texas, and Thomas A., deceased. Judge Saner 
married, in 1873, Mrs. Sarah Davis, widow of the 
late James Davis. Her maiden name was Miss 
Sarah Butler; she died in 1888. One child, Lizzie 
M., was born of this union. Judge Saner owns 
the old family homestead established by his parents 
on their settlement in the town of Boerne, 1853. 



M. S. MUNSON, 

BRAZORIA COUNTY. 



It is to be doubted whether there is another man 
in the State who has lived in Texas anything like 
so long as the subject of this memoir. Col. M. S. 
Munson, of Brazoria County. He was born near 
Liberty, Liberty County, in this State, at his par- 
ents' home on the banks of the Trinity river, April 
24th, 1825. His father, Henry W. Munson, a 
Mississippian by birth and a planter by occupation, 
died in 1833 and is buried at Peach Point, on Gulf 
Prairie. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann 
B. Pierce, was born in Georgia. After the death 
of her husband she, in about the year 1835, mar- 
ried, at Gulf Prairie, James P. Caldwell, of Ken- 
tucky, and moved to near San Marcos, where she 
died a number of j'ears thereafter. 

M. S. Munson took a primary course at Hopkins- 
ville, Ky., and then went to Rutersville, Fayette 
County, Texas, where, as he says, he did little 
except hunt Indians on the frontier for two or three 
years. The capture of San Antonio by the Mexi- 
can General, Adrian Woll, in 1842, was followed by 
his defeat at the battle of Salado and retreat from 
the country, and the subsequent organization of 
what is known as the Somervell expedition, designed 
for a descent into Mexico for the purpose of 
making reprisals. In this expedition the sub- 
ject of this notice participated. The command 
marched into and took possession of Laredo 
without the necessity of a gun being fired, camped 
at a point three miles below town and then 
moved six or seven miles and camped at a 
water-hole. The remaining five hundred bore down 
the country until they came to the mouth of the 
Salado river, opposite and six miles from Guerrero. 
This was on the 14th of December, 1842, a clear 



but cold day. A crossing was speedily effected by 
means of flat-boats found there. Gen. Canales, 
with seven hundred rancheros, appeared on the 
neighboring hills but manifested no disposition to 
fight. The command camped that night in an 
abandoned Carrizzo village. The Alcalde of Guer- 
rero, accompanied by a Frenchman who spoke En- 
glish, appeared in camp and tendered the surrender 
of the town, but begged that the Texians would 
camp outside its limits, where he would furnish 
food, blankets, shoes and other things for which the 
troops were suffering. To all this Gen. Somervell 
agreed, and during the afternoon of the loth moved 
up and camped on a hiil-side, near the town, per- 
fectly commanded by surrounding hills. During 
the day a scanty supply of flour, a few refuse old 
blankets and a dozen or two pairs of shoes were 
sent to camp. Late in the day they were counter- 
marched and recrossed the river into Texas. The 
17th and 18th were spent in this position, sufficient 
cattle being found to furnish meat for all. On the 
succeeding morning, December 19th, an order was 
read directing all to prepare for a return home. 
Three hundred men made their way down the river, 
their horses being driven down overland ; subse- 
quently penetrated into Mexico, engaged in the fight 
atMier, surrendered at last as prisoners of war to the 
treacherous Mexicans and were thrown into prisons. 
Their subsequent fate is well known to all readers 
of Texian history and need not be recounted here. 
The other two hundred (among the number 
the subject of this notice) marched toward San 
Antonio with Somervell. Capt. Flaco, the gallant 
Lipan chief, an old deaf-mute of his tribe, the other 
Lipans, Rivas, a Mexican companion, and an Apache, 



674 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Luis, who had co-operated with the Texians, having 
confiscated a herd of Mexican horses, had already 
started in that direction. Somervell and his com- 
panions had great difficulty in maliing their way 
through the chaparral and consumed a number of 
days in reaching the Nueces river. They found 
that stream much swollen, but crossed it on the 
morning of January 1st, 1843. Many of the horses 
stuck in the liog and died from excessive cold dur- 
ing the night. Some of the party who had gone on 
ahead reached San Antonio and sent back beeves 
and other supplies to their companions who were in 
a well-nigh starving condition. The main body 
then proceeded to San Antonio, from whence the 
men dispersed for their respective homes. A 
number of horses were left behind on the march 
and some of the men made a contract with Capt. 
Flaco for him to ga back over the road and gather 
up these animals and keep them until they were 
able to be driven into San Antonio, promising to 
pay him liberally for his trouble. After Somer- 
vell's command arrived at San Antonio and were 
encamped in the vicinity, Flaco and the mute were 
basely murdered by Rivas and the Mexican, who 
drove the horses into Eastern Texas and Louisiana 
and sold them. The act caused a thrill of horror 
throughout the country, but the confusion of the 
times prevented pursuit. Flaco and the Lipans 
had always been friendly to the whites. They sup- 
posed the murder to have been committed by some 
of Somervell's men, retreated into Mexico, became 
the implacable enemies of their former allies and 
subsequently committed many kiUings and depre- 
dations on the Western frontier. 

After returning from the Somervell expedition, 
Col. Munson went to La Grange College, North 
Alabama, spent two years there, returned home on 
a short visit and then entered the University at 
Lexington, Ky., where he graduated with the first 
honors of his class. After leaving Lexington he 



studied law under Judge Bullard, president of the 
law school at New Orleans. Returning to Texas 
and securing admission to the bar he practiced his 
profession for about thirty years in Brazoria and 
adjoining counties under the firm name of Munson 
& Lathrop and later of Munson & Garnett, ranking 
as one of the most learned and successful practi- 
tioners in that section of the State. He is now 
retired from business, has a large plantation and 
stock-ranch and is in verj' comfortable circum- 
stances. During the war between the States (1861- 
5), he served first in a command on Galveston 
Island under Gen. De Bray and then in Gen. 
Waul's command, as a member of which he served 
during the siege of Vicksburg and participated in 
various engagements up to the close of hostilities. 
He was married on February fith, 1850, to Miss 
Sarah K. Armour, of Tennessee, and has eight 
children: Henry W. and Geo. C, who are farming 
in Brazoria County; J. W., an attornej- at law at 
Columbus, Texas; Walter B., practicing law at 
Houston ; Hillan Armour, manager of his planta- 
tion ; M. S., Jr., practicing law at Brazoria ; Emma, 
wife of Rev. J. L. Murray, who resides near Angle- 
ton, Brazoria County ; and Sarah, wife of Walter 
Kennedy, of Brazoria County. Mrs. Munson died 
at twelve o'clock the night of January 31, 1887. 
She is buried in the family tomb at her home in 
Brazoria County. Mr. Munson has always been a 
staunch Democrat and served during three sessions 
of the Legislature as representative from his dis- 
trict with that ability, fidelity and patriotism that 
has distinguished him through life. He has for many 
years been a member of the M. E. Church South 
and of the Masonic Fraternity. An enterprising 
citizen and thoroughly identified with the soil, he 
has contributed liberally in time, influence and 
money to the upbuilding of his section of the 
State. 

No old Texian is better known. 



SAMUEL FOSSETT, 



MERIDIAN. 



Samuel Fossett was born in the State of Maine 
in 1831 ; came to Texas in 185G ; made his way to 
Bosque County ; shortly thereafter joined the 
ranger service ; followed that calling for several 
years as a private, part of the lime under Col. 



" Rip " Ford, and before he left the service com- 
manded a company of his own ; leaving the rangers, 
he engaged in the grocery business at Meridian 
until 1862, when he entered the Confederate army 
as a volunteer in Capt. Ryan's Company (Com- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



575 



pany E.), Fourtli Texas Infantry, Hood's Brigade, 
and participated in nearl3' all of the important 
battles fought by Lee's army after tliat date; was 
severely wounded in the battle of tlieAVilderness ; was 
in Lee's array at the surrender in 1865 ; went to 
Richmond, and thence to Galveston and on to bis 
home at Meridian, where be at once engaged in 
general merchandising and stock-raising which he 
followed successfuUj' during the following fifteen 
years, and in 1870 was elected Sheriff and served 
one term and made an able and acceptable public 
officer. He is still engaged in the stock business, 
principally raising horses. His ranch, consisting 
of seventeen hundred acres of good land, part of 



it under cultivation, is situated seven miles from 
town. 

He was united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza Fuller 
in 1870. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. frat- 
ernity and Democratic party. A gallant ranger, 
brave soldier, capable county officer, for many 
years a leading merchant of Meridian, and now 
thoroughly identified with the best interests of 
Bosque County, he is an honored and truly repre- 
sentative citizen of his section. He has witnessed 
many stirring scenes and encountered many vicissi- 
tudes and doubtless now enjoys the retired and 
peaceful life that his active labors in other j'ears 
has made possible. 



PUTNAM B. CURRY, 

ORANGE. 



Merchant and [engaged in the general insurance 
business. Born September 16, 1835, at Owego, 
Tioga County, N. Y. Father, Col. B. B. Curry, 
born 1799 at Sugar Loaf, Orange County, N. Y. 
Died in 1875, at Baileville, N. J. Mother, maiden 
name, Arminda Totten, of Owego, N. Y., born 
1801 ; died in 1842. Parents were married in 1820 
and had ten children, six girls and four boys, six of 
whom are still living. Putnam B. Curry was edu- 
cated in the public schools of Owego, N. Y. ; came 
to Texas in Januarj^ 1860, reaching Galveston 
on the 3d of July of that year ; left Galveston in 
1867, and went to Navarro Landing, Leon County, 
where he engaged in the mercantile business and 
remained until 1870, and then moved to Orange, 
Orange County, Texas, and engaged in merchan- 
dising, in which he has since continued and pros- 
pered. From 1875 to 1890 he was proprietor of 
the leading hotel in Orange. 

Enlisted in Company B., First Texas Regiment 
of Heavy Artillery of the Confederate Slates' army, 
in 1861, under Col. J. J. Cook, and participated in 
the battle of Galveston, January 1st, 1863. A 
portion of this companj' were employed sharp- 
shooters and the rest were in charge of the twenty- 
two-inch rifled gun on the bow of the gun-boat, 
" Bayou City." At the third shot the gun exploded, 
killing Capt. A. R. Wier and three privates. Mr. 
Curry was among the foremost in capturing the 
Federal steamer, " Harriett Lane." 

He was later transferred from Galveston to Sabine 



Pass as purser of the gun-boat " Clijton" and after- 
wards to the " Sachem " and to the " J. H. Bell." 
He remained in the gun-boat service until the close 
of the war, when he received his discharge from the 
Confederate army. He claims to have received the 
last official act of the Confederates in Houston just 
before the " break-up." 

He was sent to Matagorda with important mes- 
sages, and on his return to Houston found the Con- 
federacy broken up and the soldiers returning to 
their homes. After considerable searching he found 
Capt. J. J. Taylor, A. D. C, who then gave him 
his discharge, signing Maj.-Gen. J. Bankhead Ma- 
gruder's name, saying it was his last official act as 
an officer of the Confederate government. 

He is Past High Priest of Orange Chapter, No. 
78, R. A. M., P. M. of Madison Lodge, No. 126, 
A. F. & A. M., and commander of A. L. of H. 

Married June 14th, 1868, to Miss Eliza A. Ochil- 
tree, eldest daughter of Col. Hugh Ochiltree, who 
came to Texas in 1842, and was a soldier in Col. 
T. C. Wheeler's Company of Texas Volunteers in 
the Mexican War. She was born in San Augustine, 
Texas, December 10th, 1845. 

They have four children, two girls and two boj's, 
viz. : Maggie A. Curry, now wife of W. O. Brice, 
of Orange ; Ollie J. Curry, now wife of J. B. Brooks, 
of San Antonio ; Hugh B. Curr3', bookkeeper in 
the First National Bank of Orange ; and P. B. 
Curry, Jr., bookkeeper for the Orange Ice, Light 
& Water Works Co., of Orange. 



576 



INDIAJSr WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Mr. P. B. Curry, Sr., is at present (189G), vice- 
presiilent, secretary and treasurer of the Ice, Light 
& Water Works Co., of Orange. 

Upon the organization of the Citizens' Committee 
in 1887, he was elected president and served for 
two years. In 1889 the Board of Trade of Orange 
was organized with Mr. Curry as president. He 
was re-elected five successive years, and was again 
re-elected president, .January, 1896, of that body. 



He was the owner and pul)lisher of the Orange 
Leader tTom 1892 to 1895. 

It seems impossible that any man could have been 
of more worth to a city than has Mr. Curry to 
Orange. He has labored unceasingly to promote 
its growth and prosperity. 

Although he is not a member of any church, Mr. 
Curry contributes largely and freely to benevolent 
causes. 



JOHN C. CARPENTER, 

SHERMAN, 



Kev. John C. Carpenter, a well-known minister 
of the Baptist Church, and Eight Eminent Sir 
Knight, Grand Prelate of Texas, of the order of 
Knights Templar, a man well known as a Christian 
worker and in ^lasonry, was born in Canandagua, 
N. Y., November 4, 1816. He left New York 
State while yet a child and moved to Tennessee in 
1836 and from that place went to Jackson, Miss., 
where he was engaged for several years in general 
merchandising and also served as secretary and 
treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the State 
Insane Asylum. It was here he fitted himself in 
part for entering the ministry of the Baptist Church. 
In 1859 he moved to New Orleans and was regu- 
larly ordained. He immediately entered upon 
what be intended should be his life work, but, in 
1879, owing to a throat trouble, his speech failed 
him and he embarked in the insurance business, in 
which he is engaged at the present time. He 
moved to Sherman in February, 1875, and has 
since made that pleasant little city his home. For 
the past twenty 3'ears, as was recently remarked by 
one of the local pastors in a sermon delivered to a 
large congregation, he has been loved and respected 
by all members of the community, both high and 
low, both rich and poor. No meritorious person 
ever applied to him for relief and was turned awaj' 
without being given assistance. His Masonic life 
began with his initiation into Jackson Lodge in 
1842. He received the Chapter degrees in Jackson 
Chapter and took the Royal Arch degree at Jack- 
son, Miss., in 1842. He received the orders of the 
Temple in Jackson Commandery in 1843, at which 
meeting Albert Pike, Sovereign Grand Inspector- 
General of the Thirty-third Degree, Ancient and 
Accepted ^Scottish Rite for the Southern Masonic 



Jurisdiction of the United States, presided. At 
New Orleans he was elected prelate of Indivisible 
Friends' Commandery No. 1, located in that city, 
and filled that office for a number of years. In 
1865 he was elected Grand Prelate of the Grand Com- 
mandery of Louisiana and continued as such until 
he moved to Texas in 1875. He was also Grand 
Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons and Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of 
Louisiana of Free and Accepted Masons, and is at 
present Grand Representative of the Grand Com- 
mandery of Louisiana. 

In 1878 he was elected Grand Prelate of the 
Grand Commandery of Texas, an office that he has 
since filled. Indivisible Friends' Commandery, No. 
13, was instituted under dispensation on the second 
day of February, 1877. Sir Knight J. C. Carpenter 
was the First Eminent Commander, and on the 
fifteenth day of March, 1877, the Commandery was 
duly organized under a charter from the Grand Com- 
mandery of Texas and he was installed in that 
position, a position to which he was elected for 
three 3'ears in succession. His connection witli 
this Commandery extended over a period of nine- 
teen years. His Masonic life covers a period of 
fifty-four years. He has probably delivered more 
speeches and addresses on important Masonic oc- 
casions than any other man in the fraternity in 
Texas. 

If it is true that every man is a missionary 
to the future, the influence of his life will be pro- 
ductive of great good long after this generation 
has passed away, a generation with which he has 
labored and that he has sought to benefit by every 
means within his power and by the example of a 
truly noble Christian life. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS 



bll 



GEORGE C. PENDLETON, 



BELTON. 



Hon. George Casity Pendleton, ex-member of 
the Texas Legislature, ex-Lieutenant-Governor 
and ex-member of Congress, was born April 23d, 
1845, in Coffee County, Tenn. His mother was a 
daughter of Gen. William Smartt, a soldier of the 
War of 1812. The entire family came to Texas and 
settled in Ellis County when George C. Pendleton 
was twelve j'ears of age. The ambition of his early 
life was to enter the legal profession. The war 
between the States first interfered with this purpose. 
He entered the Confederate army at seventeen and 
served the Trans-Mississippi Department as a soldier 
in the Nineteenth Texas Cavalry, commanded by 
Col. D. W. Watson. At the close of the struggle 
be returned home and entered college at Waxaha- 
chie, intending to graduate, secure admission to 
the bar and practice law; but this time, ill-health 
compelled him to forego his purpose, and to seek 
some employment that would furnish an abundance 
of outdoor exercise, and he, therefore, for ten years 
followed the migratory life of a commercial traveler 
with beneficial results. In 1870, Mr. Pendleton 



married Miss Helen Embree, daughter of Elisha 
Embree, Esq.. of Bell County, Texas, and for a 
number of years thereafter was engaged in country 
merchandising, farming and stock-raising, in which 
pursuits he accumulated a competency. His politi- 
cal career began with his election to represent Bell 
County in the Eighteenth Legislature. He was re- 
elected to the Nineteenth and Twentieth Legisla- 
tures and was chosen Speaker of the House in the 
latter body without opposition. He was nominated 
for Lieutenant-Governor by the Democratic Con- 
vention at San Antonio in 1890, and elected in 
November of that year. His previous experience 
as a presiding officer enabled him to discharge his 
duties as President of the Senate in a manner that 
won the praise of that body. Later he was elected 
to and served two terms in the House of Repre- 
sentatives of the Congress of the United States. 
In each instance he made a brilliant canvass 
before the people and carried the district over 
strong and determined anti-Democratic opposi- 
tion. 



EUGENE PILLOT, 

HOUSTON, 



Now, and for many years, a prominent citizen of 
Harris County, Texas, was born in the Department 
de la Haute, Saone, France, February 10th, 1820 ; 
came to Texas with his parents, Claude Nicholas 
and Jeanne (Loiseley) Pillot, in 1837, who located 
a headright and engaged in farming on Willow 
Creek, twenty-six miles north of Houston ; learned 
his father's trade (carpentering and joining) which 
he followed for a short time ; engaged successfully 
in the timber business and later in farming, and for 
twenty-five years was one of the leading planters of 
Harris County ; again engaged in the timber busi- 
ness, which he followed until 1867, at which time he 
sold out his sawmill interests, and on January 1st, 
1868, moved to Houston, where he already owned 
considerable real estate to the improvement of which 
and to other private interests he devoted his atten- 



tion. He is at this writing one of Houston's 
largest property owners, and has also large hold- 
ings in the city of Galveston, owning the Tremont 
Opera House and other equally valuable propertv. 
His city holdings are what real estate men call 
" inside property," and are very valuable. He h.TS 
served as a member of the City Council, Board of 
Public Works, and Treasurer of Harris County and 
has filled many positions of honor and trust, and 
has at all times been an active and intelligent 
worker for the upbuilding of the city and section 
of the State in which he lives. 

On January 7th, 1845, Mr. Pillot married Miss 
Zeolis Sellers, daughter of Achille Sellers, and a 
native of Lafayette Parish, La. The}- are the 
parents of twelve children, six sons and six daugh- 
ters (all well established in life and prominent cit- 



578 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



izens of the communities in which they live) and 
have twenty-two grandchildren, and four great- 
grandchildren. 

When Mr. Pillot came to Texas he was the only 
one of the family who landed at Galveston. There 
he met Col. Manard, founder of the city. There 
was then only one house on the island. 

Mr. Pillot volunteered for service in the expedi- 
tion formed under Gen. Somervell to drive the 
Mexican invader, Woll, from the country, hut the 
expedition coming to an end before he could reach 
the Texian forces he returned home. He was 
intimately acquainted with and a warm personal 
friend of Gen. Houston. He also knew and was 
more or less intimately associated with the other 
prominent men who figured in the early history of 
Texas. 



When eleven years old (1831) he was a drummer 
in the National Guards of France under the 
King Louis Fhillipe. His parents came to the 
United Slates in 1832 ; lived in New York City and 
State for five years, and came to Texas in 1837, 
touched at Galveston, and twenty-four hours later 
proceeded to Houston, where his father followed 
the occupation of carpentering and joining, until he 
moved to Willow creek and engaged in farming. 
His father died in New Orleans in 1863, while re- 
turning homeward from France, and his mother 
three years later at the homestead in Harris County, 
leaving five children, of whom only one, the subject 
of this notice, is now living. The family only had 
forty dollars when it arrived in Texas. Mr. Pillot 
is essentially a self-made man. He is a leading 
and representative citizen of Houston. 



FREDERICK PERNER, 



COMFORT, 



Arrived at Galveston from Saxony, May 23, 1849, 
where he was born July 19th, 1827; from Galves- 
ton went to Indianola and purchased an ox-team, 
with which, a month later, he reached New Braun- 
fels ; from New Braunfels went to Sisterdale and 
lived there until 18.58, when he located on his pres- 
ent homestead, near Comfort, one of the best farms 
in Kendall County, and in 18.54 married Mrs. Frid- 
ena Miller, widow of Charles Miller, by whom he 
had two children (daughters), Ernestine, who mar- 
ried Frederick Meyer, and Minnie, who married 



Edward Schmidt. To the latter were born Edward, 
William and Bertha (now Mrs. John Marquardt), 
Richard and Amelia (now Mrs. Fred Vollmessing, 
of Kerrville). Mrs. Perner died August 15th, 
1873. 

For a second wife Mr. Perner married Mrs. 
Dorothea Schultz, an estimable widow lady. She 
died December 5, 1893, without issue. 

Steps are being taken to secure to Mr. Perner a 
large amount of money said to be due to him from 
an estate in Germany, left by wealthy ancestors. 



MILTON PARKER, 



BRYAN. 



Samuel Parker was a native of King and Queen's 
County, Va., born in the year 1797. At about the 
age of twenty-five, he married Mary Dunn, a native 
of King and Queen's County, and settled in Lincoln 
Count}', Tenn. Having been well educated and 
lieing a skillful accountant, he engaged for a num- 
ber of jears in teaching and in clerical pursuits, 



until, seeing a considerable family of children 
growing up around him, he thought it desirable to 
move to a new countr}', and, accordingly, in 1852, 
started to Texas. His wife died on the way, at 
Arkadelphia, Ark., but he came on with his five sons 
and one daughter and settled in Burleson Count}', 
where he purchased land and entered on what, for 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



579 



him, was the new life of a farmer. By industry 
and good management in his early years, he had 
saved some means which enabled him to comforta- 
bly settle himself and children and make an auspi- 
cious start in his new home. Being a man of quiet 
habits, with no inclination for public affairs, he 
was not extensively linown, but was highly esteemed 
by those who enjoyed his acquaintance, and was 
really a valued and important accession to the com- 
munity where he settled. In the few years that he 
was a citizen of this State, he laid the foundation 
of a handsome fortune which, subsequently tlescend- 
ing to his children, helped them far along in the race 
of life. 

Mr. Parker married a second time in 1856, his 
wife being Mrs. Eliza Montgomery, of Brazos 
County, widow of S. W. Montgomery and sister of 
Col. Harvey Mitchell, one of the oldest settlers of 
that county. He died the following year, leaving no 
issue of this marriage. The six children of his 
former marriage, John, Andrew, Samuel, Milton, 
Benjamin and Fannie (afterwards Mrs. Elijah 
James Chance), all of whom grew to maturity, 
most of them marrying and having families. Only 
one of them, Milton, is now living. 

Milton, almost universally known as " Mit " 
Parker, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., Octo- 
ber 28, 1840. He was in his twelfth year when he 
came to Texas. His youth was spent in Burleson 
County, where, in fact, nearly all his maturer years 
have been passed. He entered the Confederate 
army at the opening of the late war as a member of 
the Second Texas Infantry, commanded by Col. 
W. P. Rogers. With this command he took part 
in all the operations of the army in Western Ten- 
nessee and Northern Mississippi, including the en- 
gagements at Shiloh, Farmiugton, luka, Corinth, 
and the siege of Vicksburg. He was wounded at 



Vicksburg and, on the surrender of that place, was 
captured. Being subsequently paroled, he returned 
to Texas, and from that time on until the close of 
the war, engaged in trading operations between 
points in the interior of Texas and Mexico. He, 
with others of his regiment, did some valiant fight- 
ing for the Southern cause and he suffered many 
close escapes from the deadly fire of the enemy. 

After the war Mr. Parker embarked in the com- 
mission business at Galveston as a member of the 
firm of Johnson, Parker & Co., and was so engaged 
for three years. He then moved to Bryan, where 
he formed a partnership with W. H. Flipper and, 
under the firm name of Parker & Flipper, followed 
the mercantile and banking business for ten years. 
Disposing of these interests at the end of that time 
he turned his attention to planting, which, asso- 
ciated with some real estate operations, has since 
occupied his time. Mr. Parker is regarded as one 
of the heaviest property owners n Brazos or Bur- 
leson counties. His holdings in the latter county 
amount to about 6,500 acres, more than three- 
fourths of which are under cultivation, producing 
abundantly of cotton and corn, the staple products 
of the Brazos valley. His investments in Bryan 
are in local enterprises, being such as are designed 
to stimulate industry and foster a spirit of progress. 

In 1864, Mr. Parker married Miss Mary Jane 
Johnson, of Burleson County, a native of Virginia, 
then resident of Bloomington, Illinois, daughter of 
Capt. George Johnson, who was born in Virginia and 
was for many years a steamboat captain on the Mis- 
sissippi river, coming to Texas in 1859, where he 
subsequently lived and died. 

The issue of this marriage has been seven chil- 
dren: George S., John K., Mary W. (now Mrs. 
Allen B. Carr, Jr.), Katie B., Winnie L., Fannie 
and Milton B. 



AUGUST RUST, 

SIVIITHSON'S VALLEY, 



Came to Texas in 1855 from Hanover, Germany, 
with his father, mother and other members of the 
household, who located near New Braunfels and 
later moved into the vicinity of Smithson's Valley, 
in 1864, and lives there now. The mother died in 
1893, at seventy-five years of age. The father, 
Frederick Rust, is living near Boerne, in Kendall 



County, with his son, Louis. August, the subject 
of this notice, was the oldest of a family of twelve 
children. He was born August 19, 1840, in Han- 
over, Germany, and reared to his father's calling, 
that of a distiller of malt liquors, but abandoned 
it to engage in farming in the New World in which 
he has accumulated a handsome competency. He 



580 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



married, in 1869, Johanna Guer. Mr. and Mrs. iam, Emily, Frieda, Alfred, Henry and Herbert. 
Rust have had thirteen children : Otto, Emil, Louis Mrs. Rust is a native of Comal County, Texas, 
(deceased). Bertha, Louise, Alvina, Albert, Will- born at Four-Mile Creek, near New Braunfels. 



REFUGIO SAN MIGUEL, 

EAGLE PASS. 



In Southwest Texas there were few men better 
known in his time and none were more enterprising 
and active than Refugio San Miguel. A man of 
great energy and perseverence, he forged his way 
from obscurity and poverty to a position of local 
prominence and influence. He was a native of 
Mexico and was born at Matamoros about the year 
1828 and grew to manhood in Mexico. 

His father, Pablo San Miguel, was a stockman 
of that country and raised his sons to the business. 

When our subject arrived at his majority he left 
home and went to Santa Rosa, Mexico, to seek em- 
ployment. The opportunities in Mexico for young 
men to advance were not good and, being ambitious 
to accomplish something in the world, young San 
Miguel became restless and decided to try his 
fortune in Texas and, accordingly, went to Eagle 
Pass about the year 185L There he found em- 
ployment, saved his earnings and was soon enabled 
to commence business for himself. He engaged in 
raising cattle and sheep on a small scale and, by 
close attention, his stock prospered and increased. 
He also engaged in freighting and this branch of 
liusiness finally grew to large proportions, extend- 
ing to towns far distant into the interior of Texas 
and Mexico. 

Mr. San Miguel's stock business prospered, and 
in the spring of 1863 he located lands and opened 
one of the largest stock ranches, at that time, in 
his section of the State. This was situated about 
fifteen miles above Eagle Pass on the Bruckett 
road. Indians at that time were roaming at large 
in that portion of Texas and were troublesome and 
sometimes hostile; so much so, that it was difficult 
to find men who cared to risk their lives in herding 
stock. For their retreat and better security Mr. 
San Miguel built a rock fort on the ranch, which 
afforded them protection and answered the purpose, 
also, of a ranch house. This structure still (1896) 
stands. It not only served the purpose for which 
it was built but was also utilized, or visited at 
times, by the United States troops^ during the late 



war between the States. When the war broke out 
Mr. San Miguel allied himself with the cause of 
the new Confederate States and served as an en- 
listed soldier in his own locality. 

In 1855 Mr. San Miguel married, at Eagle Pass, 
Miss Rita Alderate, a daughter of Miguel Alderate, 
an esteemed citizen of Eagle Pass. She was born 
at Santa Rosa, in the State of Coahuila, Mexico, 
January 8th, 1842, and still survives in the prime 
of vigorous womanhood. She was a most faithful 
and dutiful wife, and is the mother of six children, 
all living at Eagle Pass. Mr. San Miguel was yet a 
poor man when they were married, having only an 
ox and a flint-lock musket. The latter he traded 
for another ox, and bought a cart and ran in debt 
for another ox. His success in life is in a great 
measure due to the support, encouragement and 
fortitude of his estimable wife. Mr. San Miguel 
met a sad and untimely death at the hands of a 
murderous Mexican employee who, for some imag- 
inary wrong, laid in ambush and shot him dead, on 
the Brackett road, about five miles north of Eagle 
Pass, while on his way home from his ranch, Sep- 
tember 8th, 1863. He owned at the time of his 
death 3,000 head of cattle, about 600 being work- 
oxen. He al>o owned 9,000 head of sheep, and 
horses enough to handle the extensive business of 
his ranch. Mrs. San Miguel was made administra- 
trix of the estate, and the admirable manner in which 
she managed its affairs shows her to be a woman of 
great executive ability. Refugio San Miguel was 
essentially a self-made man. He cared nothing for 
public affairs and devoted all of his time and ener- 
gies to his business. He was a kind and consider- 
ate husband and father and was always loyal to his 
friends. He was a'man of the strictest integrity 
and had the full confidence and esteem of all who 
knew him. The children of Mr. and Mrs. San 
Miguel live at Eagle Pass and are, in order of their 
respective births : Jesua, now Mrs. Francis Garza ; 
Trinidad, who married Angeleta Diaz; Martha, now 
Mrs. Miguel Falcon ; Refugio, now Mrs. Jesus 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



581 



Gelan ; Nicholas, now Mrs. Trinidad Herrera ; and 
Miguel, who married Miss Refugio Galan. Trini- 
dad San Miguel is the oldest son and the leading 
business man of Eagle Pass. He has inherited the 
excellent business, moral and social traits of his 
father. He was born August 5th, 1859, and was a 
lad when his father died ; but, being matured in 
mind for one of his years, he soon relieved his 
mother of many of the cares and burdens of busi- 
ness and also became practically the head of the 
family. He received a good business education at 
San Antonio and has put it to a most satisfactory 
use. He took charge of the ranch and stock inter- 
ests when a youth and conducted the business suc- 
cessfully. He now, with a younger brother as 
partner, owns a fine stock ranch near Eagle Pass 
upon which they range 2,500 head of cattle, and 
Mr. San Miguel himself has paying wine rooms, 
of the best class and finest equipped, in Eagle Pass, 
Texas, and Porflrio Diaz, Mexico. He has held the 



office of State Stock Inspector at Eagle Pass for a 
number of 3'ears. He was United Slates Inspector 
of Customs at Eagle Pass during the presidential 
term of Benjamin Harrison, and performed the 
duties of the office with credit to himself and the 
entire satisfaction of the government authorities. 
Mr. San Miguel also served four years on the 
Board of School Trustees of this city and declined 
thereafter re-election. 

He is a cool, conservative and valuable citizen and 
successful business man. He is popular with the 
public, and has the bearing and address of a courtly 
and affable man of affairs. Refugio San Miguel 
died without leaving a picture and the publishers are 
therefore pleased to present an engraving of Trini- 
dad San Miguel, as representing the family. He 
is said to bear a strong resemblance to his father; 
has inherited his talents and is one of the leading 
citizens of the section of the State in which he 
resides. 



ROBERT DALZELL, 



BROWNSVILLE. 



The subject of this sketch was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1830, of Huguenot stock, his 
ancestors having fled from France during the per- 
secutions of 1685 and settled, with many other emi- 
gres, in the province of Ulster, between Newry and 
Belfast, where they laid the foundations of the flax 
and linen industry for which that section of the 
country became so famous. 

Varying fortunes attended the exiles in their new 
home, and in the early part of this century they had 
become so identified with the native race that little 
except their names remained to show the country 
of their origin, and La Belle France was more a 
tradition than a remembrance. Yet the spirit of 
liberty remained and the old yearning of the French 
Covenantors for freedom of thought and speech and 
conscience was strong in their Irish descendants. 
In 1838 Stewart Dalzell with his family emigrated 
from their home in the shadow of the Mourne 
mountains to the United States, and settled near 
Pittsburg, Pa. After receiving a common school 
education there, Robert Dalzell, the fifth son, 
pushed further west in search of fortune, and the 
latter part of 1847 found him in St. Louis, Mo. 
The Mexican War was then in progress and he, a 



lad of seventeen, with many other adventurous 
spirits, volunteered for service on the Rio Grande. 
The war coming to a sudden termination, he entered 
the transport service on the river, and continued 
in government employment as pilot, mate and cap- 
tain of steamboats until 1852, when he was offered 
a position on the steamers of M. Kenedy and Richard 
King, who afterwards became the " cattle kings " 
of West Texas. In 1861, he veon and wedded the 
accomplished stepdaughter of the senior partner, 
Miss Louisa C. Vidal, and two sons and six charm- 
ing daughters have blessed the happy union, of 
whom five children survive. During the war 
between the States Capt. Dalzell and the late 
Joseph Cooper, as partners, operated and owned 
steamboats and lighters on the Rio Grande, upon 
their own account, with great success; and in 1866, 
when the old firm of M. Kenedy & Co. was reorgan- 
ized as King, Kenedy & Co., with a capital of 
$250,000.00, Richard King owned one-quarter, M. 
Kenedy one-quarter, and Dalzell and Cooper one- 
quarter of the concern, the remaining fourth being 
divided among the principal merchants of Browns- 
ville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico. Capt. M. 
Kenedy, who was general manager of the new con- 



582 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



cern, turned his attention to stock-raising early in 
1867, and tlien relinquislied tbe management to his 
son-in-law, Capt. Robert Dalzell, who continued to 
conduct its vast interests until the dissolution of 
the company in 1874. Shortly after, Capt. Dalzell 
practically retired from active business and settled 
down to enjoy the abundant fruits of an upright, 
industrious and successful career. 

Few men are better known on the lower Rio 



Grande, none are more respected or beloved. 
Open-handed, just and generous, no worthy object 
ever appealed to his charity in vain; active in every 
movement for the improvement of his section, 
trusted, popular and influential, but seeking no 
office of emolument, he pursues the even tenor of 
his way, a model citizen, husband and father, and 
recognized by all as the ideal type of the courteous 
and perfect gentleman. 



SAMUEL E. WATSON, 



CLARKSVILLE. 



Samuel E. Watson, of Clarksville, one of the 
wealthiest and best known planters in Red River 
County, Texas, was born on the 21st of June, 1847, 
attended a private school at New Orleans, con- 
ducted by C. M. Saunders, a graduate of Harvard 
College ; took the Harvard course, and completed 
his education by graduating from the High School 
of Nashville, Tenn., and attendance at Sycamore 
Intitute, while that institution was under the presi- 
dency of Prof. Charles D. Lawrence. After 
returning home from school be, in 1867, at the 
request of his father, proceeded to Red River 
County, Texas, where he assumed charge of his 
father's plantation, one of the largest in the State. 
He has lived upon this property, Pecan Point, 
almost continuously since that time. 

His parents were Matthew and Rebecca (Alli- 
bone) Watson, the former a native of Rhode 
Island and the latter of Chillicolhe, Ohio. His 
mother's nephew, Samuel Austin Allibone, is the 
well-known compiler and publisher of the "Dic- 
tionary of Authors," a work upon which he and 
his wife were engaged for twenty years. His father's 
brother, Samuel Watson, was one of the trustees 
of the Peabody fund in Tennessee, president of the 
Old State Bank of Tennessee, and is now deceased. 
Mrs. Rebecca Watson was a niece of Susan Alli- 
bone, of Philadelphia, one of the distinguished 
women of that city. A memoir of her life has 
been published and widely circulated. 

Mr. Alatthew Watson about the j^ear 1823 pur- 
chased a stock of $20,000 worth of goods and 
moved to Nashville and a few 3'ears afterwards, in 
1825, married Miss Rebecca Allibone. Their mar- 
ried life continued for fifty years, Mr. Watson 
dying in 1884 and his wife in 1886. Both are buried 



at Mt. Olivet, near Nashville. They left two 
children: Mrs. Jennie H. LaPice, of St. James 
Parish, La., and S. E. Watson, the subject of this 
notice. Mr. Matthew Watson was engaged in the 
dry goods business in Nashville, in which he con- 
tinued for about ten years. He then helped 
organize the Planters Bank of Nashville. Later he 
drew $30,000 in a lottery, which fixed him for life. 

Just before the Federal troops captured Nashville, 
he moved with his family to Landerdale, in St. 
James Parish, La., a fine plantation owned by him. 

A paternal uncle of our subject served during 
part of the war as a soldier in the Twenty-first 
Texas Cavalry, commanded by the late lamented 
veteran editor. Col. Charles DeMorse.of Clarksville, 
and died at Clarksville from an illness brought on 
by exposure in the army. 

Samuel E. Watson was married to Miss Maggie 
Latimer Bagby, daughter of Mr. George Bagby, of 
Red River Countj'. They have five children : 
Matthew, Jennie, Harrj', Samuel, and Maggie. 

Mr. Bagby was a paymaster in the Confederate 
army and in 1863 went through the Indian Terri- 
tory to pay off the soldiers in Arkansas. Return- 
ing he was ambushed and assassinated by Indians. 
A party of Confederate soldiers, who greatly loved 
him, quietl}' made their way into the Territory and 
captured his murderers and took them to Clarks- 
ville, where the citizens hanged them to a tree near 
the town. 

Mr. Watson lost his wife January 11, 1886. She 
is buried in the cemetery at Clarksville. She was 
a member of the Cumberland Presbj'terian Church 
and a devout, loving and lovable Christian woman. 
She was related to Governor Arthur P. Bagby, one 
of the early governors of Georgia. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



583 



July 29, 1895, Governor Culberson appointed 
Mr. Watson one of the delegates selected by him 
to represent the State of Texas at the Farmers' 
National Congress, held at Atlanta, Ga., October 
12-15 of that year. Mr. Watson was one of the 
commissioners to the World's Fair appointed by 
the County Judge of Red River County, and was 
also a delegate to the meeting held at Fort Worth 
for the purpose of organizing a committee to which 
was intrusted the duty of seeing that Texas was 
properly represented at the Fair. Mr. Watson and 
Capt. A. P. Corley were in charge of the Red 
River County exhibit at the Dallas State Fair. 

The exhibit contained numerous interesting relics 



of mound builders and specimens of curious woods 
collected by Mr. Watson on his plantation ; also a 
bale of cotton of his, which was awarded the State 
premium. 

He is a member of the P^piscopal Church and a 
representative farmer and citizen. An uncle of his, 
Thomas Washington, of Nashville, Tenn., and his 
father were interested in the "Tennessee Colony" 
which was established in Texas about the year 18 — 
and which has since grown and prospered. Will- 
iam T. Watsoii, a cousin of the subject of this 
notice, is Surveyor- General of the State of Wash- 
ington, having been appointed to that office by 
President Cleveland. 



J. JACOB WEBER, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



A venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Gillespie 
County, lives on the Kerville road, about seven 
miles out from Fredericksburg. He came with his 
father and two brothers to Texas in 1846, under 
the auspices of the German Emigration Company. 
He was born in the Rhine Province of Prussia, 
October 16th, 1831. His brothers, Nicholas and 
Henry P., now own farms in Gillespie County ad- 
joining his. The father, who also bore the name 
of Jacob, followed farming until the time of his 
death, which occurred at New Braunfels in 1847. 
After his death the family moved to Fredericksburg 



and soon thereafter out on the Perdenales and com- 
menced the development of their future home. 
The mother died August 7th, 1878, aged seventy- 
six years. 

Mr. J. .Jacob Weber, subject of this notice, 
married Miss Matilda Schlandt, in 1853. Her 
father, a pioneer settler, came to Texas in 1845 
fi'om Nassau, Germany, where she was born. Mr. 
and Mis. Weber have nine children and thirty-seven 
grandchildren living. 

Mr. Weber is one of the most substantial and 
prosperous citizens of Gillespie County. 



W. R. MILLER, 

JACKSONVILLE. 



Capt. W. R. Miller, a well-known citizen and 
financier of Jacksonvile, Texas, was born in Jeffer- 
son County, Ala., November 27, 182.5, and re- 
ceived a good academic education in that State and 
completed his studies by a course at Cumberland 
University, Lebanon, Tenn. 

His parents were Samuel and Martha Seman Mil- 
ler, both natives of Alabama, and connected with 
some of the best families of that grand old com- 



monwealth. His father was born in 1798, removed 
to Texas, and died in Anderson County, this State, 
in November, 1856. His mother was also born in 
1798, and died at the family homestead in Ander- 
son County in 1871. 

Capt. W. R. Miller, the subject of this notice, is 
a retired merchant. His first business experience 
was at Three Creeks, Ark., where he established a 
store and dealt in general merchandise for four 



584 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



years, after which (in 185:3) he came to Texas 
and located near Kickapoo, in the northeastern 
portion of Anderson County, where he engaged in 
the same line of business until 1858, when he re- 
tired from it until after the close of the war between 
the States. In the early part of 1861 he enlisted 
in the Confederate army as a soldier in Company 
H., commanded by Capt. Rainey, and remained 
with the company until the fall, when he was sent 
home on account of sickness. He afterwards be- 
came a Captain in the State troops and served in 
that capacity and as an officer in the commissary 
department of the army until the close of hostilities. 
The war over, be resumed merchandising and 
continued therein until 1887, when failing health 
compelled him to retire and engage in less confining 
pursuits. In 1886 the business men of Jackson- 
ville, by unanimous consent, called upon Capt. Mil- 
ler to establish and operate a banking house in the 
town for them ; but, still being in feeble health, he 
was compelled to decline the flattering invitation. 
He, however, moved to Jacksonville in 1888 and 
has since resided there. When he located at that 
place he had $75,000 in cash, to which he has since 
considerably added. His ample means are princi- 
pally invested in county, State and United States 
bonds. 



He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity 
for nearly fifty j'ears, and now holds the R. A. M. 
degree. 

He has been a member of the M. E. Church South 
for forty years, and has been a liberal contributor 
to the Church financially and an active worker 
spiritually, a? well. 

In February, 1854, he was married to Miss Susan 
Moore, of Arkansas. She was born in Alabama in 
1833 and is still living, the loved companion of her 
husband's declining years. She is a member of the 
M. E. Church South, an excellent and widely 
accomplished Christian lady. 

They have had one child, a daughter, Miss Alice 
Jane Miller, born in Arkansas in 1854, and now 
deceased. She married Mr. William P. Devereaux, 
a druggist at Jacksonville, and died at that place in 
1895. 

Capt. Miller started in life without the aid of 
money or powerful friends and, notwithstanding 
the reverses that he sustained by the war, which 
swept away nearly all the fruits of his labors, gar- 
nered prior to that disastrous event, has met with 
an almost unbroken series of successes as a finan- 
cier and is now regarded as one of the wealthy men 
of the county in which he lives. 



HUMPHREY E. WOODHOUSE, 



BROWNSVILLE. 



Mr. Woodhouse was born in Wethersfield, Conn., 
in 1822. His father, Humphrey Woodhouse, a 
seafaring man, native of Wethersfield, was the 
pilot of the first steamboat that navigated the 
Connecticut river, and the grandson of Humphrey 
Woodhouse, whose father was of the first English 
settlers in Connecticut. The Woodhouse family 
became numerous and influential throughout the 
New England States as men of sterling integrity, 
great force of character and enterprise. 

Mr. Woodhouse received a good rudimentar}- 
education in his native town, and early exhibited 
an aptitude for a business rather than a professional 
career. Upon his own responsibility, he at about 
fourteen years of age went to New York City and 
obtained a position in a large wholesale and retail 
house in South street, that dealt extensively in 
shipping supplies to foreign countries. He re- 



mained with his employers continuously for about 
six years and, during that period, was advanced to 
a responsible position. In consequence of over- 
work and failing health he went to Brazos Santiago, 
Texas, in 1847, as supercargo of a merchant 
vessel, laden with valuable merchandise, which he 
was commissioned to dispose of in that vicinity. 
He lightered his cargo at Pt. Isabel, and proceeded 
with it to what is now the outskirts of Brownsville, 
and there made satisfactory sales. August 24th, 
1848, he located in Brownsville and built the first 
frame building in the town for a store, and placed 
therein a stock of merchandise for Charles Stillman 
& Bro., and sold at wholesale the first goods to 
leave the place for Mexico. In 1854 he entered 
into partnership with Mr. Charles Stillman, and 
the firm built up an extensive business in general 
merchandise, which not only supplied a vast 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



585 



amount of goods to local merchants, but extended 
its trade far into the interior of Mexico. In 1859 
Mr. Woodliouse withdrew from the firm of Chas. 
Stillman & Co., and continued importing and ex- 
porting in his name alone. He established a 
line of packet ships between Brazos Santiago, 
Texas, and New York City. These ships were 
constructed in the ship yards^ of Fair Haven, 
Conn., and in many instances designed and 
built by a brother, James Woodhouse, who was 
a master shipbuilder. In all there were from 
time to time about fifty ships of various classes and 
tonnage mostly designed and built by them espe- 
ciallly for the New York City and Brazos trade. 
The vessels were staunchly built, some of them 
spread about 4,000 yards of canvas and were there- 
fore of great speed. One of these ships, the ^^ Flora 
Woodhouse," without ballast carried a cargo of un- 
compressed cotton from Matamoros to Liverpool, 
England, without disaster or difficulty as to sea- 
worthiness. On arrival of the "Flora Woodhouse" at 
the port of Liverpool, she was visited by many 
interested business men of the city to see the 
Yankee schooner from Texas, loaded as she was 
with cotton in bales that had not been compressed 
but were direct from the gin. The cargo was 
bulky and its safe delivery on the Liverpool dock 
was looked upon as a feat in marine transportation 
and was viewed also in the light of an innovation. 
This wasduring the progress of the great Civil War 
and, owing to marine complications and restrictions, 
Mr. Woodhouse, as a precaution against further 
trouble, changed her name to Flora, simply, 
registered her under the British flag and sent her on 
her mission, which on the whole proved a success. 



Mr. Woodhouse prospered in business and at this 
time had extensive interests in New York, Mata- 
moros and Brownsville, but, during the progress of 
the war between the States, his operations were 
chiefly confined to Matamoros. After the close of 
the conflict he reopened his business at Browns- 
ville, at the same time opening branch offices in 
New Orleans and New York City, and extended his 
shipping interests, but with the building of rail- 
roads and the diversion thereby of trade into 
interior towns of Texas and Mexico, with also the 
change and obstruction of Brazos and Harbor Bar, 
shipping suffered a decline and Mr. Woodhouse 
sold his vessels, and gradually withdrew from the 
transportation business. In 1865 he married Miss 
Mary Belknap, a near relative of Secretary of War 
Belknap, a member of President Garfield's and 
later President Arthur's Cabinet. They have five 
sons and two daughters, all of whom are finely 
educated and amply qualified for the duties of life. 
The Woodhouse family home is one of the most 
spacious, elegant and attractive in the city of 
Brownsville. 

Mr. Woodhouse has doubtless transacted more 
business, handled more money, and been as impor- 
tant a factor in the history and development of the 
border country of Texas as any other citizen of 
Brownsville. 

As years advance he is gradually withdrawing 
from business pursuits. He is now principally 
engaged in quietly looking after his property inter- 
ests in Brownsville and Matamoros, and his ranch, 
which is a fine piece of property lying in the interior 
of Cameron County, and upon which he has fine 
stock in cattle, horses and sheep. 



B. F. PRITCHETT, 



JACKSONVILLE. 



B. F. Pritchett, one of the most influential farm- 
ers and citizens of Cherokee County, Texas, of 
which he has been a resident since 1870, was born 
December 18, 1832, at Sontown, Newton County, 
Ga. His parents were William E. and Mary E. 
(Greer) Pritchett. His father was born in Butler 
County, Ga., about the year 1804, and died in 1862 
at Dadeville, Ala. His mother was a daughter of 
Col. Benjamin Greer, of South Carolina. His 
father was a well-to-do farmer, and both of his 



parents connected with some of the best families in 
the South. Mr. B. F. Pritchett was educated in 
Atlanta, Ga., in the academic school located at that 
place, aqd lived on his father's farm until the com- 
mencement of the war between the States. At the 
beginning of the struggle, he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army as a soldier in Company H. (com- 
manded by Capt. John Thompson), First Alabama 
Battalion of Cavalry, commanded by Maj. T. C. 
Bell. In 1862 the company was united with three 



586 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Mississippi companies to form the Eightli Missis- 
sippi. After participating in a number of minor 
engagements, some of whicli were fierce and san- 
guinary enough in their way, he had the pleasure 
of sharing the glory with which his command cov- 
ered itself at Shiloh, one of the greatest pitched 
battles of the war and one hallowed in the memories 
of Southern men and women by the fact that the 
heroic Albert Sydney Johnston there laid down his 
noble life, a life which he had consecrated to the 
cause of civil liberty and constitutional freedom 
many years before upon the plains of Mexico and 
Texas. After further service, Mr. Pritchett was 
captured by the Federals at Murfreesboro and taken 
to Louisville, Ky., and from thence to Camp Mor- 
ton, Indianapolis, Ind., where he remained until 
the close of the war. He was wounded at Mur- 
freesboro in the head and knee, honorable wounds 
that testify to the fact that he was a good and 
faithful soldier. 

Mr. Pritchett moved to Texas in the fall of 1809, 
and located in Rusk County, where he remained 



four years and then moved to Cherokee County, 
where he has since resided. His well-improved 
farm, consisting of 200 acres in cultivation and 300 
well clothed with timber, is situated six and a half 
miles distant from the pleasant town of Jacksonville. 
Mr. Pritchett has been a very successful farmer; 
has been enabled to care well for his family and 
has given his children all social and educational 
advantages and now, in his old age, possesses a 
competency. 

He was married in October, 1857, to Miss 
Lurana Murphey, daughter of Wiley and Luzina 
Murphey, of Alabama. She was born December 
9tb, 1837, and is a most refined and accomplished 
lady. 

They have had ten children, five of whom 
are now living: L. A. Pritchett, a farmer and 
ginner, living four miles from Jacksonville ; M. E., 
now wife of W. B. Clayborn, a farmer living seven 
miles from Jacksonville ; Martha E., wife of E. M. 
Eoundtree, a farmer living six miles from Jackson- 
ville ; W. L. and Miss Eula Delle, living at home. 



FELIX JOHNSON McCORD, 



TYLER. 



There are few better known, abler or more higlily 
esteemed lawyers and occupants of the district 
bench, than the subject of this notice. Judge F. J. 
McCord. He was born in Tichimingo County, 
Miss., and was educated in the Schools at Corinth. 
His father, C. W. McCord and mother, Mrs. Hannah 
McCord, were natives of and died in Mississippi. 

Judge McCord came to Texas in 1809 and settled 
in Upshur County, where he worked upon farms and 
in saw-mills as a laborer until 1872 and then went to 
Jefferson, where he entered the office of Hon. D. B. 
Culberson and began the study of law. A year 
later he was admitted to the bar after standing an 
exceptionally creditable examination and moved to 
Longview, where he engaged in the practice, and in 
1877 formed a connection with Hon. John M. Dun- 
can, now General Attorney of the I. & G. N. Rail- 
way, under the firm name of McCord & Duncan, a 
copartnership that continued until 1879, when 
Governor O. M. Roberts appointed the subject of 
this notice District Attorney of the Seventh Judicial 
District, an office that he held until 1880, when 
he was defeated by Hon. James S. Hogg, after- 



wards Governor of Texas. Later, Judge McCord 
was nominated and elected by the Democracy of 
Smith and Gregg counties to the Seventeenth Legisla- 
ture and, while a member of that body, introduced 
and secured the enactment of a bill reducing rail- 
way passenger fare from five to three cents per 
mile and took an active part in all legislation of the 
session. He declined renoraination and, August 
17th, 1883, was appointed by Governor Ireland 
Judge for the Seventh Judicial District, to succeed 
Hon. J. C. Robertson, resigned. He has since 
been re-elected at three successive popular elec- 
tions and is now the incumbent of the office. 

In 1894 he was a candidate for the Democratic 
nomination for Congress and led all competitors 
for six thousand ballots, one of the longest dead- 
locks ever known to the political history of Texas, 
and then withdrew his name from before the con- 
vention. Had he remained in the race for the 
nomination, no nomination could have possibly 
been made as he was the strongest man before the 
convention. He desired party success more than 
personal aggrandizement and was determined that 




W™ ST®C^Eo 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



587 



the convention should not adjourn before selecting 
a standard bearer to lead the opposition to the 
enemy. He moved to Tyler November 24, 1885. 



In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Ga- 
briella Fuller, daughter of Dr. J. A. Fuller, of 
Paris, Texas. 



WILLIAM STONE, 



EAGLE PASS. 



Judge Stone was one of the pioneers of Texas, a 
veteran of the Mexican War, an influential and 
wealthy citizen, and a man of great enterprise. He 
was a native of the city of New Orleans. He spent 
his youth in and about New Orleans, acquired a 
liberal education and in 1847, when a young man, 
came to Texas. He was'of an adventurous disposi- 
tion, and upon learning of the war between the 
United States and Mexico, joined Walker's expedi- 
tion and started with it for Mexico. The horrible 
fate of this expedition near Rio Grande City is 
already recorded in the published works of Col. 
John Henry Brown. Young Stone only escaped 
being massacred with the other members by mak- 
ing his escape through a hole in the stockade or 
corral, where they were confined. He and one 
other were the only two who escaped being shot to 
death. After his escape he proceeded into the 
interior of Mexico where, in a short time, he made 
the favorable acquaintance of the now venerable 
Gregory Devine of San Antonio. Mr. Devine was 
a wealthy man and sent young Stone and Henry P. 
Adams to San Antonio to clerk in his store. This 
was about the year 1850 or 1852. Mr. Stone later 
clerked for Maj. Colquehon, in San Antonio, and 
finally at Fort Duncan, now Camp Eagle Pass. 
Soon thereafter he secured a contract from the 
United States government for the delivery of a 
large quantity of hay and wool, and on this con- 
tract first made his financial start and commenced 
his first investments in lands, sheep and cattle. In 
the meantime he made the acquaintance of Gover- 
nor Madero, an ex-Mexican official, a man of 
influence, and they engaged together in trade 
between the United States and Mexico. They 
bought goods in the United States and traded them 
in Mexico for horses and mules and, returning with 
the latter, sold them in this country. About this 
time they opened a store in Eagle Pass and built up 
an extensive business. At one time they brought 
seven hundred head of horses and mules over from 
Mexico and stnrted with them for St. Louis, Mo., 



but the war between the States had just broken out 
and they stopped at Austin, Texas, traded them for 
cotton and freighted the cotton into Mexico. He 
about this time, took up land near Eagle Pass and 
engaged in sheep-raising on quite an extended scale. 
They continued in the cotton business during the war 
period, from 1861 to 18G5, and made money rapidly. 
He also imported about seventy-five fine graded 
Merino bucks from the East, and placed them with 
his sheep on the range he had just previously 
opened. These are said to be the first high-grade 
sheep shipped into the State. He brought them to 
Texas at great expense. During the war between 
the States he held a commission from the Confed- 
erate government as Provost Marshal. His sym- 
pathies were strongly with the Southern cause, in so 
far as the issues of secession and States' rights were 
involved. He said little upon the absorbing ques- 
tion of slavery, however. He never owned slaves, 
but did not favor emancipation without compensat- 
ing to their owners by the government. 

In 1872 Mr. Stone was elected Justice of the 
Peace and when the State constitution was changed, 
providing for the election of and defining the juris- 
diction and duties of county judge he was, in 1875, 
elected to that responsible office in his county and 
presided with dignity, impartiality and with entire 
satisfaction to his people. Judge Stone was a use- 
ful and valuable citizen and enjoyed the unbounded 
confidence and esteem of all classes, whose trusted 
friend and confidential adviser he was. It was not 
an uncommon thing for him to be chosen by parties, 
involved in disputes and disagreements, to settle 
their differences as sole arbiter. In all such matters 
he was a good and patient listener and invariably 
adjusted them in some equitable way, to the satis- 
faction of all concerned. Thus, he was a peace- 
maker, and the Lord has said " blessed are the 
peacemakers." 

He was a man of fine social qualities and keen 
sensibilities, open-hearted, generous and consider- 
ate to the poor and unfortunate, and on all occa- 



588 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



sions liberal to a fault. In all his dealings and 
intercourse witli his fellow- men he was never known 
to take undue advantage or overreach. 

Judge Stone was a good man for his State, his 
county and his home city. He foresaw the future 
development of Eagle Pass and prophesied the build- 
ing of railroads and the effects that their coming 
would have upon the growth of the country, this, 
too, at a time when the people of his section regarded 
such predictions as absurd. While he did not live 
to see the iron-horse roll into Eagle Pass, and his 
prophecy consummated in full, the railroad was in 
course of construction at the time of his death and 
reached the Rio Grande river soon thereafter. 
Judge Stone possessed a discriminating business 
mind and held pronounced views upon all questions 
agitated in his day. He was not given to aggres- 
sive argument, but was always ready to state his 
position, give his reasons therefor, and there will- 
ing to let argument end, according others the 
privileges of mental freedom that he claimed for 
himself. 

Judge Stone married Senorita Josepha Martinez, 
a daugliter of Don Severo Martinez, of Eagle Pass. 
Siie was born in Rio Grande, Mexico. Judge Stone 



loved his wife and his children, lavishly provided 
them with all that heart could wish, and sent his 
children away for the best of school advantages. 
At the time of his death he was a very wealthy man, 
owning upwards of 100,000 acres of land and 30,000 
head of sheep, besides a large quantity of real and 
personal property in Eagle Pass. 

His acquaintance extended throughout Southwest 
Texas and Eastern and Central Mexico, and his 
death was widely mourned. 

Judge and Mrs. Stone had four children. Of 
these, James, born March 14th, 1865, married Miss 
Susie, daughter of Judge James T. Burks, of Eagle 
Pass, and has four children : Josephine, Elvira, 
James, Jr., and Lucretia. 

Griffith, born December 14th, 1872, married Miss 
Martha, daughter of Tiieodor Gonzales, of Rio 
Grande; William, born April loth, 1874, married 
Miss Stella Burni, daughter of A. Burni, of San 
Antonio; and Richard born April 24th, 1877, 
remains single. 

All of Judge Stone's large estate was left to his 
wife and children, with the invaluable inheri- 
tance to the latter of an honored and honorable 
name. 



JOHN SCHANDNA, 



FREDERICKSBURG, 



Is a well-known and prosperous merchant of the 
historic town of Fredericksburg, Texas, where he 
was born September 10, 1851. 

His father, Peter Schandna, was born in Prussia, 
Julj' 20, 1816, and at this writing is seventy-nine 
years of age, but, notwithstanding the fact that he 
is somewhat physically infirm, has a keen, un- 
clouded intellect and takes great interest in all that 
surrounds him. Peter Schandna and his young 
wife and daughter, Margaret, now deceased, sailed 
from Bremen for Texas in 1845, aboard the "iros/i- 
ington " with tlie first party of immigrants sent out 
by the German Emigration Company, at that time 
under the direction of Prince Solms ; landed in 
Galveston in the fall of 1845 ; proceeded thence in 
another vessel to Indianola ; and from the latter 
place overland in ox-wagons to New Braunfels and 
his destination at Fredericksburg, reaching the 
latter place in the early part of 1846. In Freder- 
icksburg he found steady employment at his trade 



that of a carpenter, which he continued to follow 
during his active life. Eight children were borne 
him at Fredericksburg by iiis first wife, only three 
of whom (.John, the subject of this brief sketch), 
Joseph and Henry, are now living. No children were 
borne him by his second or third wife. 

John Schandna learned the carpenter trade under 
his father during his boyhood and the tinner trade 
in 1883 and in the latter year embarked in the 
hardware business upon his own account, suc- 
ceeding his brother in that line. He now controls 
a large hardware, tinware and sheet-iron jobbing 
trade, in connection with his flourishing retail busi- 
ness. In 1884 he married Miss Bertha Kline (a 
daughter of Christian Kline) born in Gillespie 
County, Texas, an estimable and lovable lady. 
Mr. and Mrs. Schandna have six children born to 
them: Olga, Alfred, and Amelia now living, and 
Ida, an infant (not named) and Charles, now 
deceased. 




PJWlLLIS 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



589 



P. J. WILLIS, 

GALVESTON. 



Tbis old and respected citizen was born in Caro- 
line County, Md., March 26th, 1815, where he 
spent his boyhood days. His father was Short 
A. Willis, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who 
was brought to this country by his parents before 
the struggle of the colonies for independence. 
Several members of the family took part in the 
revolution against the English Crown, two of his 
brothers yielding up their lives on the battle-field 
of Brandy wine. Short A. Willis settled on the 
eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland, 
and began the battle of life, stern and rugged as it 
was in those early days, in what was almost a wil- 
derness. There his five sons were born and were 
chiefly reared, the eldest, Arthur J., passing his 
entire life there, dying March 27th, 1889. The 
four younger sons came to Texas, with the history 
of which they became connected, and here spent 
their subsequent lives. The first of the four who 
came was Peter J., who made his advent into the 
.State in January, 1836. He remained in the coun- 
try until the following June, when he returned to 
Maryland. In October, 1837, accompanied by his 
two younger brothers, William H. and Richard S. , 
he came back, and the three settling on Buffalo 
Bayou, near the then newly laid out town of Hous- 
ton, there bravely began the battle of life with no 
capital but indomitable will and the buoyancy of 
youth. The}- early displ.a3'ed those characteristics 
which, in the harvest of years that followed, reaped 
them such handsome returns. Their early labors 
were of the character incident to aggressive pio- 
neering in a new country, and by industry and 
strict economy they saved, in a short time, suffi- 
cient means to purchase a tract of land known 
as the " Ringold Farm," lying on the road from 
Navasota to Washington, and there they settled 
themselves to agricultural pursuits. After a year 
or two of hard labor at farming Peter .J. made his 
first entry into the mercantile world, buying a 
stock of goods and opening a store at Washington. 
The other two brothers remained on the farm until 
the death of Will'am H., when Richard S. joined 
Peter J. in business, the brothers locating their 
joint mercantile venture at Montgomery. The 
enterprise was successful and a branch establish- 
ment was afterwards started at Anderson in Grimes 
County in partnership with E. W. Cawthon, a 
brother-in-law, under the firm name of Cawthon, 



Willis & Bro. Their business steadily prospered 
and about 1853 the Willis Brothers formed a part- 
nership with S. K. Mcllheny and opened a store in 
Houston under the firm name of Mcllheny, Willis 
& Bro. This soon grew to he one of the largest 
houses in the State, and continued active and suc- 
cessful operations throughout the entire period of 
the war. 

On the close of hostilities in 1865 Mr. Mcllheny 
went to Laredo, Mexico, where he died, after which 
the Willis brothers purchased his interest and, 
changing the name of the firm to that of P. J. 
Willis & Bro., concentrated all their interests at 
Houston, and in 1868 at Galveston purchasing 
property on the corner of Strand and Twenty- 
fourth street, where they established quarters suf- 
ficient for the business then in contemplation. To 
Peter J. the outside management of their affairs 
was mainly intrusted and by his untiring industry 
and ceaseless viligance he made himself master of 
their large and ever-growing interests. Broad in 
his views and liberal in his methods, he was con- 
stantly widening their sphere of activity and ex- 
tending their patronage. Mr. Willis possessed 
many of the elements of popularity and easily won 
and readily retained the friendship of those with 
whom be came in contact. He was genial by 
nature, kind in disposition and easily ap- 
proached. He cherished an especially warm feel- 
ing for his associates of early days and was fond 
of recounting with them his early experiences 
in Texas. He was devoted to the State of his 
adoption and to all of its interests and institutions 
and lost no opportunity to show his attachment. 
He was not a member of any church but was a 
liberal contributor to all, owned pews in all the 
churches in the city and, in fact, gave of his ample 
means to all worthy purposes. He never held a 
public office but lent his name and the aid of a 
strong personal example to the side of the law, order 
and good government, and occupied a number of 
positions in connection with the business interests 
of the several localities of the State in which he was 
at one time and another a resident. 

In December, 1844, at Montgomery, Texas, Mr. 
Willis married Miss Caroline Womack, a native of 
Alabama, born July 18lh, 1828 ; and a daughter of 
.John Womack, at one time a wealthy planter of 
Montgomery. The issue of this union was six chil- 



590 



INDIAN WABti AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



dren: William H., who was born at Montgomery, 
December 7th, 1845, and died at Galveston, May 
16th, 1888 ; Peter J. Ella, wife of Joseph G. Gold- 
thwaite ; Tabitba, who died in childhood ; Magnolia, 
wife of George Sealy ; and Carolina, wife of W. F. 
Ladd ; the four that are living being residents of 
Galveston. 

Mr. Willis died November 25th, 1873, at Kansas 
City, Mo., his death occurring during his temporary 



absence from home on business. His remains rest 
in the family vault at Galveston. Mrs. Willis died 
September 19th, 1883. She was a woman of most 
exemplary character, and not a little of the success 
which her husband achieved was attributable to the 
inspiration that emanated from her noble life. Mr. 
Willis' second wife was Miss Harriet E. Aiken, of 
New York. She still survives — a resident of 
Westchester County, that State. 



CHARLES J. H. MEYER, 



COLORADO COUNTY. 



Charles J. H. Meyer is a native Texian, born in 
Fayette County, November 5th, 1854. His parents, 
John II. and Dora Meyer, emigrated from Germany 
to the United States a number of years prior to his 
birth. His father died March 20th, 1892. His 
mother, aged sixty years, is still living. Mr. Meyer 
received an excellent education, attending a Catho- 
lic institution for two years, and completing his 
studies by a two years' course at the Military 
Academy at Austin. October 27th, 1874, he was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Ehllinger, daughter of 



Charles Ehllinger, for whom the thriving town of 
Ellinger is named, and has five children: Elo, 
Adita, Lizzie, Henry and Hattie. Mr. Meyer was 
elected a County Commissioner of Colorado County 
in 1890, and in 1892 was elected to the State Legis- 
lature, in which he made an enviable record, both in 
the committee rooms and on the floor of the House. 
He owns a fine bottom farm in Colorado County, 
which he has stocked with thoroughbred Jerseys 
and other fine cattle. He is also engaged in mer- 
chandising at the town of Ellinger. 



ALEXANDER FITZGERALD, 



COLORADO COUNTY. 



Alexander Fitzgerald, a prosperous farmer of 
Southwestern Texas, was born in Madison County, 
Ala., May 22d, 1822, moved to La Grange, Texas, 
with his parents in 1838, and in 1841 located in 
Colorado County, where he has since resided. In 
1850 he was married to Miss Flora A. Mums and 
has four children: Anna E., wife of W. H. GrifBn, 
of F>agle Lake, Texas; Carrie, Edward, and Dr. 
Howard Fitzgerald, also of Eagle Lake. He served 
in the Texas ranger force for a time ; September 



19th, 1842, participated in the fight known to historj^ 
as the "Dawson Massacre" and eight days later 
helped to gather together and bury the bones of the 
dead, and during the war between the United States 
and Mexico was a soldier in McCulloch's command, 
participating in a number of engagements. 

His farm consists of somewhat more than one 
thousand acres of good land. He is comfortably 
fixed in his old age and surrounded by loving 
children, grandchildren and friends. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



591 



HENRY LUDWIG, 

NEW BRAUNFELS, 



Came to America with bis brother in January, 1855, 
landing at the port of Galveston and proceeding 
from thence almost immediately to Indlanola. His 
father, Julius Ludwig, a farmer by profession, 
brought five children with him to this countr}', of 
whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest now 
living. Fritz, the second born, died of fever about 
two weeks after their arrival in Texas ; Minnie, 
who married Henry Hartz, resides about two miles 
from New Braunfels ; Christiana, who married Fer- 
dinand Dirks, resides about two miles south of 
New Braunfels ; and William is a citizen of New 
Braunfels. The parents of Mr. Ludwig were 
both born in Hanover, Germany. The father 
was born July 23d, 1806, and died in New 



Braunfels, June 20th, 1869. The mother was born 
July 6th, 1815, and died February 17th, 1886. 
Mr. Ludwig, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, November 27th, 1886, and has 
devoted his energies chiefly to farming, the manu- 
facture of lime, and contract work. His industry, 
thrift and economy have secured for him a comfort- 
able property and he is regarded as one of the 
solid citizens of New Braunfels. 

October 1st, 1865, he married Miss Matilda Con- 
fad. She was born in Germany, January 6th, 
1843. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig have one adopted daugh- 
ter, Ida, born May 5th, 1876. She is married and 
lives in New Braunfels. 



FRANK B. ARMSTRONG, 

BROWNSVILLE, 



Was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, May 10th, 
1863. His father, Richard Sands Armstrong, was 
for many years a prominent citizen of St. Johns, 
and died there in the year 1868. The following is 
from one of the leading newspapers of St. Johns: — 
" R. Sands Armstrong, Esq., who has been for 
many jears clerk in the Mayor's office, died last 
evening after a short illness. Mr. Armstrong was a 
barrister of many years standing and was for a long 
time County Auditor. A man of unobtrusive dis- 
position, a devoted florist, a reader of many books, 
he interfered little with active affairs and was 
liked by all who came in contact with him, officially 
or personallj'. The flag on the city building is at 
half-mast to-day out of respect to his memory. 
Mr. Armstrong leaves a large family. He studied 
law under the late Hon. E. L. Hazen and was 
admitted to the bar on June 10th, 1847. Mr. 
Armstrong retired from active practice several years 
ago. While clerk in the Mayor's office he dis- 
charged the duties of that position most efficiently 
and acceptably. He once came forward into pub- 
lic life, having been elected to fill the seat in the 
House of Assembly for this city and county, which 



the elevation of Hon. W. J. Richie to the bench of 
the Supreme Court left vacant. His competitor 
for the seat was J. W. Cudlip. Mr. Armstrong did 
not, however, offer at the next general election and 
never again appeared as a candidate for public 
honors." 

Upon the death of the father, the family removed 
to Medford, Mass., where the children attended 
school as circumstances permitted, and attained 
high standing in their studies, and fitted themselves 
for honorable positions in educational and business 
circles. Mr. Armstrong, of whom we here write, 
inherited the taste for the study of Natural History 
that his father cherished, and studied taxidermy 
two years at Boston, Mass., with the eminent Prof. 
C. J. Maynard, and mastered all of the details of 
that art. 

A Brownsville paper says: — 

The geographical position of this section, 
bordering closely upon the torrid zone, makes it 
the place of sojourn for feathered tribes from both 
American continents, besides its being the perma- 
nent home of a very large variety of birds. 

Over eight hundred different specimens have 



592 



INDIAN WAli,s AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



been collected in this vicinity by Mr. Frank B. 
Armstrong, a well-known naturalist, who has con- 
tributed thousands of valuable and interesting spec- 
imens to the museums of this country and Europe, 
and furnished many extremely rare products to 
private collectors. 

Mr. Armstrong has been in business here for 
several years. He began the study of Natural 
History at his home in Boston, where he made his 
first essays in the interesting branches of that sub- 
ject which have become his specialties, viz. : 
Ornithology, mammology and oology. He left 
Boston when a very young man, and after an 
extensive tour through Mexico, during which he 
made a complete collection of birds and animals of 
that conntrj', he settled in Laredo, Texas, where 
he began a systematic search for specimens in this 
border section. In pursuance of the latter under- 
taking he came to Brownsville in March, 1890, and 
finding it an excellent point for securing the services 
of hunters and trappers, as well as for his personal 
excursions, he located his business here and married 
the following year, 1891, April 2d. 

His establishment at the corner of Washington 
and Eleventh streets is crowded with specimens of 
natural history, and is well worth the careful atten- 
tion and examination which the courteous propri- 
etor freely accords to all who visit it. 



The price list of birds' skins bears the names of 
275 different species, which he constantly carries 
in stock and furnishes to naturalists, scientists and 
dealers. 

The proprietor is a skillful taxidermist himself 
and employs four assistants, all of them constantly 
employed in selecting and properly treating the 
numerous subjects found in this vicinity. 

The birds of this section are more numerous 
than those in any other known to Mr. Armstrong. 
It is owing to that fact that he has found such en- 
couragement in his chosen field. 

He married Miss Marie Isabel Schodts, a daugh- 
ter of the lamented Michael Schodts, a portrait and 
biography of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. 
Armstrong is a lady of superior educational attain- 
ments and rare social accomplishments. 

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have two little daugh- 
ters, Sylvia, age 4 years, 6 months, and Jennie, age 
2 years and four months. One daughter, Susie, is 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have one of 
the most spacious and luxurious homes in the city 
of Brownsville and a summer seaside home at 
Point Isabel. 

Mr. Armstrong is thoroughly identified with the 
interests of Brownsville and Southwest Texas, and 
is highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends 
throughout all parts of Texas. 



CHARLES B. COMBE, M. D., 



BROWNSVILLE, 



Is a native of Kentucky, born near the citj- of 
Owensboro, in Daviess County, October 1st, 1836. 
His father, John Combe, was a planter by occupa- 
tion, and successful business man ; his mother (?tee 
Helen Berthoud) was of French descent, a native 
of the Isle of St. Thomas, and a lady of domestic 
culture and many feminine graces. Dr. Combe 
received his early education at St. Joseph's Col- 
lege, Bardstown, Ky., one of the leading educa- 
tional institutions of that day. He there nearly 
ended his classical course in the year 1854, when, 
owing to the untimely death of his father, he re- 
linquished his studies. Soon after he took up the 
study of medicine under Dr. Louis Rogers, an 
eminent physician of Louisville, Ky., with whom 
he remained nearly three years, at the same time 
attending lectures at the Louisville University. 



Dr. Rogers then sent him to the Charity Hospital 
at New Orleans, that lie might get the clinical ad- 
vantages which that institution afforded. He then 
went to the Jefferson College of Medicine at 
Philadelphia, from which celebrated university he 
was graduated in the year 1858. The following 
year he came to Texas and engaged in the practice 
of his profession at Brownsville, which has since 
been his home, with exception of a few years resi- 
dence in the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, 
and the time he was absent from Texas, on several 
prolonged visits to different parts of the United 
States and Mexico. Dr. Combe has seen much of 
pioneer life on the Mexican border, and experienced 
many of its dangers and vicissitudes. He accom- 
panied Col. John S. Ford on his advance against 
Juan N. Cortina in 1859-RO. He also served as a 




DR. CHAS. B. COMBP:. 




iiAUVEY mitch?:ll. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



593 



surgeon in the Confederate army during tlie war 
between the States, when Gen. Magruder com- 
manded in Texas. Among other signal services to 
the Confederate cause he aided in passing large 
(["uantitles of arms, ammunition and much needed 
medical stores into the countrj'. 

In the Diaz Revolution in 1876, he espoused that 
cause, and was a staunch supporter and friend of 
Gen. Diaz. He was commissioned a surgeon in 
the Mexican army, and served as chief surgeon of 
the Military Hospital at Matamoros from 1878 to 
1882, under Gen. Servando Canales. During this 
period he rendered important ([uarantine services 
to both the United States and Mexico. He has 
served Texas as a State health otHcer, and has also 
been an officer of the National Board of Health. 
His eminent and faithful public services ended in 
1882, since which time he has quietly practiced his 
profession, and devoted much of his time to the 
care of his landed and stock interests. 

Dr. Combe is president of the Medical Examin- 
ing Board of his district, has been president of the 
Brownsville and IMatamoros Medical Association, 
once an important, useful and prosperous organiza- 
tion, and has served his city as a member of its 
board of Aldermen. 

He married, May 15th, 18G5, Miss K. M. Impey, 



a step-daughter of the Hon. Stephen Powers of 
Brownsville. 

She was a lady of broad intellectual culture and 
social accomplishments. She was a daughter of 
Frederick Impey, a merchant of New Orleans, 
where she was born. Five sons have been born of 
this union, viz.: Frederick J. Combe, M. D., 
Charles B., Jr.; Frank B., Dr. Joseph K., and 
Emile B. Combe. 

The life of Dr. Corabe has lieen a busy and use- 
ful one and connected with many incidents that 
have largely made up the most thrilling part of the 
history of the southwestern portion of the State. 
He is quiet and unassuming in manner and is 
esteemed as one of Brownsville's most worthy 
citizens. During the yellow fever epidemic of 
1882, Dr. Combe distinguished himself by the 
promptitude with which hediagnosed the early cases, 
and his heroic conduct generally throughout the 
epidemie. He was in constant communication with 
Surgeon-Gen. J. B. Hamilton, of the United States 
Marine Hospital Service, Washington, D. C, who 
complimented him for his services. Dr. Combe 
enjoys not only the confidence and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens of Brownsville and the members 
of his profession, but has thousands of friends and 
admirers throughout Texas and Mexico. 



HARVEY MITCHELL, 



BRYAN, 



Was born April 9th, 1821 , near Cornersville, Mid- 
dle Tennessee, and was brought up on a farm. His 
education was limited to a common school course, 
as his father was not able to send him off to college. 
At the age of eighteen he joined a company of 
young men and came to Texas overland with emi- 
grant wagons, reaching old Tinninville, Robertson 
County, in the fall of 1839, where he joined Cajjt. 
YA\ Chandler's com|)anj' of " Jlinute Men " and 
remained in the frontier military service under 
Capts. Chandler and Wm. M. Love, until January 
1st, 1842. 

When not in the woods on duty during this 
period, he was employed by the few families at 
Tinninville, to teach school during 1840, and was 
similarly employed by Maj. Eli Scales and neighbors 
on Cedar creek (now Brazos County), during 1841. 

Tinninville at that time was headquarters for 



all military operations between the Trinity and 
Brazos rivers, and, being on the extreme northern 
boundary of the settlements, there was not a single 
civilized human habitation north of it in Texas. It 
was the place of rendezvous and starting-point for 
all the company's expeditions. The service of the 
company to which Mr. Mitchell belonged consisted 
in periodical excursions from river to river in search 
of Indian marauders and in the pursuit of them 
when they succeeded in getting into the settlements 
and stealing horses, which they frequently did, 
sometimes killing and scalping a lone man and 
carrying off his wife and children. 

In this service the company had numerous skir- 
mishes, but no pitched battle of note. 

Brnzos County having been created and organized 
by invitation iSIr. JNIitchell moved his residence to 
old Boonville, January 1st, 1812, to rake charge of 



594 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the County Clerk's office as deputy and act as 
amanuensis, and do all the office work for all the 
county officials. 

This was a necessity at that time, as the perqui- 
sites of all the offices were not sufficient to support 
one man, and no one could be found willing to 
leave their farms and move to town to fill an office, 
and to save the county organization from disso- 
lution this plan was adopted, and to augment his 
earnings Mr. Mitchell hired out to the Carter 
family to leach school at §20.00 per month and 
board, attending to all official duties at leisure hours 
(at night, evenings, mornings, etc.). 

In 1845 he turned over the school to Miss Carter, 
whom he bad educated, and he engaged in 
merchandising and, there being no other stores in 
the county, and having the confidence and patron- 
age of the people, he was successful and prosperous. 

Having fallen desperately in love with Miss A. 
J. Fole}', who had finished her education in 1847, 
under the tutelage of the Hon. John Sayles, at 
Brenham, Texas, and finding that his affections 
were reciprocated, they were married April 6th, 
1848, and being Clerk of the County Court at that 
time, he had to issue his own marriage license — a 
rare occurence, it is to be presumed. 

He continued selling goods, trading in land and 
stock, and running all the county offices until 
1853 — when others became eligible and willing to 
take his place, and in 1855 he moved to "Red 
Top " (now Beuchly) and engaged extensively in 
the land business and merchandising. Being per- 
sonally familiar with all the original surveys in 
Brazos and with many in Robertson County, and 
also with most of the non-resident owners, he suc- 
ceeded in acquiring a large landed property ; but, 
having been appointed Assessor of Confederate 
State Taxes for Brazos County, for convenience 
he moved back to Boonville in 1863, and after the 
close of the war built a new and beautiful home a 
mile out of town, where he lived until 1871), in which 
year, having previously voluntarily surrendered all 
the earnings of his forty years' life of toil to the 
creditors of friends, so-called, in whom he had 
misplaced confidence, not reserving even his beauti- 
ful homestead, he bought a cheap shanty in Bryan 
on credit, and, disposing of surplus furniture, 
moved into it and hired out his baby boy, James E. 
Mitchell, now of Fort Worth, Texas, to a jeweler 
in Bryan at $10.00 per month, to aid in making a 
new start. His other living children, Jefferson P. 
Mitchell, Mrs. R. L. Weddington and Mrs. Wm. 
H. Dean, now of Bryan, and Mrs. E. R. Nash, 
now of Waco, were all grown and providing for 
themselves, but were not able at that time 



to aid him financially. In 1880 he bought a 
small farm on the Navasota river and, with the 
assistance of friends, mainly Guy M. Bryan, Jr., 
purchased other adjoining lands, and improved 
them and now has a farm of 1,000 acres, well ipi- 
proved and stocked, under cultivation, but resides 
at his home in the town of Bryan. But he is now 
old and feeble and realizes that his life-work is 
about finished. His time is mainly spent now in 
reviewing the past, in which he finds some comfort. 
His living children are all engaged in useful pur- 
suits and are well thought of by the people who 
know them and are kind to him, and he feels some 
pride in the consciousness of having been efficient 
in helping to convert what was an unbroken wil- 
derness in 1841, with isolated settlements at long 
distances apart and without any of the luxuries 
and conveniences of enlightened civilization, into 
one among the most prosperous and [lopulous 
counties in Texas ; that his own beloved county 
(Brazos) to-day abounds in churches and schools; 
is the home of the A. and M. College of Texas, 
has railroads, commodious and substantial build- 
ings, good highways, a number of factories and 
many palatial residences, and possesses a large and 
prosperous population engaged in commercial and 
agricultural pursuits. As a soldier, he did his full 
share toward its protection while it needed protec- 
tion as a border county. The duty was assigned 
to him to build three of the courthouses the county 
has had, the first in 1846 ("the Board Shanty 
Court House"); the second in 1853, a more pre- 
tentious structure, and the third, the " brick court- 
house " in Bryan, in 1878. He served, either un- 
der commission or an amanuensis, in all the county 
offices for a term of years when no other plan could 
preserve the county's autonomy. He never sought 
an}' office, but was elected at different times to that 
of Chief Justice, County Clerk and County Sur- 
veyor as the occasion required for the public good, 
and from 1842 until 1853 had the custody and con- 
trol of all the archives of the county and, there 
being no resident lawyer in the county, was the 
man upon whom the people depended to write 
deeds, bonds, contracts, petitions and reports for 
administrators and guardians, and to officiate as 
preacher at weddings, etc., all of which he did 
gratuitously. He built the Methodist Church now 
in Bryan, donating S500 of its cost and lending 
$500 more to finish and seat it. He built Alexan- 
der Chapel (the first church edifice ever built in the 
county) for the Methodists and Union Chapel for 
the Presbyterians, and donated liberally to all the 
churches in Bryan when first built, and also to other 
public buildings as well. But his crowning joy is 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



595 



over his successful effort in securing the location 
in his county of the Agricultural and Mechanical 
College of Texas. It was the highest ambition of 
his life. He was fully impressed with its impor- 
tance as a source of revenue to his people, for all 
time to come, as thousands of dollars would annu- 
ally be brought into the country and disbursed 
among the people for labor and supplies. 

The commissioners authorized by law to select 
and secure a suitable location for this institution, 
had visited and examined many competing points 
in the State, that offered by Brazos County among 
the rest, and advertised for bids, in the way of bo- 
nuses, to be opened and the location awarded on a 
given day in Houston. The State Senator from 
the district in which Brazos County is situated, 
Hon. W. A. Saylor, Judge Spencer Ford and Mr. 
Mitchell, were selected at a large mass meeting 
held in Bryan to meet the commissioners on the 
da}' fixed and, if possible, secure the award. Ac- 
cordingly Senator Saylor and Mr. Mitchell went 
down to Houston a few days in advance. Judge 
Ford did not go and Mr. Saylor went on to Galves- 
ton, leaving Mr. Mitchell alone to wrestle with 
powerful competitors for the award — San Antonio, 
Austin, Waco and other prominent and wealthy 
points. 

But he managed to learn what bonus his people 
would have to raise to secure the prize, which was 
so great that he feared it was beyond their reach. 
He wired Mayor Downward for instructions, and 
waited for a reply, but none came ; and, nerved 
with the excitement of desperation, he resolved to 
act on his own responsibility, and proceeded to 
write out a bid offering the necessary bonus, which 
was accepted on condition that he would have per- 
fect titles to the land (2250 acres which he had pre- 
viously shown them) presented within forty-eight 
hours. 

He was then en route for New York to spend the 
summer, but boarded the first train back to Bryan, 
reported what he bad done and, with the help of 
other citizens, mainly that of Hon. John N. Hen- 
derson, now Associate Justice of the Supreme 
Court, and M. W. McCraw, now deceased, the 
money was raised, the lands bought and deeds to 
same secured and delivered to the commissioners 



within the time specified, and he resumed his 
journey to the northern cities, the proudest man in 
America. 

In this transaction he felt, and still feels, that, 
while it brought a paramount blessing to his county, 
he also rendered good service to the State. The 
position selected for the site of the college being 
central, healthy and attractive, and a great trunk 
line (the H. & T. C.) railroad running through the 
grounds, which, with its various branches and 
multitudinous connections, affords convenient access 
to all parts of the State, make it an eminently fittino- 
location for this great institution. 

These services have secured for him many flatter- 
ing soubriquets, such as " Father of the County," 
etc., etc. 

But his reminiscences are not all of a happy 
character. He has had many sad and sorrowful 
experiences. He was at one time, most unexpect- 
edly, reduced from comparative alBuence to a con- 
dition bordering on destitution and dependence, 
while powerless to prevent it. He was made to 
witness the death of his aged father and mother 
and the passing away of a beloved sister and two 
brothers, who had left happy homes to follow and 
be with him in Texas. He was called upon to con- 
sign to their little graves four bright, loving and 
promising children within one short week. He has 
been separated by death from the large majority of 
loved ones and intimate friends of the long, long 
ago, and is to-day one of the only two living men 
who were citizens of Brazos County when it was 
organized in 1841. But the supreme, heartrending 
grief of his life, was the surrender of his ever 
faithful, loving, angelic wife, to the cold embrace 
of death on the 3d day of June, 1885. 

It brought a shivering, ponderous darkness to 
his soul, from which he shall never be released in 
this life, and now, as the thickening and lengthen- 
ing shadows of life's evening gather around him, 
his chief consolation is that, if it be true that there 
is a blissful haven in the great beyond for the 
souls of the pure and good of earth's children, she 
is surely among the blest, and that ere long he will 
be with her, and all the loved ones that have pre- 
ceded him and are yet to follow. 



596 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN T. MILLER, 



AUSTIN. 



The subject of this memoir was in his flay one of 
Austin's most active, useful ami esteemed citizens 
and, as such, was known throughout Central Texas. 
He was a native of Indiana and was born on the 
Wabash near Logansport, in Cass County, April 
4th, 1820. His father, John Miller, was a farmer 
by occupation, late in life removed to and located 
at Fayetteville, Washington County, Ark., and 
there died in 1875 at ninety years of age. He was 
an honest and pious man, raised a family of thirteen 
children and left them the inheritance of an honor- 
able name. 

John T. Miller, of whom we write, grew up on the 
farm and acquired a thorough knowledge of all the 
details of intelligent agriculture, which for several 
years he pursued. He located with his father near 
Fayetteville, Ark., and there married Miss Francis 
Cone, who bore him two children : Amanda, born 
May 22, 1841, now wife of M. M. Long, a farmer 
■who lives near Austin, and Jefferson J. Miller, born 
January 22d, 1843, who married Hattie Spencer; 
both of these are dead and left no children. Mrs. 
Miller died in 184.3. March 4th, 1845, he married 
Miss Ehza Ann, eldest daughter of Rev. Wm. O. 
Spencer, at Fayetteville, Ark., and they embarked 
in life together by soon thereafter, in 1847, coming 
to Texas. They located at Bastrop, where he en- 
gaged in the livery business. They soon, however, 
in consequence of Mr. Miller's ill-health, paid their 
Arkansas home a protracted visit and returned to 
Bastrop in 1849. They there remained and Mr. 
Miller prospered in business until 1855, when he 
transferred his business to and took up his resi- 
dence in Austin, where he was soon recognized as a 
safe and conservative, but enterprising business 
man. He opened and conducted business for many 
years at the Southwest corner of Congress avenue 
and Bois d'Arc, or Seventh street. 

He soon purchased this and adjoining property, 
and, as the demands of business warranted, erected 
a substantial business block on the site of his stables 
and removed his business to the present location of 
the extensive establishment of his son, Monroe 
Miller, to whom he finally sold in 1874 and practi- 
cally retired from aggressive business life, only, 
from that time, looking after his property interests. 

John T. Miller was a man of unpretentious wa3'S 
and in his own (|uiet manner diligently planned 
and labored to accomplish a desired end. He was 



aggressive in monej'-making, but was not avari- 
cious. He only sought in his business to supply a 
public necessity and reap a legitimate profit thereby.- 
He came to Austin when the growing seat of gov- 
ernment had the greatest need for a man of his 
stamp. He was a fair type of a successful early- 
day business man. He came to Texas with ayoung 
wife and four children, and absolutely without 
means. His sterling traits of character, his natural 
business tendencies and his inflexible honor, won 
for him the admiration and confidence of all with 
whom he was brouglit in contact, and were really, 
with his great industry, the foundation upon which 
his successful career in life was based. He saw in 
Austin the nucleus of the beautiful city that during 
his lifetime it became, and practically evinced his 
faith in and materially contributed to her growth 
by the investment of his surplus means in substan- 
tial business blocks and other propert}-. 

He possessed a warm and loyal heart, yet an in- 
tensely practical mind, and dealt in a very practi- 
cal way witli the problems of life as they presented 
themselves to him from day to da}'. Mr. Miller, 
aside from the untimely deatli of his first wife, was 
very fortunate in his domestic relations, receiving 
as he did the loving counsel, and sympathetic 
encouragement of his wife, who was to him a true 
helpmeet, ever at his side in times of adversitj', 
such as always must mar, at intervals, the career 
of even the most successful men. She was ever 
ready to applaud and enjoy with him his achieve- 
ments and successes. This union was blessed with 
a family of seven children, a brief record of whom 
is herewith given in the order of their birth: — 

First. E^liza, born June 20th, 1847, married W. 
H. Millican. She died October 8, 1882, leaving 
three children, Minnie, Lilla and Willie. Minnie 
is Mrs. J. D. Randolph, of Travis County. 

Second. Monroe, born Jan. 1st, 1850, married for 
his first wife. Miss Eliza Stringer, who died without 
issue in 1882. His second marriage was to Miss 
Mollie Randle, a daughter of the late Senator Ed. 
Randle, and of the present Mrs. T. C. Westbrook, 
of Hearne. They have three children : Monroe, Jr. , 
Nelleen and Randle. He has by purchase suc- 
ceeded to and extended the business established by 
his father, maintaining in every way its honor and 
usefulness, and holds a big position in the business- 
world. 













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^^^.^^c:^!^ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



597 



Third. Miles, born August 2211, 1852, luariied 
Miss Imogene Coulson. They iiave one son, Joha 
T. He is a successful farmer in Travis County. 

Fourth. Emma, born April 1st, 1860, married 
Mr. George B. Westlake. She died September 22, 
1890, leaving one orphan daughter, Lila May, 
whose home is with her parental grandparents at 
£1 Paso, Texas. 

Fifth. Wallace K., born July 8th, 1862 ; unmar- 
ried. He is a farmer. 

Sixth. E;ila, born December 29th, 1865, married 
Mr. John Whites, of Austin, an accountant in the 
First National Bank. The}' have two children, 
Bessie and Eleanor. 

Seventh. Clara, born November 29, 18G9, mar- 
ried Mr. Joseph Shumate, of Austin, a member of 
the mercantile firm of Teagarden & Shumate. Mr. 
and Mrs. Shumate have one son, Harold. 

Mr. Miller was a model husband and father. He 
■was a member of fraternal societies, but was for 
many years a consistent and devout member of the 
Baptist Church. He left the impress upon society 
of a busy, honorable career and a valuable estate 
to his family. 

He died at his home in Austin, February 18th, 
1882. Mrs. Miller, still in the vigor of advanced 
years, lives at the family home, corner of .Seventh 
and Brazos streets, in the city of Austin. Her 
children, all within easy calling distance, hold 
honorable positions in the business and social 
world. 

Her father, the venerable Rev. W. O. Spencer, 
lives at Liberty Hill, in Williamson County, Texas. 
He is one of the pioneers of that county, having 



come to Texas in 1847, from Fayetteville, Arn. 
He was born in Illinois, about two miles from Vin- 
cennes, Ind., September 10, 1809; a son of Wm. 
Spencer. He inherited mechanical genius, and, 
before reaching his majority, became a skillful car- 
penter and, later, a blacksmith, which occupation 
he followed for several years. Upon his arrival in 
Texas, he first lived at Bastrop. He has followed 
farming as his chief means of livelihood in Texas, 
however. 

He has been twice married: first, in July, 1829, 
to Miss Amy Willcoxon, who died in 1852, leaving 
four children, of whom Eliza Ann (Mrs. Miller) was 
the eldest. Mrs. Spencer was born in Ash County, 
N. C, in 1810. For a second wife, Mr. 
Spencer married a widow Spencer, whose maiden 
name was Margaret C. Smilie. She bore him three 
children, having, also, four children bj' her former 
marriage. Mr. Spencer has served in the itinerant 
Baptist ministry nearly all of his mature life ; has 
never engaged in politics to the extent of holding 
office ; is a member of the order of Ancient, Free 
and Accepted Masons, and is an Andrew Jackson 
Democrat, firmly grounded in the f.aith. During 
the years 1861 to 1865 Indians became troublesome 
in Williamson and adjoining counties, and Mr. 
Spencer served as Captain of a minute company and 
ranged the country, hoMing the marauding Indians 
in check during that period. Mr. Spencer lives at 
his old home during his declining years, enjoying 
the esteem and respectof a wide-extended acquaint- 
ance, the affectionate regard of an appreciative 
community, and the love of his children and of his 
grandchildren, of whom there are fifteen. 



JOHN A. MICHEL, 

BROWNSVILLE, 



Escaped from New Orleans, where he was a pris- 
oner of war in May, 1863, and came to Brownsville, 
having been promised a position on his staff by 
Gen. Magruder, whom he had known in Virginia. 
Is a son of Edward A. Michel, a native of Cliarles- 
ton, S. C, who came to New Oileans in 1810 at 
the age of ten years, and although but a boy, par- 
ticipated in the battle of New Orleans, January 
8th, 1815. 

Edward A. Michel was of French descent, his 
father, Lazarus Michel, having been a Lieutenant in 



the French navy under Napoleon the First. Ed- 
ward A. Michel married Miss Sulamite Benit, a 
daughter of Capt. J. B. Benit, who commanded a 
military company at the battle of New Orleans, 
where he lost his life. 

Hon. John A. Michel is the fourth-born of a fam- 
ily of seven children. Upon coming to Texas he 
identified himself with the material and political 
interests of Cameron County and soon became an 
influential and po|)ular citizen. In past years he 
has held the office of Assessor of Cameron County 



598 



INDIjiN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



two terms ; has served as City Tax Collector of 
Brownsville one year ; served as Alderman of the 
city of Brownsville several terms and served as act- 
ing Mayor of Brownsville one year. He has been 
an active worker in the development of the excel- 
lent school system which Brownsville possesses. 
He now holds the responsible position of Collector 
of United States Customs at Brownsville, the du- 
ties of which office he has shown himself well 
qualified to discharge. 



Mr. Michel married, in 18.57, Miss Louise Des- 
forges, a native of New Orleans, a member of one 
of the oldest families of the Crescent City. Her 
grandfather, Adolphe Desforges, served as a soldier 
at the battle of New Orleans, where he was severely 
wounded. 

Mr. and Mrs. Michel have four children — three 
daughters and one son. 

Mr. Michel is one of Brownsville's most highly 
respected citizens. 



B. H. NORSWORTHY, 

ORANGE. 



Occupation, farmer. Born November 26th, 1838, 
in Alabama. Father, E. Norsworthy, of North 
Carolina. Mother, Rebecca (Hargrave) Nors- 
worthy, of Alabama. Educated at Tuscaloosa 
College, Ala. 

Came to Texas in April, 1860 ; located lirst at 
Jasper, Jasper County ; left Jasper in January, 
1868, and went to Morehouse Parish, La. ; 
remained there until 1873 and then came to Orange, 
where he has since resided. While at Jasper he was 
engaged in merchandising, and while in Louisiana 
in raising cotton principally. Upon locating in 
Orange he embarked in merchandising, which he 
continued to follow until 1892, when he engaged in 
rice-farming, three miles from the city, which has 
proven a very profitable business. At the beginning 
of the war between the States, in 1861, he organized a 
cavalry company in Jasper County known as the 
Lone Star Rifles and reported to Gen. Ben McCul- 
loch about the loth of August, 1861, in North 
Arkansas and was thereupon attached to Whitfield's 
Battalion. The company took part in the battle of 
Elk Horn the following April and was then trans- 
ferred to the branch of the army east of the Missis- 
sippi river, with which it served during the remain- 
der of the war, and participated in many hard 



fought battles, among the number, those atCorinth, 
luka, Thompson's Station, Franklin and the heavy 
fighting around Atlanta, during the latter being 
sixty-four days under fire and wounded four times. 
Three of these wounds were received at Thompson's 
Station. 

He had thrilling experiences while on picket duty 
just south of Atlanta on the Chattahoochie river, 
riding very unexpectedly upon two companies of 
Federals, who ordered him to halt. His horse was 
shot from under him, his coat perforated with 
seven bullet holes, but he succeeded in making good 
his escape. He was promoted to Major later on, 
near the close of the war, was promoted to Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of Whitfield's Legion. 

Maj. Norsworthy has now in his possession the 
battle-flag of Whitfield's Legion. Although tat- 
tered and torn b}' shot and shell it is still the pride 
of his heart. 

He is a member of the Baptist Church and 
Masonic fraternity, holding the Royal Arch degree 
in the latter. Married, May 9th, 1866, to Miss 
Mattie Wingate, in Newton County, Texas. He 
was elected Mayor of Orange in 1880 and served 
until 1884, his administration meeting with the 
hearty approval of his fellow-citizens. 



IXDIAN WAim AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



599 



WILLLIAM NEALE, 



BROWNSVILLE. 



The Hon. William Neale is now eighty-five years 
of age, but with the exception of a partial loss of 
vision, retains the powers of vigorous manhood. 

He sits now in his arm-chair, surrounded with 
every comfort, attended by relatives, gazing with 
dim eyes at the well-filled book cases lining the 
walls and containing those friends, the books, over 
which he once burned the midnight oil ; but they 
are silent now, forever, and he turns inward to his 
wonderful memory for solace in his declining years. 
Mr. Neale is the acknowledged oldest inhabitant of 
Brownsville, and possesses the faculties of the 
chronologist and narrator in an eminent degree, 
coupled with a most engaging manner. 

Mr. Neale is an Englishman, and calls himself a 
cockney, from the fact of his having passed his 
youth in London, where he was " raised " accord- 
ing to Yankee parlance. He ran away from home 
and went to sea when quite a lad, but he had already 
acquired such stabilit}' of character that he at once 
began the keeping of a diary, and continued the 
habit throughout his rambles over the world. He 
had in this manner amassed a fund of information 
which would have been of infinite value to posterity, 
had it not been destroyed by the insatiable Cortina, 
when that much dreaded chieftain drove Mr. Neale 
and his family from their home and burned it to the 
ground. 

Mr. Neale's career on this side of the Atlantic 
began with his service on board the first frigate in 
the Mexican navy of 182L The vessel was pur- 
chased in England, the ammunitions of war and arm- 
ament being placed on board secretly. The boxes 
that apparently contained dry-goods were opened 
after putting to sea, and found to contain cannon- 
ades and other articles for fitting out a warlike 
expedition. The ship was run into a convenient 
but isolated harbor, where she was pierced for forty- 
four guns, and in a short time set sail for Mexico. 
The frigate captured Castle Ulloa, a Spanish for- 
tress guarding the harbor of Vera Cruz and per- 
formed good service in the cause of Mexican 
independence. 

After the country had passed from under its 300 
years of Spanish rule Mr. Neale traveled extensively 
through Mexico and met and formed the acquaint- 
ance of many prominent men of the time, which 
outlasted all the political convulsions through which 
the country passed. 



Upon completing his travels in Mexico be settled 
in New Orleans, where he learned tiie trade of 
house, sign and ornamental painter, pursued the 
business there for several years and then in 1834, 
went to Matamoros, Mexico, established only a few 
years previous. 

At that lime there was not a habitation of any 
kind on the present site of Brownsville, and when 
Gen. Taylor occupied the point in 18-i6, there were 
not more than a dozen jacals (huts) scattered 
about the vicinity among the fields of cotton and 
corn. Wild horses and cattle roamed over the 
whole country, and hostile Indians were numerous. 
Mr. Neale met men who were conspicuous as leaders 
in the Texas Revolution and being a British subject 
was enabled to befriend some of them. Mr. Neale 
lived at Matamoros for seven years. Barney 
Blannerhassett — a young man of excellent family, 
who had straj'ed into the Southwest in the train of 
Aaron Burr, not getting fight enough in the com- 
pany of that individual, had sought greater excite- 
ment on the border, was indebted to Mr. Neale for 
saving his life at a critical moment. Young Blan- 
nerhassett had been seized by the Mexicans and 
was pretty roughly handled, when Mr. Neale passed 
the spot. Blannerhassett was tightlj' bound and 
threatened with speedy death and begged Neale for 
laudanum, in order that he might cheat his captors ; 
but, instead of giving him the drug, Mr. Neale 
interceded for him with the officials, and secured 
his release. 

A few years after the Texas Revolution, and 
before the Mexican War, Mr. Neale established a 
line of stages from Matamoros to Point Isabel, 
starting from the present location of Brownsville. 
Mr. Neale's stages were pressed into service by 
Gen. Taylor as ambulances, were captured and it 
was in his attempt to recover them that he first met 
the General and had an interview with him. These 
events occurred after the bombardment of Fort 
Brown, which Mr. Neale witnessed from the top of 
a windmill that stood between the two Mexican 
forts built by Gen. Ampudia, for the defense of 
Matamoros, on the right bank of the Rio Grande, 
one at Santa Cruz Point, called Fort Conejo, and 
the other at the upper extremity of the city, called 
Fort Paredes. From his elevated position Mr. 
Neale could plainly trace the shells as they sailed 
through the air, and had a bird's eye view of the 



(lOO 



LXIJIAX irj/.'.s AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



battle waged between Fort Brown and tlie Mexican 
forces, in the early days of May, L846. 

After the Mexican War Mr. Ncale estal)lished 
his stage line and did a good business for a number 
of years. He bad been identified with the route for 
twenty years, when he was forced to abandon it by 
the unsettled state of the border. There was a 
marked contrast between the early days of his stag- 
ing and those near the close. He carried a great 
deal of silver coin, having sometimes a hundred 
thousand dollars on a single wagon. The money 
was packed on open-work bags made of grass and 
the metal glittered in the sunlight or reflected the 
rays of the moon, as the case might be, but he was 
never attacked for the treasure and did not lose a 
single dollar by theft, although he would frequently 
miss buckles and parts of harness. The bad state 
of the roads sometimes compelled him to pile up 
thousands of dollars on the wayside and leave it 
until the next day, when he would find it as he left it. 

Smuggling was carried on most openly in the 
early forties. Vessels would arrive off the bar, 
without any manifest or clearance papers whatever, 
and from that vantage ground the owners of the 
goods would bargain for the best figures. The 
merchants soon got rich. Mr. Neale built a house 
in Matamoros in which the nails cost him fifty cents 
a pound. At the same time you could buy a good 



mule for $10.00, a cow and calf for .$1.50, and mares 
for $1.50 each. When the English offered a dollar 
a piece for hides, it was considered such a good 
price that guns were brought into service to slaugh- 
ter the animals, and beef, or jerked meat, was such 
a drug in the market, that, when a customer asked 
for a picayune's worth, he was handed a knife and 
told to help himself. Up to 1852 there had not been 
a pound of butter made in the country, and many 
of the inhabitants liad never seen any. In 1852 
Mr. Neale took up a ranch at Santa Maria, twenty- 
five miles up the river from Brownsville. During 
Cortina's raid, Mr. Neale was forced to abandon a 
large amount of live stock, a store filled with valu- 
able goods, and a furnished house, fleeing with his 
famil}' to save tlieir lives. A little later his son was 
one of Cortina's victims in the Brownsville raid. 
Mr. Neale then settled in Brownsville, and was there 
at the outbreak of the war between the States. 

In November, 1863, he went with his family to 
Matamoros, after narrowly escaping the machina- 
tions of Gen. Cabos ; remained there a short 
time, sent his family back to Brownsville, and, later, 
returned there himself. Since the summerof 1865, 
Mr. Neale has lived in Brownsville, in peace and 
quietude. He is now enjoying the confidence and 
high esteem of four generations who surround him 
with well merited honors. 



FERDINAND HARZ, 

BOERNE, 



A well to-do farmer living at Boerne, Kendall 
County, Texas, came to America in December, 
1852, landing at Galveston, January 1st, 1853, 
accompanied by a friend, Otto Frederich ; went 
from Galveston to New Braunfels via Indianola, 
spent two months at New Braunfels and one year 
in San Antonio, where he worked at gardening an<l 
then, in 1854-6, served as wagon-master from Port 
Lavaca to El Paso, making occasional trips into the 
mining districts of Arizona. In 1861-4 he served 
the Confederac3' as a ranger on the Texas frontier 
under Col. Jones. He was married 18C1, to Miss 



Mary Beyer, of Bexar Count}-. They have three 
children: Clara, now Mrs. Henry Clemmens; 
Bertha, now Mrs Adolph Weyrick, of Boerne, and 
Adolph, who married Miss Ida Phillip, of Boerne. 
Mr. Harz was born October 22, 1824, in Saxony. 
Mrs. Harz' father, Antone Beyer, a German by 
birth, came to America in 1844 from Bohemia, 
where he owned a woolen factory. He devoted his 
attention to farming after coming to America. 
Mrs. Harz was born in Bohemia, February 5, 1844, 
and was two and one-half years of age when her 
family reached this country. 



jyUiAy WAILS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



(501 



JOHN YORK. 



This gallant pioneer, whose name was long fa- 
miliar in every cabin in the land, was an early set- 
tler and ever ready to meet a public enemy, whether 
Indian or Mexican. He was, pliysically, a man of 
portly and commanding presence, a i)ure, blue- 
eyed blonde, with a native suavity and dignit}' 
deemed by book worms and cloistered scholars un- 
attainable attributes to men of cabin and forest 
life — a complacent assumption disproven by man}' 
of the early and buckskin-attired defenders of in- 
fant Texas. 

Capt. York was one of two brothers (Allison 
York being the other), besides several sisters, 
who first settled on the Lavaca and afterwards 
west of the Brazos in Austin County. He partici- 
pated in numerous expeditions against the Indians 
and always exhibited the ability to lead. In com- 
mand of a company in the citizen armj' before 



Bexar in 1835 he and all his men volunteered to 
follow the intrepid Milam in storming that strongly 
fortified place, defended by Gen. Cos and about 
1,500 Mexicans. The contest lasted from the 5th 
to the 10th of December, though Milam fell on the 
8th, and terminated in the capitulation of Cos to 
his three hundred assailants. No royal insignia of 
merit or valor bestowed ever conferred greater 
honor on a body of men than was won by the citi- 
zen heroes who triumphed at Bexar, and none of 
that gallant band exhibited more determined cour- 
age than Capt. John York. 

In 1846 be removed to the CoUeto creek, in De- 
Witt, where the pretty village of Yorktown per- 
petuates his name. 

His death, in command of a company west of 
the San Antonio river, in 1848, in a contest with 
ambushed Indians, is elsewhere narrated. 



JAMES H. CALLAHAN'S FIGHT IN MEXICO. 



This modest but gallant man was a volunteer 
from Georgia and one of those who escaped slaughr 
ter in the Fannin massacre in March, 183G. He 
long lived at the exposed frontier village of Seguin 
and from 1838 to 1855 was in most of the expedi- 
tions from that section against both Indians and 
Mexicans, frequently serving as commander of a 
company or detachment. In March, 1842, he com- 
manded a company in the retreat from San Antonio 
before the Mexican column of Vasquez, the writer 
of this being a subordinate officer under him. He 
also commanded a company in the battle of Salado, 
September 18th, 1842. 

As senior officer of three small volunteer com- 
panies, in 1855 he pursued a party of Lipan and 
Kickapoo Indians across the Rio Grande to their 
chief encampment near San Fernando, twenty- 
seven miles inside of Mexico and there had a 
bloody fight. He was soon confronted by over- 
whelming odds, including large numbers of Mexi- 
can outlaws, and was compelled to retreat, but in 



doing so displayed such admirable tact and courage 
as to not only preserve the utmost coolness among 
his followers, but to repulse the frequent attacks of 
his pursuers. His wounded, including little B. 
Eustace Benton, whose brains were oozing through 
a bullet-hole in his eye, were successfully brought 
away. This heroic youth, now of Pine Bluff, 
Ark., was carried for that long distance by Capt. 
Wm. A. Pitts, of Austin, who placed the wounded 
and unconscious boy in his saddle and rode behind 
him on the same horse, tenderly holding his little 
friend in his arms. This scene with bullets whiz- 
zing from a relentless foe, and the father (Col. Nat. 
Benton) wrought almost into frenzy by what he 
considered the death wound of his only child, 
involuntarily recalls the legend of Damon and 
Pythias. Another youth, Willis, the son of the 
Hon. William E. Jones, was left dead on the field. 
The enemy expected to greatly cripple Callahan's 
force while recrossing the Rio Grande at Eagle 
Pass, but in this they were disappointed by the 



602 



JNDIAN WARS AXl) PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



liinely action of the United States coinmauder, 
Capt. Burbanif, of Fort Duncan, on the Texas 
banl<, who turned his guns so as to rake tiie west- 
ern bank and by this ocular demoustra'.ion said to 
the pursuers: "If you attack my countrymen 
while the}' are crossing the river, I shall pour shot 
and shell into your ranks." The admonition had 
the desired effect and unquestionably saved many 
lives. It won the heart of Texas to that gallant 
officer, who hazardeil his commission in tiie cause 



of humanity, as did his second in command, Capt. 
John G. Walker, afterwards a Confederate Major- 
General. 

Capt. Callahan about this time settled on the Rio 
Blanco, in Hays County, and soon afterwards fell 
a victim to assassination, regretted by all who 
knew his worth and his services to the country. It 
was the privilege of the writer, joyfully exercised 
in the Legislature of 1857-8, to name the county 
of Callahan as a tribute to his memory. 



MRS. ANGELINA BELLE EBERLY, 



To dwell on the characters of the early pioneers 
and portray their courage and virtue has ever been 
a sad pleasure to the author, the more so because of 
the oft-repeated and unpardonable falsehood that 
Texas was originally settled by refugees from jus- 
tice, and outlaws from the United States — a more 
infamous slander than which never fell from human 
lips or peu. In the plenitude of His mercy the 
God of our fathers and our God never allotted to 
the wilderness of an}' country, as its pioneers, a 
grander or purer-hearted people than those who 
first settled the colonies of Austin, DeWitt, Robert- 
son, De Leon, Powers and Hewitson and McMuUen 
and McGloin in Texas. They were neither outlaws 
nor refugees from justice, but fathers and mothers 
who came here, under the enticing colonial laws of 
Mexico, in search of lands so munificently tendered 
that they hoped to be able to ejive to each son and 
daughter, as he or she married, a landed home of 
his or her own, rather than to have them become 
tenants to some rich landholders, as in the older 
States and in all old countries. To even do this 
required a courage, morally and physically, worthy 
of the highest commendation, for this country was 
then a vast wilderness in the possession of roving 
bands of treacherous, bloodtiiirsty and hostile sav- 
ages. There was no field for robbers, for there was 
nothing to rob. There was no field for murderers, 
for love and mutual affection and dependence per- 
vaded every household. There were no drunken rows, 
for whisky was unknown in the great bulk of the 
country. Peace, harmony, mutual dependence and 
mutual regard pervaded every cabin from the Trin- 
ity to the San Antonio. The only murder ever 



committed for robbery in colonial Texas, from 1821 
to the Republic in 1839, was by one stranger upon 
another — by the son of an ex-Governor of Ken- 
tucky. The murderer was arrested, tried, and 
sentenced to be hung, but died in prison before the 
day of execution. Can the world surpass such 
facts in the settlement of any wilderness country? 
But in the comparison, remember that Texas was a 
foreign and a wilderness country, settled by for- 
eigners, born to the use of the pistol and rifle, and 
then the comparison more distinctly stands forth in 
vindication of the early pioneers of Texas. No 
man who has lived fifty or sixty years in Texas can 
make the comparison to-day of the " then " and the 
" now " without a sense of pain. I speak for my 
fellow-men and women, as one who has seen, has 
been a part of and lived through both eras of our 
civilization. 

It is a solemn and indisputable fact that among 
the earliest pioneers of Texas there was an extraor- 
dinary per cent of the purest, most refined and lov- 
able women, and in this and succeeding chapters I 
desire to speak of a few of them as fair representa- 
tives of the class to which they belonged. 

The first to be mentioned was Angelina Belle 
Peyton, born in Tennessee, the daughter of an early 
Virginia surveyor located in that then new State, 
and a sister of the long-noted Bailie Peyton. She 
married her cousin, Jonathan C. Peyton, and as a 
young bride landed at the mouth of the Colorado, 
on Matagorda Bay, in one of the first schooner- 
loads of immigrants (both arriving at the same time) 
in February, 1822. 

This young couple, in due time, settled at the 



ISDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



603 



new town of San Felipe, on tbe Brazos. Two chil- 
dren were born to tLem — Alexander G. Peyton 
and Mag, who became a pet child of Travis, Bowie, 
the Wharton brothers, the Jaclc lirothers, Lesas- 
sure, Stephen F. Austin, R. M. Williamson, and all 
the prominent men of that day. She was a beauti- 
ful child. Mr. Peyton died before the revolution, 
leaving these two little children. Mrs. Peyton, 
with a few household servants, thrown upon her 
own resources, opened a hotel in San Felipe, which 
became the headquarters of the most distinguished 
men of Texas. When the revolution broke out in 
1835, and San Felipe was the virtual capital of the 
country, she was thus occupied, and was known 
throughout Texas, not only as a devoted patriot, 
but as one of the handsomest and most queenly 
women ever born in the valley of the Mississippi. 
In his celebrated and only speech before the coun- 
cil, in December, 1835 (of which an account has 
been elsewhere given), Col. James Bowie, while 
appealing for active service and iustice, said: — 

" My attendants are encamped under a tree, my 
horses are shivering on the prairie as the sleet falls, 
and I am a guest on the bounty of that grandest of 
American women in this countr}', Mrs. Angelina B. 
Peyton." 

At the close of the revolution Mrs. Peyton mar- 
ried Capt. Jacob Eberly, who was in the ranging 
service, and when Austin was founded in the 
autumn of 1839, she built, opened and kept the 
Eberly house in that place. In the dismal periods 
of 1843, connected with what is historically known 



as the Archive war, her son, Alexander G. Peyton, 
was murdered in the streets of Austin. Capt. 
Eberly died not far from the same time and this 
early pioneer mother found herself again alone, 
with only little Majf, the early pet of San Felipe, 
left to her. The virtual desolation of Austin from 
1842 to 1844 swept away her available property 
values. So about 1848, with her only remaining tie 
to earth, little Mag, she removed to Matagorda 
Bay — first to Lavaca and then to Indianola. Mag 
married a noble young lawyer and ex-soldier in 
Ben MeCuUoch's company in the Mexican War, 
named James T. Lytle. In October, 1850, she 
gave birth to a son, Peyton Bell Lytle, and died, 
leaving the little innocent but a few days old. This 
child's history would furnish material for a thrill- 
ing novel, in which the name of the Hon. Fletcher 
S. Stockdale (his secondary father) would be hon- 
ored among the pure and just. But I cannot dwell 
upon those delicate and heart-stirring facts. Time 
passed. Mrs. Eberly visited Lexington, Ky., and 
was clasped by the hand of Henry Clay, as one of 
the historic and lovable women of the Southwest, 
and tlie sister of his life-long friends, Bailie, Holmes 
and William R. Peyton. 

A little later this queenly daughter of Tennessee 
and Texas died. Despite her sorrows, she left a 
handsome and landed estate, and her memory was 
revered by Houston, Burnet, Lamar, Jones, Burle- 
son, Bee, Sherman and all the then prominent 
survivors of the Texas revolutionary and ante- 
revolutionary days of Texas. 



RANDALL JONES. 



Among the very earliest defenders of Texas 
was Capt. Randall Jones, who was born in 
Columbus, Ga. , on the 19th of August, 1786. 
In 1810 he removed to Wilkinson County, Miss. 
In 1812 he became a Captain of United States 
Volunteers and on the 12th of November, 1813, 
commanded in the celebrated "Canoe Fight," 
on the Alabama river, in which nine Creek war- 
riors were killed. Pickett's history of Alabama 
omits mention of Capt. Jones in this affair, award- 
ing the credit to Jere Austill, Samuel Dale, Mr. 
Smith and others. Many years later Dale was lionized 



as the hero of the occasion, the real commander 
having soon left that country and, having "no 
friend at court," to guard his laurels — a fate that 
has befallen numerous early heroes of Texas, whose 
merits, after their death, have been overlooked and 
sometimes awarded to others. In the instance re- 
ferred to Capt. Jones, in command of sixty volun- 
teers, marched from Fort Madison for the Alabama 
river, on the 11th of November, 1813, and on the 
12th fell in with and defeated two parties of decks, 
the second being the canoe party. The facts written 
in the detachment itself, from the east bank of the 



60-1 



IXIJIAN WAJiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Alabama, ou the 25tli of November, were publisUed 
in the WashingtoQ (Mississippi) liepublican, ou 
the 23d of December, 1813. The writer said: 
" Capt. Jones and his party deserve tlie greatest 
praise and honor for the handsome manner in which 
the enterprise was conducted." 

In the fall of 1814, Capt. Jones visited the Sabine 
river. In 1815 again he entered Texas wilii goods 
and traded with the Indians. In 1816 he opened a 
store at Nacogdoches and visited Lafitte on Galves- 
ton Island to buy negroes, but whether he succeeded 
or not cannot be stated. He was hospitably enter- 
tained, however, and found in the famous buccaneer 
a man of external polish and winning address. He 
temporarily allied himself with the first scheme of 
Long, in 1819, and in command of a small party 
near where Washington is on the Brazos, he was 
driven, along with all of Long's followers, from the 
country, by Spanish troops from Mexico. 



Early in 1822 he permanently settled, as an Amer- 
ican colonist, on the Brazos, in Fort Bend County, 
and thenceforward, till age asserted its supremacy, 
was all that patriotism and good citizenship imply, 
his courage and experience in Indian warfare ren- 
dering him doubly useful. In September, 1824, he 
commanded in a severe but unsuccessful engagement 
with the Carancahua Indians on a creek in Brazoria 
County, from which the stream has ever since been 
known as "Jones' creek." In this fight fifteen 
Indians were killed, and three white men, viz. : 
Spencer, Singer and Bailey. 

Capt. Jones reared a highly respectable family, 
served in the Consultation, the first revolutionary 
convention, in November, 1835, and continued to 
reside on his original Brazos home till a short time 
before his death. Losing his eyesight he removed 
to Houston, where he died in June, 1873. 



JOHN AUSTIN. 



The early death of the sterling patriot, Capt. 
John Austin — dying before the revolution began in 
1835 — has been the cause (as is true of a number 
of other gallant and conspicuous men in the earliest 
trials of Texas, who died prior to the same period), 
of his name not being familiar to the people of the 
present time. Yet he is justly entitled to be ranked 
among the foremost and most valuable men of the 
colonial period of our history and, as will be seen, 
somewhat before that period was inaugurated. 

John Austin was born anil reared in Connecticut, 
but was not of the family of jMoses Austin, a native 
of the same State, who, in 1821, received the first 
permission ever granted under the authorities of 
Spain to form an American settlement in Texas. 
When quite young John Austin drifted to the 
Southwest, in various ways developing nerve, intel- 
ligence, love of adventure and capacity to lead. In 
1819 he left New Orleans under the auspices of 
Capt. Long's second expedition into Texas, then 
announced as in aid of the patriot cause in the 
Mexican revolution against Spain. (Long's first 
expedition, a few months before, avowed the pur- 
pose and actually inaugurated at Nacogdoches, on 
paper, the form of an independent Republic, but 



his divided force of about three hundred men was 
speedily driven from the country by Spanish troops.) 
This second expedition avowed a different purpose 
and was joined by a number of exiled Mexican 
patriots, the chief of whom was Don Felix de Tres- 
palacios. The expedition rendezvoused on the 
barren island of Galveston and Bolivar Point on the 
mainland. Trespalaeios, accompanied by the in- 
trepid Kentuckian, Col. Ben. R. Milam, Col. 
Christy, of New Orleans, and others, sailed down 
the coast and effected a landing somewhere north 
of Vera Cruz and formed a junction with patriots 
in the country. Long, with only fifty-two men, by 
an understanding with Trespalaeios, sailed down 
the coast into Matagorda Bay, thence into the bay 
of Espiritu Santa and up the Guadalupe river a 
few miles, where he landed and marched upon La 
Bahia, now known as Goliad. John Austin was 
one of his chief lieutenants. La Bahia was sur- 
prised and easily captured. A few days later a 
Spanish force from San Antonio appeared and hos- 
tilities began, lasting two or three days, when Long 
was seduced bj' Spanish cunning into a capitula- 
tion, under the absurd pretense that his assailants 
were also patriots and had been fighting under a 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



(505 



misapprehension, and a promise tliat their arms 
shoukl be restored as soon as the alarm of the cit- 
izens subsided, and that they shouhl be treated as 
brother patriots. As soon as disarmed, however, 
they were harshly treated as prisoners and sent to 
San Antonio and next to Monterey. Omitting de- 
tails, it so happened that about this time news 
spread all over Northern Mexico that the revolution 
had triumphed and a new order of things had been 
inaugurated in the ca[)itol. Then Long and his 
men were released and considered as brethren. 
Long, with John Austin and Maj. Byrne, was al- 
lowed to proceed to the city of Mexico, where 
they were hailed as friends and co-workers in the 
great cause of Mexican independence. Time hur- 
ries. Trespalaeios, Milam and Christy had also 
reached the capitol. Trespalaeios was announced 
as prospective Governor of Texas. Long was 
basely assassinated. His countrymen there be- 
lieved Trespalaeios, through jealousy or some other 
cause, instigated the murder. They (Milam, Aus- 
tin and Christy) hastened back to their fifty friends 
in Monterey and arranged a plan to wreak vengeance 
on Trespalaeios on his way to Texas. They were 
betrayed by two of their own number and sent to 
the capitol as prisoners, where they remained some 
months, till late in 1822, when, through the inter- 
cession of Joel R. Poinsett, Commissioner from the 
United States, they were released and through 
him sent from Tampico to the United States on the 
sloop-of-war, "John Adams." John Austin and 
athers were landed at Norfolk, Va. , and a few pro- 
ceeded from Havana to New Orleans. 

In the meantime, under the inspiration of the 
then deceased Moses Austin, but under the leader- 
ship of his son, Stephen F., American settlements 
were beginning in Texas. Ere long John Austin 
cast his lot with them, and thenceforward was a 
pillar of strength to tlie settlements on the lower 
Brazos. A man of sound mind, conservative and 
courageous, he was a safe counselor and a recog- 
nized leader. Yet, for several years, nothing oc- 
curred to distinguish him from other intelligent and 
conscientious men. He married and lived happily. 
When all of Austin's colony constituted one mu- 
nicipality, entitled to a first and second Alcalde, the 
year 1832 marked the era — Horatio Chriesman 
being first and John Austin second Alcalde, cover- 
ing what now constitutes about twelve important 
counties. Cliriesman lived in what is now Wash- 
ington Count}' and Austin in Brazoria, San Felipe 
being the seat of justice. 

In the early part of 1832 began the first hostile 
troubles between the Americans in Texas and the 
^lexican government, inaugurated by a decree of 



April G, 1830, promulgated by that rare combina- 
tion of demagoguery, political ignorance, tyranny 
and stupidity, Anastasio Bustamente, self-constitu- 
ted President of the Republic. That arbitrary de- 
cree — the keynote to the downfall of Mexican 
power in Texas — forbade the further immigration 
of Americans into Texas. Its direct effect, if tol- 
erated, was to sever hundreds of husbands, then in 
Texas erecting homes, from their families in the 
United States, expecting soon to follow them. 
More remotely it burst into atoms the plans and 
prospective intentions of vast numliers of kindred 
and neighbors in the United States, represented in 
their several special plans by some trusted friend 
or agent already in Texas. It was a barbarous 
and senseless decree, issued in utter ignorance of 
the Anglo-Saxon character. But in co-ordination 
with this exercise of power came the establishment 
of custom houses and military garrisons, utterly un- 
necessary to the enforcement of the revenue laws 
and designed only to "harass the people and eat up 
their substance." Without going into detail, it is 
enough to say that the commander at Anahuac 
(mouth of the Trinity), who, we blush to say, was 
a Kentuckian Ijy birth, but in nothing else, so out- 
raged the people by his brutal and despotic acts, 
that the country rose almost en masse, resolved to 
drive the Mexican soldiery from the country. John 
Austin stood forth as a leader in that crisis. The 
events belong to our general history and cannot he 
detailed here. The matters at Anahuac were over- 
come without serious bloodshed. But at Velasco, 
at the mouth of the Brazos, a bloody battle was 
fought on the 2(;th of June, 1832. John Austin 
was the commander, supported by a company under 
Capt. Henry S. Brown, co-operating with iiim on 
the shore and an armed schooner in the river, 
under Capt. William J. Russell. This force — 
forty-seven each under Austin and Brown and 
eighteen under Russell — fought 130 Mexicans, in 
a strong earthen fort, for nine hours and compelled 
them to surrender after two-thirds of their number 
had been killed or wounded — the Texians losina- 
seven in killed and twenty-seven wounded. It was 
the first battle between the colonists of Texas and 
the Mexican soldiery — a soldiery not of the Re- 
publican but of the Reactionary party in Jlexico. 
It was a victory heroically won under the leader- 
ship of John Austin, and entitles his memory to a 
warm place in the heart of every child of Texas, 
now and hereafter. 

Almost at the same instant in Jlexico, Santa 
Anna, as the chami)ion of liberty, rose up and drove 
the tyrant from power. Texas rejoiced and hailed 
him as a deliverer. Still, grave questions needed 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



adjustment and the people of Texas earnestly de- 
sired to explain their grievances to the new govern- 
ment of Mexico and to ask simply to be let alone 
and live in peace. To accomplish this purpose 
Horatio Chriesman and John Austin, first and sec- 
ond Alcaldes, called a convention of chosen dele- 
gates from all the districts in Texas, to meet at San 
Felipe on the 1st of October, 1832. Fifty-eight 
duly elected delegates assembled. John Austin 
was himself a member, and for himself and associ- 
ate Alcalde called the convention to order and in a 
most lucid and concise manner explained both the 
reason for calling and the material objects of the 
convention. Stephen F. Austin was elected presi- 
dent, and Francis W. Johnson. secretar3\ Among 
the members were William H. Wharton, Luke 
Lesassier, James Kerr, Henry S. Brown, Nestor 
Clay, Charles S. Taylor, Patrick C. Jack and 
William R. Hensley. 

The convention sat six days and formulated a 
series of measures which, being followed up by the 
convention of April 1, 1833, of which William H. 
Wharton was president, finally led to the revolution 
of 1835 and the independence of Texas. Even at 
that early date the sense of the convention was taken 
for and against asking that Texas be erected into a 
State distinct from Coahuila. Thirty-six votes 
were cast in favor of, and twelve against, the meas- 
ure. This convention, so strangely overlooked by 
historians, caused infinitely more agitation among 
the Mexican officials than did that of 1833, so often 
mentioned, and which sent Stephen F. Austin to 
Mexico to ask for the admission of Texas as a State 
of the Mexican union, resulting in his dastardly 



imprisonment in that country. The result was that 
by the ignorant, jealousy-inspired conduct of the 
then rulers of Mexico, instead of becoming a happy, 
prosperous and contented State of Mexico and a 
bulwark to her people against hostile savages, 
Texas, within less than three years, threw off the 
Mexican yoke and l)ecame an independent Republic. 
Full many high-spirited youth, in this land of ours, 
have been virtually driven from home by similar 
parental tyranny, some to ruin, as illustrated in the 
Central American States, others to happiness and 
prosperity, as in Texas, and, in a qualified sense, 
Chili and Venezuela. 

In all these years John Austin was a true and 
wise citizen, with promise of increasing usefulness, 
but a few months after this convention, in the sum- 
mer of 1833, the grim messenger, stalking under 
the insignia of Asiatic cholera, paused sufficiently 
long in Brazoria to strike down not only him, but 
D. W. Anthony, a pioneer editor, and other valued 
citizens. He left a widow, but no children. The 
city of Houston stands on land granted to him. 
Neither county, town nor street perpetuates his 
name, because appropriated to one more conspicu- 
ously identified with colonial affairs. Yet, while 
this is so, it seems meet and eminentlj' just that, in 
some way, the distinctive names of both Moses and 
John Austin should be engraved on the map of 
Texas. 

William T. Austin, a younger brother of John, 
came to Texas in 1830, served in the armies of 
1835-0, and died in Galveston in 1874^. A third 
brother, named Willis Austin, never in Texas, in 
1870 resided in Norwich, Conn. 



J. E. MOORE, 



TEMPLE. 



Jonathan Ewing Moore, one of the founders of 
Temple, has been a resident of Bell County since 
1859, and of the Lone Star State for more than 
four decades. He was born in Marion County, 
Ala., in 1840, and is a son of Jesse W. and Dezina 
(Filzgerald) Moore, natives of South Carolina and 
Alabama respectively. Jesse W. Moore removed 
to Texas in 1851, arriving in Bastrop County on the 
first day of that year. He purchased land on which 
he made his home until 1859, and then moved to 
Bell County and settled on Elm creek. There he 



opened up a large tract of land vv'ith his brother, 
James W. His death occurred in 1864, and that 
of his wife in 1853. Both were worthy members 
of the Baptist Church. After the death of his first 
wife, Mr. Moore married a second time, and his 
widow now resides on the old homestead in Bell 
County. 

J. E. Moore acquired an education in the com- 
mon schools of Bastrop County. He came to Bell 
County with his father, and engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. In 1871 he bought a tract of 350 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



607 



acres of land, to which he added other tracts, lyin^ 
on the wild prairie, and opened a fine farm. Ten 
years later the Santa Fe Eailroad was built through 
the section and the company bought 200 acres of 
Mr. Moore's farm for a town site. The place was 
named Temple in honor of B. M. Temple, Chief 
Engineer of the Santa Fe Road. Mr. Moore at 
once laid out a portion of his remaining land in 
town lots, and entered into the real estate business. 
He made six individual additions to the place, 
called Moore's Addition, Moore's Park Addition, 
Moore's Railroad Addition, Moore's Knight Addi- 
tion, Moore's Hargrove Addition and Moore's 
Crawford Addition. He, also, in copartnership 
with others laid out the Jones & Moore and Moore 
& Cole Additions. He is also a director of Free- 
man Heights Addition. Besides attending to his 
large real estate interests, he has assisted in form- 
ing some of the most important corporations doing 
business in the town. He aided in the organization 



of the Compress, Oil Mills and Water Works com- 
panies, is a stockholder in the Temple Building 
and Loan Association and the Temple National 
Bank, is a director in the Temple City Company, 
is president of the Temple Hotel Company, and 
has an interest in the plow factory. He owns some 
valuable real estate in Temple and elsewhere, and 
his familiarity with the soil, climate and resources 
of Texas is equaled by that of few men in the State. 
In 1868 Mr. Moore married Miss Martha V. Free- 
man, daughter of John T. Freeman, a native of 
Georgia, who came to Texas in 1866. Six children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore: Dura 
Estelle, Jodie PI, Jesse Freeman, Mary E., Willie, 
and Thomas Edgar, the latter of whom died at two 
years of age. The family are members of the 
Baptist Church. Mr. Moore is a Knight Templar 
and is a member of the Knights of Honor, the 
Knights of Pythias, the A. O. U. W., the United 
Friends of Temperance and the Grange. 



HENRY J. HAMILTON, M. D., 

LAREDO. 



Dr. H. J. Hamilton, of Laredo, Texas, was born 
in 1864, in Barrie, Canada. The present Countess 
of Dufferin and Lord Claud Hamilton of Scotland 
are cousins of the Doctor's grandfather, Alexander 
Hamilton, Esq., one of the York pioneers and 
founders of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Hamilton re- 
ceived his preparatory education at Barrie High 
School, and graduated at Hamilton Collegiate 
Institute in 1880, and then came to Texas, his 
parents having moved to this State in 1874. In 
1883 he commenced the study of medicine under 
Dr. A. E. Spohn, at Corpus Christi, and graduated 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1888, receiving the Regent and 
three other gold medals. For three years thereafter 
he practiced his profession in Mexico, spent one 



winter in New York, and another in Philadelphia, 
during which time he still further perfected his 
knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery, 
and, returning to Texas, associated himself with 
Dr. Spolin, at Corpus Christi, where they estab- 
lished Bay View Infirmary, for the treatment of 
diseases of women. In December, 1893, he moved 
to Laredo, and a year later, in that city, married a 
daughter of Capt. and Mrs. C. Benavides. Dr. 
Hamilton is United States Pension Examining Sur- 
geon for the Laredo District, has recently been 
elected a member of the Texas Academy of Science, 
and is one of the most popular citizens of the 
section in which he lives. 



608 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



THE POET RANCHMAN, 

WILLIAM LAWRENCE CHITTENDEN, 



JONES COUNTY. 



Larry Chittenden, the " Poet Ranchman of 
Texas," was born in 1862, in Monlclair, N. J., the 
beautiful siiberb of New York. Fond of athletic 
sports, bunting, swimming and fisiiing, when a boy, 
he became famous before attaining manliood as a 
rider, swimmer and diver, and in the summer of 
1891, distinguislied himself at Spring Lake Beach, 
N. J., by his daring rescue of two young women 
from drowning in the surf, at tlie risk of Ids life. 



several years in Texas as a salesman for that popu- 
lar New York house, and in 1886 moved to this 
State and engaged in ranching with his uncle, Mr. 
S. B. Chittenden, of Brooklyn, near Anson, in 
Jones County, where, as a bachelor, he now resides. 
As to the Chittendens, the family has an un- 
broken record in this country for thrift and culture, 
extending as far back as 1639, when Maj. William 
Chittenden settled and established the family at 




LA1;1;Y tllUTENDEN. 



He also early showed an inclination for stud}' and 
literature, acquired a good education, possessed 
himself of a wide knowledge of the P^nglish classics 
and laid the foundation, undesignedly at the time, 
for the career upon which he has entered in the 
realm of poesj-. The man whose claim to recogni- 
tion is based solely upon ancestry finds a cold wel- 
come awaiting him in Texas, but, when personal 
merit is added, and the man is admirable and lov- 
ing in himself, the people are quick to admire and 
to admit him to their heart of hearts. 

When very young he entered the wholesale dry 
goods business of his father and untile, and later 
with Tefft, Weller & Co., in New York, traveled 



Guilford, Conn., on the estate now known as 
Mapleside, which is still owned by his descendants. 
"It was from this hardy old pioneer ancestor," 
says Mr. Clarence Ousley, of Galveston, in The 
Illustrated .[merican, " that the poet received his 
first name, his second coming from his maternal 
grandmother, who belonged to the distinguished 
Lawrence family. His maternal grandfather was 
Alaj. Daniel Gano, a gentleman of the old school 
noted in the South and West for his great learning, 
literary talents and courtly manners. Maj. Gano 
was himself a poet, and a member of the famous 
Kentucky pioneer family of that name. His daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Henrietta Gano Chittenden, is the poet's 



INDIAN^ WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXA.s. 



(iOlt 



motber, and some one has aptl}' said that Chitten- 
den is a rare combination of Northern force and 
Southern fire — the Puritan and the Cavalier." 
Mr. F. S. Brittain in the Abilene. Texas, Reporter, 
thus describes his personal appearance : — 

" When the people who do not know Chittenden 
see a slight, well-liuilt, active, 3-oungish man, with 
a well-shaped head of wavy, glossy black hair, with 
black mustache, a face browned by out-of-door life, 
with a nose that seems as sensitively full of life as 
that of a well-bred terrier, and a mouth both strong 
and sensitive, the whole lit up by a pair of change- 
able eyes, now gray, now blue, ever moving and full 
of interest; if the man is dressed in fine raiment 
which does not appear fine, and which half pro- 
claims the ranchman, half the man of the world, 
with a dash of the yachtsman and a soupcon of 
Bohemianism — that's Larry, God bless him." 

Mr. G. Herbert Brown, in writing about our poet 
in the Galveston News, says of him: — 

' ' The manner of man he is is best made known by 
the statement that ten minutes after an introduc- 
tion you are calling him ' Larry.' ' Mr. Chitten- 
den ' seems distant and foreign. His is a warm, 
jovial, sympathetic nature — you want to sit down in 
a big easy chair and talk with him between whiffs 
of smoke ; you forget about dollars and financial 
planks and politics and go off into the sweet realms 
of fancy. ' The Poet Ranchman of Texas ' — a Bos- 
ton man would at once picture him as a strapping 
big fellow, with flannel shirt open at a hairy throat, 
big, drooping mustache, sombrero, boots, belt, pis- 
tols, knives — the typical Texas ranchman of the 
comic papers and melodrama. Whatever Larry 
may wear on his ranch he doesn't make up any such 
patent medicinal fakir fashion in town. He wears 
the clothes of a citizen of the world, wears them i 
such a manner that you don't notice them at all. 
His face is bronzed by the sun, but it is neither 
burned nor swarthy. And he has a charm of man- 
ner, an ease of address that captivates men and 
women alike." He has traveled over a greater part 
of the United States and much of Europe, as well, 
with an eye ever alert to detect, a soul ever ready 
to absorb, and an imagination ever ready to drape 
in the robes of poetic fancy the majesty and beauty 
and witchery of all that the treasuries of art and 
nature disclose to the observant and appreciative 
traveler. 

His first efforts in the field of letters were con- 
fined to literary and reportorial work for New York 
newspapers and magazines. His first poems ap- 
peared in the New York Mail and Express and the 
Galveston-Dallas (Texas) Daily News. The broad 
prairies, the mountains, the pure, fresh air, the 



songs of the birds and the wild, free life of his 
Western home have furnished the immediate inspir- 
ation for " Ranch Verses," published by G. P. Put- 
nam's Sons, New York, which have now run through 
four editions and which have met with a reception 
accorded to the verses of few American poets in the 
latter part of the nineteenth century. 

This is what some of the leading papers s.ay of 
" Ranch Verses:" — 

"Chittenden's poems have a swing about them 
which is very attractive. He gives us Flemish pic- 
tures of Texas life, the realism of which is never 
vulgar and the habit of which is rich, rare and 
racy." — Chicago Post. 

" A volume of poems which will fully entertain 
lovers of song. It is in great variety and eapitalh^ 
rendered. Mr. Chittenden is a born poet." — 
Chicago Inter- Ocean. 

" ' Ranch Verses' are tuneful, manly in sentiment 
and musical in flow — full of spirit and vivacity." — 
London Saturday Review. 

"Curious and entertaining. A volume that is 
sure to become a favorite." — Glasgoiv, Scotland, 
Herald. 

" There is originality and spontaneity of inspira- 
tion in ' Ranch Verses.' " — London Times. 

"Have a catching cheerfulness. They are all 
bright, fluent and readable." — ■ Edinburgh Scotch- 
man. 

"The ballads and character sketches have the 
genuine ring. They are worthy of a place beside 
those of Riley, Field, Harte and Miller." — 
Review of Revieus. 

" Will win from readers old and young unstinted 
praise and warm eulogy. The bold intellect of the 
author, tempered by culture and refinement, has 
produced a volume that must bring him fame." — 
Public Opinion. 

" One of the most interesting and readable books 
of poetry ever published." — N. T. Press. 

" Contains most genial information about Texas 
and the cowboys. One must really attach value to 
this hook." — N. Y. Evening Post. 

" A most charming book of poetrj'. Mr. Chit- 
tenden is a genuine poet." — Boston Traveller. 

"Bright and entertaining from cover to cover. 
A book tiiat one may open at random and be sure 
to find something interesting and entertaining." — 
American Bookseller. 

" Texas has a poet of whom she may well feel 
proud. The muses were dispensing their best gifts 
when they threw their spell on ' Larry * Chitten- 
den." — Peck's Sun. 

These selections of press notices are only a few 
of the many thousands that have been printed in 



610 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



praise of " Ranch Verses " in our own country and 
Great Britain. 

Tlie following extracts from his poems will give 
the reader some idea of the merits and charm of his 
verse: — 

FROM "THE cowboys' CHRISTMAS BALL." 

The leader was a feller that came from Swenson's Ranch, 
They called him " Windy Billy," from "little Deadman's 

Branch." 
His rig was " kinder keerless," big spurs and high-heeled 

boots ; 
He had the reputation that comes when " fellers shoots." 
fiis voice was like a bugle upon the raouutaiu's height; 
His feet were animated, an' a might'/ movui' sight. 
When he commenced to holler, "Neow fellers, stake yer 

pen! 
" Lock horns ter all them heifers, an' russel 'em like men. 
" Salootyer lovely critters; neow swing an' let'em go, 
"Climb the grape vine 'round 'em — all hands do-ce-do! 
"You Mavericks, jine the round-up — Jest skip her 

waterfall," 
Huh! hit wuz gettin' active, "The Cowboys' Christmas 

Ball!" 

The boys were tolerable skittish, the ladies powerful 
neat, 

That old bass viol's music i«s« got there with both feet! 

That wailin', frisky fiddle, I never shall forget; 

And Windy kept a singin' — I think I here him yet — 

" O Xes, chase your squirrels, an' cut 'em to one side, 

" Spur Treadwell to the centre, with Cross P Charley's 
bride, 

"Doc. Hollis down the middle, an' twine the ladies' 
chain, 

" Varu Andrews pen the allies iu big T Diamond's train. 

" All pull yer freight tergether, neow swallow fork an' 
change 

" ' Big Boston' lead the trail-herd, through little Pitch- 
fork's range 

Purr 'round yer gentle pussies neow rope 'em! Balance 
all! " 

Huh! hit wuz getting active —"The Cowboys' Christ- 
mas Ball! " 

The dust riz fast an' furious, we all just galloped 'round. 
Till the scenery got so giddy, that Z Bar Dick was 

downed. 
We buckled to our partners, an' told 'era to hold on. 
Then shook our hoofs like lightning, until the early 

dawn. 
Don't tell me 'bout cotilions, or germans. No sir 'ee! 
That whirl at Anson city just takes the cake with me. 
I'm sick of lazy shufflin's, of them I've had ray fill, 
Give me a frontier break-down, backed up by Windy 

Bill. 
McAllister ain't nowhar! when Windy leads the show, 
I've seen 'em both in harness, and so I sorter know — 
Oh, Bill, I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall. 
That lively gaited sworray — " The Cowboys' Christmas 

Ball." 

— {From " lianch Verses.") 



HIDDEN. 

Afar on the pathless prairies 

The rarest of flowers abound; 
And in the dark caves of the valleys 

There is wealth that will never be found; 
So there are sweet songs in the silence 

That never will melt into sound. 

The twilight illumines her banners 
With colors no artist can teach; 

And aloft in the sky there are sermons 
Too mighty for mortals to preach; 

So life has its lovely ideals 
Too lofty for language to reach. 

Afar on the sea there's a music 
That the shore never knows in its rest; 

And in the green depths of the forest 
There are choirs that carol unblest; 

So, deep in the heart, there's a music 
And a cadence that's never expressed. 

NEPTUNE'S STEEDS. 

Hark to the wild nor'easter! 

That long, long booming roar, 
When the storm king breathes his thunder 

Along the shuddering shore. 
The shivering air re-echoes 

The ocean's weird refrain, 
For the wild white steeds of Neptune 

Are coraing home again. 

No hand nor voice can check them, 

These stern steeds of the sea, 
They were not born for bondage, 

They are forever free. 
With arched crests proudly waving, 

Too strong for human rein, 
The wild white steeds of Neptune 

Are coming home again. 

With rolling emerald chariots 

They charge the stalwart strand. 
They gallop o'er the ledges 

And leap along the land; 
With deep chests breathing thunder 

Across the quivering plain. 
The wild white steeds of Neptune 

Are coming home again. 

Not with the trill of bugles. 

But roar of muffled drums. 
And shrouded sea weed banners. 

That mighty army comes. 
The harbor bars are moaning 

A wail of death and pain. 
For the wild white steeds of Neptune 

Are coming home again. 

Well may the sailor women 

Look out to scan the lee, 
And long for absent lovers, 

Their lovers on the sea. 
Well may the harbored seamen 

Neglect the sails and seine. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



611 



When the wild white steeds of Neptune 
Are coming home again. 

How sad their mournful neighing, 

That wailing, haunting sound; 
It is the song of sorrow, 

A dirge for dead men drowned. 
Though we must all go seaward. 

Though our watchers wait in vain, 
The wild white steeds of Neptune, 

Will homeward come again. 

TEXAS TYPES — THE SHERIFF. 

He's a quiet, easy fellow, with his pants tacked in his 

boots. 
And he wears a big revolver, which he seldom ever 

shoots ; 
He has served his time as ranger on the reckless Rio 

Grande, 
And he has the reputation for great marksmanship and 

sand ; 
He has strung up several horse thieves in the rustler days 

gone by. 
And although he seems so pleasant there's a devil in his 

eye. 

When he goes to take a prisoner he calls him by his 

name, 
In that confidential manner that suggests the bunco 

game; 
If the culprit is not willing, takes exception to the plan, 
Our sheriff gets the drop, sir, and he likewise gets his 

man; 
Oh, it's " powerful persuadin'," is a pistol 'neath your 

nose, 
" Hands up, you've got to go, Sam," aud Sam he ups and 

goes. 

In the fall at " county 'lections " when candidates appear. 
The sheriff's awful friendly, for he loves to " 'lectioneer;" 
Then he takes the honest granger and ye stockman by 

the hand. 
And he augers them for votes, sir, in a manner smooth 

and bland; 
He is generous, brave and courtly, but a dangerous man 

to sass. 
For his manner is suggestive of the sign — " Keep off 

the grass." 

His poems descriptive of ranch life have given 
him his distinctive fame, but his marine verses are 
equally good, if not superior. Frank Doremus, 
his friend, and veteran editor of the Dallas News, 
in writing of him, says: — 

"Our poet is also a singer. For 'tis under the 
inspiration of the moon aud stars, by the dying 
embers of the camp fire in tlie lonely hours on the 
trail, that Larry has most endeared himself to his 
Texas cowboy friends. With one accord they 
listen to his sweet, musical tenor voice. His songs 
are original verses modestly sung in minor-key 
melodies of his own composition. Some are gaj' 
and rollicking, but most of them are sad. ' Gwine 



Back to Texas' and 'The Cowboy's Dream,' and 
' Remembrance,' — the last 'dedicated to an unknown 
divinity,' — are the most popular and best known." 

It would be difficult to find in the language a 
poem capable of provoking a broader smile than 
"Brer Brown's Collection," lines more instinct with 
the joy of life and motion than the "Ranchman's 
Ride" or the " Round-up," anything containing a 
finer vein of melancholy than the " Dying Scout," 
anything more delightfully Western than "The 
Majah Green," "Maverick Bill," the "Parson 
Pickax Gray," and " Texas Types," or anything 
breathing a more cheerful or manly spirit than 
"The Cynic and the Poet," "Never Despair," 
and similar poems in " Ranch Verses " — the book 
is full of the choicest pabulum suited to almost any 
unvitiated taste. 

The Chittenden ranch comprises 10,000 acres of 
rich land, 200 acres of which are in a high state of 
cultivation, is all under fence, and is stocked with 
a large herd of high-grade Polled Angus, Here- 
ford and native cattle, and something like 200 head 
of horses and mules. The ranch house is a com- 
fortable frame structure, with a broad gallery, or 
porch, running along the entire front of it, and on 
the roof of the gallery is a neat little sign, " Chit- 
tenden Ranch," surmounted by the head of a 
buffalo. The house sits back from the yard fence, 
and in front of it are a few nicely kept beds of 
flowers. From the front of the house you have a 
view of the east end of the pasture and the rich 
valley farm. From the window, near the poet's 
writing desk, there is a fine view of the Skinout 
Mountains, on the west-. His life at the ranch is 
an ideal one. His den is a cosy little southeast 
room, simply, but nicely, furnished. The walls are 
covered with rare pictures and photographs of 
admiring friends from all parts of the world. His 
library contains over 900 volumes of carefully 
selected books by the best writers. It is here that 
he sits and writes those verses which are read and 
praised throughout the civilized world. 

The Poet Ranchman possesses a versatility of 
genius that gives him a wide range of power. His 
love sonnets (all poets have a weakness for lustrous 
eyes and crinoline) are true love sonnets, his humor 
is fresh and true, his pathos is sweet and unaffected, 
and his descriptions of his life in his ranch house 
by the blazing winter fire are so vivid that, with 
slight effort, we can see "Larry, God bless him," 
sitting in his easy chair penning his lines and ever 
and anon raising his head to listen to the distant, 
lonely hoot of the owl, or the nearer and lonelier 
howl of the coyote, pausing for a moment in the 
moonlight outside the cabin door. 



612 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JAMES H. DURST, 



CORPUS CHRISTI. 



Born at Nacogdoches, Texas, about the year 1818, 
and is said to have been the first while child born 
in Eastern Texas. He grew up in his native county 
and was an intimate friend of Gen. Sam Houston, 
Gen. Thomas J. Eusk, and other leading patriots 
of his time. He was an aggressive Indian fighter, 
and did much to help subdue the Cherokee Indians, 
who for a time terrorized that section of the coun- 
try. He lived at San Augustine, Texas, for sev- 
eral years, and about the close of the Mexican War 
located at Rio Grande City, on the Rio Grande 
frontier, where he engaged in merchandising for 
two years and became a prominent and influential 
citizen of Starr County. In the year 18.52 he oc- 
cupied a seat in the Texas State Senate and took 
an active part in shaping legislation. 

Later he was appointed to and most accept- 
ably filled the position of Collector of Customs 
of the District of Brazos Santiago until the year 
1857. 

He married Miss Mary Josephine Atwood in 
1854 at Austin, at the home of Maj. James H. 
Raymond. She was a daughter of William At- 
wood, a Texas pioneer, who resided near Manor, in 
Travis County, engaged in stock-raising. The At- 
woods were people of prominence, members of an 



old and aristocratic family. Mr. Atwood married 
MaryNealy, a relative of Gen. Nealy, of Confeder- 
ate fame. In 1852 Maj. Durst purchased twenty- 
one leagues of the Barreta land grant, located in 
Cameron County, and granted to Francisco Balli, 
of Reyuosa, in 1804, by the King of Spain. 

Fourteen leagues of this grant belonged to Maj. 
Durst at the time of his death, in 1858, and were 
left by will to his wife and three children. 

James W. Durst, of Corpus Christi, was born 
March 28, 1857, at Brownsville, Texas, which was 
for a few years the home of the family, and was 
only one year old when his father died. 

Under the guidance of his widowed mother he 
was given careful moral training and a good Eng- 
lish education, which was completed at Roanoke 
College, Roanoke, Virginia. He then accepted a 
position as railroad accountant, remained so em- 
plo3'ed until 1882, and then returned to Texas, re- 
joined his mother and lived for a time with her at 
Austin. In 1883 he moved to his present ranch in 
Cameron County. The estate has been partitioned 
among the heirs. Mr. Durst owns a large tract of 
land, embracing about thirty thousand acres, front- 
ing on the Laguna Madre, improved and stocked 
with cattle. 



ROBERT J. SLEDGE, 



KYLE. 



Col. Robert J. Sledge, one of the best known 
stock-raisers and planters in the State of Texas and 
a man who has contributed much to the advance- 
ment of the portion of the State in which he resides, 
was born in Warren County, N. C, on the 31st of 
July, 1840, and was educated at the celebrated 
private school of Ebenezer Crocker, at Whitis 
Creek Spring, near Nashville, Tenn. His parents 
were Robert and Frances Sledge. His mother's 
maiden name was Miss Frances O'Briwn. She was 
a granddaughter of the O'Briwn who led the Irish 
rebellion of 1798. 

Col. Sledge came to Texas in 18G.'i and located at 



Cbappel Hill, and for two years was employed on 
tbe H. & T. C. Railroad and engaged in farming 
near that point. He soon perceived that he could 
enlarge the scope of his operations by resigning this 
position and moving further into the interior. This 
he did and in 1875 purchased 10,000 acres in Hays 
Count}', on which he established a ranch, whose 
area he has since somewhat curtailed. It is known 
as Pecan Spring Ranch. He has devoted his atten- 
tion principallj' to raising horses and mules on this 
property. He also owns herds of fine imported 
cattle. 

During the war between the States he served in 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



613 



the Confederate army as u soldier under Generals 
Polk and Cbeatham. 

On the 25th of July, 1877, he married a daughter 
of Col. Terrell Jackson, of Washington County, 
Texas. For more than ten years he has been the 
Texas representative in the Farmers' National Con- 
gress, a bod3' composed of the wealthiest and most 
intelligent farmers living in the various sections of 
the Union. He is also a member of the Board of 
the National and State Alliance and contributed a 
majority of the stock necessary for the establish- 
ment of the Economic Publishing Company, of 
Washington, D. C. He is president of the com- 



pany. He was also one of the three members who 
composed the National Cotton Committee and was 
one of the organizers and promoters of the New 
Orleans Exposition. A man of wide and varied 
information, a graceful and pleasing conversation- 
alist, and an excellent public speaker, he has 
wielded a powerful influence in every assemblage of 
which he has been a member. Conversant with the 
pursuit which he has chosen for his life work, he 
has no desire for political preferment. He is a fine 
type of the elegant country gentleman and is a man 
thoroughly representative of the section in which 
he resides. 



SANTOS BENAVIDES, 

LAREDO. 



It is doubtful if there is a city of its size in Texas 
that has counted, in time past, in its citizenship, a 
larger number of worthy pioneers and successful 
men than the city of Laredo. As a class they were 
of the true pioneer type and suited in every way to 
frontier life. Col. Santos Benavides, an eminent 
soldier and citizen, was one of this class and a fit- 
ting representative of an old and prominent family. 

His father, Jose Maria Benavides, was a Captain 
in the Mexican army and came to Laredo in com- 
mand of his company. Here he met and married 
Dona Marguerita Ramon, a granddaughter of Don 
Toraas Sanchez, the founder of Laredo. By this 
marriage he had two sons, Refugio, a resident of 
Laredo, and Santos, the subject of this memoir. 

He suffered the loss of his first wife and at a later 
period married Dona Tomasa Cameras, who bore 
him four children: Eulelaio, Cbristobal, Juliana de 
Lyendicker and Francisca de Farias. 

The father died in the year 1846 in Laredo. 
Santos Benavides grew up with other members of 
the family in Laredo, attended schools at home and 
abroad and acquired a thorough knowledge of 
stock-raising in all of its details. He also served 
as salesman in a store in Laredo, where he acquired 
a technical knowledge of merchandising. As a 
young man he possessed a somewhat restless and 
altogether daring and fearless nature. Among his 
first military services he raised a company of State 
troops for the protection of the Southwestern fron- 
tier against marauding Indians. At the beginning 
of the great war between the States, the State 



troops were reorganized and his regiment was 
mustered into the Confederate States' service under 
Col. Duff, and he was advanced to the rank of 
Major, his brother, Christobal Benavides, assuming 
command of his company. As the organization of 
the Confederate army progressed Maj. Benavides 
was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and from 
that time on his regiment was known in military 
circles as Benavides' Regiment. He served at the 
head of his command until the close of the war, 
mainly on the Rio Grande frontier, holding in check 
the Indians from the north and repelling marauding 
Mexicans from across the river. His campaigns 
were at times characterized by thrilling incidents, 
making, as he did, many aggressive raids and often 
pursuing lawless Mexicans into their own country. 
The Confederate army contained no braver or more 
loyal and efficient officer than Col. Benavides, 
and, as a graceful and just acknowledgment of his 
almost invaluable services to his State and the Con- 
federate cause, the Texas Legislature in 1864 in 
joint session passed the following resolution of 
thanks : — 

"Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State 
of Texas, that whereas in the autumn of the past 
year, our enemy was invading the State from many 
directions and was exultant in the prospect of 
success by overpowering armies, by insidious 
policies, by aid of traitors in our midst, by deser- 
tions from our army and by fears of the weak in 
faith, and at times which tried men's souls, when 
unwavering patriotism and true courage were more 



(!14 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



than ever to be appreciated, the people of this 
State witnessed with admiration the attitude of 
Col. Santos Benavides and his handful of men 
who dared to dispute and did successfully main- 
tain the possession of an extensive tract of our 
frontier. 

" 2d. That the thanks of this people are due and 
are hereby tendered to Col. Santos Benavides and 
the officers and men under his command for their 
steadfast opposition to the enemy in the field and 
the zeal they have shown in the service of their 
country. 

" 3d. That the Governor of this State be requested 
to transmit a copy of these resolutions to Col. 
Benavides and that they be read to his regiment on 
dress parade. 

" Approved May 2Uh, 1864. 

" P. MUKRAH, 

" Governor. 
" M. D. K. Taylor, 
" Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives. 
" F. S. Stockdale, 
" President of the Senate." 

During the last days of the war, Col. Benavides 
was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, but 
the war closed before he assumed command in that 
capacity. Col. Benavides was in poor health dur- 
ing the latter part of the war, but remained in the 
service until the final surrender and then returned 
to his home in Laredo. There he regained in a 
measure his health and almost immediately entered 
business as a merchant, taking as a copartner his 
brother, Capt. Christobal Benavides, under the 
firm name of S. Benavides & Brother. They did a 
large retail and wholesale business, the latter ex- 
tending far into the interior of Mexico. The firm 
continued business for several years and was then, 
by mutual consent, dissolved, and Col. Benavides 
entered trade alone at a stand opposite the city hall 
and market, continuing therein up to the time of 
his death, which occurred November 9th, 1891. 
In civil life he was a polished and courteous gentle- 
man of plain and easy manners. 

In military life he was an aggressive, gallant and 
skillful ofBcer. Under all circumstances and at all 
times he exhibited a kindness of heart and consider- 
ation for the rights and feelings of others that en- 
deared him to his comrades in arms and to his 
thousands of other friends. 

He was always cool and deliberate in the forma- 
tion and expression of his opinions. He fully ac- 
cepted the verdict of the Civil War and gave his best 
counsel and influence to the cause of reconstruction 
and, with great hope for and faith in the future, 



set vigorously about the building up of his impaired 
business and estate. He was not a politician in the 
usual acceptation of the term, and was never an 
office-seeker ; but, at the urgent solicitation of his 
people and in accordance with what he believed to 
be the duty of a citizen, served the public in vari- 
ous important capacities, notably as Mayor of 
Laredo, in 1856, and three terms in the Texas State 
Legislature, during the sessions of which he was a 
member of various important committees and made 
his influence felt in the shaping of important legis- 
lation. He did not speak or write the English lan- 
guage sutHciently to address that bod}' in the 
vernacular, and his public utterances were all in- 
terpreted by a private secretary, who was ever at 
his side, and was noted for his directness of state- 
ment, clear and sound logic, and broad statesman- 
ship. He was a commissioner from Texas to the 
World's Cotton Exposition at New Orleans in 1884 ; 
he was ever a safe and ready champion of the doc- 
trine of popular rights and government, therefore 
at the time of the French invasion of Mexico his 
influence, which was far-reaching in the border 
Mexican States, was thrown on the side of the lib- 
eral party and at critical times and under permissi- 
ble circumstances he did not fail to exercise it and 
from the time that Gen. Gonzales and Gen. Diaz 
were put in power he was a friend and supporter of 
their government. 

Col. Benavides married, in 1842, Dona Augustine 
Vallareal, a native of Laredo. They had no chil- 
dren of theirown, but adopted and liberally educated 
four. Of these, Augustina, an acccomplished lady, 
became the wife of Gen. Garza Ayala, of Monterey, 
Mexico, once General of Mexican Artillery and ex- 
Governor of the Mexican State of Nuevo Leon, an 
intrepid military officer, an able statesman, and 
eminent lawyer. Dona Augustina died at Mata- 
moros, Mexico, in 1882. She bore one son. Dr. 
Frank Garza Benavides. 

Santos Benavides, the second of the adopted 
children, died in 1883, at nineteen years of age, at 
Monterey, Nuevo Leon. 

.Juan V. Benavides, the ODly surviving child, a 
well-known member of the Webb County bar, lives 
at Laredo, where he practices law and manages the 
Santos Benavides estate. He married, in 1877, 
Miss Laura, daughter of Thomas Allan. She was 
born in Ohio, but was reared at Corpus Christi, 
Texas, where her parents for many 3-ears resided. 

Dr. Frank Garza Benavides, of Monterey, son of 
Gen. Garza Ayala, before mentioned, is their third 
adopted son. He was born at Monterej', July 14th, 
1874, was educated in his native city under private 
tutorship, took a commercial course of study at St. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



615 



Louis, Mo., later attended Priuceton University, 
N. J., and graduated in medicine at the University 
of Philadelphia, Pa., taking the degree of M. D. 



He married, February 6tb, 1895, Jliss Lila, 
daughter of Don Christobal Benavides, of Laredo, 
Texas. 



H. M. COOK, 

BELTON. 



Henry Mansfield Cook was born in Upson County, 
Ga., December 29, 1825. His parents were Arthur 
B. and Mary Cook, early and highly respected pio- 
neers in that State. In 1840 his father moved to 
Alabama and in 1844 to Lowndes County, Miss., 
near the town of Columl)us, on the Tombigbee 
river, where he continued farmino;. 



was elected Lieutenant-Colonel and W. P. Rogers, 
of Aberdeen, was elected Captain in his stead. 
The regiment participated in many engagements 
and took part in the storming and capture of Mon- 
terey. After the close of the war Mr. Cook re- 
turned to Mississippi, attended school for a short 
time, after which he taught a few sessions (intend- 




II. M. COOK. 



In 1846 the subject of this notice walked thirty 
miles to Columbus to join a company which was 
being organized for the Mexican War, by the cele- 
brated Alex. K. McClung. The company was 
known as the Tombigbee Volunteers and, when 
completed, was marched to Vicksburg, where it 
was incorporated in the First Mississippi Regiment, 
more familiarly known as the Mississippi Rifles. 
This was commanded by the illustrious and gallant 
Col. Jefferson Davis and covered itself with glory 
upon the field of Buena Vista. Capt. McClung 



ing to thereafter take a thorough collegiate course), 
but found it necessary to abandon the latter pur- 
pose. 

In August, 1852, he was united in marriage to 
Miss Margaret E., daughter of Thomas and Mahala 
Carr, of Oktibbeha County, Miss. Still having his 
eyes fixed in a westerly direction, he, with his 
father-in-law and family, took up the line of march 
in the spring of 1855 for the Lone Star State and 
settled in the western portion of Leon County, on 
the Navasota river, where he opened a farm, built 



t;i6 



INUIAS^ WAliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXA^S. 



a gill-house and blacksmith shop, and, together 
with stoflc-raising, entered heartily into agricultural 
pursuits. But he had not more than gotten the 
rough places made smooth when he was called upon 
b}' the citizens to give a portion of his time to the 
|)ublic weal, and was elected Justice of the Peace 
anil made a member of the County Court, which 
positions, though unsought (for he always con- 
tended that the office should seek the man), were 
tilled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his 
constituents. When the war between the States 
burst upon the country' and a regiment was organized 
in his military district, he was elected Lieutenant- 
Colonel ; but, as the regiment was not called to the 
front as soon as he expected, he became impatient, 
and, fearing that the war would end before he 
could take a hand, resigned his offices, went to 
Louisiana, and entered the army as a private, join- 
ing Carrington's company, in Baj'lor's cavalry 
regiment. In a short time he was elected Orderly 
Sergeant, and subsequently, by gradations, filled 
the positions of Third, Second and First Lieuten- 
ants, and rose to the command of the company 
during the last year of the war. 

With that gallant regiment he assisted in escort- 
ing Banks' armj' from Brashear City (now Morgan 
City) up through Louisiana to Manstield. There 
the Confederates fell short of provisions and con- 
cluded to utilize Banks' commissary stores — and 
sent him back to New Orleans. After the war he 
continued farming up to 1869, and then went into 
the mercantile business at Centerville and soon 
built up a good trade. He continued business at 
this point until 1876, and then, in connection with 
others, started a new town on the International & 



Great Nortliern Railroad at a i)oint between Jewett 
and Oakwood, wliicli they called Buffalo, because 
of its proximity to Buffalo creek. He continued to 
do business at that place until 1884, when his 
accumulated capital necessitated his removal to a 
point offering better facilities for mercantile enter- 
prise and investments. Consequently he wound up 
his business at Buffalo and moved to Belton, where 
he continued the mercantile business on a larger 
scale. About this time, however, his health failed 
suddenly, and, having made his son, T. A. Cook, 
and a son-in-law, T. W. Cochran, equal partners 
with himself, he turned the management over to 
them and retii'ed from active business pursuits. 
Mr. Cook always conducted his business on a 
straightforward, conscientious basis, and, although 
he started with a small capital and a very limited 
experience, was successful from the beginning, 
accumulated a handsome fortune and never com- 
promised a debt for less than one hundred cents on 
the dollar. Four children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Cook. Two of them are married and have 
families and are prosperous associates with him in 
his mercantile pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cook 
has been an active worker for the upbuilding of 
the city in which he has so long resided and enjoys 
the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens of 
all classes. He has passed his three score j'cars 
and ten, man's allotted time here, and is patiently 
awaiting the summons to come up higher and rejoin 
his sainted wife in the Glory-land, who walked with 
him along life's rugged pathway as his solace and 
comforter fortj'-two years. She departed this life 
February 6, 1893. 



J. A. BONNET, 



EAGLE PASS. 



The subject of this brief memoir is a Texas 
pioneer in all that the term implies. 

His advent to the Lone Star State dates back to 
December 31st, 1845. He came from Scharlotten- 
burg, Dukedom of Nassau, Germany, with his 
father's family (P. D. Bonnet) and was then about 
seven years of age, the youngest of a family of 
five children. They came as members of the 
Meusebach colony, landing at Galveston, where 
they remained for several months with other immi- 



grants, housed in what was called " dos Verins 
Haus," a large, barn-like structure, built for the 
protection of the colony- immigrants upon their ar- 
rival, and they were crowded therein to the number 
of from three to five hundred. 

The Bonnet family, with otliers, finally' left Gal- 
veston by sail-vessel for Indian Point (later known 
as Indianola), Texas. Although the distance was 
comparatively short, they encountered a storm, 
drifted far out into the Gulf and nine days were 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



617 



consumed before they reached their destination. 
They remained at Indian Point a few months, when 
a malignant fever broke out, wliicii, in a majority of 
cases, proved fatal. P. D. Bonnet, our subject's 
father, having a little means, secured transportation 
by ox-team to New Braunfels, where they safely 
landed after a tiresome trip of about three weeks. 
The now lovel3' little German cit3' of New Braun- 
fels then contained but one house, an old log-cabin 
which stood on the hill overlooking the valley, and 
was used as a commisarj'. 

They remained at New Braunfels until the fall 
of 1846 and then removed to San Antonio. Through 
the kindness of some person they were loaned two 
tents which thej' pitched on the river bank on the 
present site of the Sullivan Banking House. The 
father and the daughter were taken sick and the 
oldest son, Charles, had joined Col. Jack Hays' 
Regiment and gone to Mexico, and the support of 
the family was thrown upon the mother. She 
sought and found employment in a boarding-house 
and from the remnants left at the table supplied the 
family with food, until the sick recovered and the 
father with his eldest remaining son, Peter, obtained 
work from the United States Government. This 
was in the year 1847. San Antonio then contained 
about 3,000 inhabitants, mostly Mexicans. The 
marauding Indian was decidedly in evidence in 
those days and it was by no means safe to venture 
outside the city limits without protection. The 
grounds of Fort Sam. Houston were then covered 
with a fine growth of live oaks and the sportsman 
could there take his choice of shooting deer, turkeys 
or Indians. P. D. Bonnet was a miner by trade. 
He engaged in freighting and accumulated some 
property. He owned the property where Turner 
Hall now stands and in his declining years lived on 
the income derived from his rents. He died about 
the year 1886. 

Our subject after many vicissitudes, secured a 
position in the printing office of the San Antonio 
Ledger, learned the printer's trade, and later 
worked in other printing offices in the city. He 
followed this business until 1859, and then went to 
Savannah, Ga., from which place he proceeded to 
Waresboro, Ga., where he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army, April 18, 1861. He was mustered 
into the Twenty-sixth Georgia Infantry and fought 
under Gen. Stonewall Jackson. He was wounded 
in the leg at Cold Harbor, in the side at Antietam, 
and again at Spottsylvania Court House, where he 
suffered the loss of one eye. These wounds were 



all very severe. He participated in all of the 
battles fought by Lee's army, was advanced to the 
rank of Sergeant-Major and served as such until 
final)}', on account of disabilities, he received an 
honorable discharge. He returned to San Antonio 
in 1868, suffering intensely from his wounds. He 
states that he found it " uphill business " to get 
employment, and was virtually ostracised because 
of his having been a " rebel " soldier. He em- 
barked in several enterprises to gain a livelihood, 
but met with such indifferent success, that he 
went to Austin in 1870, but returned to San An- 
tonio to act as tax collector of Bexar County 
under his brother Daniel, who was sheriff in 1872. 
He went to Eagle Pass in 1877, and embarked in 
merchandising on a modest scale, and in due time 
developed a profitable business. Later he opened 
a private bank, which he subsequently merged into 
the Bank of Eagle Pass, with E. L. Walkins as 
partner. In September, 1888, the institution was 
reorganized as the Maverick County Bank with 
a capital of $30,000. As an outgrowth of this 
enterprise the present First National Bank of 
Eagle Pass was organized, with a cash capital of 
$50,000. Mr. Bonnet served as president of the 
latter institution until he resigned the position in 
1895. 

He was elected County Judge of Maverick 
County and served two terms. He has always 
worked and voted with the Democratic party, but 
could not indorse the tariff policy of the Cleve- 
land administration, and has of late years voted 
with the Republicans. Judge Bonnet has been an 
actvve, enterprising and useful citizen. Viewing 
the adverse circumstances under which he came 
to this country, the difficulties that he had to over- 
come as a bo3' and young man, and considering the 
fact that he came out of the war ruined in health 
and pocket, too much credit cannot be given him 
for the prominent position he has attained in the 
professional and business world. As a soldier he 
did his full duty ; as the incumbent of a respon- 
sible office in San Antonio he acquitted himself 
with credit and superior ability ; as a merchant and 
business man he attained prominence and success ; 
as County Judge he was impartial, and served his 
people with fidelity ; and as a citizen he is highl}' 
esteemed. He was born at Scharlottenburg, Ger- 
many, March 23, 1838, and married in Georgia. 
His wife died in 1875 in San Antonio, leaving four 
children. He married again in 1877, wedding, in 
San Antonio, Mrs. Gesell Alejandro, a widow. 



618 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



GUSTAV SCHMIDT, 

BULVERDE. 



One of the well-known pioneers of Comal County, 
was born September 20th, 1839, on a farm in 
Nassay, Germany. His father and mother, Mr. 
and Mrs. Jacob Schmidt, and their children, three 
in number, came to America iu 1845, with a por- 
tion of the Prince Solms' Colony, and located near 
New Braunfels in the latter part of the year and 
engaged in farming. At twenty-one years of age 
Gustav married Miss Caroline Ucker, daughter of 
William Ucker, of New Braunfels. They have nine 
children : William, Emma, Edna, Anna, Gustav, 
Henry, Theresa, Edward, and Otto. 

Mr. Schmidt, subject of this notice, settled 



upon his present farm very near Bulverde in 
1875; but, has however, lived in the moun- 
tain district of Comal County since 1859. 
Mr. Schmidt's sympathies were with the Union 
cause during the war between the States. He 
went to Mexico shortly after the beginning of 
hostilities and remained there until 1863. He then 
went to New Orleans, where he enlisted in the 
Federal army, August 8tli of that year, as a soldier 
in the First Texas Cavalry, with which he served 
until honorably discharged, October 31, 1865. He 
was with Gen. Banks and took part in the battles of 
Brownsville, Sabine Pass and Mobile. 



CHARLES L. McGEHEE, SR., 

SAN MARCOS. 



Mr. McGehee, the subject of this brief memoir, 
is one of the well-known citizens of San Marcos, 
and a son of one of Texas' early pioneers, his 
father also, Charles L. McGehee, having come to 
the State as early as 1836. He was an Alabamian 
and was born at McDavid's Mills in the j'ear 1810. 
He married Miss Sarah Vance Acklin, a member of 
one of the oldest and most noted families of 
Huntsville, Ala. He was an ambitious and 
enterprising man and engaged extensively and 
successfully in the local stone trade, in Alabama 
and adjoining States, accumulating thereby a large 
fortune. He lived in the meantime at Yazoo, on 
the Mississippi river, and also engaged in the 
steamboat business, owning several steamers. 
Besides, he owned and conducted several planta- 
tions. He met with business reverses and, coming 
to Texas, cast his fortunes with those of the Lone 
vStar commonwealth. His first trip was a prelim- 
inary one and he returned East, settled up his 
business and with his family located near Bastrop 
on the east bank of the Colorado river about 1843. 
He possessed great industry and mechanical genius 
and, besides farming, owned and conducted a 
wagon shop. He also traded in stock and lands 
and made a second comfortable fortune. In 1851 



he secured a contract with the State of Texas for 
the construction of a capitol building at Austin 
and entered upon the prosecution of the work. 
He did not live to finish the structure, however, 
and Q. J. Nichols completed the contract. He 
died in 1852. He left two daughters and one son ; 
of these, Mary, married D. A. Wood and located 
in Guadalupe County, and Sarah, married C. H. 
Wood, a brother of D. A. Wood, located in Ha3's 
County and died in 1894. 

Mr. McGehee was a man of strict integrity, a 
consistent member of the Methodist Church in 
later years and left an honorable name and an 
estate valued at about $40,000 as an inheritance to 
his surviving family. 

Charles L. McGehee, the subject of this sketch 
was the only son. He inherited from his father a 
natural love of adventure. He was born in Ala- 
bama, December 21st, 1837, and was brought to 
Texas upon his father's second trip with the family, 
being then about six years of age. He spent his 
childhood and youth, up to about fourteen years of 
age, on the farm in Bastrop County. Farm life 
was, however, too tame for him and, after traveling 
for about a couple of years, he went to San Marcos 
and offered his services to Maj. Ed. Burleson, who 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



619 



was recruitiug a company of Texas rangers for 
operations against the Indians. McGehee being 
only seventeen j'ears of age, Maj. Burleson informed 
him that he was too young, by law, to draw pay. 
Thereupon, McGehee informed him that pay was 
no object and that he owned his own horse and gun 
and wanted to go to the frontier. The Major ad- 
mired the boj''s pluck and enthusiasm and admitted 
him to membership and made special provisions for 
the payment of his salary. He served as a ranger 
about one year, rendezvousing at Hi Smith's camp 
in Gillespie County, making also a raid into Mexico 
with Capt. Callahan. After a campaign of one \'ear, 
Mr. McGehee went to Austin and became inter- 
ested in a farm near that city. In 1858 he mar- 
ried Miss Sarah, a daughter of Joseph Humphreys, 
Esq. She is a native of Texas and was reared in 
Caldwell County, on the San Marcos river. After 
marriage Mr. McGehee pursued farming and spec- 



ulating in cattle, horses and mules and dealt in 
lands. He has become one of the most substantial 
property owners in Hays County. He owns a val- 
uable estate at San Marcos, fronting for a mile and 
a half on the San Marcos river, and a chartered 
water power. He has splendid improvements 
thereon and an excellent irrigating system that he 
is developing. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGehee have five sons : Walter 
A., Hugh W., Charles L., Jr., Miles H., and 
Wade B. 

At the breaking out of the war between the States 
Mr. McGehee enlisted in Col. Wood's regiment at 
San Marcos ; but, having served as a ranger, the 
discipline of the army was not satisfactory and he 
secured a transfer to Capt. Carrington's independ- 
ent company of Texas rangers and served on the 
Mexican frontier in the Rio Grande Valley about 
fourteen months and then returned to his home. 



A. J. HAMILTON, 



AUSTIN. 



The late ex-Governor A. J. Hamilton, of Texas, 
was born in Madison County, Ala., on the 28th of 
January, 1815, and was admitted to the bar of that 
State in 1841. 

In 1846 he emigrated to Texas and located at La 
Grange. In 1849 he was appointed, by Governor 
Bell, Attorney-General of the State, and from that 
time made Austin his permanent home. He served 
as a representative from Travis County in the Leg- 
islature in 1851 and again in 1853. In 1856 he was 
a presidential elector on the Buchanan ticket and in 
1859 was elected to a seat in the United States Con- 
gress, as an independent candidate, in opposition to 
Gen. T. N. Waul, the regular nominee of tiie Demo- 
cratic party. He was a strenuous opponent of the 
policy of secession and retained his seat in Congress 
after the other members from the seceding States 
had returned to their constituencies. He returned 
to Austin in the latter part of 1861 and was made 
the Union candidate for the State Senate, to which 
he was elected, but Texas had now cast her lot with 
the Confederacy and he declined to take the required 
oath of office. 

In 1862, being still opposed to the purposes and 
progress of the war on the part of the South, he left 
the State and, making his way through Mexico, re- 



paired to the city of Washington and was immedi- 
ately appointed Brigadier-General of the Texas 
troops in the Union service. 

In 1865 he was made provisional Governor of 
Texas by President Johnson, as the most suitable 
person he could find in the State to effect his con- 
servative plan of reconstruction. In this position 
he greatly endeared himself to the people of the 
State irrespective of party affiliations. Crushed 
down in the dust of defeat and disfranchised they 
had reason to expect that they would be subjected 
to misgovernment and to such outrages as a knowl- 
edge of history taught them that a conquered people 
might expect. Some remarks contained in a speech 
delivered by Mr. Hamilton on landing in Galveston 
still further intensified their apprehensions, but to 
their surprise and to his lasting honor, beseemed to 
lose sight, upon assuming the duties of the Gover- 
nor's office, of the fact that he had been compelled 
to leave the State for oninion's sake and only to re- 
member that he had sworn to faithfully discharge 
the duties of the trust confided to him and to 
as speedily as possible bring about the complete 
rehabilitation of Texas as a State of the 
American Union. His administration was charac- 
terized by honesty, ability and patriotism, and even 



620 



INDIAN WAIiS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



lliose who found it necessary, on political grounds, 
to differ witli him in nearly every essential particu- 
lar, have united in bearing testimony to his rectitude 
and [jurit}' of purpose and they would be amoug 
the first to resent any effort to cast a stain upon his 
honor as an ofScial or as a private citizen. In 1866 
he was appointed as Associate Justice of the Su- 
preme Court, and was a prominent member of the 
reconstruction convention of 1868 — in which he 
was the author and chief promoter of the Electoral 
Bill and Franchise measures, which were engrafted 
in the new constitution. In 1870 he was the Con- 
servative candidate for Governor, but was defeated 
by p;. J. Davis, the Eepubltcan nominee, in a con- 
test so close as to give excuse for the intervention 
of and decision by the military authorities. Re- 
turning now to the seclusion of private life he 
eschewed any further active participation in the 
political events of the period and, falling into a de- 
cline of health, died in Austin during the month of 
April, 1875. 

Governor Hamilton's decisions as a Judafe 



of tiie Supreme Court, while comparatively few, 
are noted for learning, dignity and force. Chief 
among these is his opinion on ah initio rendered 
in 1868 in the case of Luter v. Hunter, 30 
Texas, 690, and in Culbreath v. Hunter, 30 Texas, 
712, known as the Sequestration cases, in which he 
held that the States composing the Confederacy 
occupied a higher ground than the Confederate 
government, having been in their origin peaceful, 
legitimate and constitutional ; that they continued 
to exist, notwithstanding the war, without a hiatus 
or interregnum, and that the United States govern- 
ment had not interfered with the mere civil laws of 
the States, whether enacted before or during the 
war, except as to such laws as naturally resulted 
from the war, and such as were unconstitutional or 
in hostility to the United States. It would have been 
well indeed if the doctrine enunciated in these cases 
had been accepted by the dominant party; the 
hostility of the heart would have ceased with the 
hostilitj' of the sword. 



SANTIAGO SANCHEZ, 



LAREDO. 



All history is centered in the lives and characters 
and the personal achievements of the people. No 
State in the American Union has furnished the his- 
torian a more prolific field for the employment of 
his pen than the Lone Star State, and the Rio 
Grande Valley has provided him with some of his 
most prominent historical subjects. The venerable 
Don Santiago Sanchez, the subject of this brief 
memoir, is a fine type of the successful Texas-Mex- 
ican pioneer and one of the most prominent and 
wealthy ranchers of Southwestern Texas. He is a 
native of the city of Laredo, where he was reared 
and has lived for over half a century. He was 
born December 31st, 1838, and is a son of Don 
Antonio and Dona Jiiana Mendiola Sanchez. The 
Sanchez name is one of the very oldest in Laredo's 
history. Captain Tomas Sanchez, the founder of 
the city, was also the founder of the family in 
Texas, and was a grandfather of Don Santiago 
Sanchez, our subject. Himself conspicuous in his 
day, his descendants have, several of them, held 
prominent positions of local trust, and have per- 
petuated and held in sacred honor the family name. 



Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in 
Laredo. He early formed those habits of thrift 
and industry that have ever since characterized his 
life and have had so much to do with shaping his 
destiny. He attended the local schools of Laredo, 
and later pursued a course of study in the city of 
Monterey, Mexico, which was, however, interrupted 
by revolutionary movements of a serious character, 
in that country. From that time up to the year 
1863 he was employed in various capacities, and 
by industry and the careful husbanding of his re- 
sources he was enabled to enter business. He 
formed a copartnership with a friend, Don Ese- 
bano Salinas, and they entered merchandising 
in the town of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, the style of 
the firm being Sanchez & Salinas. The venture 
()roved a most successful one, the house became 
widely known, its business covered a broad extent 
of country, and the firm gained an almost unlim- 
ited credit in the great commercial centers of the 
United States and Mexico, and ranked as the lead- 
ing mercantile house in the Rio Grande Valley. 
Sanchez & Salinas continued in business until 1877, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



(•>21 



when Don Estabano died, and the affairs of 
the firm were wound up. Don Santiago then 
turned his attention to stocic-raising on an 
extensive scale. He purchased lands in Ta- 
maulipas and Texas and stocked them with 
cattle and so successful has he been that he now 
leads in that most important industry in the Laredo 
country. His progressive ideas, put into practical 
execution, have gained for him a wide reputation. 
He owns about 200,000 acres of land, a greater por- 
tion of which is in Mexico, and his ranch. La Jarlta 
Sanchez, and Las Crevas are among the largest and 
most modernly equipped in Western Tamaulipas. 
He raises horses, cattle and sheep. He is one of 
the pioneers of the cotton-raising industry of Ta- 
maulipas and was the first to introduce the cotton- 
gin and corn-mill into that State. Don Santiago is 
typically a business man and has never allowed 
politics or any other side issue to divert his attention 
from his calling, his chief ambition having always 
been to attain success in his chosen occupation. 
He did, however, serve for about eleven years as 
Mayor of Laredo, giving to his people an honest and 



successful administration. Don Santiago early 
learned the lesson of personal independence and 
self-reliance. He never received financial aid from 
any source and entered business on capital of his own 
acquisition. He is therefore a self-made man and 
the great success he has attained and the elevated 
position he has acquired in the business world and in 
the estimation of his legion of friends is entirely 
due to his tireless energy and industry, his thrift 
and keen business foresight, his unswerving in- 
tegrity and his honorable business methods. 

He married, September 10th, 1863, Dona Macaria, 
a daughter of Don Juan and Dona Tiburcia (Gon- 
zales) Ramos. Her father was then Collector of 
Customs at the city of Neuvo Laredo, and an influ- 
ential citizen. The issue of this happy union is 
three sons and six daughters. The Sanchez family 
mansion in Laredo is architecturally one of the 
most beautiful and imposing homes in the Rio 
Grande Valley. It is perfect in its appointments 
and exemplifies the fine discrimination and domestic 
tastes of its owner. 



W. A. SHAW, 



CLARKSVILLE. 



Col. W. A. Shaw was born in Green County, 
Ala., the 15th day of April, 1827. His father was 
.Tames Shaw, a native of North Carolina, and 
his mother, nee Miss Carolina Elliot, a native of 
Virginia. After their marriage they moved to 
Tennessee, then to Alabama, from there to Missis- 
sippi, and in 1852 to Kaufman County, Texas, 
where some of their children had preceded them. 
A majority of the others soon followed. The 
father, mother, and three daughters are buried in 
Kaufman County, Texas. One son, killed in 
battle, is buried in Louisiana. The oldest still lives 
in Mississippi. The youngest, Capt. R. B. Shaw, 
a farmer, merchant and stock-raiser, lives at Kemp, 
in Kaufman County, Texas. 

Col. W. A. Shaw received the rudiments of an 
education in the old-field schools in Monroe and 
Chickasaw counties. Miss., prepared for college 
at Aberdeen, Miss., under Prof. Reuben Nason 
and Richard Gladney, and entered the Fresh- 
man class at Dickson College, Carlisle, Penn., 
where he spent the Freshman and Sophomore 



years. About that time a Mr. Kennedy, a citizen 
of Maryland, came to Carlisle to claim a runaway 
slave. The court awarded him his slave, but as 
the master attempted to start home, an abolitionist 
mob rescued the slave and killed the master. One 
of the professors of the college, Rev. I. D. Me- 
Clintock, was charged witli being the instigator of 
the mob. While the college was in the North a 
majority of the students were from the South. The 
students called an indignation meeting to condemn 
the professor for his conduct. Prof. McClintock 
was very popular with the students — such students 
as J. A. C. Creswell, a member of Gen. Grant's 
Cabinet, and Barnes Compton, at present a mem- 
ber of Congress from Maryland, espoused the 
professor's cause and the meeting failed to pass 
the resolutions. But W. A. Shaw and a few other 
students from the far South took an active part 
against the professor and voted to condemn him. 
For this action, the subject of this sketch came to 
the conclusion that the faculty of the college became 
prejudiced against him and he left the institution 



622 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



and entered Princeton College, New Jersey, where 
he spent his Junior and Senior years and gradu- 
ated in the class of 1850. After graduation he 
read law in the office of Lindsay & Copp, at Aber- 
deen, Miss., and was granted license to practice by 
Judge John Watts, of the Fourth Judicial District 
of Mississippi. 

As he returned home from college, he came 
through Washington City and spent ten days there. 
Congress was in session. The agitation of the 
slavery question was at its height owing to the 
recent acquisition of territory from Mexico, as a 
result of the Mexican War. Tlie Nashville con- 
vention had been called. Daniel Webster had just 



Col. Shaw heard Clay read his report and listened 
to the speeches of these giant intellects for ten 
days. He then made up his mind to support the 
compromise and the Union and fought secession 
and disunion in every shape it afterwards assumed. 
The Mississippi Senators, Foote and Jefferson 
Davis, took opposite sides of the question and the 
next year became opposing candidates for Gover- 
nor of Mississippi. Col. Shaw took the stump for 
Foote against Davis. Foote was elected by nine 
hundred and ninety-nine votes, and from that can- 
vass in Mississippi, the first after he returned from 
college, to the last in Texas, Col. Shaw has been 
an active participant in every political contest that 




W. A. SilAW 



delivered his great 7th of March speech and Foote, 
one of the Mississippi Senators, had moved the 
formation of a committee of thirteen to prepare a 
plan for the compromise of ail questions between 
the sections. The committee was composed of 
thirteen of as able and patriotic men as ever lived 
before or since in the United States. Henry Clay, 
who was no longer a party man, was chairman and 
had declared that he knew, " No North, no South, 
uo East, no West" The balance of the committee 
was made up of Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts ; 
Dickerson, of New York ; Phelps, of Vermont ; 
John Hell, of Tennessee ; Cass, of Michigan ; Ber- 
rien, of Georgia ; Cooper, of Pennsylvania ; Downs, 
of Louisiana; King, of Alabama; Mangum, of 
North Carolina ; Mason, of Virginia; and Bright, 
of Indiana. 



has been waged. He was a candidate for electoi- 
on the Filmore ticket in 1856 and also on the Bell 
and Everett ticket in 1860. Col. J. A. Orr was 
his opponent iu 1856 and Dr. Richard Harrison, 
brother of Gen. Tom. Harrison, of Waco, Texas, 
his opponent in 1860. He opposed the secession 
of Mississippi in 1861. He took the position in 
the canvass that disunion would sound the death- 
knell of the institution of slavery ; that, were it 
possible to divide the Union and set up a sep- 
arate Confederacy without the firing of a gun, 
the institution of slavery would die a hundred 
years sooner than it would if the South remained 
in the Union with the protection and guarantees 
of the constitution, and that, were he an aboli- 
tionist and wished to abolish slavery, he would 
advocate disunion as a means to accomplish it. He 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



623 



was a planter on the Mississippi river when the war 
commenced. In 1863 he moved to Texas with his 
family and lived near Chatfield Point, in Navarro 
County, until the close of hostilities. After the 
close of the war, the levees on the Mississippi river 
having been cut and his plantation there being sul)ject 
to the overflows every year, he never returned to 
it, but rented land and became a tenant on Red 
river, in Bowie County, and continued to plant 
there until he bought his landlord's plantation, 
which he now owns. 

He moved his family to Clarksville, Red River 
County, in 1879, wliere he still lives. He was 
elected to the Thirteenth Legislature at the general 
election in 1872, from the district then composed of 
what is now the counties of Red River, Franklin, 
Titus and Morris, and was made chairman of the 
Committee on Enrolled Bills and was a member of the 
Committee on Internal Improvements, Public Lands 
and Counties and County Boundaries, and took an 
active part in all the legislation of the session. He 
favored every measure providing for internal 
improvements presented to the Legislature, favored 
exempting factories from taxation for a term of 
years and advocated a liberal policy toward rail- 
roads and aiding them by the donation of public 
lands. He has never been a candidate for any 
office since, but has been a delegate to every Demo- 
cratic State couvention from 1874 to the Dallas 
convention of 1894, and is still a strong advocate 
of the "dollars of the daddies," and believes with 
Senator Carlisle when he said: " According to my 
view of the subject, the conspiracy which seems to 
have been formed here and in Europe to destroy 



by legislation, and otherwise, from three-sevenths 
to one-half the metallic money of the world, is the 
most gigantic crime of this, or any other age." 

Col. Shaw has been twice married. He first mar- 
ried Miss May Kate Sliannon, of Pontotoc County, 
Miss., in the j'ear 1857, by whom he had five 
children, three of whom died in infancy. His 
eldest son. Dr. Thad Shaw, died in Bowie County. 
The only surviving son of this union, the Hon. Gus 
Shaw, lives at Clarksville, Texas. 

His second marriage was to Mrs. C. A. Fain, 
whose maiden name was Miss Caladone A. Corne- 
lius, in 1867, in Bowie County, Texas, by whom he 
had one son. Dr. R. L. Shaw, who died at DeKalb, 
Texas. Col. Shaw gave all his sons good literary 
and professional educations. 

Col. Shaw belongs to the Methodist Church and 
takes an active interest in its work and welfare. 

He is possessed of an ample income. He and his 
wife have more than a thousand acres of Red river 
land in cultivation, besides some real estate in the 
town of Clarksville, enough to keep the wolf from 
the door. 

He possesses a good library of some 150 or 200 
volumes, consisting of miscellaneous, historical, 
political and religious works, which he puts to good 
use. While Col. Shaw is a Methodist in his religious 
beliefs, and belongs to that Church, one could never 
tell from the collection of religious books in his 
library to what Church he belongs. 

No citizen of Red River County is more generallj* 
and highly esteemed, and he deserves the regard of 
his fellow-citizens, for his life has been full of activ- 
ity and good works. 



E. TOM COX, 



BRUCEVILLE. 



A prominent farmer and stock-raiser in McLennan 
County, was born in Tennessee, October 2, 1829, 
the fourth of ten children born to James and Eliza- 
beth (Green) Cox, natives of North Carolina. 
They went as colonists to Tennessee before mar- 
riage, locating in Carroll County. The father was 
a successful farmer in that State until his death, 
which occurred in 1853. The mother died in 1877, 
aged seventv-nine years. 

E. Tom Cox at the age of eighteen years com- 
menced life for himself. In 1849 he began farm- 



ing in Marshall County, Miss., two years later went 
to Dallas County, Ark., and during the follosving 
two years lived in various places in the southern 
portion of the State, principally engaged in raft- 
ing ; in 1853 traveled with a friend into Texas as 
far west as the Brazos river; then returned to 
Tennessee, but the following 3'ear came to Texas 
and engaged in farming and stock-raising in Bell 
County. In 1861 Mr. Cox located in McLennan 
County, where he purchased several acres of unim- 
proved land and opened a farm. He has added to 



624 



lyDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



this place until he now owns one thousand acres 
under cultivation and a large body of pasture and 
timbered lauds. In the last eighteen years he has 
been engaged in the ginning business, having erected 
the first gin erected in the portion of the country in 
which he lives, in 1867 or 18G8. During the war, 
he was a soldier in Smith's Battalion, stationed at 
Plouston, but participated in no engagement. He 
was elected Lieutenant of the second company 
in Bell County, but was exempted from active duty 
on account of being a cripple After the close of 
hostilities, he found himself worth only about one- 
half of what he was at the beginning of the war 
and immediately resumed farming and stock-raising, 
at which he has since greatly prospered. He was 
appointed the second postmaster at Martensville, 
now Bruceville, the name of the town having been 
changed after the completion of the Mississippi, 
Kansas and Texas Railroad. 

Mr. Cox was married in 1856 to Mrs. Mary C. 



Harris, a daughter of H. H. and Mary J. (Tubb) 
Holcomb. Her first husband died September 1, 
1855, leaving one child, G. B. Harris, now a prac- 
ticing physician, born February 4, 1856. Eleven 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox, viz. : 
R. M. , a railroad agent at Morgan; Bettie G., 
wife of ]j. G. Fields, a merchant at Waco ; George 
F., a physician and merchant at Bruceville ; Mattie 
B., William R., Zella P., Mary T., and five who 
died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Cluirch South. He is a member of Helton 
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
served as Justice of the Peace of his precinct for 
one term and also served as County Commissioner 
for two years. He is a member of the Peoples 
Party. He is an active, progressive and sub- 
stantial farmer and a citizen thoroughly represen- 
tative of the best interests of his section of the 
State. 



ROBERT SNEAD KIMBROUGH. 



MESQUITE. 



Robert S. Kimbrough was born near Madison- 
ville, East Tennessee, September 19, 1851. 

He came to Texas in 1874 and first settled in 
Clay Count}', but eighteen months later moved to 
Mesquite, in Dallas County. Mr. Kimbrough is a 
member of the Baptist Church, and Knights of 
Honor. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Fannie Wesson, at Little Rock, Ark. His wife 
lived only a short time, and in 1878 he married 
Miss Jennie Curtis. In 1881 he established the iV/es- 
qniter, and it wielded a potent influence in local 
and general politics during the four years lie con- 
ducted its columns. 

He was elected to represent Dallas County in the 
Nineteentii Legislature, by 1,111 majority over his 
colleague, and two other opponents. In that body 
he made a good record, and on November 4th, 
1888, was elected to the State Senate (long term) 
from the Sixteenth District. In the latter body he 
was Chairman of the Committee on Roads and 
Bridges. 

Mr. Kimbrough was a member of the sub- 
committee of the Senate Committee on Internal 
Improvements, to which was assigned the duty of 



framing a Railroad Commission Bill. He intro- 
duced, among others, a bill to amend the law as to 
attachment and garnishment, so as to allow any, or 
all, creditors to intervene in attachment suits, 
prove their claims, and get a pro rata share of the 
assets of debtors. He is a clear reasoner, a good 
speaker, and was one of the ablest men in the 
Senate. He took an active part in the canvass 
against the constitutional prohibition in 1887 ; and 
in 1890 was one of the leaders in the fight for the 
nomination of James S. Hogg, by the Democratic 
party, for Governor, and the adoption of the 
amendment to the constitution that provides for a 
State Railroad Commisson. Senator Kimbrough 
was the author of the " dirt road " amendment to 
the constitution, which was adopted by the people 
at the general election in 1890. He made a strong 
fight in the Senate against State uniformity of 
text-books, holding that State uniformity was im- 
practicable, and a species of governmental tyranny 
that should not be tolerated in any country where 
the doctrine of local self-government prevails. 

Mr. Kimbrough is a Democrat true and tried and 
has done loyal service. 



INDIAN WAH^ AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



625 



THOMAS J. OLIVER, 



DALLAS. 



Thomas J. Oliver was bora in Haidemnn County, 
Tenn., September 15. 1834. 

His parents were Roderick and Temperance 
' (Darley) Oliver, the former a native of North Car- 
olina and the latter of Kentucky. They came to 
Texas in 1846 with their family, consisting of eight 
children (four boys and four girls), and located in 
Limestone County, where they thereafter resided. 
The mother died in 1853, and the father in 1857, 
and are buried at Fairfield, Texas. The children 
were: Narcissa, Ellen, Rosina, .John E., F. C, W. 
W. and T. J., all of whom are deceased except 
Ellen, widow of M. M. Miller, of Limestone County ; 
Narcissa, widow of M. Stroud, of HiUsboro ; F. C, 
engaged in the hardware business at Groesbeck, 
and Thomas J., the subject of this brief sketch. 

Mr. Roderick Oliver opened the first farm in what 
is now Freestone County, Texas, and put in a cot- 
ton gin there in 1847. The Indians at that time 
and for years subsequent thereto committed numer- 
ous minor depredations, but the settlers had no 
serious trouble with them. 

Thomas J. Oliver had but limited educational 
advantages, was reared on his father's farm until 
twenty years of age ; clerked in his brother's store 
for ayear ; worked in the district land office as a clerk 
under Jesse J. Cunningham, until 1856, and was 
then elected and served as Surveyor of the Robert- 
son land district for two years, after whicli he and 
his brothers, John E. and W. W., engaged in mer- 
chandise and stock-raising until the beginning of 
the war between the States, and then entered the 
Confederate army. He took twenty-nine men to 
Milligan to organize them into a company, but they 
became dissatisfied and went on to Houston and 
enlisted in Terry's Texas rangers. He did not 
enlist, but accompanied Company C. of that regi- 
ment, as a volunteer. After the battle of Fort 
Donaldson he was detailed by Gen. Johnston to 
return to Texas and make arrangements for cloth- 
ing and arms for certain Texas troops who had 
escaped from Fort Donaldson and some of whom 
were in the hospital. He remained in Texas about 
two weeks and returned to the army just in time 
to participate in the battle of Shiloh. Among 
many other battles, he took part in those of 
Chickamaugua, Dalton and on to Atlanta. After 
Hood assumed command, he was detailed as 
one of the scouts under Capt. Shannon. The 



Shannon scouts were to report at heail-fjuar- 
ters every day. After the fall of Atlanta, Gen. 
Hood wheeled down toward Newman, and Shan- 
non was ordered to Stone Mountain on the left 
wing of the Federal army to report the movements 
of the enemy in that direction, got lost, hovered 
.around Sherman's forces until after the Federal 
army reached Savannah and then rejoined the Con- 
federate army and reported to Gen. Wheeler, who 
had assumed command. The Shannon scouts 
continued activel}' employed until the final sur- 
render. 

Mr. Oliver had three horses shot from under him 
and many perilous adventures and narrow escapes, 
but was never captured or wounded. 

His brother, W. W., died in February, 1865, 
shortly before the close of the war. T. J. Oliver 
reached home July 22, 1865 ; engaged in merchan- 
dising and stock-raising and the land business with 
his brother, John E., at Springfield, and in Septem- 
ber of that year was married to Miss Alice Peeples, 
daughter of R. D. Peeples, of Limestone County. 
They have six children, viz. : Mattie, widow of the 
late J. W. Webb, of Dallas; Lila, Kate, Emily, 
Dick and Fannie. The brothers moved their busi- 
ness to Weatherford in 1870. The following year 
John E. died in that place and the survivor sold out 
the stock and returned to Springfield in 1872, 
and shortly thereafter established a private bank 
in Mexia, in copartnership with a Mr. Griggs, 
under the firm name of Oliver & Griggs, and 
built up a prosperous business, w'hich they sold in 
1883 to Prendergast & Smith, and moving to Dallas 
purchased a private banking business at that place, 
which they conducted until 1887, and then merged 
into the Fourth National Bank, organized by them- 
selves and others with a capital of $200,000. Mr. 
Griggs was elected president but died in November 
of that year, and Mr. Oliver was elected to and 
filled the position for one year. Thereafter, while 
he remained a large stockholder, he did not devote 
much attention to the institution until 1890, when 
he was elected its cashier, an office that he filled 
until 1891. In 1892 he took charge of another 
national bank as president, but found its affairs in 
bad condition and i-esigned in October. 

Mr. Oliver is one of the leading and most pro- 
gressive men in the section of the State in whici 

resides. 



620 



ISVI^LX WAli8 AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN W. CRANFORD, 



SULPHUR SPRINGS. 



John W. Cranford, president pco tempore of the 
Senate of the Twenty-second Legishiture, and 
chairman of the Committee on Finance in that 
l)ody, although theij scarcely more than thirty-one 
years of age, ranked as one of the most popular 
speakers and influential memljers of the Senate. In 
1888 he was nominated and elected by the Democ- 
racy of the Fifth District (composed of the counties 
of Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, Franklin and Camp) to 
serve in the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Legis- 
latures. In the Twenty-first Legislature he was 
chairman of the Senate Committees on State Affairs 
and Engrossed Bills. 

This year he was nominated for election to 
the House of Representatives of the United States 
Congress by the Democracy of the District so long 
represented by Hon. D. B. Culberson, and will be 
elected, no doubt, by one of the largest majorities 
ever given a candidate in that district. 

In 18G5 he came from Alabama to Texas with his 
father, who settled in Hopkins County, and soon 
thereafter died, leaving him, at a tender age, an 
orphan. Early compelled to encounter the stern 
realities of life, he bent himself to the task of 
preparation for future usefulness, with a hopeful 
and courageous heart, and did well whatever iiis 
hands could find to do. As a consequence he had, 
in due time, both work and friends, and out of his 
earnings succeeded in securing a thorough classical 
education. An opportunity offering for him to 



study law, he left school before completing the 
regular curriculum of the graduating class, obtained 
license, opened a law office in Sulphur Springs 
(where he still lives), and by devotion to his pro- 
fession and a determination to fight to the front, 
has succeeded in building up a fine law practice. 
He is considered a tower of Democratic strength in 
North Texas. He gratefully attributes his success 
in life to his noble and accomplished wife, nee Miss 
Medora Ury, of Sulphur Springs, to whom he was 
married in 1880. 

In the Twenty-second Legislature he resigned the 
chairmanship of the Committee on Finance to accept 
the chairmanship of the Committee on Apportion- 
ment. He took a prominent part in the debates on 
the Railway Commission Bill, and other important 
measures, and added new and brighter laurels to 
his fame. He favored uniformity of text-books, 
and in a speech strongly advocated the use of 
Southern histories in the public schools of Texas. 
He received requests from all over the country for 
copies of his speech. Mr. Cranford was one of the 
foremost members of that galaxy of talent that 
adorned the Senate of the Twenty-second Legis- 
lature, and in the broader field upon which he is 
about to enter will no doubt soon take rank among 
the foremost of his colleagues. 

In 1896 he received the nomination for Congress 
and was elected by a large majority over his oppo- 
nent. 



JAMES W. SWAYNE, 



FORT WORTH. 



James W. Swayne was born at Lexington, Tenn., 
•October 6th, 1855. His mother's maiden name was 
Miss Amanda J. Henrj*. His father, James W. 
Swayne, was an eminent lawj'er and amassed a fine 
fortune during his years of practice at Lexington 
and Jackson, Tenn. He died at the latter place in 
1856, and Mrs. Swayne moved back to Lexington 
with her family, where she died the following year. 
' The sul)ject of this biography was educated at the 



Kentucky Military Institute, and, in 1877, also 
graduated at the Lebanon (Tenn.) Law School, 
and was admitted to the bar. He returned to Lex- 
ington, Tenn., and had a settlement with his 
guardian. That gentleman, before the war and 
during the early part of the struggle, loaned large 
sums of money belonging to the estate, was com- 
pelled to receive pa3'ment in Confederate money, 
and little was left of the fortune bequeathed by Mr. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



627 



Swayne's parents to their children. Although the 
share secured by Mr. Swayne proved barely ade- 
quate to pay the expenses incurred in securing an 
education, he refused to hold his guardian respon- 
sible for the losses sustained, and in January, 1878, 
went to Fort Worth, Texas, where he located, and 
commenced, without a dollar, the practice of his 
profession. 

He was elected City Attorney of Fort Worth, and 
served during the years 1883, 1884 and 1885, and 
in 1890 was elected to the Twenty-second Legisla- 
ture from the Thirtj'-fourth Representative District, 
Tarrant County. He conceived the idea of build- 
ing a magnificent natatorium in Fort Worth, and 
owing to his efforts one was constructed, at a cost 
of $100,000, that is an ornament to the city and a 
credit to the State. He subscribed liberally in dona- 
tions to every railroad secured by Fort Worth, gave 
large amounts to and took stock in every valuable 
enterprise for years until financial reverses that no 
foresight could guard against befell him during the 
commercial panic of a few years since. 

Thirteen years ago Mr. Swayne landed in this 
State without a dollar, and with no hope of financial 
assistance. He determined to push his way to the 
front, and with a buoyant, hopeful spirit at once 
started about the work of making his life honored 
and successful. He is engaged in practice with his 
cousin, ex-Congressman John M. Taylor, of Ten- 
nessee, under tiie firm name of Taylor & Swayne. 

Mr. Swayne was married to Miss Josie B. 
Latham, at Terrell, Texas, October 6th, 1887. 
Richard Philip Latham, her father, was an A. M. 
of the University of Virginia, and president of the 
Tuscaloosa College until the beginning of the war, 
and then entered the Confederate army as a member 
of a civil engineering corps. He remained in this 
service until his death, occasioned by pneumonia, 
brought on by exposure. Her grandfather. Rev. 



Joel S. Bacon, was president of Madison College, 
New York, and afterward, up to the time of his 
death, president of the Columbian College, Wash- 
ington City. Mrs. Swayne was a student at Vassar, 
and afterwards graduated with honor at the Uni- 
versity of Missouri. Governor Crittenden witnessed 
the commencement exercises, and Professor Fisher 
introduced her to him, saying that Miss Josie 
Latham was the best Latin scholar who ever gradu- 
ated from the University of Missouri — a high and 
well deserved compliment. She is one of the most 
accomplished ladies of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. 
Swayne have one child, a daughter, Ida Lloyd 
Swayne. Judge Noah H. Swayne, for years one of 
the judges of the United States Supreme Court, was 
an uncle of Mr. Swayne and Wagner Swayne (a 
member of the law firm of Dillon & Swayne, long 
chief solicitors for .Lay Gould in his corporation 
properties) is a cousin. 

Mr. Swayne is a Master Mason, Past Chancellor 
of the Knights of Pythias, and a thorough-going 
Democrat ; one of the men to whose efforts is due 
Tarrant County's freedom from "dark lantern" 
rule. 

In 1888 Isaac Duke Parker was nominated and 
elected to the Twenty-first Legislature on the Demo- 
cratic ticket. In 1890 we find Mr. Parker running 
on the Independent ticket (put forward by a branch 
of the Farmers' Alliance) against the regular Dem- 
ocratic nominee, Mr. James W. Swayne, who defeated 
him in Tarrant County by a majority of 3,000 votes. 
In the prime of vigorous manhood, what Mr. Swayne 
has already accomplished has but tested his mettle 
and well breathed him for life's race, and no man 
can tell what goals he will touch before the coming 
of Nature's distant bed-time. He is one of the men 
whom difficulties can not discourage and who make 
their way to and maintain themselves at the 
front. 



P. L. DOWNS, 

TEMPLE. 



The name of P. L. Downs is closelj' associated 
with the history of the founding and growth of 
Temple. He located there soon after the establish- 
ment of the town ; but, not being able to get a 
building erected earlier, it was in February, 1882, 
when he and his brother, F. F. Downs, opened the 



first bank in the then straggling village. The bank 
was known as the " Bell County Bank " — Downs 
Bros., proprietors. In connection with banking 
they also conducted an insurance, real estate, loan 
and rental business, and when, in 1884, the bank 
was nationalized, P. L. Downs personally assumed 



628 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the management of the insiuance, real estate, loan 
and rental departments and operated tbe "Down 
Bros. Agency," which he conducted for a number 
of years and placed in the front rank of similar 
institutions in the State. He had not, however, 
surrendered his financial interests, or ceased his 
active connection with the bank as a stockholder 
and director, so when, several years later, the bank 
demanded his services, he surrendered the active 
charge of tlie insurance, real estate, loan and rental 
business to others, to take the eashiership of the 
First National Bank, which position he continues to 
fill with ability, and with credit and profit to the 
institution. 

The Church finds in him a liberal contributor and 
staunch friend. As trustee, steward and com- 
mitteeman, and in other positions, lie has been an 
earnest, religious worker. 

While quite prominent in the Grand Lodges of 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of 
Honor, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 
and other fraternal societies, in the Knights of 
Pythias, especially, he has always been a leading 
spirit. 

In addition to enjoying all the honors the local 
lodge could bestow, he has for five successive years 
been Grand Master of the Exchequer of the Grand 
Lodge, then served a term as Grand Vice-Chancel - 
lor, then as Grand Chancellor. He is now (1896) 
Past Grand Chancellor, and a regular attendant 
upon the biennial sessions of the Supreme Lodge. 
He also bears a commission as Colonel of the Uni- 
form Rank K. of P. His administration of these 
offices marked an epoch in the history of Pythian- 
ism in Texas and the growth of the order, and the 



reforms and new ideas promulgated have given him 
a position as a Knight that will live as long as the 
order survives in Texas. 

The local fire department, as well as the State 
Firemen's Association, owes much to his gener- 
osity and services. 

As a member, officer or director of the Texas 
Life Insurance Company, Texas Real Estate Asso- 
ciation, Texas Bankers' Association, Texas Fire 
Underwriters' Association, and as a member of 
many other State organizations, he has ever been a 
strong supporter of home enterprises and local 
development. As an Alumnus of the State A. & M. 
College, he has been an industrious advocate of 
home education. He has at all times been one of 
Temple's most valuable citizens and a prime mover 
in legitimate enterprises looking to the advance- 
ment of the town's interests — a tireless and enthu- 
siastic worker. It is a well-known fact that this 
young man of affairs is one of the busiest men in 
the town, and contributes more of his time and 
abilities to the public weal and to the many insti- 
tutions and enterprises with which he is associated, 
than any other citizen of the place. He is a leading 
stockholder, director, or officer, in neai'ly every 
corporation or worthy enterprise in the cit}'. Every 
enterprise ever inaugurated in Temple that has 
promised benefit to the town has received his sup- 
port. But, while he has occupied such an impor- 
tant place in the business progress of Temple, he 
has no less won for himself an enviable position in 
the estimation of the people of the State, as he has 
l)een identified with a number of movements look- 
ing toward the development of its resources and its 
upbuilding in various ways. 



L. H. PARRISH, 



CALVERT. 



The Biazos Valley enjoys an almost world-wide 
reputation for the fertility of its soil and the extent 
and variety of its agricultural resources. The 
town of Calvert, county seat of Robertson County, 
is centrally located in this favored region, and by 
virtue of its fortunate situation and tbe entei'prise 
and push of its leading business men has become 
one of tlie most prosperous inland towns in the 
State. There are few of its citizens, if any, who 
have done more for its upbuilding than L. H. Par- 



ish, the subject of this brief memoir. He was 
scarcely eight years of age when his parents lo- 
cated in Texas, and his life has since been spent 
here. He is a native of Tennessee, born near the 
town of Dresden, in Weekly County, that State, 
October 27, 1846. 

His father, Isham Parish, was a North Carolin- 
ian, born near the city of Raleigh, and a farmer by 
occupation, who removed to and located in Weekly 
County, Tenn., where he followed farming until 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



629 



1854, wlien Le moved with his family to Texas, and 
located six miles east of Calvert, in Robertson 
County. Mr. Isham Harris brought with him a 
family of seven children, to whom four others were 
afterward added. He vyas a man of the old-school 
type, plain and conservative. He was a successful 
farmer, an upright and highly esteemed citizen, 
and one of the founders and chief supporters of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in his locality. He 
relinquished the cares of business and spent the 
later years of his life in comparative retirement in 
Calvert. He died full of years and good works at 
his home in that place, in 1887, at sixty-eight 
years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Frances Baxter, also a native of North Carolina, 
died a year later (in 1888), at sixty-five years of 
age. Of the eleven children born to them eight 
are now living, of whom L. H. Parish is the oldest. 
Few men in Texas have lived a more active, frugal 
and industriou-s life than L. H. Parish. In boy- 
hood, as the oldest son of a pioneer farmer, he 
learned some of the valuable and practical lessons 
of life. He was a beardless youth of fifteen years 
at the beginning of the late war between 
the States, but was among the first who 
responded to his country's call. He joined 
the Confederate army as a private in the Second 
Texas Infantry, Company E. , and was elected Ser- 
geant. His regiment was called to the front and 
engaged in some of the hardest fought battles of 
the war, notably the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, 
Chickasaw Bayou and hundreds of other minor 
engagements and skirmishes incident to a four 
years' service. He was at the long and fearful 
siege of Vicksburg, where his division of the Con- 
federate army was disbanded. During his four 
years of continuous service he received only a few 



slight wounds and between the ages of eighteen and 
nineteen years he returned to Texas, still full of 
energy, courage and hope for the future and in the 
enjoyment of comparatively good health. He 
located at Marshall, in Harrison County, there 
engaged for five years in farming and then, in 1873, 
returned to Robertson County. 

Since 1882 he has been the senior partner in the 
well-known firm of Parish & Proctor, doing an 
extensive and successful merchandising and cotton- 
shipping business at Calvert. During Mr. Parish's 
continuous twenty-four years business connection 
at Calvert he has identified himself with every 
movement tending to the development and advance- 
ment of the city and county, giving liberally of his 
time and means. 

He is a stockholder and director in the Calvert 
Compress Company, President of the Farmers' 
Cotton Company, and a stockholder in the First 
National Bank of Calvert. Essentialh' a business 
man, he has never talien an aggressive intesest or 
part in politics. Once, somewhat contrary to his 
wishes and tastes, he consented to serve a term 
as a member of the Board of Aldermen of his 
town. 

Mr. Parish married, January 23, 1871, Miss 
Mattie Wilder, daughter of Judge Wilder, of Rich- 
mond, Ark. They have one son, S. W. Parish, 
born at Marshall, Texas, in 1872, and now a mem- 
ber of the firm of Parish & Proctor and also the 
owner of one of the best appointed thoroughbred 
Jersey ranches and dairies .in Central Texas, sit- 
uated one mile east of Calvert. 

Mr. Parish, as his father was before him, is a 
man of quiet and unobtrusive manners and enjoj'S 
the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of 
friends, acquaintances and business associates. 



CHARLES M. ROSSER, M. D. 



TERRELL. 



Dr. Charles M. Rosser, of Terrell, Texas, was 
born in Randolph CountJ^ Ga. , December 22, 1862. 
His parents were Dr. M. F. and Mrs. Julia A. 
(Smith) Rosser. His mother is a sister of Senator 
Hampton A. Smith, of Valdoster, Ga. His father 
was, in early life, a practicing physician, but later 
devoted his time and energies to the ministry of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, doing active work 



in this field in Georgia and Texas for forty years, 
about ten years of this time serving as President of 
the Northeast Texas Conference. During the war 
he was Chaplain-Captain of the Georgia Fort3'-flrst 
Infantry for four years. He was taken prisoner at 
Vicksburg, but was subsequently exchanged. He 
is now, as he has been for twenty-seven years, an 
honored resident of Camp County, Texas. He is 



630 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fifty-nine and bis wife fifty-eight years of age. 
Of their eight children, the subject of this notice 
was the fifth born. Four others are still living. 

Dr. Charles M. Rosser received a liberal educa- 
tion under that distinguished educator, Maj. John 
M. Richardson, rector of the East Texas Academic 
Institute. For several years he was engaged in 
teaching school, and at the same time studied med- 
icine under the direction of Dr. E. P. Becton, now 
Superintendent of the State Institution of the Blind 
at Austin. He attended the medical college at 
Louisville, Ky., first in 1884-85 and graduated 
there in 1888, at which time he was awarded Whit- 
sett Gold Medal by the faculty. Previous to his 
graduation he was engaged in practice for three 
years at Lone Oak, in Hunt County, and at Waxa- 
hachie, Texas. He went to Dallas in March, 1889, 
and has since been identified with the medical pro- 
fession in that city. The first year of his residence 
at Dallas he was editor of the Courier Record of 
Medicine at Dallas, and the third year served as 



health officer of the city. He is a member of the 
Dallas County Medical Association, the Northern 
Texas Medical Association, the Central Texas 
Medical Association, and the Texas State Medical 
Association. As a member of the latter, he was 
elected secretary of the section of practice in 1891, 
and chairman of the section of State medicine in 
1892. Dr. Rosser married, September 11, 1889, 
Miss Elma Curtice, daughter of Mr. John Curtice, 
of Louisville, Ky. They have two children, 
Curtice and Elma. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Elpiscopal Church South. 
He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias 
fraternity. Politically, he has always been an 
active Democrat. He was appointed, by Governor 
C. A. Culberson, Superintendent of the State 
Asylum for the Insane, located at Terrell, a grace- 
ful recognition of his abilities and services as a 
physician, appreciated by himself and by his wide 
circle of friends in the learned profession of which 
he is a member. 



H. M. HITCHCOCK. 



GALVESTON. 



Capt. S. M. Hitchcock first came to the island 
with his father, Capt. S. M. Hitchcock, who com- 
manded the brig " Potomac," in the year 1828, when 
there was nothing on the island except an old 
barge wliich was used as a Mexican custom-house. 
He and his father had to move their tent out to the 
sand hills to procure fresh water by digging. 

He returned North with his father in that year 
and fitted out the schooner " Brutus "for the Texas 
navy, returned with her to Galveston and remained 
on her as an officer until 1837, when he resigned 
from the navy, went to Connecticut, where he was 
married to Miss E. Clifford, and then returned to 
the island, where he followed the profession of a 
pilot on Galveston bar until the time of his death, 
which occurred on the 28th of February, 18G9. He 



was the first American custom-house officer at Gal- 
veston, served as Harbor Master at various times, 
and more than once was elected Mayor of Gal- 
vestou. Besides following liis calling as a sea 
pilot and connection witli other business enter- 
prises during his long residence on the island, he 
owned stock in a number of the banking and insur- 
ance companies of the city and the Brazos Naviga- 
tion Company. 

He was the father of four children, two boys and 
two girls, of whom the only one now living is L. M. 
Hitchcock, a prominent business man and highly 
respected citizen of Galveston. This gentleman 
still owns the old home, where his father and 
mother spent so many pleasant hours together, and 
around which clusters so many sacred memories. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



G31 



M. LASKER, 

GALVESTON. 



Morris Lasker was born February 19tli, 1840, at 
a small town called Jarocin, Province of Posen, in 
Prussia. His parents were Daniel and Rebecca 
Lasker, both of whom died in their native country. 
Morris Lasker was eighteen months old at the time 
of his mother's death and lost his father during the 
cholera epidemic of 1852. He attended school 
until he was fifteen years old and at the age of six- 
teen emigrated to America on a sailing vessel bound 
for New York. The ship, after encountering storms 
and adverse winds, arrived at Fortress Monroe, 
Va., thirteen weeks after she left Hamburg, having 
been compelled to enter that port to obtain sup- 
plies, after her commissary was entirely completed. 
After disembarking he secured employment as a 
clerk in a store at Portsmouth, Va.. where he re- 
mained four months, then went from that place to 
New York. He earned a livelihood there as best he 
could up to 1857. In the financial panic of that 
year all of his little earnings were swept away. He 
was then induced by a distant relative, whom he 
met, to go to Florida and, after living a few months 
in Florida, he went to Georgia, whei'e he carried on 
a mercantile business for three years. Not meeting 
with any extraordinary success and learning of the 
possibilities offered in Texas, he concluded to come 
to this State and arrived at Weatherford in the early 
part of 18fiO. At that time Weatherford was an 
extreme frontier town furnishing ample opportuni- 
ties for adventure, and there he engaged as a clerk 
in a dry goods store and participated in various 
expeditions against the Indians. He cast his first 
vote at Weatherford, against secession; but, after 
the State was carried for secession, joined a com- 
pany of rangers raised by Capt. Hamner to serve 
in Col. John G. Ford's regiment, which, with 
others, was raised under orders of the secession 
convention. These regiments first entered into the 
State service for frontier protection, but were soon 
mustered into the Confederate army at San Antonio. 
He participated in the battles which resulted in the 
recapture of Galveston and Sabine Pass from the 
Federals and in the breaking up of the blockade at 
both of these ports. 

He also participated under Gen. Majors in the 
subsequent engagements in which his regiment took 



part during the campaign iu Louisiana that resulted 
in the defeat of Banks' army. 

At the close of the war he embarked in 
mercantile pursuits, comparatively penniless, 
at Millican, where he later formed a busi- 
ness connection with Sanger Bros., who are 
now carrying on dry goods business at Dallas 
and Waco. When the Central Road was extending 
towards Dallas he entered business at Bryan and 
subsequently at Calvert, where he remained several 
years, doing a fairlj^ successful business. He was 
then taken in as a partner by the wholesale grocery 
firm of Marx & Kempner, at Galveston, which firm 
he remained with but one year, entering in July, 
1873, into business with Louis Le Gierse, under the 
firm name of Le Gierse & Co., a firm which for 
years, and until the winding up of the business, 
carried on one of the most successful grocery busi- 
nesses in the city of Galveston and in the State. At 
the present time Mr. Lasker is president of the 
Island City Savings Bank, vice-president of the 
First National Bank, president of the Lasker Real 
Estate Association, president of the Galveston and 
Houston Investment Company, and president of 
the Citizens' Loan Company. In 1876 he married 
Miss Nettie Davis, from Albany, N. Y., who came 
to Galveston, on a visit to her uncles, the Messrs. 
Heidenheimer. The marriage resulted in the birth 
of seven children, six of whom are living now, to 
wit: Edward, aged nineteen; Albert, sixteen; 
Harry, fourteen ; Fiorina, twelve ; Etta, eleven ; and 
Loula, nine. 

Mr. Lasker was elected to fill an unexpired term 
in the State Senate in 1895. He introduced and 
pushed through the Senate the bills regulating fish 
and oyster culture in this State, and also the bill 
known as the Drainage Bill. He was one of the 
chief supporters of Governor Culberson in the extra 
session called by him to suppress prize-fighting. 
He ranks as one of the leading and representative 
citizens of Galveston, and is considered one of the 
most thorough and successful financiers in the 
South. He has always believed in the future of 
Galveston, and few have done as much toward the 
upbuilding of that important port and Texa- i 
larsre. 



632 



JNDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



MATTHEW CARTWRIGHT, 



SAN AUGUSTINE. 



It is a source of real pleasure to tlie author to 
preserve iu this volume, containing as it does so 
many memorials of honored Texians who have 
passed awaj% his estimate of the services and worth 
of Matthew Cartwright, whose memory is revered 
by thousands of the older people of the Stale who 
knew and esteemed him. Texas never had a more 
upright or useful citizen. 

He was born in Wilson County, Tenn., Novem- 
ber 11th, 1807, and removed to Texas with his 
parents in 1825. They settled on a farm four miles 
east of the present site of San Augustine, and there 
he grew to manhood and engaged in farming and 
merchandising until 1833 or 1834. 

In 1835 Col. Isaac Holman, with his family, 
moved from Lincoln Count}', Tenn., and settled 
three miles northwest of San Augustine. His fam- 
11}^ consisted of himself, his wife, five sons, and five 
daughters. During the year Matthew Cartwright 
became a frequent visitor at the Holman home and 
on the 18th daj' of October, 1836, he and Miss 
Amanda Holman were united in marriage and 
settled iu San Augustine. She was a faithful help- 
meet and assistant in building up their fortunes 
and in raising an intelligent family, all of whom 
(except A. P. Cartwright, who died in 1873) are 
still living and are useful and respected citizens of 
Texas. 

After his marriage, Mr. Cartwright embarked in 
merchandising at San Augustine in copartnershij) 
with liis father, later bought his father's interest 
and thereafter conducted the business in his own 
name until about the year 1847, meeting with 
marked success and accumulating large property. 
From 1847 to 1860 he was activelj' engaged in 
locating and dealing in Texas lands, riding horse- 
back through the State, looking out good locations, 
and selling in small tracts to actual settlers on most 
favorable terms — frequently granting extensions 
covering a score of years to enable purchasers to 
secure their homes, and iu many instances of death 
before completion of payment would make title to 
widow or children without further consideration. 
Thus he assisted iu building up man}' happy homes 
and in settling the country with worthy and pros- 
perous people, a man's character for industry and 
integrity having great weight with him in control- 
ling sales. 

In the fall of 1865 he once more engaged iu mer- 



chandising, taking into the business his sons, A. P. 
and Leonidas Cartwright, in order to afford them 
business training. His landed interests in about 
three years began to demand all of his attention, 
but the mercantile business was continued Ijy his 
sons until 1870. April 2d of that year his long 
and useful career was closed in death. Besides his 
man}' friends, he left his wife, four sons and two 
daughters to mourn his loss. 

Mrs. Amanda Cartwright survived her husband 
twenty-four years, dying at San Augusline in her 
seventy-seventh year. After the death of her 
husband she resided at the old family homestead, 
with her son, Leonidas, who acted as her business 
manager until the time of her death. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cartwright were beloved by all who knew 
them and numbered among their friends all of the 
old settlers in San Augustine and adjoining coun- 
ties. Columbus Cartwright, the eldest son, was 
born in San Augustine August 23, 1837, and still 
resides at the old home. He is engaged in the 
real estate business, is a very worthy and highly 
respected citizen, and is beloved by those among 
whom he has so long resided. 

A. P. Cartwright, the second son, born March 
27, 1840, was a merchant and dealer in real estate 
and a fine business man, but was cut short in his 
career by the fatal disease, black jaundice, August 
11, 1873, at the age of thirty-three years. He was 
one of nature's noblemen, honored by all who 
knew him, and his death cast a gloom over the 
town in which he lived. 

Leonidas, Cartwright, the third son, born No- 
vember 27, 1842, at San Augustine, was engaged 
in the mercantile business with his father and 
brother, A. P. Cartwirght, from 1865 to 
1869, but in 1870 devoted himself to farming, his 
health having become impaired under confinement 
in the store. After the death of his father, he 
became business manager for his mother in con- 
nection with the management of his own real estate 
interests and resided at San Augustine until 1895, 
when, in April of that year, he removed to Terrell, 
Texas, where he has since continued in the real 
estate business and is interested to some extent 
in live stock, raising fine horses and cattle. 

Columbus, A. P., and Leonidas Cartwright were 
all in the Confederate army, the former in the 
Trans-Mississippi Department under Gen. E. Kirby 




MATIUKW CAKTWRIGHT. 




MRS. MATTHEW CARTWRIGHT. 



INDIAN WAliii AND lUONEERS OF TEXAS. 



033 



Smith. A. v. Cartwrigbt served in the Missouri 
campaign under ;Gens. Ben McCuiloch and Ster- 
ling Price — in 1861 and 1862, until after the battle 
of Elk Horn, when the Third Texas Cavalry was 
transferred to Mississippi. He was First Lieuten- 
ant ofJCompany E., in that regiment, but resigned 
in the spring of 1862 and served during the re- 
mainder of the war in Louisiana and Texas in Gen. 
Major's Brigade. Leonidas Cartwright was a 
member of Company E.,Tiiird Texas Cavalry, and 
served through the war with it, first under Gens. 
McCuiloch and Price in Missouri and afterwards in 
Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia under the 
several commanders who succeeded Gen. A. S. 
Johnson in command of the army of Tennessee, viz. : 
Beauregard, Bragg, Joseph E. Johnson, and Hood. 
Matthew Cartwright, their fourth and youngest 
son, born August 11, 1855, resides at Terrell, 
Texas, where he is engaged in the real estate and 
live stock business, is president of the FirstNational 
Bank, and is Maj'or of the cit}'. He has lived in 
Terrell since 1875 and is highly respected (in fact 
is beloved by all who know him), being of that 
generous and warm-hearted nature that wins the 
affections of those who come in contact with him in 
a social or business way. He has been very suc- 
cessful in business, and for^^earshas worked asfew 
citizens of that place have worked in the upbuild- 
ing of the best interests of Terrell. 



Mrs. Anna W. Roberts, a daughter of Mr- 
Matthew and Mrs. Amanda Cartwright, was born 
April Otli, 1844, and resided at San Augustine until 
1888, wlien she moved to Terrell, Texas, after the 
death of her late husband, B. T. Roberts, by whom 
she had seven children, all living and three of them 
grown to man's estate, active business men and 
useful citizens of Terrell. She is one of those 
lovable women who live to do good and to train 
and teach the members of their families to be 
ambitious, to excel in the faithful discharge of the 
duties of citizenship. 

Mrs. Mary C. Ingram, the second daughter, wife 
of Capt. J. M. Ingram, now resides at Sexton, 
Sabine County, Texas, on Capt. Ingram's father's 
old homestead, but is building a residence at Ter- 
rell, intending to make that place their future 
home. She was born October 18, 1845, at San 
Augustine. After her marriage she resided near 
Opelousas, La., until 1870, when they removed to 
San Augustine and thence from -which place thej' 
moved in 1873 to their present home. She will be 
missed in her old home where, by her noble Chris- 
tian example, she has won the affections of her 
neighbors, and will leave many warm friends to 
regret that she saw fit to leave them. But, too, 
warm hearts will give her and hers a hearty welcome 
to Terrell. 



W. M. C. HILL, 



DALLAS. 



W. M. C. Hill, the etHcient postmaster at Dallas 
and also a prosperous and progressive farmer and 
stock-raiser in Dallas County, was born in Franklin, 
Simpson County, Ky., April 5lh, 1846, the sixth 
of a family of ten children born to Isaac and 
Pauline (Carter) Hill, natives of Virginia and Ten- 
nessee. The father, a mechanic by trade, was 
married in Tennessee and at an early date located 
at Franklin, Ky. In 1861 he started for Texas and 
died en route at Shreveport, La., in September, and 
the mother and youngest daughter, Amanda, also 
died about the same time from fever contracted on 
the journe}'. Our subject and his sister, now Mrs. 
C. G. Gracey, were thus left alone, but were taken 
care of by their brother-in-law, J. P. Goodnight. 
In 1862, Mr. Hill enlisted, in Dallas County, in Com- 



pan}' K., Nineteenth Texas Cavair}', for three years, 
or during the war, and served principally in Arkan- 
sas and Mississippi. He was also in the Red River 
campaign in Louisiana and at the close of the war 
returned to Dallas County and followed freighting 
for four years. In 1871 he engaged as clerk for 
Uhlmau & Co., with whom he remained for four 
years. In May, 1875, he engaged in the wholesale 
and retail grocery business. In November, 1882, 
he was elected County Clerk of Dallas County and 
served until 1888, since which time he has been 
engaged in breeding fine stock. He has a large 
stock ranch of 3,000 acres in Dallas County, where 
he is principally engaged in breeding mules and 
trotting horses, and raising graded short-horn 
cattle. He has opened up Fairview Addition to 



634 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the city of Dallas, has made many profitable in- 
vestments in land in Dallas, and is one of the 
directors of the American National Bank of that 
city. In August, 1885, Mr. Hill bought a lot and 
built a flue residence on Gaston avenue, where he 
now resides. Politically, he votes with the Demo- 
cratic party and in 1877 was elected an Alderman 
of the city, which position he resigned after one 
year. He is a member of Tannehill Lodge, A. F. 
& A. M., has passed all the chairs of Dallas Chap- 
ter No. 47, R. A. M., is a member of Dallas Com- 
mandery No. 6, and of K. of P. Cceur de Lion 
Lodge No. 70. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hill are mem- 
bers of the East Dallas Baptist Church. 

Mr. Hill was married in P^Uis County, Texas, in 
July, 1875, to Lena Bullard, a native of Missouri, 
and daughter of John Bullard, a native of Ten- 
nessee. Mrs. Hill's mother, nee Parmelia Hodges. 



was born in Tennessee and died about 1858 in 
Missouri. 

The father afterwards emigrated with his slaves 
to Ellis County, settling first near the Louisiana 
line in Texas and later near Waxahachie, where he 
bought land. He died at the home of Mr. Hill in 
Dallas, in October, 1876. Our subject's father 
was prominent in politics in Kentucky for many 
years. He was a member of the Church and was 
well and favorably known. His wife was a Church 
member from her girlhood days and was an excellent 
and pious woman. 

Mr. Hill was appointed Postmaster at Dallas by 
President Cleveland and has discharged the duties 
of that position in such a manner as to win the 
highest encomiums from the department and to give 
entire satisfaction to the people. Dallas has no 
worthier or more popular citizen. 



SAMUEL D. HARLAN, 



AUSTIN. 



The subject of this brief memoir, Capt. Harlan, 
was an early navigator of Galveston Bay, Buffalo 
Bayou, the Brazos and the Trinity. 

Capt. Harlan was about twenty years of age 
when he embarked at Pittsburg, Pa., on the steam- 
boat" Washington," for Texas. The " Washington" 
had been built at Pittsburg for the Texas trade and 
made her voyage safely. He landed at Galveston 
and in time became one of the originators and pro- 
moters of the Houston Direct Navigation Company 
and one of its most influential stockholders. This 
company has done more for the advancement and 
grovFth of the city of Houston and the develop- 
ment of its contiguous territory than any other one 
business enterprise. At the beginning of the late 
war he promptly identified himself with the South- 
ern Confederacy and, upon offering his services to 
the government, was detailed as a purchasing 
agent. He served as such in Texas during the 
conflict, devoting the greater part of his time to 
buying mules and horses for the service. After the 



war he returned to Galveston and engaged in the 
cotton trade. He also acquired business interests 
at Leadville, Colo., and Chicago, 111. From over- 
work and exposure he contracted disabilities which 
resulted in a gradual decline in health. He located 
in Austin in 1887, which was thereafter, to the time 
of his death, August 14lh, 1889, his home. He 
died at Waukesha, Wis. 

Capt. Harlan married at Washington, on the 
Brazos, Miss Martha, a daughter of B. McGregor, 
a Texas pioneer of 1844. Capt. Harlan was unob- 
trusive in manner. He was a man of strict integ- 
rity, social and affable and of noble and generous 
impulses. 

He left a wide circle of friends and a valuable 
estate. 

Mrs. Harlan and five children survive. The 
children are: Mrs. Mary E., widow of Sam J. 
Doggett, of Chicago ; Samuel D. Harlan, of Austin ; 
and Ada, Lillie and Robert. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



636 



THOMAS J. RUSK, 

NACOGDOCHES, 



Was born in Pendleton District, S. C, Decem- 
ber 5th, 1803. He early attracted the atten- 
tion of John C. Calhoun, under whose counsels he 
was educated and studied law. He then settled in 
Georgia, rose rapidly at the bar, married au ac- 
complished daughter of Gen. Cleveland aud moved 
to Nacogdoches, Texas, in the winter of 1834-35. 
In personal appearance he was of tall and com- 
manding presence, bad a dark, ruddy complexion, 



Nacogdoches and his name is affixed to the declara- 
tion. Thence till his death in 1857, his history 
formed a large and inseparable part of that of 
Texas. 

By David G. Burnet, the President ad interim 
from March to October, 1836, he was made Secre- 
tary of War, and later was sent forward to the 
army and was a leading actor at the battle of San 
•Jacinto. When Gen. Houston retired early in May 




THOMAS J. RUSK. 



deep set and benevolent eyes, and kindly and en- 
gaging features instinct with sensibility and reflect- 
ing the noble soul within. A single glance won 
every heart, and the whole people took him on 
trust. Without desire or effort upon his part, he 
became the leader of the ])eople of the old munici- 
pality of Nacogdoches in the first faint stirrings of 
a bloody revolution. 

The convention which declared Texas an inde- 
pendent Republic met at Washington, on the Brazos, 
March 1, 1836. Rusk was there as a delegate from 



in search of medical treatment in New Orleans 
Rusk was made Commander-in-Chief of the army, 
and, at its head, followed the retreating Mexicans 
to Goliad. There he called a halt, caused the bones 
of Fannin's four hundred and eighty massacred 
men to be collected and interred, and over the 
remains of the martyred dead delivered an address 
that moistened the cheeks of every man in the motley 
group of half-naked, half-starved and illy-armed 
volunteer soldiery, who with him performed these 
last sad rites. For a few months he remained in 



636 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



command of the army ; then returned to his home 
in Nacogdoches, where he was elected to the first 
Congress of the Republic. By that body he was 
elected a Brigadier-General of the Republic and as 
such in October, 1838, fought and defeated a large 
body of Indians at the Kickapoo village in East 
Texas. 

In July, 1839, he commanded a portion of the 
troops in the Cherokee battles of July IG and 
17. In the same year he was elected by Con- 
gress, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
Republic, and held the first term at Austin in the 
winter of 1839-40. Under the Republic the 
Chief Justice and the District Judges composed 
the Supreme Court. He held the position for a 
time, then resigned it and devoted liimself to the 
practice of law, in which he had but a single rival 
in East Texas, in the person of his friend. Gen. J. 
Pinckney Henderson. He loved the freedom of 
retirement and had no taste for office-seeking or 
office-holding. However, in 1845, when a conven- 
tion was called to form a constitution for Texas as 
a proposed State of the Union, he was unanimously 
elected a delegate from Nacogdoches. When the 
convention assembled on the fourth of July, he was 
unanimously elected its president, and when the 
Legislature, under its new constitution, assembled 
on the 16th of February, 1846, he was elected 
by the unanimous vote, of both the Senate and 
House, to be one of the two first Senators from the 
State of Texas to the Congress of the United States, 
his colleague being Gen. Sam. Houston. In 1843 
he had been elected Major-General of the Re- 
public. 

Together, they took their seats in March, 1846 — 
together, by the re-election of each, they sat eleven 
years, till the melancholy death of Rusk in 1857. 
Together, they represented the sovereignty and 
defended the rights of Texas — together, they shed 
luster on their State — together, they sustained 
President Polk in the prosecution of the Mexican 
War — together, they, each for himself, declined a 
proffered Major-Generalship in the army of inva- 
sion in Mexico — together, they labored to give 
Texas the full benefit of her mergence into the 
Union in regard to mail routes, frontier protection 
and custom house facilities — together, they labored 
in behalf of the compromises of 1850, the adjust- 
ment of the boundary of Texas and sale (as a peace 
offering), of our Northwest Territory to the United 
States — and together, they sought to encourage the 



construction of a transcontinental railway, on the 
parallel of thirty-two degrees north latitude from 
the Mississippi river and the Gulf of Mexico, 
through Texas, to the Pacific Ocean, an achieve- 
ment that found its final accomplishment Decem- 
ber 1, 1881, twent}--four years after the death of 
Rusk. 

For several years Gen. Rusk was elected to 
the honorable position of president pro tern, of the 
United States Senate and presided with a dignity 
and impartiality that commanded the respect and 
esteem of every member of that body. 

In 1854, with a select band of friends, he 
traversed Texas from east to west on the parallel of 
thirty-two degrees to see for himself the prac- 
ticability of a railway route, and became thor- 
oughly satisfied of its feasibility and cheap- 
ness. He was a wise man in his day and 
generation, a just man in all the relations of life, 
a true patriot, a husband and father tender to 
weakness, a friend guileless and true, an orator 
persuasive and convincing, a soldier from a sense 
of duty, in battle fearless as a tiger, in peace 
gentle as a dove ; ambitious only for an honorable 
name, honoralily won, and regarded as dross the 
tinsel, display and pomp of ephemeral splendor. 
In a word, Thomas J. Rusk was a marked mani- 
festation of nature's goodness in the creation of 
one of her noblest handiworks. When he died 
Texas mourned from hut to palace, for the whole 
people, even the slaves, wherever known to them, 
loved him. 

Would that I could reproduce a few sentences 
from the eulogy upon him by that peerless son of 
Texas, the late Thomas M. Jack, before a weeping 
audience in Galveston. But my copy of it is 
among the treasures lost in the late war. 

Fidelity to truth bids the statement — so painful 
to a whole commonwealth — that this noble citizen, 
patriot and statesman, died by his own hand, at 
his own home, in Nacogdoches, in the summer of 
1857. 

His cherished and adored wife, to whom he was 
not only attached with rare devotion, but for whom 
he had a reverence as remarkable as beautiful, had 
died a little before. His grief, quiet but unap- 
peasable, superinduced melancholy. A ravenous 
carbuncle at the base of the skull racked his brain, 
and, in a moment of temporary aberration, he took 
his own life, by shooting himself with a gun, and 
his soul went hence to a merciful God. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEliU OF TEXAS. 



637 



JOHN H. SEARS, M. D., 



WACO. 



Dr. Sears is known throiighout the State as one 
of the pioneers of the medical profession in Texas. 

Born in what was at the time Prince Edward, but 
now Appomattox, Count}^ Virginia, October 9th, 
1826, he was reared under tiie stable and staid 
influence of one of the most historic and patriotic 
communities of the Old Dominion. His father, 
John Sears, was a thrifty and successful planter 
who lived near Appomattox Court House, and the 
history of his antecedents, both paternal and 



attended a course of medical lectures. Later he 
studied medicine at the South Carolina Medical 
College, at Charleston, graduating and receiving 
his diploma therefrom in the year 1852. He had 
visited Texas in 1848, and shortly after the com- 
pletion of his medical studies moved to Texas, 
influenced in so doing, perhaps, by an elder brother 
who had located and become fairly established as a 
farmer in Brazoria County. After a brief visit to 
his brother. Dr. Sears located for a short time at 




JOHN H. SEARS, M. D. 



maternal, for generations, dates back to the early 
days of Virginia's history. His father was born in 
Prince Edward County in 1798 and died in 1890, at 
ninetj'^-one years of age. 

Dr. Sears' boyhood and youth were spent on the 
old homestead where he, with other members of the 
famil}', enjoyed the privileges of good society, good 
schooling and a careful and judicious home train- 
ing. 

After receiving preliminary instruction at Davis 
Academy, where be took a special course of study 
embracing Greek, Latin and mathematics, he 
entered the University of Virginia, wliere he 



Port Sullivan, where he remained until 1854, and 
then moved to Waco, which has ever since been bis 
home. What is now the beautiful, bustling city of 
Waco was then a frontier trading-post, consistino- 
of one general store and three houses, one of which 
was a public stopping-place. Here Dr. Sears " put 
out his shingle " and entered upon the practice of 
his profession with that vigor and conscientious 
devotion to duty that has ever characterized his 
professional life. His practice extended over a 
wide scope of country, covering the surrounding 
counties of Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Limestone, Falls, 
Bell, Coiyell, and adjacent territory. 



638 



IXDIA^^ WARS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



There are probably few, if any, physicians in 
Texas who iiave seen more of pioneer life and had 
wider experience as a frontier pliysician than the 
subject of this memoir. As the country became 
settled and Waco developed, Dr. Sears' profes- 
sional labors were contracted to his home city and 
its environs. 

Dr. Sears married October 12th, 1854, Mrs. 
Angle Amelia Downs, nee Gurley. She was born 
in Alabama; a daughter of Davis Gurley. 

Dr. and Mrs. Sears have two daughters and one 
son, viz. : Sallie, wife of Mr. J. W. Taylor, the 
l)resent efficient District Attorney of McLennan 
County ; Mary, wife of Jesse N. Gallagher, of 
Waco and candidate for election to the office of 
County Judge of McLennan County this year, 
1896, and John Sears, a candidate for District Clerk 
of McLennan County. 

When the clouds of war lowered over the coun- 
trj', Dr. Sears aligned himself with the cause of 
the Confederate States and in 1862 joined the 



Thirty-second Texas Cavalry and served as its sur- 
geon during the conflict between the States. His 
regiment became attached to the army brigade 
under command of Gep. Gano, and Dr. Scars was 
promoted to the position of Division Surgeon with 
the rank of Major. 

When the war closed he returned to his home 
and resumed his medical practice. Successful in 
all that he attempts, his life and best energies have 
been faithfully devoted to his professional labors. 
He has long counted among his patients many of 
the leading men and women of Cential Texas, and 
from the time of his arrival in that section has dis- 
tinguished himself as a physician and surgeon. 
Lofty-minded strength of purpose and a scrupulous 
regard for the ethics of the profession are qualities 
that have marked his career. He is physically and 
mentally well preserved, although in his seventieth 
year, and apparently many years of usefulness yet 
await him. 



ROBERT CALVERT, 



ROBERTSON COUNTY. 



The subject of this sketch, Judge Robert Calvert, 
was born near Wartrace, Tenn., February 9, 1802, 
and came of pioneer stock, his parents and grand- 
parents being among the early settlers of the trans- 
AUeghany country. 

His father was William Calvert and his mother, 
before marriage, was Lucy Rogers, both reared in 
Tennessee, and the latter a native of that State. 
His ancestry on his father's side is traced to Ire- 
land and on his mother's side to Knglaud. His 
parental grandfather emigrated from Ireland to 
America towards the close of the last century and 
settled in Winchester, Va., whence he moved at a 
later date to Tennessee. He was a Scotch-Irish 
Presbyterian and was amply endowed with the 
rugged virtues and strict religious views for which 
his people were distinguished. Robert was reared 
to the practice of these virtues and schooled in the 
same religious faith, never departing from them in 
after life. He grew up in Tennessee and North 
Alabama, his parents moving to the latter State 
during his boyhood. In Bibb Count3% Ala., on the 
28th of August, 1823, he married Miss Mary 
Keesee and, setllinsf on a farm, resided there until 



1838. He then moved to Saline County, Ark., 
whence in 1850 he came to Texas and settled in 
Robertson County. 

In Alabama, Arkansas and Texas, Judge Cal- 
vert was engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which 
he met with noteworthy success. His plantation in 
the Brazos Bottoms was not only the first opened 
in that section of Robertson County, but was for 
yeais one of the best equipped and best conducted, 
and from its fruitful flelds was annually gathered a 
wealth of cotton and corn, then, as now, the 
sovereign products of that valley. In a rapidly 
settling country, such as Texas was during the early 
years of Judge Calvert's residence here, there was a 
constant demand for corn and bacon to supply the 
incoming settlers, and these commodities he always 
had in abundance and sold at reasonable prices. 
He was engrossed almost entirely with his farm- 
ing operations, but interested himself in a general 
way in everything going on around him and was a 
firm friend to all sorts of public improvements. 
He advocated the extension of the Houston & 
Texas Central Railway, through Robertson County, 
and, as contractor in connection with Judge William 




ROBT. CALVERT. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



639 



Davis and Maj. Willium Hanna, he graded several 
miles of that road. 

He was past the age for military service during 
the late war, but was a friend of the South and gave 
the cause of the Confederacy very substantial aid, 
fitting the wagon-trains and supplying the soldiers 
with horses and equipments. His only son, William 
Calvert, was suffering from disease contracted in 
the Mexican War and was also unfit for service, but 
a grandson, Robert Calvert, then in his eighteenth 
year, enlisted and died in the army. 

After the war Judge Calvert set himself to work 
to repair his wasted fortunes, and during the time 
he lived he succeeded admirably with the task. He 
was a man of fine business qualifications, had an 
extensive acquaintance with the leading men of 
Texas, and took up the problems of peace in 1865 
with much better prospects of success than did any 
of his associates, but unfortunately his life was not 
spared to carry forward the work of adjustment 
thus begun. 

Judge Calvert's only public service in Texas was 
as a Representative from Robertson County to the 
State Legislature for several terms between 1853 
and 1860. During that time he made a creditable 
record and strengthened the confidence of the peo- 
ple in his honor and ability. In Arkansas he had 
been for several terms County Judge of the county 
in which he lived, and both there and in Texas he 
was active in local politics. He had an acquisitive 
mind, was a constant reader, and in those matters 
with which he concerned himself he was a sound 
thinker. His judgment always commanded re- 
spect. He was slovr to form conclusions, but he 
rarely ever receded from a position when once he 
had taken it. He was a man of benevolent dispo- 



sition, and his ample means enabled him to give 
practical force and meaning to this trait of his 
character, nor was he content with merely giving, 
but exerted himself personally and assisted others 
with his counsel and advice. Knowing that misfor- 
tunes would overtake men in spite of the exercise 
of good judgment, and, knowing especially, from 
experience, the difHculties under which young men 
labor in beginning life, he took a pride and pleasure 
in aiding such, and in this way created enduring 
friendships among his neighbors and those with 
whom he was associated. Judge Calvert was for 
thirty-five years a ruling elder in the Presbyterian 
Church, to the support of which he was a liberal 
contributor. He was made a Mason late in life, 
but such was the interest he took in the work that 
he rose rapidly in the order, becoming a Knight 
Templar. 

During the prevalence of the yellow fever epi- 
demic in Texas in 1867 Judge Calvert was taken 
with the disease and died on the 20lh of Septem- 
ber of that year. His wife survived him till 1873 
(December 16), when she, too, passed away. The 
issue of their union was the son, William, already 
mentioned, who died in Robertson County in 1864 
from disease contracted in the Mexican War, and 
three daughters, the eldest of whom, Lucy, was 
married to George W. Rutherford and died in 
Saline County, Ark., in 1851 ; the second, Pauline 
J., was married to J. Tom Garrett, and resides at 
Calvert, and the youngest, Mary, was married to 
Dr. Peter Smith, and died at Waxahachie, Texas, 
in 1889. The descendants of Judge Calvert are 
not numerous, but wherever found occupy honorable 
positions in society and maintain the high standard 
of citizenship set up by him in his own career. 



SAM. HOUSTON, 



HUNTSVILLE, 



Was born in Rockbridge County, Va., on the 2d 
day of March, 1793. In childhood he was left 
fatherless and his mother moved to East Tennessee 
adjoining the Cherokee Indians, where he grew to 
manhood, familiar with that tribe and much attached 
to them and they to him. 

He fought as an Ensign under Gen. Andrew Jack- 
son and was wounded, a wound that never healed, 
at the Horse-Shoe, in the Creek War. He afterward 



studied law, was admitted to the bar, served as Gen- 
eral of Militia and was elected to Congress in 1823 
and 1825. After these terms in Congress he was 
elected Governor of Tennessee. While in this posi- 
tion he married a lady of beauty and accomplish- 
ments. From motives and for causes never made 
known, he resigned his high position, withdrew from 
his wife, and took up his abode with his old friends, 
the Cherokees, then living west of Arkansas. 



G40 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



There he remained until December, 1832, and then 
entered Texas and located at Nacogdoches and San 
Augustine. He was without means. In 1833 he 
was a member of the Provincial Convention held at 
San Felipe. In 1835 he served as a delegate to the 
Revolutionary , Consultation, which created a pro- 
visional Government and made him Commander-in- 
Chief of the army it provided for. In March fol- 
lowino', he sat in the convention which declared 
independence, adopted a constitution, and estab- 
lished an independent Republic and by that body 
was re-appointed Commander-in-Chief. After receiv- 
in" the tidings at Gonzales of the fall of the Alamo, 
he retreated slowly to the Colorado, the Brazos, 
and finally to San Jacinto, and there, April 2 1st, 
1836, fought and won the decisive battle that scored 
Texian Independence. He showed great bravery 
and was severely wounded in the engagement. 
Leaving the army he repaired to New Orleans for 
medical treatment and remained there for some 
time. In August, 18oG, with slight opposition, he 
was elected the first President of the Republic of 
Texas. Bj' the constitution he was ineligible for 
re-election, and was succeeded, at the close of 1838, 
by Gen. Lamar, the former Vice-president, for a full 
term of three years. In 1839 and 1840 he was 
elected to Congress from San Augustine and took a 
leading position on all the great questions, and they 
were numerous, in that body. His influence was 
never greater. In the prime of life, his great 
powers of oratory and reason were used with 
signal effect. It was then, at the session of 
1839-40, that the compiler of this memoir first 
saw and heard him in debate, and his youth- 
ful mind was struck with surprise and admiration 
at his magnificent person and magnetic power. 
Neither before nor since has he ever beheld a finer 
specimen of physical manhood. Standing about six 
feet two inches, with large and perfectly formed 
frame, erect as possible for man to be, dressed in 
excellent taste, grace in every movement and a voice 
as deliberate as melodious, he seemed the embodi. 
ment of nature's handiwork in preparing a leader 
for the people. Occasional outbursts carried every 
auditor with irresistible force. When aroused, in 
repelling attack, his shafts of sarcasm and defiance 
struck wherever aimed with the precision of a gladia- 
tor. His services at this time were greatly appreci- 
ated by the people and in 1841 he was returned to 
the presidential chair by a large majority. His sec- 
ond term covered three eventful and portentous 
years in our history, covering three Mexican invas- 
ions of the frontier, a continued border warfare, 
the temporary removal of the seat of government, 
treaties with some of the wild tribes — negotiations 



with Great Britain touching the integrity of the 
Republic and our relations with Mexico, and the 
earlier negotiations with the United States in relation 
to the annexation of Texas to that country, besides 
many other grave matters of deep import to the 
country. That he rose equal to every emergency 
and displayed the highest order of executive ability 
and statesmanship, is conceded even by those who 
then or since differed from him on questions of 
policy. He retired from the presidency at the close 
of 1844 on the eve of the proposition made in March 
following by the United States for our annexation, 
which was peacefully and happily consummated in 
the succeeding Februar^^ 

In 184.5 Gen. Houston was elected to the conven- 
tion which framed our first State constitution, but 
he hurried to attend the dying bed of his life- 
long friend and |)atron, Gen. Andrew Jackson, and 
did not, in consequence, sit in that one of the ablest 
of the many able assemblages which have made 
constitutions and laws for Texas. 

One of the first acts of the first Legislature which 
assembled in February, 1846, was almost unani- 
mously to elect Gen. Houston and his friend, Gen. 
Thomas J. Rusk, to the United States Senate, where 
they both remained, Gen. Rusk until his death in 
18.57, and Gen. Houston for about twelve years. 

Prior to this, on the 9th day of May, 1840, Gev. 
Houston wedded Miss Margaret M. Lea, of Ala- 
bama, a lady eminently fitted by sound judgment, 
the most substantial graces, quiet but sincere affec- 
tions, aversion to pomp, and of the strongest domes- 
tic attachments, to fill the void which must have 
existed in the recesses of his heart in former years. 
The union proved most happy until severed by 
death and was blessed, as will hereafter be seen, by 
the birth of four sons and four daughters. Mrs. 
Houston was a consistent Christian woman, and a 
member of the Baptist Church. A few years later 
her husband joined the same body of Christians, 
and both died in its faith. 

When Gen. Houston entered the United States 
Senate, in March, 1846, he was regarded with 
more interest, real as well as romantic, than 
any man who ever entered that august body. 
Twenty years before he had left the House of Rep- 
resentatives with a brilliant reputation. His career 
since, in its vicissitudes, alternating between exile 
in the wilderness and the highest positions, both 
civil and military, was without a parallel in Ameri- 
can history and had thrown a halo around his name 
which interested and captivated wherever his 
stately form was seen. In the Senate he was 
warmly greeted by Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Ben- 
ton and other eminent men who were in Congress 




SAM HOUSTON. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



G41 



during his service so long before. The respect 
shown him by such men, irrespective of political 
divisions, must have been touchingly grateful to 
him and was hailed by the people of Texas with 
both pride and gratulation. It was a scene worthy 
of the master hand of Rafael. 

His long service in the Senate, during which 
occurred the Mexican War, the sectional strife fol- 
lowing the acquisition of California, the compro- 
mise measures of 1850, the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, and the enactment of the Kansas- 
Nebraska Bill, of 18.54, was characterized by great 
moderation and a sincere desire to heal and avoid 
sectional irritation as the means of preserving har- 
mony in the Union and perpetuating its blessings 
to posterity'. His utterances breathed a lofty spirit 
of patriotism and commanded universal respect, 
including as well those who differed from him on 
any given question. He retired from the Senate 
with a name unsullied, and worthy of an American 
Senator in our best days. 

In 1857, a year or two before the expiration of 
Gen. Houston's term in the Senate, his friends 
placed him in the field as a candidate for Governor, 
against Hardin R. Runnels, the Democratic nom- 
inee. The vote stood, for Runnels, 32,552 ; for 
Houston, 23,028; Runnels' majority, 8,924 — total 
vote, 56,180. 

In 1859, Gen. Houston was elected Governor 
over Mr. Runnels by about six thousand majority. 
To some extent sectional issues influenced the can- 
vass, but the question of protection to our frontier 
against the wild Indians did more than any one 
thing to secure his triumph before the people. It 
overshadowed all other issues, with several thou- 
sand exposed people, dissatisfied with the existing 
state of things, and who yielded him almost their 
unanimous suffrage. 

The historic canvass of 1860, crowned with the 
election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidency, followed. 
The history of those days is fresh in the public 
mind and need only be referred to in so far as to 
state correctly the position of Governor Houston, 
about which, in some respects, there is diversity of 
opinion and certainly some misconception. That 
he was opposed to secession and desired the pres- 
ervation of the Union in its original spirit, there 
can be no division of opinion. He regarded seces- 
sion by separate State action as calculated to inter- 
pose insuperable obstacles to final reconciliation 
and used his influence to prevent it. He thought a 
fraternal consultation through commissioners from 
all the Southern States should precede final and 
distinct action by either ; and trusted that such a 
convocation would lead to peaceful measures of 



adjustment and preserve the Union intact. As a 
last resort, should secession occur, there is reason 
to believe that he preferred that Texas should 
remain alone, assume her position as an independent 
Republic, and await the developments of time and 
providence — mayhap it might thus become her 
mission to be the means of ultimate reconciliation. 
His messages to the Legislature, his public addresses 
and other utterances, which were numerous and 
elaborate, will furnish the key to his true position 
at that momentous period of our history, while 
secession was yet an open question. With an im- 
mense majority, about three-fourths of the people, 
as subsequently shown, manifestly in favor of a 
different course — of secession by separate State 
action — both the Legislature and convention being 
in session — the bearing of Gen. Houston was 
worthy of his great name. 

He declined calling a convention of the people, 
as had been done in most of the other Southern 
States ; but convened the Legislature in extraor- 
dinary session. Under recommendations from the 
Lieutenant-Governor and other public functiona- 
ries, besides a considerable number of representa- 
tive men, a convention was chosen and assembled 
in Austin on the 27th of January, while the Legis- 
lature was in session. 

The secessionists in the Legislature and conven- 
tion, were resolved that Texas should link her 
destiny with her sister Southern States. The ordi- 
nance of secession was passed February 1st, the 
convention adjourned and the ordinance was sub- 
mitted to and adopted by the people by an over- 
whelming vote. The convention reassembled on 
the 2d of March. Houston advised Texas to resume 
her former position as a Republic. The conven- 
tion, however, passed an ordinance uniting it with 
the Southern Confederacy. All State officers were 
required to take the oath to support the new gov- 
ernment. This he and his secretary of State, Mr. 
Cave, refused to do, were displaced from office and 
Lieut. -Gov. Edward Clark inaugurated as Gover- 
nor. 

While Houston published an address to the 
people of Texas protesting against this action, he 
offered no serious opposition and quietly retired to 
private life. Thrall says: "In Houston's retire- 
ment, he was not happy. He looked upon seces- 
sion as an accomplished fact: he viewed with 
inexpressible grief the war measures adopted by 
both contending armies ; he feared that Republican 
institutions would be superseded by two centralized 
despotisms in which the liberties of the people 
would be swept away ; and the prospect saddened 
him. His last appearance before a public audience 



642 



INDIAN WAES AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was in the city of Houston, on the 18ih of March, 
1863." 

His address ou that occasion was one of the 
most touching and s|)lendid orations ever delivered 
on American soil. 

He died on the 26th of July, 1863, and his 
remains are interred at the city of Huntsville. His 
life found its close while the clouds of war lowered 
over the countr3'. 

Ex-President Anson Jones and some others of 
less note severely criticised Gen. Houston for not 
offering battle to Santa Anna at the Colorado, 
checking him there and preventing the laying waste 
of the settled part of Texas IjMng east of that 
stream ; and still others have charged that he 
deserved no credit for, but was compelled by those 
serving under him to fight the battle of San Jacinto ; 
but these aspersions have been time and again dis- 
proved and one of the strongest evidences of their 
falsity is the fact that Gen. Thomas J. Rusk, the 
Texian Secretarj' of War, in his official report of the 
battle of San Jacinto, gives Houston full credit for 
that engagement, and testifies to the personal hero- 
ism that he displayed on the field, and the further 
fact that at no other time during the campaign and 
at no other spot and under no other circumstances 
could such a decisive and crushing defeat have been 
inflicted upon the enemy. That single battle won 
for Texas her independence. No engagements with 
Santa Anna troops on the Colorado could have done 
so. If other testimony were needed, it would be 
only necessary to call attention to the fact that the 
verdict of his countrymen and of the world during 
his lifetime recognized that he had justly won tlie 
laurels that clustered upon his brow. Furthermore, 
there is not an old Texian living to-day who would 
not hasten to speak up in his defense should an 
effort be made to blacken his memory. 

Dueling was in vogue in Gen. Houston's day. 
The only rencontre of the kind to which he was a 
party, took place while he was a member of Con- 
gress from Tennessee. One of his constituents 
complained that he had not received garden seed 
wliich Houston said he had sent him from Washing- 
ton. Gen. Houston stated his belief that the fail- 
ure was due to the local postmaster, and criticised 
that individual severely. The result was a chal- 
lenge which Gen. Houston declined, under the code, 
declaring that the postmaster was not his equal. 
The bearer of the challenge sneeringl}' remarked 
that he believed that Houston would not fight any- 
body, or under any circumstances, to which Hous- 



ton replied, " Suppose you try me." The gentle- 
man at once challenged Houston, the challenge was 
promptly accepted, and at the meeting Houston 
severely wounded his antagonist at the first fire. In 
Texas, Gen. Houston was challenged a number of 
times, but in each instance declined the field and 
that very properly. At the Horse Shoe, at San 
Jacinto and on the so-called field of honor itself, 
and in a thousand ways he had abundantly proven 
his intrepidity. His bold and aggressive course in 
public life necessarily made for him hundreds of 
enemies and, had he accepted one of these chal- 
lenges, scores of others would have been presented 
to him, as his enemies would have been delighted 
at an opportunity to sacrifice his valuable life. He 
was too great a man and his services were too 
greatly needed by the country for him to have been 
made a victim of a desperado's bullet under the 
barbarous code duello. 

He was for a time the leader of the Know- 
Nothing parly in Texas, and this, to some extent, 
alienated a large number of his friends; but no 
man doubted his purity of purpose or devotion to 
what he considered the best interests of his country. 
It is a fact not generally known that — before the 
Democratic convention of 1860 split — and put two 
tickets in the field, he came very near receiving the 
nomination of the united Democracy for the office 
of President of the United .States. Had he received 
the nomination and the entire Democratic vote of 
the country been cast for one set of candidates, 
Mr. Lincoln would have been defeated, the war 
between the States at least been postponed, and, pos- 
sibly, some compromise been effected that would 
have harmonized the differences existing between 
the Northern and Southern States. The ambition 
of his life was to be the President of two republics, 
and at one time it looked as if that ambition was to 
be gratified. His biographers, on the one hand, have 
committed the error of representing him as a man 
entirely without faults, and on the other of dealing 
almost solely in detraction. The truth is, that all 
men, both small and great — the greatest that have 
trod the vporld's stage of action not excepted — 
have had their defects ; but, in such instances as 
his, these infirmities have but served to bring out 
in stronger relief their nobility of mind and charac- 
ter, and to intensify the l)rilliancy of their achieve- 
ments. He was truly a great man and Texas owes 
him a debt of undying gratitude that posterit}', like 
tiie Texians of this generation, will never cease to 
acknowledge. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



643 



WILSON 1. RIDDLE, 

SAN ANTONIO. 



Wilson Irwin Riddle, a pioneer Texian of San 
Antonio, now deceased, was born near Dublin, Ire- 
land, in 1811, and at the age of eight years was 
brought to America by his parents, who settled 
in Howard County, Penn., where his boyhood 
and youth were chiefly spent. At about the age of 
twenty he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he 
became a clerk in the mercantile house of Robinson, 
Gibson & Co. From that city he went to Pulaski, 
Tenn., where he was in business for himself for 
about five years. From that place he went to New 
Orleans and there, in 1839, joined Fisher & Miller's 
colony and moved to Texas, coming direct to San 
Antonio, where he took up his residence and at 
once embarked in merchandising. Mr. Riddle was 
successfully engaged in business at this place until 
the capture of San Antonio in the spring of 1842 
by Vasquez. In the meantime he paid two visits to 
Tennessee, one in 1840 and another in 1841. On 
the occasion of his last visit he married (April 26, 
1841) Miss Elizabeth Menefee, of Pulaski, Tenn., 
and immediately brought his bride out to 
Texas. This lady, now Mrs. Canterberry, is still 
living in San Antonio, and is one of the oldest 
American residents of the place- — a lady of intelli- 
gence, with a memory richly stored with reminis- 
cences of early days in Texas. She is a native 
of Culpepper County, Va. , and a daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Menefee, also of Virginia 
birth, who, about the close of the first quarter of 
this century, moved to Middle Tennessee, where 
their daughter was reared, her education, which 
was ample, being obtained in Nashville. 

Mrs. Canterberry gave the writer an interesting 
account of her bridal trip to Texas. The journey 
was made by the river route from Nashville to New 
Orleans, thence by the gulf to Houston, and thence 
to San Antonio by private conve3'ance, her husband 
having arranged for his servants to meet them at 
that point with a carriage and baggage-wagon and 
necessary camping outfit. The time consumed in 
making the journey from her old home in Tennes- 
see to her new home in Texas was one month, lack- 
ing two days. 

On the occasion of the Mexican raid under Vas- 
quez, in the spring of 1842, Mr. Riddle was among 
the last Americans to leave the city. There had 
been so many rumors of invasions that he had come 
to distrust such reports, and it was not until he was 



shown a letter from Mexico by one of the local 
priests. Padre Calvo, that he finally became con- 
vinced. As soon as he was satisfied that the Mexi- 
cans were coming, he rolled what powder he bad on 
hand — six kegs — into the river so as to prevent its 
falling into the hands of the enemy, and, abandon- 
ing the rest of his goods and household effects, 
took his family to Gonzales for safety. 

Mr. and Mrs. Riddle's only child, now Mrs. 
Sarah E. Eagar, was then an infant ten days old. 
All of Mr. Riddle's property fell into the hands of 
the raiders, and all of it, except a piano, which had 
been hastily boxed up, was either appropriated to 
their use or destroyed. 

In the fall of 1842 he returned to San Antonio to 
attend court, and was taken prisoner when the city 
was captured by Adrian Woll. The District Court 
was in session, and the judge and lawyers in at- 
tendance were captured. He was chained to one 
of the attorneys, William E. Jones, and taken to 
Mexico, where he was imprisoned at Perote for 
eleven months, at the end of which time he was re- 
leased and returned to San Antonio. His wife had 
in the meantime (October, 1842) returned to the 
city and was occupying their property on Com- 
merce street, and looking after her husband's inter- 
ests as best she could in the then unsettled condi- 
tion of affairs. She was residing in San Antonio 
when the Somervell expedition was organized at 
that place, and knew Gen. Somervell well, he being 
a warm personal friend of her brother, Judge 
George Menefee, of Indianola, Texas. In passing, 
it may be mentioned that she met, at one time or 
another, a majority of the men who figured in the 
history of those times, many of them having been 
guests at her home. 

After Mr. Riddle's release from Perote and re- 
turn to San Antonio he settled on a ranch eighteen 
miles distant from the city, where, a few years later, 
September 12, 1847, he died, his death resulting 
from the exposure and hardships endured by him 
during his imprisonment in Mexico. His widow 
subsequently married Mr. Harvey Canterberry, 
from Greenup County, Ky., whom she now 
survives. His death occurred December 21, 
1859. 

By her marriage with Mr. Riddle Mrs. Canter- 
berry had two children — Sarah Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Eagar, of San Antonio, and James Wilson 



C44 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Riddle, recently deceased, who was for many years 
a resident of Eagle Pass, Texas. 

By her second marriage Mrs. Canterberry has 
two children — John Warner Canterberry, of Mon- 
terey, Mexico, and Mrs. Mildred Lee Watkins, of 
Eagle Pass, Texas. She has a number of grand- 
children and four great-grandchildren. Her eld- 
est born, Sarah Elizabeth, was married to Robert 
Eagar in 1866. Mr. Eagar was born in Nova 



Scotia, and came to Texas in 1850, at which date 
he settled in San Antonio. He was for a number 
of years a merchant in that city, and died there 
February 1, 1883. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Eagar three children were 
born — Florence (single), Blanche, who was mar- 
ried to F. J. Badger, December 17, 1890, and 
Fannie, who was married to Pj. .1. McCnlloch, .Jan- 
uary 16, 1890. 



SAM. M. JOHNSON, 



CORPUS CHRISTI. 



S. M. Johnson, a well-known citizen and lawyer 
of Southwest Texas, and ex-Postmaster of San 
Antonio, now residing at Corpus Christi, was born 
in Austin, Texas, September 10th, 1841. His 
father, Moses Johnson, was a native of Eastern 
New York, born about the year 1808. Moses 
Johnson was reared on a farm, but inclined to 
books and professional life and studied medicine. 
He went West, located near Knoxville, in Knox 
County, Illinois, practiced his profession, bought 
large tracts of land and made money, but suffered 
some financial reverses during the panic year of 
1837. He married, at Knoxville, Miss Olivia 
Higgins, a daughter of David Higgins. Mr. John- 
son after marriage completed his studies at Jeffer- 
son Medical College, at Philadelphia, Penn. He 
moved from Knoxville to Texas in 1837. Proceed- 
inof from Velasco to Washington on the Brazos, 
then the capital of Texas. He remained there 
until the seat of government was changed to Inde- 
pendence, and then moved to that place. He fol- 
lowed the final removal of the capital to Austin, 
and served by appointment under President Anson 
Jones as Treasurer of the Republic of Texas, and 
was afterward elected to the office. He was Sur- 
veyor of the Port of Lavaca in 1848, and died at 
Lavaca in 1852. His wife died three years later. 
They left three children. 

S. M. Johnson, subject of this notice, lived with 
his parents at Lavaca until 1854, and that year was 
sent to school at Peoria, 111., and later completed 
his education at Whcaton College, near Chicago. 
In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army as a member 
of the Peoria Battery, attached to the Thirteenth 
Army Corps and served for three years, the period 



of his enlistment, during which time he took part 
in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Port 
Gibson, Champion Hill, Magnolia Grove, Jackson 
(Miss.), Black River, and the sieges of Vicksburg 
and of Jackson, Miss., and in 1864 was honorably 
discharged from the service. After the war he 
came South to his old home at Port Lavaca, and 
engaged in shipping produce, wool and cotton to 
New York, in which business he continued until 
1873. He was elected a member of the Constitu 
tional Convention of 1867 and took an active part 
in the deliberations and work of that body. There- 
after he went to Austin, Texas, where he served as 
Assistant Clerk of the Supreme Court for about a 
year, and in the summer of 1874 went to San 
Antonio, where he was appointed Deputy Collector 
of Customs for the District of Saluria, Texas, 
under C. R. Prouty, Collector. 

In 1878 he was appointed bj' the President, Col- 
lector of United States Customs for the Corpus 
Christi District, which office he filled for four years 
under the administration of President Hayes. He 
had in the meantime studied law, and in 1878 went 
to San Antonio and entered the office of Judge 
Wesley Ogden and his son, C. W. Ogden, and was 
admitted to practice in 1883. Mr. Johnson was 
appointed Postmaster at San Antonio in 1890 by 
President Harrison, and filled the office for four 
years with marked satisfaction to the people. Later 
he organized the Laguna Madre Horticultural Com- 
pany and is now its general manager. The com- 
pany owns a large tract of good land fifteen miles 
below Corpus Christi, on the coast of Corpus Christi 
Bay, and raises choice table grapes for early spring 
delivery in Northern markets. The enterprise is 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



645 



on a fine financial footing, and bids fair to be a 
source of great profit to those who inaugurated 
it. 

Mr. Johnson married, at Port Lavaca, Miss 
Helen, the accomplished daughter of Judge "Wesley 



Texas (from 1870 to 1872), and Mrs. Jane (Church) 
Ogden, whose brother was a Chief Justice of the 
Court of Appeals of New York. Mrs. Johnson is a 
lady of rare literary and domestic attainments. She 
was born at Rochester, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. John- 



Ogden, ex-Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of son have two children, Ogden C. and Ethel. 



MRS. M. W. PETERS, 



BEEVILLE, 



The following is from an obituary notice an- 
nouncing the death of this excellent lady : — 

"After a prolonged illness of several months, 
]\Irs. Margaret Williams Peters, wife of Maj. Stephen 
Peters, died at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. 
A. P. Eachal, in this city, last Tuesday morning, at 
3 o'clock, July 3d, 1894, and her^remains were in- 
terred at the Beeville Cemetery the following even- 
ing, attended by a large number of friends of her 
daughter, with whom she and her venerable hus- 
band made their home for a number of years. 

"Few citizens, other than natives, are credited 
with a longer residence in Texas than the deceased. 
Of her seventy-six years, sixty-four were spent in 
Texas, she having emigrated from Tennessee in 



1830 with her parents, wlio settled near where the 
city of Paris now stands. While a resident of that 
part of the State she was united in marriage to 
Maj. Stephen Peters, himself a pioneer, and who, a 
decade past the scriptural allotment of three score 
and ten years, still survives her. Their wedlock 
was also blessed with more than the usual allotment 
of years, their married life having extended over a 
period of fifty-six years. 

"Since 1859 Mrs. Peters was a resident of this 
section of the State. Early in life she joined and 
ever after remained a devout and consistent member 
of the Methodist Church. Three of eight children 
survive her." 



STEPHEN PETERS, 



BEEVILLE. 



The following is an extract from a notice pub- 
lished at the time of Maj. Peters' death: — 

" Maj. Stephen Peters, an old citizen of South- 
west Texas, died at the residence of his son-in-law, 
Mr. A. P. Rachal, in Beeville, Wednesday after- 
noon, August 7th, 1895, and was buried the follow- 
ing morning at 10 o'clock with Masonic honors. 

"The deceased had led an eventful life, and 
notwithstanding the hardships incident to the resi- 
dence of a pioneer in the West, survived to the ripe 
old age of eighty-four. He was born in the State 
of Tennessee in 1812, when that State was regarded 
as the frontier of American civilization. 

" He removed to Texas early in the 30's with one 



of the colonies that were induced by the influence 
of such prominent Tennesseeans as Crockett to cast 
their fortunes with the nucleus of Americans who 
had already settled in Texas, and had begun a revolt 
against the authority of the Mexican autocracy. 
Settling in that portion of the State which is now 
known as Lamar County, he assisted in laying out 
the town of Paris, which of late years has become 
a prosperous city. As a natural consequence, life 
in Texas at that time was fraught with exciting 
incidents, and Maj. Peters experienced his share 
of the hardships incident to repelling the Indians 
from the young colony of which he was a member. 
" On the declaration of war between Mexico and 



646 



INDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the United States over the admission of the young 
Republic to the Union, he joined a company of vol- 
unteers and rose to the rank of Major under Gen. 
Rusk, serving throughout the entire campaign. 

" At the close of the war he settled in Grayson 
County, shortly after which he was attracted to 
California by the discovery of gold in that section. 
Returning to Texas be went to Madson County 
where he resided until 1859 and then removed to 
St. Mary's, then a prosperous shipping point on the 
coast, and has since resided in this section of the 



State. Maj. Peters was married in 1837 to Miss 
Margaret Williams, whom he survived but little 
more than a year. 

" During his years of active life, Maj. Peters 
was a man of strong individuality. Having lived 
through and observed the making of the greater 
part of the political history of the country, he 
always took a lively interest in public affairs and, 
though an invalid for the past few years, he always 
exercised the privilege of voting when his health 
permitted of his reaching the polls." 



DANIEL MURPHY, 

TAYLOR. 



The subject of this brief memoir was a pioneer 
settler in the now thriving town of Taylor, Texas, 
one of its most enterprising and successful business 
men, and one of its most highly esteemed citizens. He 
was a native of Ireland and was born of humble but 
respected parents. His father died about one month 
before Daniel's birth. When our subject was about 
two years old, his widowed mother came with her 
infant son and daughter to America. At an early 
age he was by force of circumstances thrown upon 
his own resources and drifted into railroad work. 
He was a partner of Mr. Burkitt, of Palestine, Texas 
(a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume) 
for about twenty-five years. His early struggles in 
Texas were manfully made and from the beginning 
his sterling character and great business sagacity 
rendered it certain that he would carve out for him- 
self a successful career. A man of great ambition 
and tenacity of purpose, he pursued his business 
with a method and determination that brought to him 
his financial success. He foresaw the possibili- 
ties of Texas in the line of material development and 
thoroughly identified himself with the work of build- 
ing up the waste places of the State. 

He and his partner, Mr. Burkitt, as contractors, 
were active factors in the building of the M., K. & 
T. , and International & Great Northern railways, 
and built almost entirely the Austin & Northwestern 
road-bed. Upon the dissolution of the firm of 
Burkitt & Murphey, Mr. Murphey located at Taylor 
and laid the foundation for the fortune which, by 
business tact and enterprise, he has amassed. More 
than any other citizen of Taj'lor he aided in inaug- 



urating useful enterprises and local improvements 
and, when bis tragic and untimely death occurred, 
was Taylor's foremost business citizen. He owned 
a half interest in the Taylor Ice & Water Company, 
was a stockholder and director in the Taylor Inter- 
national Bank, owned the La Grande Hotel Block, 
besides much other valuable property in and about 
the eitj', and valuable mining properties in Mexico. 

He was a man of domestic tastes. Mr. Murphey 
married at Austin, Texas, Januar}' 9th, 1877, in St. 
Mary's Church, Mrs. Hanna Boyle, widow of Mr. 
Michael Boyle. She proved a most affectionate 
and faithful wife and helpmeet, sharing with 
him with great fortitude, all of his cares aud 
reverses and, with great pleasure and gratification, 
his many and signal successes. As a widow she 
brought to the household one infant daughter. Miss 
Grace, now grown and finely educated. Later, 
two sons were born to the happy union, viz. : Daniel 
George, born in Houston, January 29th, 1878, and 
.Joseph, born in Palestine, October 26th, 1880. 
George is now (1890) eighteen years of age, has 
been given excellent educational advantages and, 
having also been schooled by his father in business 
matters, is practically the manager of the Taylor 
Ice and Water Company. Joseph, too, is a young 
man of fine business judgment and has given some 
attention to his father's mining interests in Mexico. 

Mr. Murphey' s death occurred at the Pacific Hotel 
in Waco, Texas, Sunday, September 13th, 1896. 
The remains were brought to Taylor for interment, 
and it is said to have been the largest funeral in 
the history of Taylor. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



WILLIAM M. HARRISON, 



FORT WORTH. 



Col. William M. Ilairison was born in Bouiljon 
County, Ky., April 2G, 1819. His grandfather, 
James Harrison, immigrated in an early day from 
Ireland to Pennsylvania, and settled near Philadel- 
phia, and there married a Miss Carlysle, an English 
lady of fine educational accomplishments, by whom 
he had ten children, in the order named, viz. : 
Hugh, James, William, Hettie, John, Mary, Robert, 
Carlysle, Joseph, and Thomas. 

John moved to Kentucky, whore he married Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth {nee 



the education in the uountr3' schools of that county. 
At sixteen he started out for himself, leaving Mis- 
souri for Arkansas, and engaged as a clerk in his 
brother James' store, in Washington, Hempstead 
County, in 1835. After remaining in this position 
eighteen months, upon a moderate salary, he went, 
in the fall of 1836, to Jonesboro, then in Miller 
County, Ark., now Red River Count}', Texas, where 
he commenced mercantile business on his own 
account, on a capital of about $1,500 and credit for 
any amount he wanted. He left Jonesboro ami 




WILLIAM M. HARRISON. 



Newman) McClanahan, both of whom were natives 
of Virginia, where they were married before their 
advent into Kentucky. After his marriage John 
Harrison, in consequence of his limited means, 
engaged in various kinds of manual labor, one of 
which was the building of post and rail fences. 
After accumulating some means he engaged in dis- 
tilling. In 1819 he moved to Howard County, 
Mo., and settled near where Glasgow now stands. 
Col. Harrison's mother died in the year 1845, 
about sixty years of age. His brothers, of whom 
the late well-known James Harrison, of St. Louis, 
was one, all became wealthy. He was raised to 
farm life in Howard County, Mo., and received all 



went to Clarksville in 1844, where he continued 
merchandising until the breaking out of the war. 
He purchased a plantation of 1500 acres (600 in 
cultivation) in Red River County in 1849, com- 
menced planting and continued this business, in 
connection with his mercantile operations, during 
the same period, when the mercantile business was 
discontinued, but the planting continued until the 
surrender. After having served as Quartermaster 
in the Confederate armj^ with the rank of Captain, 
about eighteen months, he returned from Corinth, 
where he had been stationed, and was elected to 
the Legislature from Red River County, serving one 
term. 



(318 



INDIAy WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The accumulations of liis life, up to the begin- 
ning of the war, which were not less than S150,000, 
consisting largely in negro property and assets due 
in mercantile pursuits, were swept away by the 
results of the struggle. After the surrender he sold 
his plantation for ten thousand dollars in gold (not 
half its real value prior to the war), and on this 
capital and twenty thousand dollars, which he bor- 
rowed, commenced the warehouse, wholesale gro- 
cer}' and commission business at Jefferson, Texas, 
as partner in the firm of Wright, Harrison & Co. 
Afterwards Mr. Wright retired, having sold out his 
interest to his partners, when the style of the firm 
was changed to J. W. & J. R. Russell & Co. In 
this company and business he continued until the 
partnership was dissolved by the death of J. W. 
Russell. After the firm's dissolution Col. Harrison 
became one of the original charter members of the 
First National Bank of Jefferson, which began 
business in March, 1871, and was elected its first 
president, a position that he continued to fill until 
he removed to Fort Worth. He was one of the 
projectors of the East Line and Red River Railway, 
now extending from Jefferson to McKinney, which, 
after languishing for several years as a corporation 
in name only, was taken in hand by him, and 
mainly by his efforts pushed to successful comple- 
tion. Desiring a more extended field of operations, 
be moved to Fort Worth in 1884, where he estab- 
lished the State National Bank. He was president 
of the State National Bank at the time of his death. 
The estate he left to his widow and children was 
estimated at $500,000. 

Col. Harrison became a mason in 1842, in Friend- 
ship Lodge, No. 16, Clarksville, and afterwards 
took the Chapter and other degrees. He was also 
a member of the Legion of Honor. 



He was raised an ardent Henry Clay Whig, but 
acted with the Democratic party after the sur- 
render. He was opposed to secession, but went 
with his people, feeling it his duty to aid them, 
both by contributions and service. 

He first married, in Clarksville, Texas, July 1, 
1845, Miss Elizabeth Shields, who was born in 
Giles County, Tenn., September 7, 1829, daughter 
of William Shields, a farmer, and niece of Col. 
Ebenezer J. Shields, at one time a member of 
Congress from Tennessee. She died September 11, 
1855. By this marriage, Col. Harrison had three 
children, all born in Red River County, Texas: 
Medora, born September 12, 1848, died September 
17, 1864; Mavy E., born December 20, 1850, died 
October 25, 1851; and Elizabeth Louise, born 
October 17, 1852, still living. 

Col. Harrison married, in Clarksville, Texas, 
January 18, 1855, Miss Elizabeth Ann Epperson, a 
native of Tennessee, born October 11, 1835, daugh- 
ter of Cairo Epperson, a planter, and a scion of a 
South Carolina family. By this marriage Col. 
Harrison had six children, all born in Clarksville, 
viz. : Mary, born March 19, 1856 ; William B., bom 
January 13, 1858; John C, born June 25, 1859; 
Sally (now Mrs. Gov. C. A. Culberson), born July 
25, 1861 ; James, born September 17, 1863, and 
Amanda, born September 28, 1865, the latter of 
whom died June 21, 1866. 

Col. Harrison was a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. 

He was one of the clearest-headed and ablest 
financiers ever in tlie State ; enterprising, public- 
spirited, and generous in his support of every 
worthy cause. He is remembered lovingly by 
thousands of friends and admirers. 



CONRAD MEULY, 



CORPUS CHRISTI. 



It is doubtful if Texas ever had a more brave, 
loyal and patriotic pioneer than the late Conrad 
Meuly, whose home during a greater portion of his 
life was at or in the vicinity of Corpus Christi. 

He was born in Canton Graubunten, Switzer- 
land, April 12, 1812, and there lived until twenty- 
one years of age and then came to America. His 
father was an ofBce-holder. a man of affairs and a 



well-to-do citizen. Conrad, with others of the 
family, grew up under good business and social 
influences and was accorded a good education. 
Upon coming to America he landed at New York 
City, and at once set about the study of the English 
language, which in a short time he so far mastered 
as to speak and write it with intelligence and 
fluency. 



IXDIAN^ WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



049 



In New York he heard of the wonderful resources 
of Texas and the opportunities offered there to 
young men to make fortunes ; purchased a stock of 
silk dress-goods and hices and started with them 
for the Lone Star Republic. He reached Texas 
just in time to join the Santa Fe expedition, taking 
along with him his stock of merchandise, which 
was valued at $1,600, and upon which he sus- 
tained a total loss. The outcome of the ill-fated 
expedition is well known to the readers of Texas 
history. 

Mr. Meuly was among those who marched on foot 
to Mexico as prisoners, condemned to be shot for 
intriguing against the Mexican government, and 
required to draw beans in the lottery of death that 
decided who were and who were not to be executed. 
He drew a white bean and escaped with his life. 
Those who drew black beans were shot. Upon be- 
ing released from imprisonment he started for 
Texas with John Rahm, and, after suffering almost 
indescribable hardships, reached San Antonio. 
From San Antonio he went to Houston, where he 
met and made the favorable acquaintance of the 
late T. W. House, whose confidence he gained and 
whose aid he secured in opening a bakery and con- 
fectionery business. The business prospered, and 
Mr. House was ever after his staunch friend. 
Mr. Meuly married, in New Orleans, June 19, 1847, 
Miss Margaret Rahm, sister of his friend John, 
German by birth, and a lady of superior intelli- 
gence and education. The year following they 
located in Corpus Christi, where they embarked in 
the baker}' and confectionery business on Water 
street. When Gen. Taylor's army was on its way 
South Mr. Meuly furnished him quantities of the 



product of the bakery, for which Gen. Taylor paid 
him well. 

His business increased ; to his stock were added 
groceries and dry goods, and he continued there 
until 1862. Mr. Meuly was a brave and patriotic 
man and made no concealment of his pronounced 
loyalty to the Union and, when the war between the 
States broke out, he openly predicted failure for 
the Confederacy, and for this he was unpopular and 
made to suffer in various ways ; but even threats 
of hanging and the confiscation of his property 
failed to intimidate him and he continued in trade 
until the bombardment of Corpus Christi in Aug- 
ust, 1802, and then moved to his ranch, twenty-five 
miles distant in the country. He is said to have 
owned 15,000 head of cattle on this ranch. Many 
were confiscated by the Confederacy, however. 
Mr. Meuly, later, near the close of the war, con- 
tracted under the United States Government to 
deliver supplies and, while on one of his business 
trips, died in Brownsville of yellow fever, July 10, 
1865. He left a large estate in lands, stock and 
property in Corpus Christi to his widow and family. 
Mrs. Meuly still survives, lives at the old home in 
Corpus Christi, and of her twelve children, six are 
still living, viz.: Herman, Charles A., Alexander 
H., Margaret, Amelia A. and Mary E., the latter 
of whom is now Mrs. Charles F. H. Blucher. 
Ursula, the eldest, married William H. Daim- 
wood. She died May 14th, 1895, leaving five 
children. 

Mr. Meuly was a kind-hearted and benevolent 
man, always in sympathy with the worthy poor. 

He was honest and upright in all his dealings 
and was highly respected by all who knew him. 



JAMES LAWLOR, 



HOUSTON. 



Capt. James Lawlor was born in the city of 
Limerick, Ireland, November 1st, 1855. Spent 
his earlj' boyhood days in Clontarf, Dublin, and 
came to America in 1870, landing at Boston, Mass., 
where he remained for a short time ; then proceeded 
west to Chicago, and from that city on to Colorado, 
where he worked as a miner and engaged in various 
business pursuits. From Colorado he went to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he engaged in the hotel business. 

About ten years ago Capt. Lawlor moved to 



Houston. Texas, where he is the proprietor of the 
Lawlor Hotel, and has identified himself with the 
business and social interests of that city. 

Always deeply interested in the movement being 
made in this country in behalf of Irish self-govern- 
ment, Capt. Lawlor's name, at everj- stage of his 
busy life, has been associated with those of the men 
who have done most in behalf of down-trodden and 
misgoverned Ireland. Pressing business engage- 
ments, however, kept Capt. Lawlor from the New 



650 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Movement Convention, recentlj' held at Chicago, 
but his genial friend, Mr. Patrick Barry, of Galves- 
ton, Texas, suggested his name as a member of the 
Executive Board of Nine, and he was unanimously 
elected to that position by the convention. 

Capt. Lawlor is in command of the Emmet Rifles, 
a crack company of the Texas Volunteer Guard, 
and is also president of the Emmet Council and 
Benevolent Association, of Houston, Texas. He is 
an exemplary citizen, a steadfast Irish Nationalist, 



a friend of the oppressed of all countries, a 
man of commanding appearance ; whole-souled, 
generous and genial, and has many thousands of 
friends throughout Texas. 

Before leaving Colorado Capt. Lawlor married 
Miss Anne McNally, a resident of St. Louis, but 
claiming Ireland as her native land, and with his 
handsome wife and a lovely daughter, just growing 
into young womanhood, Capt. Lawlor's domestic 
life leaves nothing to lie desired. 



GREEN A. RABB, 

CORPUS CHRISTI. 



It is seldom, if ever, that the writer of local his- 
tory has occasion to chronicle the life of a more 
successful and popular citizen than that of the sub- 
ject of this brief memoir. 

A member of one of Texas' oldest and most 
respected families, a great-grandson of a member of 
the first colony of American settlers of the State, 
his life reflected those strong traits that have char- 
acterized his ancestors wherever known. Prior to 
the year 1819 data concerning the Rabb family is 
quite meager, and to various pioneers of Texas and 
also to old records and published documents the 
writer is indebted for the following briefly stated 
facts touching this pioneer family: — 

The founder of the Rabb familj- in Texas was 
Wm. Rabb, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth and 
of Dutch descent. His family lived at the time of 
his birth in Fayette County. They later came West 
and located in Illinois on the Mississippi river, 
nearly opposite St. Louis, Mo. There Mr. Rabb 
erected a water-mill for grinding flour, operated it 
successfully for a time, sold out, and with his fam- 
ily removed to Washington, Ark., where he resided 
until the year 1819. He then, with a son, Thos. J. 
Rabb (known as Capt. Rabb), made a prospecting 
trip to Texas, exploring quite an extent of country, 
including the Colorado and Guadalupe valleys. In 
1821 they put in a crop of corn on land included in 
what is familiarly known as Rabb's Prairie. This 
is conceded to be the first corn raised by an Amer- 
ican in all that region of country. Returning to his 
home and family in Arkansas tbey prepared to take 
up their journey to their newly selected home in 
Texas, and joined Austin's first colony of 300, 
arriving in December, 1821. Early in 1822 Wm. 



Rabb crossed the Colorado river at the present loca- 
tion of the city of La Grange and erected one of the 
first block-houses in that section. 

It was located on what is known as Indian Hill, 
about four miles east of West Point, Fayette 
County, and the entire neighborhood took part in its 
building. In 1823 the Indians raided the country and 
the settlers look refuge in this fort, from which they 
successfully, for three days, defended themselves, 
suffering only the loss of some stock, killed 
and stolen. Following the occurrence Mr. Rabb 
moved with his family and belongings to Wharton 
County, where two sons, Thomas and Andrew, had 
previously located. There he pursued stock-raising 
until 1829, and then returned to his former place 
and settled on Rabb's Prairie, where he extensively 
engaged in stock-raising. In 1831 he erected a 
grist mill on the Colorado river at Rabb's Prairie, 
getting the greater part of the material at New 
Orleans. He imported the mill stones, or burrs, 
from Scotland. They were landed at Matagordo. 
There were no wagons in the country in those days 
and how to transport the ponderous stones from 
the coast to the point of destination became a 
question. Mr. Rabb's ingenuity was equal to the 
emergency, however, and he made a wooden axle, 
attached thereto a tongue, used the mill stones foi" 
wheels and, with several yoke of oxen brought 
them to the site of the mill over some two hundred 
miles of rough roads in a new country. For the 
construction of this mill, the Mexican government 
granted him three leagues of land which he located 
on Rabb's Prairie — -said to have been the richest 
bottom lands along the Rio Grande. 

During the construction of this mill, Mr. Rabb. 




GRKKN A. UAKB. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



651 



owing to the inflrmities of advancing years and ex- 
posure to the rigors of frontier life, was taken sick 
and died (in 1832) at about sixty years of age. 
He was a man of great energy and strict integritj', 
and liis name as a pioneer and the founder of a 
large and influential family deserves a place upon 
tlie pages of Texas liistory. Mr. Rabb was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Smalley in Illinois. She proved 
to him an ever faithful wife and sympathizer in all 
of his ambitions. She bore him five children, viz. : 
Rachel, who became the wife of A. M. Newman; 
Andrew, John, Thomas (who was known as Capt. 
Rabb), and Ulysses. John Rabb, the father 
of Green A. Rabb, the subject of this sketch, was 
a son of Andrew Rabb. He was a successful 
farmer and stock-raiser, came to Southwest Texas 
and engaged in stock-raising. He served as an 
officer, doing gallant service for the Southern Con- 
federacy in the Rio Grande river country, during 
the war between the States. He also helped Texas 



gain her independence from Mexico. He was born 
August 16th, 1825, and was married May 25, 1848, 
to Miss Martha Regan, who bore him seven chil- 
dren. 

Green A. Rabb, subject of this sketch, was born 
at Yorktown, Texas, August 29th, 1854, and mar- 
ried, November 21st, 1883, Miss Cora B. Oppelt, a 
daughter of Judge Benjamin Oppelt, of Kemper 
County, Miss., a lawyer by profession, and Judge 
of the District Court. 

Mr. Rabb was educated at Corpus Christi. He 
early engaged in stock-raising in which he was very 
successful. He was a kind, genial and popular 
citizen and of the strictest integrity. He had 
legions of friends. He left a large . estate to his 
bereaved widow, who survives him. He died at 
Corpus Christi, September 8th, 1894. 

He was a man of fine appearance and address, 
and one of the most influential men of the section 
of the State in which he resided. 



ROBERT G. BLOSSMAN, 



CORPUS CHRISTI, 



Is a son of the late Richard D. Blossman, one of 
Texas' early pioneers. He was born in New Or- 
leans, La., January 26th, 1851. In 1857 his father 
moved to Fort Lavaca, Texas, and entered mer- 
chandising. Robert G. Blossman spent his youth 
at Port Lavaca, and in 1867 went to Parral, Mexico, 
where he worked as commissary for a mining com- 
pany for two years. He then returned to Texas, 
and clerked for seven years at Indianola for a mer- 
cantile establishment. He went to Corpus Christi 
in 1877 and remained there in the same capacity 
until 1885. He then embarked in trade for himself 
in gents' furnishing goods. He continued in this 
line for three years, and was then elected District 



and County Clerk of Nueces County, and served 
one term, giving eminent satisfaction to his constit- 
uents. He then entered the grocery business, and 
after conducting it one year alone, took as his part- 
ner James B. Thompson, Esq., organizing the firm 
of R. G. Blossman & Co., which is now one of the 
strongest and most prosperous mercantile firms in 
Corpus Christi. Mr. Blossman married, in 1879, 
Miss Ella Sallean, at Corpus Christi. She was 
born in New Orleans, La. They have four chil- 
dren, viz. : Laura R., Robert G., Jr., Elenita S., 
and Joseph F. Mr. Blossman's high position in 
business and social circles is due entirely to his 
own personal exertions. 



652 



IXDIAX WARS AND PIOXEERS OF TEXAS. 



MICAJAH H. BONNER, 

TYLER. 



Judge Micajah Hubbard Bonner was born near 
Greenville. Butler County, Ala., Januar}- 25th, 
1828. His father, William N. Bonner, a minister 
of the Methodist Church, was born in Hancock 
County, Ga., in 1806. His paternal grandfather, 
Hubbard Bonner, of English descent, was a native 
of Marj'land, and married Rachel McGee, in 1798. 
The mother of M. H. Bonner was Martha Ellen 
Wade, who was born in Hancock County, Ga., 
April 28th, 1808. She was the daughter of Micajah 
Wade and granddaughter of James McCormick, a 
gallant Revolutionary soldier, who fought through- 
out the seven years war for the liberty of the 
Colonies. 

From Butler County, Ala., William N. Bonner 
removed with his family to Holmes County, Miss., 
in 183.5. 

His son, M. H. Bonner, completed his education 
in La Grange, Ky. , and having carefully prepared 
himself liy laborious study, obtained license, De- 
cember ath, 1848, in Lexington, Holmes County, 
Miss., to practice law. He emigrated to Texas in 
1849, and soon evinced that capacity which ad- 
vanced him to the front rank in his profession as 
an accomplished and conscientious lawyer. He was 
married at Marshall, Texas, July loth, 1849, to 
Miss Elizabeth P. Taj'lor, whose virtues and accom- 
plishments he appreciated with rare devotion. After 
his marriage he located in Rusk, Cherokee County, 
Texas, where, as a partner of J. Pinkney Hender- 
son, and, after his election to Congress, as a mem- 
ber of the law firm of Bonner & Bonner, he practiced 
his profession until 1873, when he removed to Tyler, 
Smith Count}', Texas. The other members of the 
firm of Bonner & Bonner were F. W. Bonner, Col. 
Thomas R. Bonner, who was Speaker of the House 
of Representatives of the Fifteenth Legislature, 
and William Hubbard Bonner, now deceased, son 
of M. H. Bonner. 

The subject of this sketch was, on the unanimous 
recommendation of the lawyers of the Tenth Judi- 
cial District, appointed Judge of that district in 
May, 1873. It is but proper to state that he was 
not at that time a resident of that district, a fact 
that evinces the high regard in which he was held 



by his professional brethren. On the 16th of Feb- 
ruary, 1874, he was appointed by Governor Coke 
to the Judgeship of the Tenth District, a position 
which he held until 1876, when, after a change of 
the State constitution, he was elected Judge of the 
Seventh District. 

On the first day of October, 1878. he was ap- 
pointed by Governor Hubbard an Associate Justice 
of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused bj- 
the resignation of Judge Moore, and in November, 
1878, vras elected by the people to the same posi- 
tion, by a very large majority. His term of service 
extended from 1878 to 18 — , when he resumed the 
practice of his profession at Tyler. 

Judge Bonner's career in Texas illustrates more 
forcibly than that of almost any other prominent 
man how the highest success may be obtained in 
the profession of law by one who exemplifies in his 
daily walk the life of a Christian gentleman. Dur- 
ing his whole professional career he was a devout 
member of the Methodist Church, always taking an 
active interest in whatever pertained to the" cause 
of religion. No press of official or professional 
business ever induced him to regret the self- 
imposed duties connected with his Church member- 
ship. 

Althougli always a consistent Democrat, he never 
figured before the people as a politician. This may 
be attributed quite as much to his retiring disposi- 
tion as to his fondness for the laborious study and 
practice of his profession. Few men ever estab- 
lished a more enviable reputation as a District 
Judge. His duties on the supreme bench, while 
extending the sphere of his usefulness, were so 
performed as to secure the unqualified approval of 
the profession. Patient and laborious while inves- 
tigating a cause, his opinions contain a clear ex- 
position of his conclusions and compare favorably 
with those of the ablest judges. 

Judge Bonner died at his home in Tyler on the 
28th day of November, 1883. Of his family his 
wife and the following children survive: Charles 
T. Bonner, John T. Bonner, Mrs. Annie R. Mc- 
Clendon, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith and Mrs. Irvine 
Pope, all of whom reside in Tyler. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



653 



S. A. EASLEY, 

CIRCLEVILLE, 



Came to Texas in 1852. He was born about seven 
miles from Greenville, S. C, just over the county 
line, in Pickens County, August 26, 1826. His 
parents were John and Elizabeth (King) Easley. 
His mother was of Spartanburg, S. C. His father 
was born in Virginia, where his grandfather, Robert, 
was born, and lived until removing to South Carolina, 
just prior to the close of the Revolutionary war. The 
Easley family is a family of planters and Col. S. A. 
P^asley was reared to that pursuit, acquainting him- 
self thoroughly with all of its details. He married, 
in 1848, Miss Elizabeth Sloan. His parents were 
people of property ; but, of a proud and independ- 
ent spirit, the idea of receiving their aid was dis- 
tasteful to him, and he and his young wife, who was 
in full accord with him, moved to Texas, expecting 
to locate in Kaufman County. They visited Kauf- 
man and, hearing that a fine tract of land on the 
San Gabriel river in Williamson County was for 
sale at a bargain, he visited the spot and purchased 
the property, buying it from William Ashworth, a 
mulatto free negro who had fought in the Texas 
army, and by a special act of the Texas Congress, 
had been made owner of the land as a reward for 
his services. Col. Easley paid $1.50 per acre for 
this league of as fine land as there is in the State. 
It was uninclosed and stock roamed at will over 
that entire section of the country. 

Col. Easley commenced farming, however, rais- 
ing wheat, corn and cotton and some stock. He 
built on his farm the second cotton gin in the 
county, and fenced, improved and developed one of 



the finest farming properties in that part of the 
State. 

A man of broad intelligence and information, 
he was elected to represent his district in the 
Legislature during Governor Coke's administration. 
Aside from this service he never aspired to or filled 
a political office. He has practicall}' retired from 
active business life to his elegant home, where he is 
pleasantly spending his remaining years in the 
society of his beloved wife and surrounded by their 
six living children, all of whom are grown and com- 
fortably settled in life. The children are: Mamie, 
now Mrs. Daniel Wilcox, of Georgetown ; Samuel, 
whose farm adjoins the old homestead ; Nannie, 
now Mrs. Bonnell, of Taylor ; Lizzie, now Mrs. 
Fred. Turner, of Austin ; Southie, now Mrs. J. L. 
Root, of Williamson County ; and Florence, now 
Mrs. Harry Derrett, of Wichita Falls. During the 
war between the vStates Col. Easley served in the 
Confederate army as Captain of a company of cav- 
alry in Mann's Regiment for two years in the De- 
partment of the Gulf. 

In 1861, by order of the Governor, all men over 
eighteen and under forty-five in Williamson County 
were organized into a regiment and Col. Easley 
was elected Colonel of the same, hence his title of 
Colonel. 

His soldierly bearing greatly endeared him to his 
comrades in arms and his sterling traits of character 
and useful and honorable career have won for him 
a wide-spread popularity among his fellow-citizens 
of Texas. 



CHARLES KLEMME, 

HASTINGS, 



One of the early settlers of Kendall Count3', was 
born in Germany in 1822, learned the brick and 
stone mason's trade in his native land ; came from 
Germany to San Antonio, Texas, in 1848, via Gal- 
veston, Indianola and Victoria, and there worked at 
his trade for a time. Mr. Klemme located on his 
present home in 1872, and has developed one of the 



best farms in Kendall County. He was married to 
Miss Johanna Michel, a daughter of Thomas Michel 
at New Braunfels, in 1853. She was born in Sax 
ony. Mr. and Mrs. Klemme have seven children 
Adeline, now Mrs. Christian Anderson ; Texanna 
now Mrs. Tobias Freilweh ; Laura, John, Edward 
Amelia, and Caroline. The Klemme ranch is beau 



654 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



tifully located in the mountains four and a half miles 
from Boenie, and affords a quiet summer retreat 
for invalids and people from San Antonio and other 
cities, tired of the heat, dust and noise incident to 
town life. Mr. Klemme is a typical old-timer. 



plain, unswerving and faithful to his family and 
friends. His sons and daughters were given good 
educational advantages. His sons have excellent 
social and business qualities, and his daughters fine 
domestic tastes and phj'sical and mental graces. 



SAM BELL MAXEY, 

PARIS. 



Hon. S. B. Maxey, long a distinguished figure in 
public life in Texas, and eminent as United States' 
Senator from this State, is well remembered and his 
memory will ever be honored by the people of 
Texas, in whose interest he spent the best years of 
his life and who, with their descendants, will long 
continue to enjoy the fruits of his patriotic labors. 
In preparing a brief memoir of his life, liberal ex- 
tracts are made from an article written by Col. Wm. 
Preston Johnson and published in the New York 
World. 

"The Maxey family are of Huguenot descent, 
having settled on the James river soon after the 
revocation of the edict of Nantes. His great 
grandfather, Radford Maxey, became a tobacco 
planter in Halifax County, Va., and his grand- 
father, William Maxey, removed to Kentucky in the 
last century. His father. Rice Maxey, was born 
in Barren County, Ky., in the year 1800, and was 
a lawyer by profession. His mother was the 
daughter of Samuel Bell, a native of Albermarle 
County, Va., but resident in Richmond. 

"Samuel Bell Maxey was born at Tompkins- 
ville, Monroe County, Ky., March 30th, 1825. His 
father removed, in 1834, to Clinton County, where 
he was clerk of the circuit and county courts. In 
1857 he immigrateil to Texas and settled at Paris. 
Samuel was educated at the best schools, studying 
Latin, Greek and mathematics, until he was ap- 
pointed a cadet in the Military Academy at West 
Point. He was graduated there in 1846, and 
assigned to the Seventh Infantry as a Brevet Second 
Lieutenant. That fall he went to Mexico. He first 
joined Taylor at Monterey, and when Scott organ- 
ized a new offensive line from Vera Cruz; Maxey 
went in Twiggs' colunin to Tampico. He shared in 
the siege of Vera Cruz, and was with Harvey's 
brigade at the' battle of Cerro Gordo. He was 
brevetted on the battlefield a First Lieutenant for 
wallant conduct at the battles of Contreras and 



Cherubusco, and was also engaged at Molino del 
Rey and in the engagement which resulted in the 
capture of the city of Mexico. After the city fell 
into his hands. Gen. Scott organized a battalion of 
five companies of picked men, under Col. Charles 
F. Smith, as a city guard. Maxey was assigned to 
the command of one of these companies, and 
he was thus provost of one of the five districts 
of the city. Maxey had learned French at West 
Point. While in Mexico he became familiar with 
the Spanish tongue, which subsequently proved 
useful to him in the practice of law in Texas. He 
returned to the United States from Mexico in the 
summer of 1848, and was stationed at Jefferson 
Barracks. Restless in intellect, and unwilling to 
become one of the cankers of a long peace, he 
amused himself for a while by the study of law, 
and finally resigned, September 17, 1849. His only 
brother, a prominent young lawyer, had gone to 
Mexico as a Captain of volunteers, and had lost his 
life there. INIaxey returned to his father's home, 
studied law, and in 1850 began the practice at Al- 
bany, Clinton County, Ky. On July 19, 1853, he 
was married to Miss Marilda Cassa Denton, the 
daughter of a farmer and grand-daughter of a Bap- 
tist preacher famed for his eloquence, who attained 
the age of eighty years. When Gen. Maxey cele- 
brated his silver wedding, in 1878, in Paris, his 
own father, his wife's father, the minister who mar- 
ried him, and several witnesses of the ceremony 
were present. In 1857 he located at Paris, a 
promising town in Northeastern Texas. He pur- 
chased five acres of land in the open prairie. It is 
now a beautiful, tasteful home, surrounded by trees 
and flowers. We lament the subjugation of nature 
by the hand of civilization, but it is a false senti- 
ment. The displacement of the savage by the 
white man, the desert blossoming as the rose, is 
the order of development towards higher" and bet- 
ter things. Maxey practiced law until 1861. He 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



655 



had beeu brought up a Whig, but the movement of 
events brought him into the Democratic part}'. He 
voted for Breckenridge and favored the secession of 
the State from the Union. In 1861 he was elected 
to the State Senate by a large majority, but the 
war coming on, he declined to follow the peaceful 
walks of life when needed in the field of danger ; 
his aged father was elected to take his place, and 
be joined the army. He raised the Ninth Texas 



ized a considerable force in East Tennessee, and 
through the agency of Col. A. M. Lea, a valuable 
engineer officer, prepared a militai'y map of East 
Tennessee, which afterwards proved of great use. 
"After the battle of Shiloh, Gen. Maxey was 
sent back to the army at Corinth, and remained 
with it until Bragg led it to Chattanooga again. 
Here he was put in command of a corps of observ- 
ation on the Tennessee river, fronting Buell's army. 




GEN. SAM B. MAXEY. 



Infantry for the army under Gen. Albert Sidney 
Johnston. In December, 1861, it marched by 
land, and reached Memphis to join the army at 
Corinth. In the meantime Maxey bad been pro- 
moted to be a Brigadier-General. He joined Gen. 
Johnston at Decatur, and was sent by him to Chat- 
tanooga to collect and re-organize troops there. 
Gen. Johnston attached importance to this point, 
and wished to place an officer of some military ex- 
perience there, in view of the possibility of Buell 
sending an expedition against it. Maxey organ- 



Wheu Buell withdrew Maxey at once advised Bragg 
by telegrapli. He also assailed the Federal rear 
guard, and drove it out of Bridgeport, Battle Creek 
and Stevenson, capturing all its stores, horses, 
maps, headquarters, papers, etc. 

" Gen, Maxey's services in the army were many 
and important. He was at the first siege of Port 
Hudson, in which the enemy were repulsed. He 
afterwards joined Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in the 
Big Black campaign, and was at the siege of Cor- 
inth. On the direct application of Gen. E. Kirby 



G56 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Smith, then in command of the Trans-Mississippi 
Department, President Davis, in the fall of 1863, 
ordered Gen. Maxey to take command of the Indian 
Territory. Everything there was in terrible con- 
fusion, and some ten or twelve thousand friendly 
Indians were in a state of great destitution. 
Maxey, with very little aid from headquarters, or- 
ganized everything and put eight or ten thousand 
troops under arms. In the spring of 1864 he kept 
himself fully informed of the Federal movements. 
He advised Gen. Smith of Steele's advance, and 
moved into Arkansas, where he joined Price and 
shared in his fight at Prairie d' Anne to check the 
enemy. He fought Steele at Poison Springs, April 
18, 1864, and captured his entire train of 227 
wagons. The loss of his transportation compelled 
Steele to retire. For his conduct on this occasion 
Maxey was made a Major-General. 

" During this campaign he acted as Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs, and was very successful in his 
management of these brave but troublesome allies. 
The gallant Gen. Stan Watie, a Cherokee, under his 
orders, managed to capture a steamboat with 
$100,000 worth of stores on board, which were dis- 
tributed among the Indians. In September, 1864, 
he organized a command, under Gens. Gano and 
Stan Watie, to ford the Arkansas river, and catch 
a wagon train from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson. 
They captured 260 wagons, 200 of which they 
brought in. They secured clothing for 2,000 men. 
They also captured 200 cavalry, with their trans- 
portation and mules, near Fort Smith. This cam- 
paign was made on grass. In the spring of 1865 
he was put in the command of a cavalry division, 
but the war was drawing to a close, and it was dis- 
banded by orders. May 29, 1865. 

" Gen. Maxey returned to his home and devoted 
himself to the practice of law, which soon proved 
laborious and lucrative. He was appointed Judge, 
but declined. In 1874 he was elected to tlie United 
.States Senate, and took his seat March 5, 1875. At 
first Gen. Maxey was placed on the Committee on 



Territories, but was transferred tlie same year 
(1875) to that on military affairs. He served con- 
tinuously on the committees on labor and educa- 
tion, and on postofHces, of which latter he was 
chairman, until he retired from the Senate. He 
had more than ordinary success in practical legisla- 
tion. He never made a report from any committee 
which was not sustained. The postofflce committee 
is a very important one to a frontier State. Gen. 
Maxey aided greatly in increasing the postal facil- 
ities of Texas. Gen. Maxey's success at the bar 
and in political life was due in part to his oratori- 
cal powers. His idea of the management of a case 
was to attend to the important points and let the 
rest go. His memory was quite remarkable and he 
was never at a loss for a date. In the conduct of 
the most protracted trial he could recall the entire 
evidence without notes, and he cited his authori- 
ties, case, volume, and page, with unerring accur- 
acy. His remarkable memory was inherited from 
his mother, who could quote page after page of her 
favorite poets, such as Byron and Campbell. 

"Gen. Maxey was a member of the Baptist 
Church, to which his family has belonged for four 
or five generations. He was a gallant, genial gen- 
tleman, and a hard-working, useful Senator. Very 
few Senators enjoyed so generally the affection and 
esteem of their colleagues." 

In January, 1881, Gen. Maxey was re-elected to 
the United States Senate by the Legislature of 
Texas for a second term of six years, from March, 
1881, to March, 1887, on the first ballot, by the 
following vote: — 

In the Senate: Maxey, 22; Throckmorton, 8; 
Davis, 1. In the House: Maxey, 51; Throck- 
morton, 34; Davis, 6; Reagan, 1. 

Upon the expiration of his term he was suc- 
ceeded by Hon. John H. Reagan, and thereafter 
devoted himself to his law practice at Paris, Texas. 
Gen. Maxey died at Eureka Springs, Ark., August 
16, 1895, and was buried in Evergreen Cemeter3', 
Paris, Texas, August 18, 1895. 



RUFUS C. BURLESON, 



WACO. 



Rufus C. Burleson, D. D., LL.D., president 
of the Baylor University, Waco, Texas, is one of 
the most successful educators in the South. He 
has held his office for forty-five years, a longer 



period than any similar position has been held by 
anyone in the United States, except Dr. Eliphalet 
Nott and Dr. Francis Wayland. He has instructed 
over 8,000 young men and women, many of whom 



INDIAN WAKS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



657 



are among the most prominent citizens of Texas 
and the South. Their influence is powerfully felt 
in every profession, every occupation, and every 
political, educational and religious movement in 
Texas. Some one has said that man is greatest 
whose influence enters as a constructive power into 
the life and character of other men. Measured by 
this standard, few men are entitled to a higher 
rank than Dr. Burleson. He was born near 
Decatur, Ala., August 7, 1823. He entered Nash- 
ville University in 1840, and was licensed to preach 
bj' the First Baptist Church the same year. He 
■was married to Miss Georgia Jenkins, at Independ- 
ence, Texas, January 2, 1853. 

At seventeen years of age Dr. Burleson decided 
to devote his life to preacliing the gospel and edu- 
cating the Baptists, especially the Baptist ministry, 
to a higher plane of zeal and intelligence, and that 
he might be fully prepared for his life work he 
spent seven years in arduous study, (irst in Nash- 
ville University, then as a teacher in Mississippi, 
and then in the Literary and Theological Institute, 
at Covington, Ky. He graduated in 1847. He 
then wrote down in his note-book the outline of the 
work which he has now most successfully and zeal- 
ously pursued for forty-nine years. Thus fully 
equipped, he entered Texas in 1848, and three 
years and a half after his arrival, became president 
and organized the first college classes in Baylor 
University, which now, after the many years of his 
management, has the finest buildings and the most 
beautiful campus in the South. It employs twenty- 
six able, efficient, professional teachers, and matric- 
ulated, in 1892, eight hundred and sixty-nine 
students. It is the pioneer co-educational university 
in the South, the second in America, and the third 
in the world, and one hundred and ninety of the 
greatest institutions in America and Europe have 
followed its example in adopting co-education, so 
much ridiculed thirty years ago. Dr. Burleson has 
been equally successful as a preacher. He has 
preached in every town, except new railroad 
stations, in the Empire State of Texas. He 



baptized the heroine of the Alamo and the hero of 
San Jacinto ; such eminent men as Judges A. S. 
Lipscomb, W. E. Donley, Gen. James Davis, Judge 
William E. Davis, Col. James W. Anderson, and 
scores of others, not only among the great and 
learned, but among the most humble of all 
classes. In addition to his great work as a 
teacher and preacher. Dr. Burleson has been 
a leading and influential advocate of railroads, 
prohibition, and everything looking to the material 
growth of Texas. He never forgets his duty 
as a citizen on the day of election. He votes 
invariably for every officer from Constable to Presi- 
dent. 

Though an ardent Southerner and a former slave- 
holder, he is a devoted lover of the Union. In 
the stormiest days of secession he often said: " I 
would gladly wrap myself in the Stars and Stripes, 
and lay my head on the executioner's block and die 
to perpetuate the Union of the States as founded by 
Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and our Revolu- 
tionary fathers." Though an ardent Baptist, he is 
a sincere lover of all Christians. He has never 
used tobacco or intoxicating drinks, was never seen 
in a ball room, a theater, nor on a race track, 
knows nothing of cards, billiards or chess, and 
never swore but one oath in his life. His habits of 
temperance have given him his remarkable health 
and vigor of mind and body. He toils daily from 
7 o'clock in the morning to 12 at night, reserving 
only thirty minutes for each meal, interspersed 
with good jokes and hearty laughter, and another 
thirty minutes for an afternoon siesta, and he will 
keep on working to the end. He confidently hopes 
to live to see Texas the grandest State between the 
oceans, and the greatest Baptist State in the world. 
He will then be able to say, like old Simeon, "Now, 
Lord, let Thy servant depart in peace, for mine 
eyes have seen Thy salvation." His early thorough 
preparation, and undying devotion for over fifty 
years to one great life purpose, presents a grand 
model for all young men who desire great and hon- 
orable success. 



L. A. ABERCROMBIE, 



HUNTSVILLE. 



The late lamented L. A. Abercrombie was a 
native of Alabama, born in Montgomery County in 
December, 1832. His father, Milo B. Abercrom- 
bie, was a Georgian, descended from the Aber- 



crombies of England. His mother, whose maiden 
uame was Sarah L. Haden, was a daughter of 
Robert G. Haden, of North Carolina.'and a niece 
of Hon. Albert Fisher, of Florida. 



658 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The subject of this memoir completed his educa- 
tion in Alexandria, Va., and read law under 
Judge William P. Chilton (whose daughter he 
afterwards married) and Hon. David Clopton, 
in Tuskegee, Macon County, Ala. He was 
admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of 
Alabama, in 1854, and moved immediately to 
Madison County, Texas. Here he formed a part- 
nership with Messrs. Yoakum (the historian) and 
Branch, with whom he practiced law about eighteen 
months. In the fall of 1856 he moved to Hunts- 
ville, where he afterwards resided until the time of 
his death. His practice grew upon him with the 
extension of his acquaintance and experience, until 
his business circuit embraced not only Walker, but 
the adjoining counties. 

In 1860 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for 
the district composed of Walker, Grimes, Harris, 
Montgomery and Galveston counties, and in the 
same year he was chosen a delegate to the seces- 
sion convention that met at Austin. In 1861 he 
resigned his office and entered the Confederate 
arm}', enlisting in Gillespie's company of Nichol's 
regiment, and served throughout the war. In 1862 
he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of Elmore's regi- 
ment, and held that position until the close of the 
conflict. He commanded the regiment in the siege 
and recapture of Galveston, Col. Elmore being 
absent on furlough, but the regiment, being 
infantry, was not actively engaged in the fight, 
which was conducted by the artillery. 

He was a Master Mason. In politics he was a 
thorough-going Democrat, and several times repre- 
sented his county in the State conventions of his 
party. He conducted his business affairs with 
prudence, industry and economy, and acquired a 
large and valuable estate. His record as a lawyer 
and citizen is without a blemish. By his profes- 
sional brethren he was beloved and honored. One 
of them, his esteemed friend, Judge Norman G. 
Kittrell, has furnished the writer with the following 
concerning him : — 

" He came to Texas in 1853, and entered upon 
the practice of law in 1855, and the year following 
moved to Huntsville. He was elected a member 
of the secession convention, and also District 
Attorney of the district, which then included Harris 
and Galveston counties, and resigned the latter 
office to enter the Confederate armj', in which he 
served as Lieutenant-Colonel. After the war, 
poor, burdened with debt, and with only a local 
reputation as a Iaw}'er, he set about overcoming the 
difficulties that surrounded him and emerged with 
a competency, his debts discharged and with a 
reputation as a lawyer among the profession co- 



extensive with the limits of the State. As a civil 
pleader, his work was as near proof against suc- 
cessful assault as that of any lawyer in Texas, and 
as an ' all around law3'er,' in large cases and small, 
civil and criminal, as they came in the course of a 
miscellaneous nisi prius practice, he had few, if 
any, superiors at the bar in the State. 

" He had but little confidence in what men call 
genius, and never depended for success upon the 
inspiration of the moment. Work, work unceas- 
ing, was the touchstone of his success. He was 
a born fighter. He asked no favor for himself from 
either court or counsel, while his courtesy to both 
was uniform and unfailing. 

" No development in the course of a trial, how- 
ever unexpected, or however much it militated 
against him, ever disconcerted him. No temporary 
defeat discouraged him. He prepared at every 
step for future battle, and fought on with dogged 
persistence, and, if he finally lost, which in pro- 
portion to the extent of his practice was an exceed- 
ingly rare occurrence, his adversary felt that he had 
indeed won at the ' very end of the law.' 

" As a Senator from the Ninth District he was a 
statesman in wisdom and counsel. In sunshine and 
storm he was safe to trust. As a jurist he was 
learned and patient, a lover of justice, absolutely 
fearless in the discharge of duty, and without re- 
proach ; a patriot in whose heart a love of country 
reigned supreme, and who counted no sacrifice too 
great for the welfare of his State and country." 

Col. Abercrombie was married at Tuskegee, 
Macon County, Ga., January 1st, 1860, to Miss 
Lavinia Chilton, daughter of the Hon. Wm. P. 
Chilton, who for fourteen years served as a member 
of the Supreme Court of the State of Alabama, 
and as Chief Justice for a number of 3'ears. He 
was also a member of the Confederate Congress, 
first at Montgomery and afterwards at Richmond. 
The Chilton family have furnished some of the 
most distinguished men known to our national 
history. She was the first graduate of the East 
Alabama College. In her education she received 
the most careful training. A most accomplished 
lady, she was a leader of the best society, and 
made a model wife and mother. The Abercrombie 
home at Huntsville has been long famous for its 
hospitalit}'. The following children were born of 
the marriage, all born in Walker County, viz. : 
Mary, widow of Henry Finch, a prominent lawyer 
of Fort Worth ; Lavinia, wife of Robert S. Lovett, 
a leading railroad attorney at Houston ; Ella Haden, 
wife of John H. Lewis, of Nortii Texas ; Francis 
A. ; William Chilton, who is now at Harvard Uni- 
versity studying law; Leonard A., also studying at 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



659 



Harvard University; Corinne R. , who is attending 
Wellesly College. 

Col. Abercrombie died at Philadelphia, Decem- 
ber 23d, 1891, and is buried at Huntsville. 



Col. Abercrombie died at the University Hospital, 
Philadelphia, on the 23d of December, 1891, and 
his remains were brought to Huntsville, where they 
now rest. 



JOHN IRELAND, 



SEGUIN. 



The most distinguishing characteristic of Gover- 
nor John Ireland was his uncompromising devotion 
to duty, private or public. That was the guiding 
star of his life, and he steered his course in all the 
relations of life by that Polar Star. It gave him a 
most exalted appreciation of justice, and no man 
can complain that he was ever unjust in any of his 
transactions. This may not have been a difficult 
task for him, as his principles were fixed and of a 
high standard, and his temperament was serene. 
He had, therefore, a perfect control over himself, 
and when a man attains that power over self and he 
is conscientious, as he was, he will rarely err in his 
decisions of what is just. 

Governor Ireland's mind was singularly free 
from the embarrassments of any kind of environ- 
ment ; emergencies that always arise in the life of 
a professional or public man found him equal to 
them, and well may it be said of him that he had a 
mind and character equal to any emergency. He 
was by no means a brilliant man ; everything that 
he attained he worked for with unrelenting assidu- 
ity. There was no problem, either of law or states- 
manship, that appalled him. He knew his powers 
and he had them at his command. John Ireland 
was the architect of his own fortunes, or, according 
to the popular expression, he was a self-made man. 
He did not come from the poorer class of society 
that has furnished so many eminent men to this 
country, but his father was a Kentucky farmer of 
limited means, and educational facilities were not 
then what they are now in that part of the State of 
which he was a native and in which he was reared. 
He obtained at the old field schools of his native 
county the rudiments of an English education, and, 
early in life, appreciating the importance of an edu- 
cation, he made that more accurate than his fellows, 
with the same opportunities, for he was an earnest 
boy as he was an earnest man. 

He went through the best kind of training for the 
profession of law, which he early chose for a life 



occupation, and the first office he held was that of 
Constable. While in this way he became, through 
the discharge of his duties in this inferior office, 
familiar with writs and court papers, at the same 
time he was at night digging into the mine of legal 
wealth that any country lawyer's office then 
afforded of the most profound legal writers. He 
worked earnestly and hard, and while he was stor- 
ing away the great principles of the Common Law 
the mental exercise strengthened and enlarged his 
intellectual perceptions. It might have seemed 
from his practical association with statutory law 
that he would have become a " case lawyer," but 
he was not ; he was a broad-gauged lawyer, built 
upon the strictest logical reasoning ; nothing was 
valuable to him that had no reason for it. He had 
no respect for a decision of a Supreme Court unless 
it was based upon reason and bolstered by the clear- 
est logical reasoning. 

The life of John Ireland, however, was not des- 
tined to be confined to the practice of law. There 
was too much of that old Roman virtue of integrity 
and patriotism about him not to have been appre- 
ciated bj' his fellow-citizens and his services were 
demanded by them in the legislative halls, in the 
Judiciary, and the highest executive office of the 
State of Texas. 

He came to Texas while a young man, he was in 
fact a pioneer, and became intimately associated 
with those great men who molded the organic law 
of the State, and who endured the hardships of 
an unequal warfare to establish and maintain a 
separate nationality as the "Lone Star State," and 
from them he caught the spirit of the institutions of 
the State and brought his strong mind to bear upon 
its development. 

It would be impossible in such a brief sketch as 
this to follow John Ireland through the detail of 
his legislative, judicial and executive career. He 
first settled in Seguin and after that place had ad- 
vanced to the dignity of an incorporated town he 



660 



INIJJAX WA]{S AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was chosen Mayor, the duties of which he executed 
with all the care and conscientiousness that he 
brought to bear on the weightier offices that meet 
him later in life. 

James D. Lynch, of the Bench and Bar of 
Texas, has given the following brief resume of Gov- 
ernor Ireland's career: — 

" At the approach of the foreboding clouds of 
the Civil War he ardently espoused the cause of 
his section and the State, and favored the prompt 
resumption of sovereignty by the latter, and its 
withdrawal from the Union. He was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 18G1, and as soon 
as the status of political affairs was settled in his 
State, he enlisted as a private in the volunteer 
army of the Confederacy. The same purpose and 
devotion to duty which characterized his profes- 
sional career marked him as an efficient soldier and 
invited promotion. He was made successively 
Captain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. His services 
extended through the campaigns in the Trans- 
Mississippi Department, and at the close of the war 
he returned to the practice of law at Seguin. In 
18GC he was a member of the convention assembled 
to form a constitution for the State in conformity 
with the Johnson policy of reconstruction, and was 
soon after elected Judge of his judicial district, but 
was removed on the usurpation of military power in 
1867. In 1873 he served as a member of the House 
in the Thirteenth Legislature, and in the Four- 
teenth he was a member of the Senate, and was 
elected and served as president pro tern of that 
body. In 1875 he was elected Associate Justice of 
the Supreme Court. He was retired by the new 
constitution of 1876, which required the court to 
consist of only three judges. His decisions are 
found in the forty-fourth and forty-fifth volumes of 
Texas Reports. His assiduous habits and fond- 
ness for close analytical investigation, his natural 
inquisitiveness of mind, firm and well grounded 
convictions, thorough legal training, and ample 
resources of both principle and precedent made 
him an excellent Supreme Judge, and his decisions 
manifest a steady and profound search for truth 
and justice. So confirmed and justly recognized 
was his character for integrity, executive ability 
and perfect devotion to the interests of his State, 
that in 1882 he was nominated by the Democracy 
and in November of that year elected Governor of 
Texas by more than 100,000 majority of the popu- 
lar vote. His advent to the executive office was at 
a period of comparative prosperity, when the spirit 
and pride of the people were ardently enlisted for 
the advancement of the various public institutions 
of the State, in which he also shared. The suc- 



ceeding legislature made large appropriations for 
that purpose, which he indorsed and carried out. 

" The so-called free grass system in the State, 
had resulted in the enclosure of large bodies of 
land by the leading stock' men of the State, and in 
often surrounding and shutting in the smaller 
herdsmen and excluding them from the use of 
water-courses. This produced an alarming system 
of " fence cutting," which was extended to lawful 
owners as well as to intruders upon the public 
lauds, and so outrageous and universal had this 
evil grown, that the Governor convened an extra 
session of the legislature in January, 1884, to 
devise a remedy for this species of lawlessness. 
Stringent and efficient laws were enacted for its 
suppression, which the Governors executed with his 
characteristic promptness and vigor. This was 
sought to be used to his prejudice and to impair his 
popularity, but the innate justice of the people ap- 
proved and appreciated alike his motives and 
his official acts, and at the Houston Convention in 
August, 1884, he was unanimously renominated 
without call of the roll, and by acclamation. Later 
he was re-elected by a majority vote of more than 
100,000. During his administration important 
measures were enacted for tlie promotion of the 
cause of education. The office of State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instructions was created. The 
permanent school fund was safely invested in bonds 
at six per cent rate of interest, and the sale of 
school lands at the exceedingly low rate of fifty 
cents per acre was prohibited. He was the first 
Governor of Texas who attempted to make an3'thing 
out of the wild lands of the State. Not one foot of 
university or any other public lands were sold 
except for good prices ; generally more than the law 
demanded. The sales notes are bringing good inter- 
est. The surplus proceeds were well invested, 
instead of allowing them to remain in the treasury 
to boast of as a cash surplus. Taxes under his 
administration were reduced to the lowest possible 
point. All the State institutions were left in a 
splendid condition. The new Insane Asylum was 
erected and put in successful operation at Terrell. 
The laws were well executed and the State left in a 
prosperous condition at the end of Governor Ire- 
land's administration. 

" Governor Ireland never once swerved from his 
principles or the line of his conscientious rectitude 
to conciliate his enemies or soften opposition. He 
at all times boldly proclaimed his views and fear- 
lessly followed tlie dictates of his judgment. His 
career was characterized by incessant labor ; at 
the bar he sedulously pursued the interests of his 
clients, giving all his cases thorough preparation. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



661 



He had au'abiding faith and a lofty pride in the 
great destiny of his State, and as Governor, he 
fought to harmonize the varied and often conllicting 
interests of the great commonwealth over which he 
.presided. Governor Ireland was a life-long Dem- 
. ocrat of the Jefferson i an school. 

" He was a' man who cared little for external ap- 
pearances, show, or ceremonious effect, and at his 
second. inauguration, his address, which he read 
from a smallsheet of paper, was in dignified and 
modest contrast with the vain display which modern 
usage ,has introduced into inaugural exercises. 
Texas had no statesman of sounder judgment, or 
of more approved fidelity iu the promotion and pro- 
tection of its interests and rights. 

"As a public speaker. Gov. Ireland was forcible 
and argumentative rather than fluent and eloquent. 
His illustrations were plain and practical, his figures 
of speech, apt and striking. In manner he was quiet 
and ratlier reserved, but genial to those who knew 
him intimately. As a citizen, he was ever temper- 
ate in his habits of life, moral in his convictions, 
just in his judgments and liberal iu his views." 

Governor Ireland's policy in the matter of the 
great railroad strike of 1887 and the manner of its 
prompt and vigorous suppression, was characteristic 
of the man, and at the time attracted wide attention 
and received the highest commendation and indorse- 
ment of the press and the people throughout the 
country. This great strike, owing to the heavy 
railroad interests at Fort Worth, seemed to have 
established its base of operations in this State at 
that point, and all lines running in and out of that 
city were tied up. The strikers were belligerent, 
business paralyzed, and life and propert3' were in 
jeopard}'. The status of affairs was wired to the 
Governor at Austin, soliciting the protection of the 
State government, and the dispatch found him tem- 
porarily at Seguin. He returned immediately to 
Austin, and with a detachment of State troops pro- 
ceeded forthwith to the scene of the difficulty. In 
the Governor's arrival the strike leaders found 
cause for reflection, which speedily resulted in 
overtures to him for a settlement. They were, in 
unmistakable terms, advised that all disorderly 
strikers must promptly disperse, return to work, or 
peaceably allow others to take their places, and 
that traffic must resume before any terms of settle- 
ment could be discussed ; that unless they immedi- 
ately complied and ceased to unlawfully block the 
wheels of business and avenues of trade, he would 
open fire on them and that no blank cartridges 
would be used. The Governor's action had the 
desired effect; order was restored ; in three hours' 
time the strike was at an end and trains were run- 



ning. It was but a short time later that Governor 
Rusk, of Wisconsin, emulated Governor Ireland's 
example in subduing the strikers and mobs, in Mil- 
waukee, in precisely the same way. In November, 
1885, another difficulty of almost a precise nature 
arose at Galveston, and the Governor's interven- 
tion was solicited. He responded with a charac- 
teristic disapproval of the policy pursued, and a 
proposition to defend the lawa and maintain the 
peace and dignity of the State even by force of 
arms. The following communication in this con- 
nection is significant : — 

" Galveston, Texas, Nov. 8th, 1885. 
" Hon. John Ireland, 

" Governor of Texas. 
" DeauSik: Your telegram of last night received. 
I beg to state that the vessels with cargoes, wharves 
and other properly of this company (Galveston 
Direct Navigation Co.), were voluntarily abandoned 
at noon to-day, by those who had forcibly held 
them until that time. The result, I believe, is at- 
tributable to the prompt and emphatic assurances 
given by you, that the law sliould be vindicated and 
the rights of property maintained in this State. I 
respectfully tender you, in behalf of this Company, 
its thanks for the protection thus afforded it, and 
through it, the commerce of Texas. 

" Respectfully yours, 

' ' J. J. Atkinson, 

"Supt." 

In other matters, notably that of the selection of 
stone for the exterior walls of the new State capitol, 
Governor Ireland's discriminating sense of justice, 
pride of State and excellent backbone did his peo- 
ple of the Commonwealth a lasting and invaluable 
service. It was in 1885 the foundation for the 
structure had been laid, according to terms of the 
contract, of Texas limestone. The contractors were 
under bond to furnish, at their own expense, the very 
best material for the entire structure. A sentiment 
had been created, in certain circles, strongly favor- 
ing granite in lieu of limestone as the best material. 
The Governor, hearing rumors of a change of the 
material decided upon, called a meeting of the 
capitol board. The contractors here affirmed that 
the crying demand for granite would lie gratified, 
if the commission desired it and the State would paj' 
for it. This, the Governor saw, conten)|ilateil an 
extra appropriation of one million dollars, whereas 
if granite was the best material, the contractors 
were under bond to furnish it at their own expense. 
The controversy shaped itself into a demand 
for Indiana limestone, and in this the alert 



662 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



executive saw a job, and promptly put his 
stamp of disapproval upon it. After mucli con- 
tention, tbe contractors and jobbers on one side, 
the Governor on tbe defensive, Texas granite of a 
fine color was decided upon, and as an additional 
compensation, convict labor was supplied the con- 
tractors to work in the quarries. The Indiana 
limestone scheme fell flat. The settlement of the 
much agitated question was received with great 
satisfaction throughout the State, and the following 
paragraphs from the San Antonio Times of July 
tbe 19th, 1885, voiced tbe sentiment of columns 
of comments that appeared in tbe leading journals 
of tbe State: "The action is a complete backdown 
on the part of the contractors. They ' bucked ' 
against Texas material long enough to learn that 
Governor Ireland would not submit to their arro- 
gance. They even stated that if Indiana limestone 
was rejected, they would throw up their contract. 
This the Governor bad possibly anticipated, as in a 
previous interview he bad said : ' The State has a 
good contract, and all it has to do is to stand on it 
and let them build the bouse, or quit. Thus far it 
is well done, and would stand there fifty years and 
be in perfect order, and we can sell the lands, com- 
plete the building and have money left. There 
would then be a chance to break up the land 
monopoly created by this contract.' " Tbe Times 
article further says: " But the Governor stood firm 
as a rock. He held them to their contract, and 
intimated that if they did not carry it out there was 
a legal means of getting even with them. Seeing 
that they could not be moved, that even a majority 
of tbe board could not change his wise and patri- 
otic determination, tbe millionaire syndicate was 
forced to take ' back water.' To Governor Ireland's 
patriotism and fidelity the triumph is due, and tiie 
Times rejoices in knowing that when a question of 
State pride and State interests comes to be decided 
upon, we have a man in the executive chair who 
first, last and all the time stands up for the State's 
rights and can neither be coaxed, bulldozed or 
driven into any other line of policy." 

Governor Ireland was at various times solicited to 
become a candidate for the United States Senate. In 
1886, when a successor to Hon. S. B. Maxey was 
to be elected, tbe demand for Governor Ireland to 
become a candidate seemed to be peremptory from 
all sections of the State. During the resulting 
campaign the following appeared in the St. Louis 
Post-Dispatch : — 

"The campaign for United States Senator, in 
which Governor Ireland is supposed to have an in- 
terest, and for which position the solid thinkers of the 
State are urging him to offer, fails utterly to dis- 



tract his attention from the legitimate routine of 
his official business. While others are sending out 
printed speeches, essays, and so forth, as an earnest 
of their ability for the transaction of Senatorial 
work, and are making speeches for the same pur- 
pose, all more or less imbued with tbe idea of their 
importance to tbe State, Governor Ireland remains 
passive and unmoved amid it all, and continues to 
ply his pen in its regular channel." 

Governor Ireland never was a candidate for any 
office from an announcement of tbe fact by himself. 
Official honors came to him unsolicited. 

Governor Ireland died at San Antonio, Texas, at 
11:55 a. m., March 15, 1896, of neuralgia of the 
heart, after a brief illness. Mr. and Mrs. E. S. 
Carpenter, of Seguin, and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. 
Graves, of Houston, bis sons-in-law and daughters, 
were at his bedside during bis last moments. Mrs. 
Ireland was prevented by sickness from being pres- 
ent. The remains were subsequently brought to 
Austin, and after lying in State at tbe Capitol were 
interred in tbe State cemetery, where sleep Texas' 
most distinguished dead. The services were of the 
most impressive character. Tbe Bar Association 
of Austin met and passed resolutions of respect. 
Tbe funeral cortege was one of tbe largest ever 
known in tbe history of Austin. No mark of honor 
to tbe memory of the dead that his eminent and 
patriotic services deserved or that a grateful peo- 
ple could pay was omitted. 

Tbe following editorial from the pen of his 
friend. Col. Joel H. B. Miller, editor of the Austin 
Daily Statesman, published in tbe issue of that 
paper of March 18, 1896, is a just tribute to the 
worth of the deceased, and is inserted here as a 
part of this biographical notice: — 

"the late JOHN IRELAND. 

"Ex-Governor John Ireland, or all that remains of 
him, was buried in tbe State Cemetery in this city 
yesterday. While Governor Ireland was respected 
for his ability wherever he was known, he was person- 
ally very popular in this city, where be has resided 
officially off and on for a number of years. The 
citizens of Austin not only had a full appreciation 
for his sound sense and large acquirements, but for 
his gentleness and suavity of manner to all he came 
in contact with. He was by no means a demon- 
strative or ostentatious man. Quite the contrary, 
he was reserved, even with his most intimate asso- 
ciates, and modest to timidity in the presence of 
strangers and public crowds. 

" He was a man of man}' sturdy qualities of head 
and heart. According to our conception of his 
general character, bis highest capacity consisted in 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



663 



sound common sense, well cultivated b}' mingling 
in the current of private and public life and 
strengthened by a judicious course of reading. He 
was an eminently just man. No self-interests or 
political policy could swerve him from fair treat- 
ment and the use of just means, even with his com- 
petitors. While he was always apparently calm 
and unexcited, he had great force of character, but 
he was a man who had such control of himself 
that his determination or will could only be dis- 
covered by a manifest persistency that at last 
made itself fell whenever that force of character 
was needed, but he did not permit himself to he 
disturbed by small things, over which he never 
worried. 

" Endowed with a strong mind, with no violent 
passions to throw him off of his course and nothing 
more attractive than duty, he built himself up by 
unceasing application, and with his eye fixed on the 
goal of success, he never permitted himself to be 
jostled out of his course. He dug and dug hard 
and deep for every mental accomplishment and 
when he found it he held on to it. What he knew 
he knew thoroughly and he could use all he acquired 
to the very best advantage. He gave one the im- 
pression of possessing a mental method by which 
he labelled useful knowledge and laid it away on a 
shelf convenient to be taken down and used at any 
emergency. 

"John Ireland was a representative American 
citizen, illustrating the advantages that a free and 
equal form of government affords to every boy 
child born under its protecting flag. The public 
school system had not been organized in Kentucky 
when John Ireland wrung his education out of ad- 
verse circumstances. His parents were not able to 
educate him and he worked with his hands by day 
and studied unaided by teacher or professor by 
night to accomplish himself for the profession to 
which his ambition directed him. He metaphoric- 
ally dug into the ground with his nails and fingers 
for all the learning he obtained in his youth, and 
he never for a moment flinched from his task. 
Bright young men and women swept past him on 
gala days and holidays, but he crushed back the 
social impulses of his nature and grasped the fleet- 
ing hours to weave into the woof of his life some- 
thing nobler and better than the passing smiles of 
beauty and he passed on and on until he won 
honors, representative in the Legislature of his 
adopted State, judge of the courts, and Governor, 
then it was that beauty and talent came to do him 
reverence. He had won the goal, but it was with 
scarred feet he stood upon the pedestal of fame. 
He got there over rough roads, but he got there. 



Any young man of such earnest purpose as he had, 
can get there. 

"Go to, thou sluggard, drop a flower on his 
grave and turn away determined to be a man and 
not a mere butterfly of fashion, an honorable and 
useful man, a man whom the country in which he 
lives would delight to honor and shed a tear on his 
grave as this community did yesterday on the grave 
of John Ireland." 

He died an honored ex-Governor of Texas, an 
eminent statesman and a distinguished jurist, 
whose name is intimately associated with the 
judicial and political history of Texas. He came 
to this State in 1853, being then twenty-six years 
of age. His arrival was opportune, as the then 
newly constituted State was in need of men of his 
quality — young men of sterling character, stout 
hearts, intellectual endowments and practical zeal. 
He was a native of Kentucky, and was born at 
Millerstown, on the banks of the Nolyn river, in 
Hart County, January 1, 1827. His father, Patrick 
Ireland, was a well-to-do farmer, native of Ken- 
tucky. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Rachel Newton, was born and reared in the same 
State. 

Governor Ireland's boyhood and early youth 
were spent at home on the farm, where he received 
such schooling as his home county afforded in those 
days. When about eighteen years old, through the 
agency of the business men of Munfordsville, Ky., 
he was declared of age by special act of the State 
Legislature to enable him to qualify as Constable, 
which office he filled for several years. He also 
held the office of Deputy Sheriff of Hart County. 
He was early possessed of an ambition which had 
developed into a fixed purpose to achieve an honor- 
able place among men. In the performance of his 
official duties he acquired a practical knowledge of 
process and legal methods which turned his atten- 
tion to the law. In 1851 he entered the law offices 
of Murray & Wood, of Munfordsville. By studious 
application and patient industry he had, in the 
space of one year, so thoroughly mastered the 
principles of common law, that he was admitted to 
practice. The opportunities there offered for 
future advancement did not, however, seem to him 
promising, and, in casting about for broader fields, 
his attention was directed to the Lone Star State, 
and he located at Seguin in 1853, as before men- 
tioned, and thereafter made that place his unofficial 
home. There he entered upon the practice of the 
profession in which he afterwards so greatly dis- 
tinguished himself. He brought with him to Seguin 
naught but a clear head, a well-stored intellect, 
honesty and tenacity of purpose, and an irrepressible 



0G4 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



determination to succeed. He drew around him a 
large circle of friends and soon built up a lucrative 
practice. 

Governor Ireland was twice married. His first 
wife was Mrs. Faircloth, whose maiden name was 
Matilda Wicks. She was a sister of John Wicks, 
an extensive planter in Guadalupe County, and of 
Col. Moses Wicks, formerly a banker of Memphis, 
Tenn. She died in 1850, leaving one daughter, 
Matilda, born in Seguin, August 6, 1855, who was 
educated at Staunton, Va., and married E. S. 



Carpenter, a prosperous planter and business man 
of Seguin, further mention of whom is made else- 
where in this volume. Governor Ireland's second 
marriage occurred in Fayette County, Texas, and 
was to Miss Anna M. Penn. Four children were 
born of this union, viz. : Mary P., born in Fayette 
County, educated at San Marcos, taking the first 
prize for scholarship ; she married J. W, Graves, 
a druggist of Seguin, Texas; Katie Penn, Rosalie 
and Alva — all born in Seguin, none of whom 
survive their father. 



EVAN SHELBY CARPENTER, 



SEGUIN, 



Is a native of Kentucky', and was born in Lincoln 
County, of that State, April 27th, 1843. His 
father, William Carpenter, moved from Kentucky 
to Guadalupe Count}', Texas, in 1852, and lived 
near Seguin until the close of the war between the 
States, and then returned with his family to the old 
Kentucky home. Carpenter Station, an historic land- 
mark of Lincoln County. In 1874 they returned to 
Texas, the father dying in Bandera County, at 
seventy-five years of age. Evan Shelby Carpen- 
ter's mother was Miss Judith Slielby, a grand- 
daughter of Gen. Isaac Shelby, of Revolutionary 
fame, and the first Governor of Kentucky, an old 
hero whose patriotic public career and romantic 
life have furnished subjects for some of the most 
thrilling stories of early Kentucky life. 

Mr. Carpenter was about nine years of age when 
his parents located at Seguin, where he spent his 
early youth. Eight years later the great war be- 
tween the States i)urst upon the country' and he 
joined the Confederate army as a private in Com- 
pany B., Carter's Regiment, Twenty-first Texas 
Cavalry, and remained continuously in active 
service until the close of the eonttict. In 1865 he 
made a business trip into Mexico, thence to Mis- 
souri, Kentucky and Michigan; but, his health 



requiring such a balmy climate as that of Texas, he 
located at Seguin in 1870, and has since resided 
there. 

In October, 187C, Mr. Carpenter married Miss 
Matilda, oldest daughter of Governer John and 
Mrs. Matilda Wicks Ireland, of Seguin. Mr. Car- 
penter is well known as a successful business man. 
During Governor Ireland's incumbency of the 
gubernatorial office Mr. Carpenter served as his 
Private Secretary, and as such made many warm 
personal friends. Mrs. Carpenter was also called 
upon to assist in the honors of the Governor's 
household, for which duties her personal graces and 
social accomplishments eminently qualified her. 
Mr. Carpenter returned to Seguin at the close of 
Governor Ireland's administration, and with Mr. 
J. W. Graves, a brother-in-law, entered the drug 
business. Since the dissolution of this firm, in 
1894, Mr. Carpenter has occupied his time in at- 
tending to his own and Governor Ireland's large 
farming and landed interests. Mr. and Mrs. Car- 
penter have three children : Patrick, born February 
19th, 1880, who, having been adopted by his grand- 
father. Governor Ireland, has had his name trans- 
posed to Patrick Carpenter Ireland ; Emma Lee, 
and George Jarvis. 




'/la?. 






./ry.-^.y '•.•/'. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



665 



J. W. GRAVES, 

SEGUIN, 



A prominent druggist of Texas, is the son of the 
Rev. H. A. Graves, one of the pioneer ministers of 
the Lone Star State. 

Mr. Graves was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 
1857 ; came in early infancy to Texas, and grew 
to manhood here and has become fully identified 
-with Texas interests. 

When the war between the States ended it left 
Mr. Graves' father, like all Southern men, to face 
the reverses of fortune. J. W. Graves was an 
ambitious boy. By his own efforts he soon 
acquired such a common school education as the 
State afforded at that time ; not long thereafter 
graduated in pharmacy, acquired the confidence of 
the people by his studious habits and business 



qualifications, and established himself successfully 
in the drug business in Seguin. 

In 1881 he married Miss Mollie, second daughter 
of Hon. John Ireland, who died in 1891. After 
his wife's death Mr. Graves sold his interests in 
Seguin and identified himself with a large business 
house in New Orleans, for which he traveled 
through Texas. 

Later he became a stockholder and worker for 
the Houston Drug Company, which place he 
retained until the death of Governor Ireland, of 
whose large estate he was made one of the execu- 
tors, and in the interest of which he now spends 
most of his time in San Antonio. 

Mr. Graves has one child, a bright boy of eleven 
vears, whose name is Ireland Graves. 



JOHN O. DEWEES, 



SAN ANTONIO. 



John O. Dewees, for many years identified with 
the history of Southwestern Texas, and a leading 
citizen and stockman of that part of the State, was 
born in Putnam County, 111., where the town of 
Greencastle now stands, on the 30th day of De- 
cember, 1828. His parents were Thomas and 
America Dewees, natives of Kentucky, respectively 
of Welsh and P^nglish and German and English 
descent. 

His father was a farmer and stock-raiser, and 
died on his farm, near Hallettsville, in Lavaca 
County, Texas, in 1864. His mother died at San 
Marcos, Hays Count}^ Texas, May 5th, 1889. 
Mr. Dewees came to Texas with his parents in 
1849. During the war between the States he joined 
Compan}' B. , Thirty-second Texas Cavalry, and as 
a soldier in the Confederate army participated in 
the fight at Blair's Landing and the twenty-five or 



thirty severe skirmishes, including the battle of 
Yellow Bayou, that marked the retreat of Banks' 
army to Lower Louisiana. He has resided in San 
Antonio for a number of years past. He has been 
engaged in the cattle business from early youth, 
and from a small beginning has built up an estate 
valued, at a low estimate, from §140,000 to $200,- 
000. He is regarded as one of the leading stock- 
raisers and financiers in the section of the State in 
which he resides. 

February 12th, 1873, he was married to Miss 
Annalrvin at the home of her mother in Guadalupe 
Count3^ They have one child, a daughter. Miss 
Alice A. Dewees. Mr. Dewees is a fit representa- 
tive of the men who have done so much toward the 
development of the varied resources of South- 
western Texas, one of the fairest portions of the 
State. 



666 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOSEPH BLAND, 

ORANGE, 



Was born in Vermillion Parish, La., June 8, 1832, 
and came to Texas in 1835 with his parents, who 
settled in what is now Orange County. His father 
was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, which 
he continued until his death. 

His mother is still living, and resides in Orange 
County, twelve miles west of the town of Orange. 

Mr. Joseph Bland went into business for himself 
at nineteen years of age, and two years later he 
married Miss Martha Ann Thomas, daughter of L. 
R. and Annie Thomas, of Orange County. 

He is County Survej-or of Orange, and is also 
engaged in farming. During the war he served as 
Sheriff of the county by election of the people, and 



after the war was appointed Sheriff by Governor E. 
J. Davis, notwithstanding the fact that he was a well- 
known Democrat. He has seven living children, 
viz. : Henry W., Constable of Orange; Clara, wife 
of D. W. Stakes, of Orange ; Flavia, wife of A. 
Prajan, of Orange; J. D., Sheriff of Orange; 
Malony, wife of P>. C. Hall, of Orange County ; 
Margaret, wife of G. S. Russell, of Orange, 
and George W., who lives at Johnson's Bayou, 
La. 

His mother now has eighty-five descendants — 
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 
He is a Mason of forty-two years standing, and Las 
held the Royal Arch degree since 1863. 



WILLIAM R. HAYES, 



BEEVILLE. 



From the time of the establishment of the first 
white settlements in America until the evolution of 
conditions that approximate those that have so long 
prevailed in Europe, the history of this country pre- 
sents an almost unbroken record of romantic inci- 
dents, the like of which can never occur in this 
prosaic age. The race has not reached, however, 
in its destiny a region of cloudless days. There is 
many a storm for it yet to weather, but the strug- 
gles of the future are to be those of a highly devel- 
oped industrial and commercial civilization. The 
man who has lived through the past half centurj' 
and honorably met the responsibilities that dis- 
tinguish it from all the other half centuries known 
to human history, has had a schooling that no other 
man can ever have again, and has a store of mem- 
ories that no later soul that shall ever come from 
out the infinite can possess though it should abide 
upon this ancient earth a thousand years. The sub- 
ject of this memoir. Judge William R. Hayes, was 
born in 1835 (the 30th day of December), in Hick- 
ory County, Mo., and like most young men of tal- 
ent, courage, and possessed of a taste for adventure 
who grew up in the West sixty years ago, was an 
active participant in many stirring events. His 



forefathers, on his father's side, came from England 
to Virginia about the time of the establishment of 
the settlement at Jamestown, and afterwards moved 
to and lived in the Carolinas. His great-grand- 
mother on his mother's side, named Young, came 
from Ireland. In 1846 his father, Joseph Hayes, 
sold his farm in Missouri and started for Texas, 
but stopped in Sevier County, Ark., until 1854, 
when he moved to Medina County, Texas. 

The subject of this sketch, desiring to try his 
fortunes in the West, in March, 1854, shipped with 
Jim Sparks as conductor of a prairie schooner from 
Fort Smith to California. 

Reaching Salt Lake City late in August, too late 
to cross the Sierras, the train went into winter quar- 
ters there, and in the spring of 1855 he went with 
a portion of Col. Steptoe's government train, via 
Fremont's route, to California, and engaged in 
mining there until December, 1858. Having made 
a trip to Frazier river, in the British possessions, he 
then came to San Antonio, via Tehuantepec and 
New Orleans. He went to Bee County in April, 
1859, bought land, and is living on the same place 
now, engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

He was married, in 1861, to Miss Amanda Fuller. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



667 



He served during the war between the States for 
three years, in Col. Hobby's regiment, and then 
transferred to Edward's company, Pyron's cav- 
alry, just before the close of the war. He was 
appointed Treasurer of Bee County, iu 1870, and 
continued to fill that office, being re-elected, until 
April, 1876, when he was elected County Judge, 
which office he filled for eight terms until November, 
1892. 

At the age of eighteen, as previously stated, Mr. 
Hayes made a trip to California, and for many 
years " roughed it," as he expressed it, in his 
younger days chasing buffaloes on the plains, skir- 
mishing with the Indians often, and hunting elk in 
the mountains near Salt Lake City. He also 
worked in the mines in California. During all of 
this time he was blessed with remarkable health, 
and in these extensive travels on mountain and 
plain never missed a guard duty. The same may 
be said of his service during the war ; in the three 
years he was never on the sick list nor reported 
absent without leave. During the eighteen years 
and six months he served as County Judge he held 
one hundred and sixty-three terms of the Commis- 
sioners' Court, and was never absent a day. Of 
terms of the County Court during that time there 
were one hundred and eighty-five, and he was 
absent only one day. 

He is a believer in the Christian, or Campbellite 
Church. 

Mr. Hayes has managed to accumulate a com- 
petency, and owns a pleasant home in one of the 
fairest parts of the State. He is engaged exten- 
sively in raising improved stock, horses and cattle, 
and in farming. 

He has eight children, to wit: Fannie, Mary, 
Horace, Lucy, Homer, Annie, Travis, and Vivian. 

Judge Hayes takes an active interest in public 
affairs, and has been a conspicuous worker in 
every enterprise which has been inaugurated for 
the benefit of the section of the State in which he 
resides. With J. W. Flournoy he was on a com- 
mittee to negotiate for the extension of the Aran- 
sas Pass Railroad to Beeville, and closed the trade 
with President Lott that resulted in the building of 
the road to that point. He contributed $500.00 of 
the bonus given to that road, and to the Southern 
Pacific $100.00 to build to Beeville. He has been 



instrumental also in causing the erection of numer- 
ous churches in his county during the past twenty 
years, contributing liberally of his means to that 
end. Indeed, we may say that his liberality to 
schools, churches, and all charitable purposes has 
been one of his distinguishing characteristics. 

While serving as County Judge and ex-officio 
Superintendent of Schools of his county, he took 
an active interest in his duties, and each year met 
the teachers of the State at the annual meetings of 
the State Teachers Association. 

When the County Judges' Association was or- 
ganized, he was elected Treasurer and served as 
such and met with them each year until he retired 
from office, having then served longer than any 
other County Judge in the State. 

He is universally respected by all who know him, 
as an honest man, upright and impartial judge, 
public-spirited citizen, and Christian gentleman; 
moreover, he is a man of fine, decidedly martial, 
appearance, being six feet in height and as straight 
as an arrow, and, though somewhat advanced in 
years, he moves with a soldierly step and bearing. 
He weighs 175 pounds, has a fair complexion and 
has blue eyes. Affable and genial, easily ap- 
proached by those even of the most humble station, 
he has many devoted admirers and friends. 

Judge Hayes has an excellent library and spends 
many hours in the society of his books. He has 
not, however, lost interest in the events that are 
transpiring about him. On the contrary, he is as 
deeply attached to the cause of good government 
as at any former period of his life, and is active 
with voice and pen in every campaign in which im- 
portant issues are submitted to the hazard of the 
ballot. His greatest pleasures are found, however, 
within the limits of his delightful home circle and 
in the companionship of his numerous friends. 

Still in the full vigor of mental and physical 
strength, and thoroughly interested in the drama of 
life, through so many scenes of which he has al- 
ready passed, he is still an active and progressive 
worker, and has many plans that he hopes to ac- 
complish before the coming of Nature's bed-time. 
Strong, vigorous and manly ; patriotic and unselfish, 
he is a fine representative of the men who have 
made our present civilization possible, and it is to be 
hoped that many years of usefulness yet await him. 



668 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



GEORGE WEBB SLAUGHTER, 

PALO PiNTO COUNTY, 



Was a nati\e of Lawrence County, Miss., his 
birth occurring May 10, ISU. William Slaughter, 
his father, was a Virginian, born in 1781, his death 
occurring in Sabine County, Texas, in 185 L The 
elder Mr. Slaughter was a farmer and had seen 
service in the war of 1812, fighting under Jackson 
at New Orleans. He married Miss Nancy Moore, 
of South Carolina, and was the father of eight 
children, four of them boys. In 1821 the family 
moved to Copiah County, Miss., and four years 
later started to Texas, but stopped for a time in 



with headquarters at Nacogdoches. He was a man 
of narrow and decided views and but poorly qual- 
ified to exercise authority over a people reared in 
the enjoyment of American liberty. There was no 
tolerance of religious belief beyond a blind adher- 
ence to the Catholic Church, and the arrest by Col. 
Piedras of several Protestant clergj'men, who had 
attempted to hold services in the colony, precipi- 
tated one of the first conflicts between the colonists 
and the Mexican government. G. W. Slaughter, 
then a boy of nineteen or twenty, took an active 




MRS. GEORGE WEBB SLAUGHTER. 



Louisiana, and it was while living in the latter State 
that George Webb Slaughter received the only 
schooling (three weeks in all) which he ever had an 
opportunity to obtain. In 1830 the Slaughter 
family crossed the Sabine river and settled in what 
was then the Mexican State of Coahuila and Texas. 
At that time the country east of Austin was divided 
into municipalities governed principally by military 
laws. Petty officers were in charge at the different 
l^oints and alcaldes, or magistrates, were appointed 
by them, while all matters of importance were re- 
ferred to the District Commandant. Col. Piedras 
was in charge of the country along the Sabine, 



part in the armed resistance to this act of tyranny, 
and his relation of the events which followed is 
vivid and interesting. A commissioner, sent to 
Col. Piedras to intercede for the prisoners' release, 
was treated with contempt, and Col. Bean Andrews, 
who repaired to the city of Mexico on the same 
errand, was thrown into prison. Despairing of 
obtaining recognition and relief through pacific 
methods, the colonists held a mass meeting at San 
Augustine about June 1, 1832, and resolved to take 
matters into their own hands and release the pris- 
oners, if need be, through force of arms. Prep- 
arations for this decisive step went quietly on, and 




COL. GEORGE WEBB SLAUGHTER. 



so c: 










INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



nc» 



in a short time 500 armed men met wilbin two miles 
of Nacogdoches and sent to Col. Pledras, under a 
flag of truce, a demand for the prisoners' liberation. 
In reply a company of cavalry came out with a 
counter demand for the surrender of the whole 
party. Immediate hostilities followed. The Mex- 
icans were driven hack to town after one or two 
ineffectual stands, and eventually forced to evacu- 
ate the fort and seek safety in flight. Quite a num- 
ber of Mexicans were killed, but only three Ameri- 
cans, one of whom was G. P. Smith, an uncle of 
G. W. Slaughter. At that time the Angelina river 
was swollen with recent rains, its bottom lands 
flooded and impassable except at one point, some 
eighteen miles from the fort, where a bridge had 
been built. Here all the men who were provided 
■with horses were directed to hasten and stop the 
retreat of the panic-striken Mexicans, while the 
remainder of the force followed on, thus bringing 
the enemy between two fires and compelling the 
entire command to surrender. Col. Piedras was 
allowed to return to Mexico under promise of ex- 
cusing the colonist's acts and interceding for their 
pardon, but he proved false to his trust and his 
report of the affair at Nacogdoches only still further 
incensed the government. Mr. Slaughter was under 
fire for the first time in this skirmish or battle. 
During the temporary lull which followed previous 
to the general outbreak of war, he was occupied in 
freighting between Louisiana and Texas points, and 
one of his loads — perhaps the most valuable of 
them all — • consisted of the legal library of Sam. 
Houston, which he hauled to Nacogdoches in 
18.33. He had previously met Houston while 
attending court at Natchitoches, La., and he men- 
tions the fact that upon this occasion the future 
President of the Texas Republic was dressed in 
Indian garments and decked out in all the glory of 
scalp-lock, feathers and silver ornaments. Mr. 
Slaughter was an earnest admirer of Houston and 
was more than pleased when the latter assumed con- 
trol of the Texian forces. The company in which he 
enlisted reported to Houston for duty at San 
Antonio, and was in several of the engagements 
which immediately followed, among others the 
famous " Grass Fight," one of the hottest of the 
war. Houston then advanced toward Mexico, but 
halted near Goliad upon intelligence that Santa 
Anna was approaching with an army of 15,000 men. 
Col. Fannin with the forces under his command was 
encamped in a strong position in a bend of the 
river below Goliad. Travis was in the Alamo with 
those gallant spirits who were to remain with him 
faithful and uncomplaining until death. Houston, 
safe in the consciousness that on the open prairie 



lay perfect safety from beleaguerment, watched the 
approach of the Mexican armj' and pleaded with 
Fannin and Travis to abandon the fortifications 
and join him. Mr. Slaughter served as a courier, 
making several trips to Fannin and Travis in the 
Alamo. On one of the latter, in obedience to in- 
structions from Gen. Houston, he delivered into the 
hands of Col. Travis an order to retreat. After 
reading it, Travis consulted with his brother officers, 
acquainted his men with the contents of the mes- 
sage, and then drew a line in the sand with his 
sword and called upon all who were willing to re- 
main with him and light, if need be, to the death, 
to cross it. The decision was practically unanimous 
to defend the fort to the last extremity. Only one 
of the little band chose to make his way to the main 
army ; he was let down from the walls and effected 
his escape. Travis hoped for reinforcements that 
would enable him to inflict upon Santa Anna a 
bloody and decisive repulse that would check him 
on the outskirts of the settlements, or, failing in 
this, detain his army a sufficient length of time to 
enable the colonists to mass an adequate force to 
meet him successfully in the open field. He fully 
realized the peril of his situation and concealed 
nothing from his comrades. They determined to 
stake their lives upon the hazard and were immo- 
lated upon the altar of their country. 

Mr. Slaughter returned to headcjuarters and re- 
ported the result of his mission. Later while on a 
hazardous trip to the Alamo, then known to be 
invested with Santa Anna's armj^ he encountered 
Mrs. Dickinson and her negro slave, survivors of 
the massacre, who had been released by the Mexi- 
can commandant and instructed to proceed to Gen. 
Houston with tidings of Travis' fate. The butcher3^ 
of Fannin and his men followed shortly after, and 
Santa Anna pressed on after Gen. Houston, who 
had retreated to the east side of the Brazos. 
Meantime Mr. Slaughter was employed in carrying 
messages and in procuring subsistence for the 
army, accepting many dangerous missions and 
performing them all to the satisfaction of his com- 
manding officer. History relates how Houston 
retreated and how the Mexican army followed until 
they were led into the trap at San Jacinto, where 
the tables were turned and Santa Anna defeated 
and captured ; his troops slaughtered, and his inva- 
sion brought to an ignominious end. The victory at 
San Jacinto was not the end of hostilities ; but, fol- 
lowing it, there came a breathing spell, of which 
Mr. Slaughter hastened to take advantage. Gain- 
ing a leave of absence, under promise of returning 
at once in case he was needed, he hastened to his 
home, and on the 12th day of the following October 



670 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



iie was married to Miss Sarah Mason, to whom he 
had been engaged for some time. The ceremony 
was only deferred to this date because under the 
disorganized state of the country there was no 
officer with legal authority to perform it. The 
marriage of Mr. Slaughter was the first ceremony 
of the kind under the sanclion of the Republic 
which he had been instrumental in establishing. 
The newly wedded couple settled in Sabine County, 
and Mr. Slaughter resumed freighting for a liveli- 
hood, engaging in the employ of the new govern- 
ment. 

At the time of the Cherokee troubles, in IS.jO, 
the eastern counties organized companies in pur- 



fork of the Trinit}', three or four daj's march, by 
companies of Capts. Slaughter and Todd. 

The need which had prompted the organization 
of an armed force now no longer existing, the men 
disbanded, and Mr. Slaughter returned to the 
labors and attendant comforts of home life. In 
1852 he moved to Freestone County, intending to 
turn his attention to stock-raising. He brought 
with him ninety-two head of cattle and established 
a ranch near the old town of Butler, and in the five 
years lie resided there increased his herd to 600 
head. Mr. Slaughter believed there were better 
opportunities to be gained by removal further west, 
and in l.sr>7 drove his herds to Palo Pinto County, 




COL. C. C. SLAUGHTER. 



suance of President Houston's orders, and Mr. 
Slaughter was elected Captain of the company 
organized in Sabine. The newly recruited forces 
assembled at Nacogdoches, and in a body marched 
to reinforce Gen. Rusk, who was stationed with a 
small force on the Neches river, near where Chief 
Bowles was encamped with 1,600 Clierokees. Two 
daj's were spent in an ineffectual attempt to arrange 
a treaty and the Indians dropped back from their 
position, but were followed and a fight ensued in 
which the Cherokees lost eleven killed and the 
whites only three, though fourteen of their number 
were wounded. The Indians again retreated and 
the following day there was a general battle ; Chief 
Bowles was killed, with several hundred of his fol- 
lowers, while the remainder of the Cherokees fled 
to the westward, being followed to the Bois d'Arc 



locating five miles north of the town of that name, 
at that time known as Golconda. He bought here 
2,000 acres of land and located by certificate 960 
acres more, and the ranch located at that time was 
thereafter his home, though his residence at this 
point was not continuous. In 1858-59 Mr. 
Slaughter was occupied in raising stock and running 
a small farm, but the following year moved his 
stock to Young County, at a point near the Ross 
Indian Reservation. He had then 1,200 head of 
cattle and a small bunch of horses, but lost forty 
head of the latter through theft by Indians in 1860, 
and for these and other property stolen, he later 
filed claims against the government aggregating 
$6,500. 

Mr. Slaughter's holdings of cattle had increased 
in 1867-68 to such an extent that he decided to sell 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



671 



the greater portion of them, and he accordingly dis- 
posed of 12,000 to James Loving and Cliarles 
Rivers at a uniform price of $6.00. Rivers was 
afterwards killed by Indians while in camp in Jack- 
son County, in June, 1871. Following the sale of 
his cattle, Mr. Slaughter formed a partnership with 
his son, C. C. Slaughter, and began driving cattle 
through to Kansas. The first drove only consisted 
of 800 head, but they brought the neat little sum 
of $32,000. For the seven years up to and includ- 
ing 1875, the herds of Slaughter & Son were driven 
to Kansas points and from thence shipped to St. 
Louis and Chicago. The drove in 1870 was proba- 
bl}' the largest, numbering 3,000 head, and the 



C. C, taking into business with him another son, 
Peter, and in 1878 they sold and shipped 4,000 
cattle. Six years later, on account of declining 
health, Mr. Slaughter disposed of his cattle inter- 
ests and afterwards devoted his time to the care of 
his ranch and other property. He had at his Palo 
Pinto ranch 1,280 acres of land, and owned 1,300 
acres Id other portions of the State, besides town 
property in Mineral Wells. Securing his land when 
nearly tlie entire country was open for selection, Mr. 
Slaughter had one of the most desirable locations 
in the country, and prized it more highly in remem- 
brance of the hardships and dangers attendant upon 
its settlement. During the first few years of his 




MRS. C. C. SLAUGHTER. 



returns from this herd foated up $105,000. In 
1870 Mr. Slaughter moved his family to Emporia, 
Kan., in order that his children might have the 
advantage of the superior educational facilities at 
that point, but in 1875 he returned to Texas and 
resumed operations on his old ranch in Palo Pinto 
County. The number of cattle handled and the 
money received from their sale can be expressed in 
round figures, as follows: — 

1868, 800 head, $32,000.00; 1869, 2,000 head, 
$90,000.00; 1870,3,000 head, $105,000; 1871,2,000 
head, $66,000.00; 1873,2,000 head, $66,000.00; 
1874, 2,000 head, $60,000.00; 1865, 1,000 head, 
$45,000.00. Such figures as these go a long way 
toward impressing the reader with the importance 
of the cattle business twenty years ago. In 1876 
Mr. Slaughter dissolved partnership with his son. 



residence in Palo Pinto County the Indians were 
very troublesome, and Mr. Slaughter could 
relate many incidents of Ijorder warfare from 
the standpoint of an eye-witness and partic- 
i|)ant. In 1864 he had a skirmish with seven 
Indians on Cedar creek, in Palo Pinto County, 
several shots were exchanged, but the Indians were 
finally frightened away. Three years later the In- 
dians made a raid on his ranch and stole all the 
horses, and John Slaughter, a son, received a 
bullet wound in the breast. Skirmishes with the 
red-skins were then of too common occurrence to 
attract much attention beyond the immediate 
neighborhood. The entire Texas border was a 
battle-field, and those who lived on the Upper 
Brazos had to guard themselves as best they could. 
In 1866 Mr. Slaughter was driving a small bunch 



CI -2 



IXDIAX WAIi.s AND PIOXEERs OF TEXAS. 



of cattle on Dry creek, near Graham, when he was 
attacked by thirteen Indians, but his carbine and 
revolver proved too much for their courage, and 
they retreated after he had wounded one of their 
number. In the month of April, 18fi9, a bunch of 
Indians surrounded and massacred thirteen grov- 
ernment teamsters near Flat Top Mountain, in 
Young County. Mr. Slaughter was within two 
miles of this place, camped with fourteen men, 
holding 800 head of cattle which he had gathered. 
The Indians attacked them, and they only escaped 
through strategy. Sis of the men were sent with 
the cattle in the direction of Sand creek, and the 
remainder of them, including Mr. Slaughter and 
his son C. C, made a breastwork of the horses and 
awaited an attack. Profiting by a deep ravine at 
hand, some of the men crept cautiouslj' away, and 
suddenly appearing at another point, made a charge 
upon the Indians, who supposed there were re-in- 
forcements coming, and beat a retreat. 

Mr. Slaughter was an earnest worker all his life, 
and few men proved themselves so useful in so many 
and varied capacities. He was for many years a 
minister of the Baptist Church. During his minis- 
try he baptized over 3,000 persons and helped to 
ordain more preachers and organize more churches 
than any other person in the State of Texas. When 
Eev. Mr. Slaughter first came to Palo Pinto County, 
in starting out to fill his appointments as minister, 
he would saddle his horse, fill his saddle bags with 
provisions, take along his picket rope and arm 
himself with two six-shooters and his trusty carbine. 
The distance between the places where he preached 
being sometimes as great as sixty miles, it was 
often nectssarj'for him to camp over night by him- 
self. Twice he was attacked bj' Indians, but es- 
caped uninjured. On one occasion, while he was 
preaching in the village of Palo Pinto, the county 
was so filled with hostile Indians and wrought up 



to such a pitch that Mr. Slaughter kept his six- 
shooter and his carbine at his side during the ser- 
mon, and every member of his congregation 
was likewise armed. He never permitted busi- 
ness or fear of the Indians to interfere with his 
pastoral work, and always made it a point to keep 
his engagements. 

He first united with the Methodist Church in 
1831, but in 1842 joined the Baptist Church and ii- 
1844 was ordained to preach. He studied and 
practiced medicine, and was for a number of years 
the only physician in Palo Pinto Count}'. It would 
be impossible to overrate his usefulness during 
those long years, when the citizens of the north- 
western counties were practicall}- isolated from the 
world and dependent upon each other for comfort 
and aid in times of exlremit}'. Ever thoughtful 
and kind, Mr. Slaughter gave freely of his time 
and money to the poor of his community. 

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Slaughter, six boys and five girls. Seven of them 
are still living, as follows: — 

C. C, Peter E., J. B., W. B., Fannie, Sarah 
Jane, and Millie. Mrs. Slaughter died on the Cth 
of January, 1894. 

He died at his home, six miles north of Palo 
Pinto, Texas, at 11 p. m., March 19, 1895. Dur- 
ing his last illness he had the consolation of hav- 
ing with him his three sons, C. C, J. B., and 
W. B. Slaughter; his three daughters, Mrs. Jennie 
Harris, Mrs. Millie Dalton, and Miss Fannie 
Slaughter, and also his long-cherished friend. Rev. 
Rufus C. Burleson, of Waco, and a number of 
neighbors and other friends. His end was peace- 
ful and in keeping with his Christian life. Just 
before he died, he expressed his willingness to obe}' 
the summons, his trust in God, and his belief in a 
happy immortality. 



ISAAC PARKS, 



ANDERSON, 



A native of Georgia and for manj' years a promi- 
nent citizen of Chambers County, Ala., came to 
Texas in 1853, and located two miles east of Ander- 
son, in Grimes County, where he continued plant- 
ing in, which he had been formerly engaged. He 
married first, on April 1st, 1834, Miss Lucinda 



Chipman, and after her death married, on January 
16th, 1844, Miss Martha S. Stoneham, daughter of 
Joseph Stoneham, and a niece of the venerable 
Bryant Stoneham, of Stoneham Station, Grimes 
County, Texas. He brought to Texas with him a 
familv of six children, four of whom were bv his 



INDIAN WABS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



673 



first wife and two bj- his second. Of tbese cliildren 
three were daughters, all of whom married. They 
are all deceased. A son, W. H. Parks, D. D., is 
a clergyman of the Baptist Church, stationed at 
Ennis, Texas. The Stonehams were among the 
earliest settlers on Grimes Prairie, in Grimes 
County. 

By Mr. Parks' second marriage, there were six 
sons and two daughters. Two sons, Eldridge and 
Terrill, are deceased. The four surviving sons are : 
Joseph F., of Bryan; Erastus, of Anderson; 
Charles, of Brenham ; and Edwin L., of Stoneham, 
Texas. The two daughters are: Carrie, now Mrs. 
W. G. Hatfield, of Ennis ; and Laura, wife of L. S. 
Coffey, of Navasota. Mr. Parks died June 14, 
1877, at sixty-eight years of age, and Mrs. Parks 
in 18S4, at fifty-eight j'ears of age, both at Ander- 
son. 

Joseph F. Parks is one of Bryan's successful 
business men. He was born at Oak Bowery, 
Chambers County, Ala., February 17, 1846. He 



was reared on his father's farm and resided there 
until 1869. He spent two years in the Confederate 
army as a member of Chisholm's regiment, in 
Major's brigade of Texas cavalry', and was attached 
to Green's division in the Trans-Mississippi Depart- 
ment. He was later transferred to Walker's divis- 
ion (infantr3-), and was final!}' detailed as a clerk 
in the commissar}- department of his (Waterhouse's) 
brigade and served in that capacity until the end of 
the war, when he returned to Anderson, where he 
was employed for two years as manager of his 
father's farm. In September, 1869, he married 
Miss Helen Garrett, a daughter of Judge O. H. P. 
Garrett, one of the original settlers of the historic 
old county of Washington. He farmed during the 
year of 1870 in Washington County. Late in that 
year he engaged in the livery business, which he 
has since followed, first in Navasota, then in Bren- 
ham and, since 1885, in Brj'an. Mr. and Mrs. 
Parks have five children, viz.: Ernest F., Joseph 
F. , Eugene, Lilian, and Nannie. 



G. W. GAYLE, 



COLUMBIA, 



Was born in Dallas County, Ala., in 1840. He 
received his education at Auburn, Ala., and came 
to Texas in 1860. He returned shortly afterward 
to his native State, however, and enlisted for the 
war in the Third Alabama Regiment. He served 
through the war and surrendered with Gen. Lee's 
army. In 1866 he returned to Texas and engaged 
in steamboating on the Trinity river. This busi- 
ness was followed with gratifying financial success 
during those exciting and troublesome times, when 
transportation facilities were so meager in Texas. 



In 1873 he settled in Brazoria County, and steam- 
boat navigation on the Brazos engaged his atten- 
tion for quite a while. In 1888 be was elected 
County Clerk of his county, and his great popu- 
larity is attested by the fact that he has been re- 
elected at each succeeding election. He lived in 
Columbia and has a most interesting family. He 
has been an indefatigable worker for the upbuild- 
ing of the section of the State in which he resides, 
and few of his fellow- citizens are more widely 
useful or influential. 



WILEY MANGUM IMBODEN, 

RUSK, 



Was born in Louisiana, iu 1861, and in 1863 was 
brought to Texas with his parents, who located in 
Cherokee County, Texas. He received the benefit 
of a thorough education in the primary and acade- 
mic schools of Texas and then read law and was 



admitted to the bar. For a number of years he 
was actively identified with Texas journalism as a 
newspaper owner and an editorial writer of rare 
force and elegance. He was then, as he has since 
been, a prominent figure and gallant and effective 



G74 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fighter in the political arena, contending against 
all comers for the continued ascendency of the 
Democratic party in this State and the establish- 
ment and maintenance of good government. He 
was elected and served as Journal Clerk of the 
Texas Senate of the Nineteenth and Twentieth 
Legislatures and upon the assembling of the Twen- 
tieth-first Legislature was elected Chief Clerk of 
the House of Representatives of that body. In 
the years that have followed he has been repeatedly 
elected a member of the Legislature, serving with 
distinction both in the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, For the past decade or more, he has 



taken an active and influential part in the counsels 
of his party, has filled positions of honor in its 
ranks and has done yeoman service ; he is recog- 
nized as one of the brightest and truest blades that 
Texas Democracy can boast. This 3'ear (1896) he 
was nominated, and has just been elected a presi- 
dential elector upon the Bryan and Sewall ticket 
and will have the pleasure of voting for the re- 
establishment of this government as a government 
of the people. He has inherited the stature and 
features of his illustrious ancestor, Wiley P. 
Mangum, for a long time Senator of the United 
States from North Carolina. 



GEORGE T. JESTER, 

CORSICANA. 



Hon. George T. Jester, ex-member of the State 
Legislature, in which he made an unusually brilliant 
record, and now Lieutenant-Governor of the State 
of Texas, was born in Macoupin County, 111., 
August 23, 1847. His father died in 1858, leaving 
the mother and six children a small amount of prop- 
erty that served to support the family until Charles 
W. and George T. Jester were old enough to con- 
tribute to the maintenance of the family. 

Hampton McKinney, related to the Hamptons 
of South Carolina and maternal grandfather of the 
subject of this memoir, moved to Texas in 1847 and 
built the first house — a log cabin — on the site 
now occupied by the thriving city of Corsicana. 
On the death of his father in 1858, his mother and 
six children made their way to McKinney's home, 
traveling the long distance from Macoupin County, 
III., to Corsicana, in a two-horse wagon. Soon after 
their arrival the county commenced the construction 
of a courthouse, the first brick building erected in 
that part of the State. George T. Jester and his 
elder brother, Charles W., secured employment, at 
fifty cents a day, and earned a support for their 
mother and sisters. 

At seventeen years of age he began reading law, 
but abandoned its study, and the following year 
(the fourth of the war) joined Hood's Fourth Texas 
Regiment. Before it reached Richmond, however, 
Lee had surrendered. Returning home, the neces- 
sities of the family were such that he could not 
prosecute his studies to admis&ion to the bar. He 
worked hard and earned money enough to purchase 



a wagon and horses and for two years followed 
trading and buying hides on a small scale. 

He next secured a position in a dry goods store 
in Corsicana at twenty dollars per month and clerked 
three years, his salary being increased until it 
reached one hundred and twenty-five dollars per 
month. 

He then began business on his own account and 
merchandised from 1870 to 1880, meeting with suc- 
cess. During five years of this time he was engaged 
in buying cotton from farmers and shipping it direct 
to spinners, the system now in vogue, and which he 
has the honor of having introduced into Texas. In 
1881 he retired from merchandising and cotton- 
buying and embarked in the banking business with 
his brothers, C. W. and L. L. Jester, under the firm 
name of Jester Brothers. In 1887 the bank was 
converted into the Corsicana National Bank, with a 
capital and surplus of $125,000.00. Hon. George 
T. Jester is president and manager of this institu- 
tion. 

He is as largely (perhaps more largely) inter- 
ested in farming and stock-raising than in bank- 
ing. The breeding and introduction of fine stock 
and scientific farming is a passion with him. The 
most highly enjoyed of his leisure hours are spent 
at his pleasant country home. 

He has been twice married : in 1871 to Miss Alice 
Bates, who died in 1875, leaving two children (a 
son, Claude W., and a daughter, named for her 
mother, Alice Bates Jester) ; and in 1880, five years 
after the death of his first wife, to Miss Fannie P. 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fi75 



Gordon, by whom he has one cbilcl, Charles G. 
Jester. 

Mr. Jester is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South and has been sent as a lay dele- 
gate to several important sessions of the General 
Conference, the highest body known to that church. 
He is a director and treasurer of the Navarro 
Bible Society, a member of the Corsicaua Relief 
Association, Navarro County Fair Association and 
Corsicana Board of Trade, and is a stockholder in 
the Corsicana Street Railway Company and Corsi- 
cana Manufacturing Company. 

In 1890 he was nominated by acclamation by the 
Democratic Convention of the Sixtieth District, 
and, at the ensuing election, in November, was 
elected to the House of Representatives of the 
Twenty-second Legislature, without opposition. 
In that body he served as a member of several im- 
portant committees, helped frame and assisted in 
passing the Railroad Commission Bill, introduced 
several measures of far-reaching importance, took 



an active part in the legislation of the session, won 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-members 
and earned a State-wide reputation as a man of 
uncommon abilit}' and a faithful servant of the 
people. 

In 1892 he was nominated and elected State Sen- 
ator and served as Chairman of the Finance 
Committee of the Senate of the Twenty-third Legis- 
lature. The reputation that he earned in the 
Legislature led to his nomination and election two 
years later by the Democracy of the State of Texas 
to the high and important office of Lieutenant- 
Governor, which he now (1896) holds and so well 
adorns. At the recent Democratic Convention he 
was renominated for and at the approaching elec- 
tion will be re-elected to the office of Lieutenant- 
Governor. 

He is truly a representative man of the people, 
having worked his way, through many difficulties, 
to the place he now occupies in the social, political 
and business world. 



C. R. COX, 

HINKLE'S FERRY. 



Christopher Randolph Cox, one of the best known 
and most highly respected of the old Texas veterans 
who still abides with us, was born in the town of 
Bowling Green, Warren County, Ky., August 31, 
1828. His parents emigrated to Texas in Decem- 
ber, 1829, and settled in the town of Brazoria, now 
in Brazoria County. His father, a physician by 
profession, and a leading citizen in that section, 
died in August, 183.3, and his mother in November, 
1841. 

Mr. Cox has lived in Brazoria County continu- 
ously since 1829, with the exception of four years 
spent in Houston and one year in Matagorda 
County. It has been sixty-seven years since he 
landed in Texas by schooner from New Orleans, 
and during all that time, through the many changes 
he has witnessed and through the many vicissitudes 
of circumstance and fortune that he has been called 
upon to encounter, he has come fully and squarely 
up to the stature of good citizenship, and enjoyed 
the confidence and esteem of the people among 
whom he has dwelt. 

In 1846 he joined Capt. Ballowe's company, 



Hays' regiment, and served during the Mexican 
War under Gen. Zacliary Taylor. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Monterey, was at the storm- 
ing of tlie Bishop's Palace and other Mexican 
strongholds in and around the city, and was in all 
tiie engagements in which his command took part, 
bearing himself with the gallantry of a true soldier. 
The war over, he returned to his home, and in 1856 
was elected County Clerk of Brazoria County, and 
was re-elected in 1858 and 1860. In 1862 he was 
elected County Judge and in 1864 was re-elected to 
that office. In 1866 he was elected Tax Assessor 
and Collector of that county ; was appointed Sheriff 
and Tax Collector in April, 1877, and filled that 
office until December 1, 1878. He was elected 
County Commissioner in 1882 and resigned that 
position in October, 1883, since which time he has 
held no public office. 

Although in his sixtj*- ninth year, Mr. Cox is still 
as vigorous, mentally, as in his prime, and his 
physical health is such as to justify his friends in 
the hope that he will be spared to them for many 
years to come. 



676 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



A. T. ROSE, 

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 



Hon. A. T. Rose, the eflicient superintendent of 
the Texas School for the Deaf and Dumb, is 
well known tliroughout the State as a financier and 
leading promoter of many useful public and private 
enterprises in the section of the State in which he 
for so many years made his unofficial home. He 
was born in McLennan County, Texas, in June, 
1858. When a boy he attended a preparatory 
school at home and then entered the Texas Mili- 
tary Institute at Austin, where he graduated in 
1877. He married Miss Lillie Thomas, a young 
lady of Austin, in 1878, and settled upon a farm at 
his old home near Waco. In 1887 he moved to 
Hillsboro, where he went into the real estate busi- 
ness. By dint of energy, careful business habits 
and superior financial ability, he rapidly enlarged 
his interests, and took position as one of the most 
effective workers for the upbuilding of Hillsboro 
and the section tributary to it. He is now the 
vice-president of the Hillsboro Investment and 
Electric Light Co., and president of Rose Hill 
Improvement Co., which owns and controls a large 
addition to the city of Hillsboro. He also owns 
otlier property in Hill and McLennan counties. 
His married life has been blessed with four chil- 
dren, the oldest seventeen years of age and the 
youngest eleven. His wife has many friends in 



Austin who grew up from cliildliood with her, and 
is a social favorite. The superintendency of this 
State Institution came to Mr. Rose witiiout his 
seeking. When it was first tendered to him in 
January, 189.5, he hesitated to accept, as by doing 
so his varied interests might have to suffer, but it 
was his wife's wish to move back to Austin, and he 
yielded to her desire. He has now been at the 
head of the institution for nearly two years, and it 
has prospered greatly under his management, and 
the wisdom of his appointment by the Governor 
has been fully justified by results. This eleemosy- 
nary institution is second in importance to none 
maintained by the State, and requires for its 
proper administration, qualities of heart and mind 
of the highest order, and these the present super- 
intendent has shown himself to possess in full 
measure, and it is to be hoped, in the interest of 
the unfortunates now in his charge, that he will 
remain at its head for many years to come. His 
energies and brain could not be employed in a 
nobler cause than that in wliich they are now 
enlisted — a life-work worthy to become the life- 
work of any man whose ambition is of that high 
order that animates to noble deeds in the ser- 
vice of others, and in the interest of a broad 
liuminity. 



JOSE MARIA RODRIGUEZ, 

LAREDO. 



Jose Maria Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, 
Texas, October 29th, 1829, of pure Spanish lineage. 
He is the son of the late Ambrosio Rodriguez. 

His mother, before marriage, was Miss Ma J. 
Olivarri. She is still living in San Antonio. 

The father of the subject of this sketch was born 
in San Antonio, in 1807, was First Lieutenant in 
Gen. Houston's army and participated in the deci- 
sive battle of San Jacinto. 

Jose Maria sprang from a warlike family on both 
sides. His maternal grandfather, Andres Cour- 
biere, was a sergeant in the Spanisli army tliat 



occupied San Antonio at an early date. He re- 
tired from the army and married at San Antonio, 
and his descendants are scattered throughout the 
State of Texas. 

Jose Maria, when quite a boy, witnessed a fight 
in the county courthouse of Bexar County, in 
which his father was a participant, between Texians 
and Comanche Indians, a full account of which is 
to be found under the proper heading elsewhere 
in this work. 

Jose Maria Rodriguez was educated in Texas and 
New Orleans, La., and in addition to tlie English 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



i\ll 



language became also proficient in Spanish and 
French, the two foreign languages generally in use 
in the locality of his residence at that time. He 
lived in San Antonio until 1861 and then moved to 
Laredo, where he still resides, engaged in raising 
stock — sheep, horses and cattle — on his ranch in 
ICncinal County, Texas. His ranch at present is 
one of the largest and finest in that county. 

Mr. Rodriguez married Feliz Benavides, a daugh- 
ter of Basilic Benavides, who was one of the public- 
spirited and wealthy citizens of Southwest Texas, 
and who represented his district in the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1859-60. They have had two 
children: Natalie and Jose Arabrosio. Natalie, 
the daughter, received a fine education at San An- 
tonio, and the son, Jose Ambrosio, was educated 
at St. Mary's University, at Galveston, Texas. 



Mr. Rodriguez has been an active Democrat and 
participant in political affairs. He was Assessor 
and Collector of Taxes for Bexar County, and Alder- 
man for San Antonio in 1857-8. Removing to Webb 
County he commenced the study of law, was ad- 
mitted to practice in the District Court in 1864, and 
in 1879 was elected County Judge. He is a man 
of fine intelligence and business habits, and the 
fact that for years he was elected to the important 
position of County Judge of his county, is the very 
best evidence that his fellow-citizens have the 
highest confidence in his integrity and ability. 
Judge Rodriguez is a true and exemplary Catholic 
and consistent Christian gentleman. 

He has been a public-spirited man, ever ready to 
unite with his fellow-citizens in improving the local- 
ity of his home city. 



GEN. THOMAS N. WAUL, 

GALVESTON. 



Gen. Thomas Neville Waul, of Galveston, one of 
the most distinguished citizens of the common- 
wealth of Texas, was born near Statesburg, S. C, 
Januarj' 5lh, 1813, and is the last living descendant 
of the Wauls of that State. 

His ancestors at an early day emigrated to Vir- 
ginia, and their children scattered thence through 
New Jersey and the Carolinas, and were among the 
early settlers of the Western States. His great- 
grandfather settled on the Yadkin and Pedee riveis 
in the southeastern portion of South Carolina, and 
his grandfather on the Santee river. 

His father, Thomas Waul, was married to Miss 
Annie Mulcahay, daughter of a leading citizen of 
South Carolina. 

The grandfathers of Gen. Waul, on both sides, 
were active Whigs and soldiers in the Revolutionary 
struggle that achieved independence for the Ameri- 
can colonies, and at its close settled in South Caro- 
lina near their comrade in arms, the gallant and 
illustrious Gen. Sumpter, " The Gamecock of the 
South." 

With such a lineage, rich in such memories and 
reared in such an atmosphere, it is not surprising 
that genius, courage and patriotism are distinguish- 
ing characteristics of Gen. Thomas N. Waul. At 
an early age he entered the University of South 
Carolina, at Columbia, but left it in 18.''>2 without 



graduating, owing to feeble health, straitened 
means and the death of his father. He had early 
lost his sainted mother. He generously gave his 
stepmother, as a recognition of her affection for 
him, his interest in the small estate left by his 
father. Having determined upon the study and 
practice of law at the age of seventeen, he mounted 
his horse and, with no other possessions than the 
contents of his valise and testimonials as to his 
scholarship, capacity and integritj', set forth sus- 
tained by a courageous spirit, to find or make for 
himself a place in the world. Turning bis horse's 
head westward, he stopped at Florence, Ala., in- 
tending only to make a short stay, to recuperate 
his strength. A vacancy occurring, upon his 
application, he was elected principal of the 
msle academy situated, at that place. Here 
he taught one session but, becoming im- 
patient to take definite steps to enter his 
chosen profession, relinquished the position as 
principal and with high testimonials from the 
trustees of the academy, proceeded to 
Vieksburg, Miss., where he formed the acquaint- 
ance of S. S. Prentiss. Prentiss at that time, 
though a young man, had already exhibited much 
of that capacity which afterwards made him so fa- 
mous ; for his brilliant genius, even then, had won 
for him a commanding position at the local bar. 



678 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Naturally, 3'oung AVaul was captivated by his mag- 
netic power and engaging eloquence. Tlie esteem 
was mutual, and at the invitation of Prentiss the 
young aspirant for legal knowledge became a stu- 
dent in his oflice, received the advantage of his 
training and enjoyed the friendship of that illus- 
trious man throughout his life. The eager student 
made rapid progress, and in 1835 was licensed to 
practice by the Suj^reme Court of Mississippi. He 



home. He followed his profession with such ardor 
and success that in a few years he was able to aban- 
don the general practice and confine himself to busi- 
ness in the Federal, Chancery and Court of Appeals, 
and to special engagements in imjiortant cases. Hav- 
ing by his exertions acquired a sufficient fortune to 
justify some degree of respite from toil, he, in 
December, 1850, removed to Texas and established 
a plantation on the Guadalupe river, in Gonzales 





GEN. THOMAS N. WAUL. 



was previous thereto appointed District Attorney 
for the wealthy and influential river district, includ- 
ing within its limits the towns of Vicksburg and 
Natchez and the counties on the Mississippi river. 
He resided a short time in Yazoo City, and thence 
removed to Grenada. In 1836 he married Miss 
America Simmons, a highly cultured and accom- 
plished young lad^'of Georgia, descended from one 
of the leading families of that State. She now pre- 
sides with elegance and grace over his hospitable 



County. Having still interests in Mississippi, he 
opened a law office in New Orleans, and for a few 
winters practiced in important cases in the higher 
courts of Louisiana. 

When the Kuow-Nothing party threatened to ob- 
tain control of the country he found much of the 
ability and many of the leaders of the Democratic 
party the strongest supporters of the new movement, 
at the head of which, in Texas, was the great name 
of Houston. He attacked the principles and prac- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



679 



tices of the Know-Nothing organization, sought its 
champions upon every battle-ground, and invited 
controversy upon the hustings with all who upheld 
its dangerous doctrines. 

Though never in his long career a seeker for 
political office, the people called him from his 
retirement on the Guadalupe in 1859 as the proper 
champion of Democratic principles and put him for- 
ward as a candidate for Congress. 

Though the party was defeated and the Hon. A. 
J. Hamilton (the opposition nominee) elected, the 
character and eloquence of Gen. Waul shone with 
unabated brilliancj' in the midst of party defeat. 

Afterwards, in 1860, Gen. Waul was selected as 
one of the electors of the State at large on the 
Breckenridge and Lane ticket and in the historic 
canvas that followed, delivered some of the ablest 
speeches of his life. An eye and ear witness re- 
lates that during the delivery of one of these 
speeches at Seguin, somebody in the audience 
called out: "But, Gen. Waul, suppose that Lin- 
coln should be elected, what would you do then.?" 
Without a moment's hesitation, he replied: " God 
Almighty grant that that day will never come, yet 
should that evil day arrive, then, as under all 
other circumstances, I shall remember that I am a 
native son of the South, and shall say to her as 
Ruth said to Naomi, ' Whither thou goesti will go, 
and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people 
shall be my people and thy God my God. Where 
thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried : 
the Lord do so to me and more also, if aught but 
death part thee and me.' " The crowd was elec- 
trified, shouts rent the air, tears moistened hundreds 
of cheeks and the gathered thousands saw in him 
the embodiment of chivalric and manly grace, sin- 
cere devotion to country and magnetic oratory. 

He demonstrated the importance of a united 
South as the only hope of averting impending war. 
As to secession, he said that, as to some of the 
States, it could not be averted and in case of 
attempted coercion, Texas could not remain inac- 
tive against a united and aggressive North. Con- 
tinuing, he argued that there was a hope that this 
aggression might be obviated by the display of a 
united South. He therefore invoked this union as 
a measure of patriotism, disregarding on his part, 
and asking others to sink all party issues. Subse- 
quent events rendered war inevitable, but it was 
doubtless owing to these masterly appeals that the 
great majority of the bitter opponents of secession 
took arms for the South when coercion was 
attempted. 

The State having seceded. Gen. Waul was sent 
to the Provisional Congress at Montgomery and, 



with his usual sagacity, urged upon that body 
the necessity of adequate preparations for a 
struggle, as the most effective method of se- 
curing a satisfactory arrangement between the 
sections or, if necessary, to fight for an hon- 
orable peace. Before his term of service ex- 
pired it was obvious that an amicable adjustment 
was impossible. He declined re-election, being 
resolved to take the field. He succeeded in raising 
over two thousand troops. Tliey were organized as 
" Waul's Legion," went into camp in Washington 
County and proceeded thence to Vicksburg and 
Corinth, where Federal and Confederate troops were 
being concentrated. At Holly Springs he heard 
of the defeat of the Confederate forces, and was 
ordered to the front to protect and cover their re- 
treat. Thenceforth, the Legion under the command 
of Gen. Waul was actively engaged in hard service. 
Its valor and discipline made its name a household 
word in Southern homes never to be forgotten. 
Gen. Waul knew perfectly the topography of Mis- 
sissippi and by virtue of this knowledge and his 
ability as a commander, was assigned to the per- 
formance of arduous and responsible duties in de- 
fense of the State. He urged the importance of 
defending Yazoo Pass and, though engineers had 
reported that entrance through that channel was 
impossible, his dissenting views were adopted by 
the government and, at the instance of the Presi- 
dent, by Gen. Pemberton, he was ordered to the 
defense of the Yazoo and Tallahatchie river. The 
Commanding General requested him to make his 
selection of troops in the field to aid the Legion in 
this responsible undertaking. His choice fell upon 
the gallant Second Texas, commanded by that brave 
old soldier. Col. Ashbel Smith, whose efficiency and 
gallantry had been demonstrated in many en- 



He proceeded to a strategic point near the con- 
fluence of the Yalobusha and Tallahatchie rivers and 
promptly commenced the erection of a fortification 
of cotton bales. The Federal General, Ross, with 
troops and gun-boats, had already entered the river 
and was approaching with a well-appointed land and 
naval force. But the narrowness of the river and 
the want of knowledge of the channel somewhat re- 
tarded the Federal advance, and utilizing this slight 
delay, the Confederates toiled all through the night 
in the mud to complete their works. Simultane- 
ously with the dawn of morning the Federal fleet 
appeared and the fortification received its last and 
only large gun. 

Notwithstanding the heavy armament and supe- 
rior force of the Federals, they were driven back 
and for a time Vicksburg and the Mississippi were 



G80 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



saved to the Confederacy. Gen. Loring arrived 
on the eve of the engagement, but his report of 
the battle truthfully gave the credit for the victory 
to the brave Texiaus and tiieir commander. At the 
siege of Vicksburg Gen. Waul's command did 
active service in the reserve, their presence being 
required to repel every attack along the lines, and 
it suffered greatly in loss of officers and men. 
After the surrender of Vicksburg he was ordered 
to Richmond and there promoted for gallant service 
in the field to the rank of Brigadier-General. He 
was then sent to Texas to recruit his Legion and 
increase his battalions to the full complement of 
regiments and to organize the command into a 
brigade of cavalry and report for duty in the Cis- 
Mississippi Department. Before the orders could 
be executed, Gen. Banks appeared with a force to 
invade Texas, and Gen. E. Kirby Smith, com- 
manding the Trans-Mississippi Department, offered 
Gen. Waul the command of one of his best brig- 
ades. He accepted and led it in the battles of 
Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, in both of which he 
bore an active and conspicuous part. When the 
Division Commander, Gen. Walker, was wounded, 
Gen. Waul was placed in command of the division 
and was subsequently placed in command of the 
field by Gen. Taylor for personal gallantry and 
military skill displayed in the successful massing of 
the troops. The reputation earned by him on pre- 
vious fields was more than sustained at the battle 
of Saline, or Jenkins' Ferry, which, on account of 
the mud rendering the use of the artillery impossi- 
ble, was fought exclusively with muskets and bay- 
onets. The Federals were driven from the field 
with great slaughter. On the Confederate side the 
heaviest losses were suffered by the Texas troops. 
Of their three generals two were killed and Gen. 
Waul severely wounded. 

After the close of the war he returned to his 
home on the Guadalupe and, against his protest, 
was elected to the first reconstruction convention. 
In obedience Solely to a sense of duty, he accepted 
the position, and having done so employed every 
influence that he could command to secure a con- 
stitutional recognition of the rights of the people 
of Texas and to allay sectional animosities. His 
course in the convention, brave and wise, was 
warmly supported by friends and respected by 
political foes. He urged reciprocal compromises 
and the guarantee of the inalienable rights of the 
vanquished in justifiable war as the only means of 
establishing sectional peace and national prosperity. 
The effect of his councils and presence in that body 
cannot be overestimated. Having lost his material 
possessions by the war, he removed from the Gua- 
dalupe to Galveston and resumed the practice of 



law. His talent and devotion to business secured 
for him a lucrative practice and placed him in the 
front rank of active practitioners. He was soon 
called by the profession to the presidency of the 
Bar Association, over which he has since presided. 
His practice is chiefly in commercial, corporation, 
and admiralty matters, and in the Federal and 
Supreme Courts, in cases involving large transac- 
tions; he is intimately acquainted with the princi- 
ples and practice of all branches of the law. His 
broad capacity of mind, intuitive good judgment, 
and the untiring labor bestowed upon his cases suf- 
ficiently account for his success during the various 
epochs of his professional life. Though devoted to 
the law, he has found time to cultivate amenities 
of literature, as well as make researches in the 
domains of science and philosophy. He is partic- 
ularly partial to botanical studies and devoted to 
the cause of popular education. For intellectual 
accomplishments and breadth of culture, he is with- 
out a superior in the State. He has aided, to the 
full extent of his means and opportunities, every 
commendable enterprise, and has contributed more 
than his distributive share to the development of 
the resources and institutions of Texas and the 
Soutiiwest. 

His personal, like his mental, characteristics arc 
strongly defined. With every attribute of moral 
and physical courage, of the most undaunted char- 
acter, is mingled justice and generositj'. A mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and seeking to be a true 
Christian, his highest ambition is under all circum- 
stances to do his whole duty to God and to his 
fellow-men. 

He is one of the noblest surviving representatives 
of a race that has shed undying luster upon the 
Southern name, and is a citizen of whom Texas is 
justly proud. 

Since writing the foregoing we have learned that 
Gen. Waul has retired from the practice of his pro- 
fession, and removed from Galveston to a farm he 
established some years since in Hunt County where, 
after sixty years of married life, he and his wife 
look for that rest and quiet so well suited to their 
advanced years. 

Born and reared in Southern plantation homes, 
they return to their love of country life, surrounded 
by orchard and vineyard, amid their flocks and 
herds, they hope to approximate as near as the 
changed conditions will permit, the open hospitality 
of the ''Old South," and with doors widespread 
they will give a hearty welcome to all visitors. In 
pleasant companionship reviving agreeable remin- 
iscences, with Ill-will towards none and kindness 
to all, with well-founded hopes for the future, they 
prepare to receive their last summons. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



G81 



JOHN P. COLE, 

WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



John P. Cole, one of the first settlers of Texas, 
was born in Rowan County, N. C, in 1793, where 
he was reared to the age of eighteen, when he went 
to Georgia. There he married Miss Mary E. 
Owen, of Jasper County, and a year later moved to 
Texas, coming overland by way of Arlvansas, 
where he made a crop, reaching the Brazos bottom 
in the vicinity of what is now Washington, in the 
spring of 1822. He was the third man to cross the 
Brazos, and took up his abode on the west side of 
that stream. He located half his headright in that 
vicinity and half in the vicinity of what is now 
Independence, then known as Cole's Settlement. 
This was in the year 1828. Mr. Cole put in the 
first grist mill, and saw mill, and gin, in that part 
of the country. He was a prominent man in 
an early day and of great service to the 
country. He held a number of public posi- 
tions, and was known far and wide for his public 
spirit and hospitality. During the revolution of 
183.5-36 he offered himself for service in the cause 
of the colonists, but on account of a failure of eye- 
sight was incapacitated for active duty. He 
removed his family, for greater safety, to Bever- 
ley's settlement beyond the Neches, but returned 
immediately after the battle of San Jacinto. He 



was made the first Chief Justice of Washington 
County, and later represented that county in the 
Congress of the Republic. He was always a 
planter, and acquired a considerable amount of 
property, mostly in land. His death occurred 
January 18, 1847, and that of his wife in February, 
1874. 

They were the parents of a large number of 
children, only six of whom, however, five daughters 
and one son, became grown. The son, William H., 
died at about the age of twenty-one in the Confed- 
erate army. The daughters were married. Four 
are still living. Of these, Mary E. married 
Thomas L. Scott, is a widow, and resides at Inde- 
pendence ; Eliza M. was married to Andrew B. 
Shelburne, and resides with her husband at Bryan ; 
Victoria C. married Moses B. Hairston, and resides 
with her husband at Bartlett, Williamson County ; 
and Medora L. is the widow of John A. McCrock- 
lin, and lives at Independence. Still another 
daughter, Maria L., the first female white child 
born west of the Brazos, was married to W. W. 
Hill, and died shortly after her father, in January, 
1847, in Burleson County. 

This pioneer of Texas, John P. Cole, has but 
few descendants now living. 



GEORGE W. WOODMAN, 

LAREDO. 



George W. Woodman, deceased, a well-remem- 
bered Texas pioneer, came to the State at about 
seventeen years of age. 

He was a native of New Orleans, La., where he 
was born December 31st, 1832. He was the sec- 
ond son of a successful building contractor of that 
city, who died, leaving an estate valued at about 
860,000.00, which was equally divided between 
these two sons, his only children. 

George W., the subject of this sketch, upon 
coming to Texas, located at Indianola, where, 
though yet a very young man, he entered exten- 
sively into the wholesaling and retailing of wines, 



liquors and groceries at the upper, or earliest, 
settlement of that historical old point. Partially 
owing to inexperience and a combination of un- 
foreseen circumstances, the venture was unsuccess- 
ful. He subsequently served, by appointment, as 
Deputy District Clerk, of Calhoun Countj^ and 
later by election he filled the same office for a 
period in all of about twelve years. He there mar- 
ried, April 2, 1856, Miss Ella C, daughter of Col. 
Henry White, a Texas pioneer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Woodman lived at Indianola from 
1856 to 1872, and then moved to Corpus Christi, 
whore he worked as an accountant for leading busi- 



682 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ness houses until 1880, when they moved to Laredo, 
where the older son had embarked in business. In 
Laredo Mr. Woodman found employment as an 
accountant, and died there in November, 1890. 
Two sons, George C. and Albert V. (who now 
compose the well-known hardware firm of George 
C. Woodman & Brother, at Laredo) and Mrs. 
Woodman still survive. 

Mrs. Woodman's father. Col. White, came to 
Texas as early as 1842 from Louisville, Ky., bring- 
ing with him his family and a large amount of 
money, made in the wholesale and retail dry goods 
business in that city, where he owned at one time 
three establishments. 

He was a native of London, England, was 
reared to the mercantile business, and came to 
America when about twenty-two years of age and 
located in New York City, where he engaged 
in business as a broker and speculator, and 
there met and married Miss Eliza Lackman, a 
native of Buttermilk Falls, Westchester County, 
N. Y. 

Owing to poor health, Col. White came West, as 
before stated, and for similar reasons left Louis- 
ville, where he had accumulated a fortune, and 



where his children were born, and came to Gal- 
veston, Texas. 

He soon purchased land and at a large expense 
developed a countrj' home near Morgan's Point in 
Galveston County, on Galveston Bay. Unused to 
country life and rural pursuits he sold his property 
at Morgan's Point and located with his family in 
Galveston, and there engaged for a time in the 
merchandise brokerage and auction business. 

Upon the discovery of gold in 1849, he was one 
of the first to go to California, taking with him a 
stock of goods. He engaged in merchandising at 
Sacramento for a period of about six years, and 
then returned to his famii}' at Galveston, and took 
them to St. Louis, Mo., where he followed the dry 
goods business until the war broke out. 

His three sons joined the Confederate army, and 
he served the Southern Confederacy as a clerk in 
the Quartermaster's department during the con- 
flict. He died while on a trip to New Orleans, in 
1865, and his widow a short time later, the same 
year, at the home of her daughter, in Indianola, 
Texas. Mrs. Woodman and an older sister, Mrs. 
Harriett Merriman, are the only surviving members 
of the famil}' of seven children. 



EPHRIAM M. DAGGETT, 

FORT WORTH. 



No one among the pioneers of Tarrant Count3' 
made a deeper impress or left behind him a mem- 
ory that will longer endure in the respect and affec- 
tion of the people than the late Capt. Ephriam M. 
Daggett. As one of his eulogists has said of him : 
" He was born great in stature, mind and soul," 
and his extraordinary individuality made him easily 
a leader in every company in which he found him- 
self. He was born in Canada, eight miles from 
Niagara P'alls, June 3, 1810. His father, who was 
a Vermonter by birth, espoused the American cause 
in the War of 1812, and after the war the gov- 
ernment, in recognition of his services, made him a 
grant of land in Indiana, where the city of Terre 
Haute now stands. There the Daggett family, in- 
cluding the subject of this sketch, who was then 
ten years old, removed in 1820. He grew up on a 
farm, and in 1833 went to Chicago, where he was 
engaged for several years trading with the Indians. 
About this time his father was seized with the Texas 



fever, and the whole family, including Ephriam, 
came South, landing at Shreveport, La., and from 
there went to Shelby County, in Eastern Texas, 
where they located. This was in April, 1840, and 
there the Daggetts remained, engaged in cultivating 
the soil. What is known as the Shelby War soon 
broke out, and the community was divided into 
two factions, one known as the Regulators and the 
other as the Moderators. It seems to have been a 
conflict between the law-abiding and the lawless 
classes, and Ephriam Daggett, with his father and 
brothers, did yeoman service with the former. 
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, Shelby 
Count}- raised two companies of troops, and in one 
of these E. M. Daggett and his brother Charles en- 
listed. He went in as a Lieutenant, and was soon pro- 
moted to a Captaincy in the celebrated regiment of 
Texas rangers commanded by Col. Jack Hays. 
His career during the war was one of splendid 
courage and daring achievements, and he was con- 




'hnH VV^ood 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



683 



spicuous for personal gallautry in many emergen- 
cies. After tlie war he returned to Slielby County, 
and tlie fact that he twice represented the county 
in tlie Legislature is sufficient evidence of his recog- 
nized leadership among those people. He made his 
first trip to Western Texas in 1849, the same year 
that his lirother Henry located there, but he did 
not finally move his family West until 1854. His first 
marriage occurred in Indiana in 1834, and his wife 
bore him one son — Ephriam B. Daggett — who still 
survived. His second marriage took place in 
Shelby County, in 1841, and his wife was Mrs. 
Caroline Adams, from South Carolina. She and 
his only son, Ephriam, went with him to Fort 
Worth in 18.54, and she died there in 1869. When 
Capt. Daggett readied Fort Worth, his brother 
Charles and sister Helen came with the family, his 
brother Henry being already a resident there. 
Capt. Daggett at once went into the general mer- 
cantile business, as a member of the firm of Turner 
& Daggett, and began the accumulation of a for- 
tune. He was soon a man of commanding influence 
and his personal efforts were largely instrumental 
in getting the county seat removed from Birdville 
and permanently located at Fort Worth. He did 
not go into field service during the Civil War, being 
past the age fixed by law, and after the war con- 
tinued in the mercantile business at Fort Worth. 
He had meanwhile acquired large landed interests 
in and around Fort Worth aud was also heavily 



interested in cattle. In 1872 he was one of the 
leading men to welcome the Texas and Pacific Rail- 
road magnates to Fort Worth, and as an induce- 
ment for the company to build its line there, 
donated nearly one hundred acres of land, and 
upon part of it the Union Depot stands to-day. 
He retired from merchandising and at once 
launched into a career of enterprise and speculation 
which made him a veritable giant in the great work 
of building a city. His name is indissolubly asso- 
ciated with those times, and his fellow citizens 
pointed with pride to the stalwart old man as an 
example of the class that was compassing big enter- 
prises and carrying Fort Worth to metropolitan 
greatness. He was a keen, broad, original thinker, 
bold in execution, scrupulously honest and just, 
and very charitable to the deserving poor. In relig- 
ion he was more nearly allied to the Universalist 
faith than any other, and in politics he acted with 
the Democrats until 1878, when he espoused the 
Greenback cause and was an unsuccessful candidate 
for Congress on that ticket. He died in Fort 
Worth, April 19th, 1883, and his death carried sor- 
row to every home in the city as though it were a 
personal bereavement. All classes and colors 
mourned his loss and a vast concourse attended his 
funeral. 

He left a large estate and only one child, 
Ephriam B. Daggett, long a prominent citizen of 
Fort Worth. 



JOHN H. WOOD, 



ST. MARYS. 



John H. Wood was born September 6, 181C, at 
the family home, situated between Poughkeepsie 
and Hyde Park, in the State of New York, and for 
a brief time during boyhood attended local schools. 
His parents were Humphrey and Maria Wood. His 
mother, who died when he was eleven j'ears of age, 
was a daughter of Richard DeCantillon and nearly 
related to the Stoughtenburgs and Tailors, repre- 
sentatives of the fine old patroon families whose 
spacious manors in New York rivaled in extent and 
the elegancies of social life the domains of their 
progenitors in the Old World. Humphrey Wood 
was of excellent Puritan stock. His ancestors were 
sea-faring men, and in early life he became one of 
the " toilers of the deep " and soon rose to the rank 



of Captain of a vessel. Later he abandoned the 
sea, engaged in farming, and established a pleasant 
home upon the banks of the Hudson, between 
Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park. He lived to the 
advanced age of 103 years, dying at Genoa, N. Y., 
in 1873. 

After the death of liis mother the subject of this 
sketch, Maj. John H. Wood, went to the city of 
New York, where he spent a year or more with an 
aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Stoughtenburg. At 
the expiration of that time he returned to the fam- 
ily homestead, attended school for a short time, and 
then returned to New York City, where during the 
succeeding three years he clerked first in a dry 
goods establishment and then in a grocery store. 



684 



INDIAN WAliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXA8. 



His experience in the grocery store, which was 
owned and eonduuted by a man of mean and over- 
bearing spirit, thoroughly disgusted him. He 
determined to never again stand behind a counter 
as an employe, and, acting upon this resolution, 
resigned his position, bound himself as an appren- 
tice and began to learn the painter's trade. 

The unjust treatment of her Anglo-American col- 
onists by Mexico and the spirited action of the 
Texans at Velaseo, Anahuac, and other places, 
excited the attention and aroused the sympathy of 
people living in all parts of the United States. The 
expulsion of Bradburn from his stronghold, the 
entire evacuation of Texas by Mexican forces, the 
overthrow of the despotism of Bustamante, and 
Santa Anna's pledges to be governed by and enforce 
in its true spirit the Mexican constitution of 1824, 
seemed to mark a happy ending of existing diffi- 
culties, and popular excitement in the United States 
was in a measure allayed. It was but the lull, how- 
ever, before the storm. Santa Anna soon gave 
unmistakable evidences of his intention to reduce 
the people of Texas to a condition little better than 
slavery, depriving them of nearly all their rights 
and subjecting them to absolute dependence upon 
his will. The colonists were not slow hi organiz- 
ing for resistance. 

Freemen with arms in their hands were apt to be 
hard to deal with and in pursuance of the plans of 
the central executive authority Ugartechea pro- 
ceeded with a Mexican force to Gonzales to demand 
a cannon in the possession of the people of that 
place and convey it to San Antonio. A small Texian 
force was quickly assembled, his demand was 
answered with defiance, a sharp skirmish ensued 
and the fust volley of the Texian revolution (as 
fateful as that which greeted the British regulars at 
Lexington) whistled through the air. Ugartechea 
was defeated and driven back to Bexar and war 
formally inaugurated. 

News of this event spread rapidly, and was 
answered in the States by a patriotic thrill in the 
hearts of hundreds of young men who longed to 
draw their swords in the cause of liberty. Texian 
agents met with little difficulty in procuring volun- 
teers. Stanley and Morehouse, acting as emis- 
saries of the provisional government of Texas, 
were in New York recruiting for the service. 

John H. Wood, having procured permission from 
the painter to whom he had apprenticed himself, 
called upon Stanley and Morehouse and enrolled 
his named. One hundred and eighty-four men 
(whom the agents represented as emigrants) having 
been secured, Stanley and Morehouse chartered a 
vessel, the Matawomkeg, and in the night of 



November 2."), 1835, slipped out of New York har- 
bor. Arriving off Sandy Hook the vessel encoun- 
tered a terrific storm, and for a time it seemed 
certain that she would go to the bottom. 

This night, which marked the commencement of 
a new epoch in the life of Maj. Wood, was also 
made memorable by the great fire that reduced 
Wall street and contiguous parts of New York 
City to ashes. 

The ship safely weathered the storm, resumed 
the voyage, drifted somewhat out of her course and, 
after a rough passage, reached the Island of 
Eleuthera, one of the Bahama group, and anchored 
off the coast for a number of days. Members of 
the crew and many of the passengers went ashore. 
A number of the volunteers were roughs from such 
unsavory purlieus of New York City as the " Five 
Points," and through force of habit, perhaps, com- 
mitted petty thefts and were guilty of outrageous 
conduct that soon earned for them unenviable repu- 
tations. The Captain, having taken aboard water 
and ship supplies, compelled these men to return all 
stolen articles, where that was possible, made ample 
compensation for other losses, bestowed liberal 
presents upon all injured persons who had preferred 
complaints, and set sail for the Balize. A fisher- 
man named Knowles, a man of low character, who 
lived on that part of the coast of Eleuthera where 
the vessel had anchored, hurried to Nassau, in the 
Island of New Providence, and notified the British 
authorities that a pirate was hovering in those seas 
and had already ravished women and been guilty of 
pillage. He represented himself as one of the 
victims who had suffered most from the incursion, 
his object being to put in a claim for heavy 
damages. 

According to his reckoning the Matawomkeg 
would have time to get well out of the Bahamas 
before pursuit could be attempted. His calculation 
was at fault. The British brig-of-war Serpent and 
another vessel loaded with marines at once gave 
chase and soon overhauled and captured the ship 
and conveyed her to Nassau, where all aboard were 
imprisoned and detained in the barracks for sixty 
da3's. While thus confined the Americans resorted 
to various expedients to relieve the tedium of 
prison life. Canvas was stretched on a large arch 
in the center of the room and on this the}' painted a 
representation of the battle of New Orleans, and 
offered their production for exhibition January 8th, 
the anniversary of that engagement. The younger 
British officers and their wives visited the barracks 
and examined and passed good-humored criticisms 
on the picture. The old colonel of the regiment, 
however, had participated in the battle of New 




IviKS. JOHN nAA/boQ 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



685 



Oi-leans, and no doubt received his sliare of the 
drubbing administered to the redcoats b3' Gen. 
Jackson ou that occasion, and he was much 
incensed and afterward proved one of the most 
determined enemies of the embryo Texian patriots. 
They cared little for him or his opinions, however, 
and passed the time as satisfactorily to themselves 
as circumstances would permit. 

The Bahamas were inhabited mainly by negroes 
who had been but recently manumitted by the 
English Government. The troops stationed at 
Nassau consisted of negro soldiers. For these sable 
sons of Mars the prisoners manifested the utmost 
contempt. There were no sentry boxes about the 
barracks, and one tempestuous night the guards en- 
tered the building to seek protection from the storm. 
They were promptly and indignantly driven out and 
compelled to pace their rounds amid the wind and 
rain. To amuse themselves the prisoners would 
occasionally gather up handfuls of the pebbles witJi 
which the courtyard was thickly strewn and throw 
them on the roof of the barrack, greatly terrifying 
the soldiers, who thought this rattle of missiles a 
signal for an uprising of the bold and hardy 
Americans. 

At last the grand jury assembled and Knowles 
was called before them. Having examined him, 
that body was satisfied that the charge of piracy 
was unfounded, and ordered the release of all the 
Americans, except a few against whom indictments 
were preferred for theft. These men were promptly 
tried, and the evidence showing that payment had 
been made by the captain for all articles taken, 
they were acquitted. While under arrest the Amer- 
icans had been insulted by sailors from an English 
ship lying in the harbor. These sailors had boasted 
of what they would have done had they been a part 
of the crew of the Serpent or aboard the transport 
when the Matawomkeg was captured, and said that 
they would have cleaned out the Yankees in short 
order. The Americans determined not to leave the 
port until they had settled their score with these 
braggadocio tars, and shortly before embarking an 
opportunity offered itself. A collision took place. 
The native inhabitants of the place did not like the 
English, and a number of mulatto and negro shop 
keepers and others joined sides with the Americans 
in the melee and the English seamen were soon 
ingloriously routed and driven from the streets. 

No lives were lost in the riot and the Americans 
were allowed to go aboard their ship without suffer- 
ing further molestation. After narrowly escaping 
being wrecked on the coast of the Cuba, the Mata- 
womkeg put into Matanzas, a port on that island, 
and from that point proceeded to the moutii of the 



Mississippi, where she waited sometime for supplies. 
During this period of delay the better class of men 
among the volunteers determined to rid themselves 
of the company of the roughs who had accompanied 
them thus far on the voyage. The quondam deni- 
zens of the " B'ive Points " and Bowery heroes had 
been carrying matters with a high hand, brow-beat- 
ing and fist-beating those of their comrades who 
would submit to such treatment. Their conduct, 
long obnoxious, had now become unbearable and 
the gentlemen of the party banded themselves to- 
gether and soundly thrashed the roughs and drove 
them from the vessel with orders not to return. 
The commander of the Texian man-of-war, Brutus 
(anchored near at hand), cleared her decks as if 
for action, sent an armed force aboard and demanded 
that the expelled men be allowed to return to the 
Matawomkeg. Acquiescence was stoutly refused. 
The remaining volunteers stated that not having been 
mustered into the service they were not asyet Texian 
soldiers and the commander of the Brutus had no 
right to interfere with their affairs. The Texian 
commander upon investigation acknowledged the 
justness of their position, the propriety of the course 
they had pursued with reference to the expulsion 
of the I'ough characters who had been a source of 
so much trouble and annoyance, and in due time 
the two vessels proceeded to Pass Caballo, where 
the volunteers disembarked March 1, 1836, acknowl- 
edged the leadership of Morehouse and marched to 
Matagorda. William Loring, a distingushed gen- 
eral in the Confederate army during the war between 
the States and later a general in the Egyptian 
army ; Charles DeMorse, for many years editor of 
the Clarksville Standard and a journalist of more 
than State-wide reputation ; Lewis P. Cook, after- 
ward Secretary ot State of the Republic of Texas ; 
Captain William Gillam, afterward one of the most 
efficient officers of the regular army of the Repub- 
lic ; the late Charles Ogsbury, of Cuero, and other 
men of brilliant talents and high ability were 
members of this party. 

At Matagorda the volunteers were formally mus- 
tered into service. 

At this time the Alamo had fallen, the horrible 
massacre of Fannin and his command at Goliad 
had taken place, and Santa Anna was sweepino- 
eastward with his victorious columns. Morehouse 
and his companions pushed forward, intending to 
join General Houston's retreating army, but at 
Casey's Ferry, on the Colorado, he was met by a 
courier, who delivered orders from headquarters, 
commanding him to gather together and protect the 
families west of the Brazos river, and assist them 
in their efforts to leave the country. The labor 



G86 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



assigned was efficiently performed, many of the 
families being placed aboard a steamer at Colum- 
bus, and sent to Galveston, and a few days before 
the battle of San Jacinto, Morehouse and his men, 
about 175 in number, including citizens and sol- 
diers, found themselves encamped near Bingham's 
plantation, situated at the head of Oyster Creek, 
on the east side of the Brazos river. They pre- 
pared to march up the river to Stafford's Point, on 
the road from Houston to Richmond, and attack 
Cos, who had encamped there with 600 or 700 men. 
Cos had pitched his camp in an open place with a 
bayou on one side and so environed by timber as 
to offer every opportunity for a successful surprise. 
The night preceding the morning of the proposed 
assault, however, he left a few men to keep up the 
sentry fires and marched away with his force to 
join Santa Anna. The Texian force halted at a 
designated point and sent forward scouts to recon- 
noitre. It was agreed that they should await the 
return of this small advance body, resume the 
march, take position in the timber and as soon as 
it was light enough to see the sights of their 
guns open the engagement. Shortly after day- 
light the scouts returned with the unwelcome 
news that the enemy had folded his tents like 
the Arab and silently stolen away. 

After the decisive battle of San Jacinto, Major 
Wood served as one of the soldiers in the mounted 
force that, under the leadership of General Rusk, 
followed as far as Goliad the retreating armj' of 
General Filisola as it marched toward the Rio 
Grande to evacuate Texas according to the terms 
of the agreement entered into between General 
Houston and Santa Anna. 

At Goliad, Major Wood assisted in the burial of 
the charred remains of Fannin's men, and listened 
to the eloquent oration pronounced by General 
Rusk at the edge of the pit in which they were 
interred. The remains consisted of skulls, bits 
of bone and blackened viscera. Long after the 
performance of these affecting funeral rites, he 
found in the thickets near by the scene of the holo- 
caust a number of skeletons supposed to be those 
of members of Fannin's command, who attempted 
on the day of the butchery to make their escape 
and were overtaken and cut down by the Mexican 
soldiery. 

After the war he went to Victoria and took 
charge of the horses in the quartermaster's depart- 
ment and held the position for about sis months. 
According to a law enacted by the Texas Congress 
the horses and cattle of all Mexicans who had 
adhered to the cause of the enemy, and abandoned 
the country during the war, were declared govern- 



ment property and under this act it was the duty of 
the quartermaster to collect and corral such stock. 
Major Wood, as pay for his services, was given by 
the quartermaster. Colonel Caldwell, an order for 
cattle and began stock raising near Victoria. 
Later he established himself on the Lavaca river, 
in Lavaca Countj', near where the town of Edna 
now stands. In the fall of 1845 he went to Corpus 
Christi and had a conference with General Zachary 
Taylor (then preparing to occupy the Rio Grande 
frontier), in which he said that it was his desire to 
move his cattle to the Nueces river, in what is now 
San Patricio County, if General Taylor would 
promise to furnish, as far as might be in his power, 
protection from raiding Indians and Mexicans. 
The promise was readily given, and early in the 
year 184G Major Wood located on the Nueces. In 
August, 1849, he moved to Refugio County and 
established a home at St. Marys, on Copano bay, 
where he has since continuously resided. 

At that early day Southwest Texas was infested 
with bands of hostile Indians. He witnessed many 
of their shocking atrocities, and on several occa- 
sions was a member of pursuing parties that sought 
to wreak vengeance upon the treacherous and 
blood-thirsty savages, who, at short intervals, 
swept through the country, committing murder and 
other crimes too horrible to mention, pillaging 
hamlets and driving off stock. 

While living in San Patricio County, he and other 
pioneers were notified by a courier, who rode in 
hot haste from the settlement (consisting of two 
families, the Egrys and Waelders), situated near 
where St. Marys now stands, of an Indian outrage 
perpetrated at that place. 

Jacob Craing, a little orphan boy employed by 
the Waelders, went out to a corn field (located on 
the side of a gully, distant only a few hundred yards 
from where Major Wood's palatial home is now 
situated), to stake his horse and was captured by a 
party of prowling Comanches. Major Wood and 
companions knew that it was useless to strike the 
trail of the Indians and attempt pursuit and accord- 
ingly cut-in to the Tuscoosa, sixty miles distant, 
intending to attack the Indians at a crossing, sit- 
uated at a point on the stream in the present 
county of Live Oak. The men were on a knoll 
when, toward the middle of the afternoon, they saw 
the Indians advancing. The Texians numbered 
eleven men ; the Indians probably a few more. 
The two parties were nearly evenly matched and 
the Texians would have intercepted and charged the 
Indians in the open country had it not been that a 
number of the men had neglected to fix their guns 
and some delay was caused in getting ready for the 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



687 



attack. The Indians succeeded in making their 
way into a dense thicket and separated in parties 
of two and three. Everj-thing having quickly been 
placed in readiness, the Texians dashed into the 
mesquite and chaparral. Major AVood, as the party 
charged by, called to Jacob Craing: " Stay with 
the horses! Stay wilh the horses!" The little 
fellow obeyed and stayed with the loose horses at 
the edge of the timber. Major Wood came upon 
two Indians in the brush and, when at close quar- 
ters,' they opened on him a hot fire with their bows 
and arrows, to which he replied b^' impartially be- 
stowing upon each of them a load of buckshot from 
his double-barrel gun. Although badly wounded 
they continued to fire at him. His gun, like all the 
fire-arms of that period, was a muzzle-loader and 
he had no time in which to recharge the piece. He 
drew one of his holster pistols, intending to fire 
again, but knowing that the trigger was out of fix 
and that he would probably miss his aim and the 
Indians escape, he called to a companion who was 
passing and the man quickly dispatched the sav- 
ages. Three Indians were killed in the fight, sev- 
eral were wounded and forty or fifty stolen horses 
were recaptured. Two of the Texians were wounded 
and two of their horses were killed. The Texians 
who were wounded were in the rear of Major Wood. 
One of them had his arm pinned to his side by an 
arrow and the other was shot in the leg and crippled 
for life. Jacob Craing, although a boy eleven or 
twelve years of age, had suffered so intensely from 
terror while a captive of the Indians that when res- 
cued he seemed to have forgotten his knowledge of 
English and only responded with a dazed stare when 
addressed in that language. When, however, 
Captain Snively spoke to him in German his face 
lit up with intelligence and he burst into tears and 
sobs. The strain on his nervous system had been 
too much for the little fellow and when the tension 
was relaxed he became so ill that it was feared he 
would die on the road to San Patricio. With the 
exception of those mounted by Major Wood and 
the boy, the horses of the Texians were broken 
down with travel and could proceed but slowly and 
after consulting with Captain Snively Major Wood 
determined to push on with the lad to town, where 
medical assistance could be procured. Turning to 
Jacob, he said: "Whip up your horse, my little 
man, and let's ride to San Patricio." The boy 
obeyed. The excitement of fast riding revived him 
and in a few hours he had completely recovered 
from his indisposition. He is now living in Bee 
County, where he has accumulated a competency 
and raised a family. 

During the war between Mexico and the United 



States Major Wood made frequent trips to Browns- 
ville for supplies and more than once witnessed the 
robbing of wagon trains by the soldier-banditti that 
infested the roads. These men did not hesitate to 
swoop down on unprotected trains and appropriate 
horses, wagons and goods, in fact, anything that 
excited their cupidity, aften despoiling the owners 
of their entire cargoes. Although he often came 
in contact with these bands and bad experiences 
more interesting than amusing he was never se- 
riously molested. 

During the war between the States he entered the 
Confederate army as a volunteer and served in 
Texas as a soldier and Major in the coast guards. 

In politics Major Wood is a Democrat, but has 
never been a politician in any sense of the word. 
For fifteen or twenty years he served the people of 
Eef uglo as a member of the County Commissioners' 
Court, and made a faithful and efficient public 
officer. A few years since he became a member of 
the Catholic Church. He has donated to Nazareth 
Convent at Victoria 900 acres of valuable land ad- 
joining that town. 

In Victoria, February 1, 1842, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Nancy Clark, a noble Christian 
lady, who, for nearly half a century, was his loved 
counsellor, friend, companion and devoted wife — 
rendering his home the abode of domestic happi- 
ness and love, lightening all his cares and filling his 
days and years with perennial sunshine. 

In March, 1891, she died of heart failure at the 
residence of her daughter, Mrs. Maria Carroll, at 
Victoria. Her death was a sad blow to her hus- 
band and children. Her memory is enshrined in 
the heart of him whose every thought during all 
their life-journey concentrated around the desire to 
render her happy, and it will live and glow with fire 
supernal as long as the spark of life lingers in his 
breast and until the golden links of the severed 
chain are reunited on the shores of the ever beauti- 
ful river. 

Maj. and Mrs. Wood had twelve children : Maria, 
Catherine, Richard H., Agues, James, Cora, Tobias 
D., Ida, John, Willie, Julia and Marian. 

Catherine, who was the wife of Henry Sullivan, 
of San Patricio, died in New Jersey, where she had 
gone in search of health, in July, 1867. 

Marian, who was a nun of the order of the In- 
carnate Word in the convent at Victoria, died in 
February, 1890. 

James died at Goliad, March 15, 1875, leaving a 
widow (wee Miss Mary Wilder) and one child. 

Agnes is the wife of Albert J. Kennedy of Bee- 
ville. 

Maria is the wife of W. C. Carroll of Victoria. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Cora is the wife of Peter Mabon of Victoria. 

Julia is the wife of William C. George of Bee- 
ville. 

Ida is a nun of the order of the Incarnate Word 
in the convent at Victoria. 

Richard H. married Miss Cannie Howard at St. 
Mary's, and is now living at Eockport. 

Tobias D., married Miss Mary Mabon of Victo- 
ria, and is living at that place. 

John, living at Beeville, married Miss Milly Sul- 
livan, of San Patricio, who died in February, 1891. 

Willie married INIiss Nellie Bowlen, of Victoria, 
and now resides in that place. 

Maj. Wood has twenty-five grandchildren. 

By his fine business ability Maj. Wood accumu- 
lated an immense fortune, the bulk of which he has 
divided among his children, giving them fine starts 
in the race of life. His remaining estate consists 
of 35,000 acres of fine land in Southwest Texas, 
7,000 cattle, 600 or 700 head of horses, a number 
of fine mules, and valuable real estate in other 
parts of Texas. His elegant home fronts upon 
Copano Bay, affording a view unsurpassed in 
beauty, and is situated somewhat more than a mile 
from the quaint, sleepj% little fishing village of St. 



Marys. It is fitted with every modern convenience, 
and here, surrounded b}' an excellent library, and 
receiving every attention from devoted domestics, 
he spends the greater part of the time during the 
autumn and winter months enjoying delightful 
quietude and in the summer months surrounded by 
a bevy of welcome guests. 

He often visits the homes of his children, where 
the place of honor is always reserved for him by 
loving hands and where, seated by the ingleside, 
prattling grandchildren play about his knees. 

He is a man of high intellectual force and a gen- 
tleman of that superb old school that has few 
representatives left. He reminds the visitor at his 
hospitable mansion of the Louisiana planters of the 
olden time — Chesterfieldian, generous, hospitable 
and brave. 

As a young man he started without adventitious 
aids and has succeeded in all those objects, the at- 
tainment of which are worthy of ambition. He 
has manfully and successfully run life's race and 
now, surrounded by loving children and grand- 
children and hosts of friends and respected for his 
virtues by all who know him, he is enjoying in ease 
the calm evening of a useful and well spent life. 



B. A. SHEPHERD, 



HOUSTON. 



The subject of this sketch, Benjamin Armistead 
Shepherd, was born May 14th, 1814, in Fluvanna 
County, Va., at the old home place established by 
his forefathers in the early days of the settlement 
of this country. 

He passed his j'outh on the paternal estate, in 
the meantime acquiring the elements of an educa- 
tion, till at the age of sixteen he entered a country 
store as clerk, laying the foundation of that busi- 
ness knowledge which was afterwards to make him 
an accomplished merchant and banker. At the 
age of nineteen, in order to widen his sphere of ex- 
perience and usefulness, and to give scope to his 
budding ambition, he left the paternal home, and 
mounting horse, made his way to Nashville, Tenn., 
to seek employment in a new field. 

He found a place in the establishment of Samuel 
Morgan & Co., and by close application and great 
industry succeeded in giving entire satisfaction to 
his eraploj'ers. As a token of their esteem, when a 



few years later he left them, they presented him 
with a fine gold watch which he carried till his 
death, often referring to the gift with the fond con- 
sciousness that he had, in his early days, as indeed 
ever after, performed the full measure of his duty. 

From Nashville, in 1837, he moved to New Or- 
leans, where he obtained employment in a large 
commission house as bookkeeper, and here he 
remained till 1839. 

During these years of commercial distress and 
ruin to the whole country', when credit was utterly 
destroyed, Mr. Shepherd gained an experience 
which made a deep impression on his mind, and 
which he never forgot. It made a naturally cautious 
and conservative temperament doubly cautious and 
prudent. When, in after years, tempting opportu- 
nities of speculative ventures presented themselves, 
his mind reverted to the events of the "panic of 
'37," when old-established and wealthy houses 
went down before the hurricane of financial disas- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



fiSi) 



ter, and he chose the safer and surer course of 
building up his fortunes. 

Kemoving to Galveston in 1839, he engaged in 
business with A. C. Crawford, under the firm name 
of Crawford & Shepherd, and this continued till 
1841, when he moved to Houston, where he founded 
a business for himself, soon after admitting into 
partnership Mr. J. A. Burke. Under the firm 
name of B. A. Shepherd & Burke he continued in 
the mercantile business till 1855, when, disposing 
of his interest to his partner, he embarked in the 
banking business exclusively, thus founding the 
first house devoted solely to banking in the State. 

He bent his energy and ability to building up and 
extending this business from the period of its incep- 
tion to the breaking out of the war, when, inviting 
his customers to withdraw their deposits, he retired 
from active pursuits until the war should end. But 
he had not confined his attention to his bank alone. 
He was largely interested in, and president of, a 
line of steamboats plying between Houston and 
Galveston before a railway was thought of between 
the two cities, and he was one of the projectors of 
the Houston & Texas Central Railway, and a mem- 
ber of its first Board of Directors. He also organ- 
ized a company for the purpose of building a plank 
road on the old Washington stage road, which had 
graded some distance when the Central Eailroad 
acquired it and used it as its road-bed. 

During the war, Mr. Shepherd's sympathies were 
aroused and sustained in behalf of the families of 
the Confederate soldiers left in needy circum- 
stances, and he contributed liberally of his means 
to such as he found most needy and deserving. 
The fact that his oldest son, the only one who was 
of age to join the army, had enlisted in the Fifth 
Texas Regiment (Hood's Brigade) strengthened 
his natural sympathy for the Southern cause, and 
he availed himself of every opportunity to exhibit 
it. He used to say that he had no heart to engage 
in business enterprises while his country was going 
through that terrible ordeal. 

In 1866 he re-established his bank, under the firm 
name of B. A. Shepherd & Co., having admitted 
into the partnership A. Wattermack, who had been 
for many years his confidential clerk, and J. A. 
Shepherd, a nephew. In 1867, having acquired a 
large interest in the First National Bank of Houston, 
he merged the business of his private bank into that 
of the National Bank, and became its president, in 
which position he continued for the remainder of 
his life. But, notwithstanding this merge, the 
institution was known popularly as J' Shepherd's 
Bank," and this name still clings to it amongst the 
older residents. Under his able management the 



First National Bank of Houston grew and prospered, 
and was recognized as an important factor in build- 
ing up the business of Houston. The bank was 
B. A. Shepherd, and enjoyed the confidence and 
respect of the public, both at home and abroad. At 
his death the property passed to his family, who 
almost entirely own it and continue its successful 
management. 

Besides the bank Mr. Shepherd acquired a large 
fortune, which he enjoyed modestly and sensibly, 
without the least ostentation. He was proud of his 
success in life, but not unduly so, attributing it to 
the interposition of Providence with becoming thank- 
fulness. In fact, long before he became a member 
of the Church he manifested characteristics which 
are commonly called Christian. Said a partner of 
his in early days : ' ' Shepherd was the best natural 
Christian I ever met." 

After a long, useful, and honorable life, he died 
December 24th, 1891, in the seventy-eighth year of 
his age. 

Like the great majority of the pioneers of TexaS) 
Mr. Shepherd was a man of strong character and 
individuality. Such qualities are necessary to those 
who, breaking away from the conventionalities of 
older civilizations, go forth to establish and build 
upon new foundations. 

Perhaps the most pronounced trait of Mr. Shep- 
herd's character was his independence. He valued 
his fortune chiefly because it enabled him to feel 
and be independent. Having decided upon a course 
of action, because primarily it was right, he per- 
mitted the interference of no motives of policy in 
the attainment of the object in view. He pursued 
his aim careless of what others thought. He was 
accustomed to do what to him seemed right, or to 
avoid doing what to him seemed wrong, regardless 
of adverse criticism. A marked instance of this 
trait was his refusal to engage in the liquor traffic 
as a part of his business, when it was the universal 
custom of merchants in those early days to do so. 
Though large profits resulted from that character of 
trade, he was unwilling to avail himself of them. 
It was not in accordance with his conception of 
right. 

Of his private charities many of the living can, 
and many of the dead, if living, could, bear witness. 

He was accustomed to subscribe liberally to all 
charitable objects which appealed to his generosity. 
On his seventy-fifth birthday he endowed a fund, 
named theB. A. Shepherd Charity Fund, with $20,- 
000, the interest on which is to be used for the 
benefit of the poor of Houston. 

His integrity was unquestioned ; it was prover- 
bial. It is believed that no man who knew him or 



fi90 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



knew of bim ever said that his word was not as 
good as his bond. He was upright and just, and 
his life was pure and clean. He used to say that 
he was prouder of his good name than of any suc- 
cess which he had achieved in other directions. 
He was married in Galveston, October 29th, 



1840, to Mary Hobsou, who was born in Nashville, 
Tenu., February 28th, 1821, and died in Houston, 
February 20th, 1888. 

The surviving children are: Mrs. A. P. Root, 
Mrs. O. L. Cochran, Mrs. W. H. Palmer, Mrs. M. 
L. Roberts, and Frank T Shepherd. 



JOHN W. DARLINGTON, 

TAYLOR. 



One of the very few who participated in the stir- 
ring events of the Texas Revolution and the period 
of the Republic of Texas— one of the noblest of 
the veterans who remain among us — was born in 
what was then Harrison, Va., but is now Marion 
County,WestVa., February 5th, 1821, of respected 
parents. He was the second child and only son of 
John W. Darlington, an Irishman, who came to 
Virginia from his native country when very young ; 
became an expert penman and successful school- 
teacher; was a soldier in the War of 1812-15; 
fought in the battle of New Orleans, and died in 
the prime of life. The wife of John W. Darling- 
ton, Sr., was Henrietta Lang, a daughter of Stan- 
bury Lang, a private in the Continental army 
during the Revolutionary War, and Lady Lang, a 
Scottish lady of respectable lineage. Mrs. Dar- 
lini^ton was left a widow without means, and the 
little son was by custom and law bound out to earn 
his livelihood and make his own way in the world. 
His master, an avaricious man, imposed heavy 
tasks upon the somewhat frail youth and in various 
ways persecuted him. Young Darlington's proud 
spirit rebelled, and he left his master, and heard of 
and started for Texas. Carrying out the purpose 
he had formed, he traveled sixty miles into West 
Virginia, where he earned for a time his own living; 
but being a minor, the law required that a guardian 
be appointed for him, and having met Mr. John 
Webster, he prevailed upon that gentleman to take 
him to Texas, and in return for that service sold 
his time to Webster until the expense incurred was 
repaid. They landed at Matagorda January 14, 
1838. Webster located in Travis County, on Gille- 



land creek, fourteen miles south of Austin, and was 
two years later killed by the Indians. Young Dar- 
lington worked out his debt. After getting his 
freedom he worked for a time as a laborer in the 
construction of the first Texas capitol and the de- 
partment log-houses in Austin, and remained around 
Austin until January, 1840. He saved some 
money, but by misplaced confidence lost it all. He 
took part in many Indian expeditions, was in the 
battle of Plum Creek, in 1840, was in the expedition 
against Vasquez in 1842, and also participated in 
the battle of Salado, near San .A.ntonio, in the fail 
of 1842, the Mexican General, Adrian Woll, hav- 
ing invaded Texas and captured the cit^' of San 
Antonio. Mr. Darlington lived in Travis County 
until 1873, since which time he has resided in Will- 
iamson County. 

He married, in 1843, Miss Ellen Love, in Rusk 
County, Texas. She is still the loved companion 
of his declining years. They have eight children. 
Mr. Darlington has passed twenty-three years in 
Williamson County and is now retired from active 
pursuits and living in the pleasant little city of 
Taylor. Successful in his financial affairs, he has 
aided all of his children to a start in life. 

He is one of the venerated and loved citizens of 
his locality. He knew Gen. Sam Houston, Col. 
Brown and all of the leading men of early days. 
A member of the Texas Veterans' Association, it 
is a pleasure to him to meet at the annual reunions 
those who remain of his friends of the loved long 
ago. 

May he and others like him be long spared 
to a grateful country. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



691 



SAM. BRONSON COOPER, 

WOODVILLE. 



vS. B. Cooper was born in Caldwell County, Ky., 
May 30tb, 1850. His parents, Rev. A. H. and 
Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper, came to Texas in Decem- 
ber, 1850, and located at Woodville. His mother 
is still living. Mr. Cooper attended local schools 
and secured a common English education. 

His father died in 1853, and the subject of this 
sketch was reared by an uncle, Sara. S. Frazer, who 
was very kind to him. 

At sixteen years of age Mr. Cooper secured a 
clerkshii) in a general store at Woodville, and soon 
displayed those qualities that have since made his 
life honored and successful. The war left his uncle 
old and without means. Mr. Cooper, out of his 
earnings, supported his uncle and mother. He 
read law at night for a number of years, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in Januar}', 1872, and became a 
member of the law firm of Nicks, Hobby & Cooper. 
He was a member of this firm until 1876. In 1884 
he formed a copartnerehip with John H. Kirby, 
now of Houston, Texas, and July, 1890, formed a 
copartnership with J. A. Mooney, with whom he 
is now associated in the practice of law at Wood- 
ville, under the firm name of Cooper & Mooney. 

November 15th, 1873, Mr. Cooper was united in 
marriage to Miss Phoebe Young. They have four 
children: Willie C, Maggie H., Bird B., and Sam. 
Bronson Cooper, Jr. 

Mr. Cooper was elected County Attorney of Ty- 
ler County in 1876, and was re-elected in 1878, and 
in 1880 was elected to the State Senate and re- 
elected in 1882, from the First District, Tyler 
County. He was elected president pro tern, of the 
Senate at the end of the Eighteenth Legislature. 

He was appointed by President Cleveland Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the First Texas 



District, with headquarters at Galveston. He held 
this office until 1887, when his district was consoli- 
dated with the Third District, and the senior Col- 
lector (Collector for the Third District) succeeded 
to the office. 

Mr. Cooper is the author of the bill, passed by 
the Seventeenth Legislature, giving Confederate 
veterans 1,280 acres of land. He gave special 
attention to legislation affecting the disposition of 
the public lands. He advocated sales to actual set- 
tlers only ; the leasing of grazing lands for short 
terms, and sales of timber for cash, holding the fee 
in the State. He introduced and advocated a bill 
embodying these views, and the main features of 
his measure were enacted into a law. 

Senator Cooper took an active and prominent 
part in all the legislation enacted by the Seven- 
teenth and Eighteenth Legislatures, and was con- 
sidered one of the brainiest men in those bodies. 
The reputation earned in the Legislature led to his 
nomination and election to the United States Con- 
gress in 1892. He was renominated and elected in 
1894, and this year (1896) has been again honored 
by renomination and will undoubtedly be re-elected 
by his Democratic constituents. He has made a 
splendid record in Congress. Each new session 
has added to his laurels. His district (the Second) 
and the State of Texas have reason to be proud of 
him. He is a Democrat who has stumped his sec- 
tion of the State in every campaign for years pagt. 
He is a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Cooper is consid- 
ered one of the best lawyers at the bar in this 
State, is in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and 
will make bis influence still more widely felt in the 
coming sessions of Congress, at which so much legis- 
lation in the interest of the people is to be enacted. 



WILLIAM THOMAS HUDGINS, 

TEXARKANA. 



Mr. Hudgins was born in Northumberland 
County, Va., on January 15th, 1859. He comes 
from Revolutionary families of that State. His 
grandfather, Col. Thomas Hudgins, of Matth- 



ews County, commanded the defense of the Vir- 
ginia Peninsula during the War of 1812. His 
maternal grandfather. Dr. William Heath Kirk, of 
Lancaster County, was a Baptist minister of great 



692 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ability, known aud loved Ihrougbout Virginia and 
neighboring States. His father, William Philip 
Hudgins (now of San Antonio, Texas), is a grad- 
uate of Bethany College and of the University of 
Virginia, and while a young Sergeant in the Fortieth 
Virginia Volunteers, was seriously wounded at 
Gaines' Mill, in 1862. He moved his family to 
Texas in 1865, and settled at Marshall, in Harrison 
County, where the subject of this slietch was 
reared. 

Mr. W. T. Hudgins became a telegraph operator 
in 1873, and held a lucrative position with the 
Texas & Pacific Railway Company in 1875, when 
be resigned, at the age of sixteen, and matriculated 
as a student at Richmond College, Richmond, Va., 
from which institution he graduated as Master of 
Arts, with highest honors, in 1879. Upon his malc- 
ing a public address at the commencement exer- 
cises of the College that year. Dr. J. L. M. Curry, 
then Professor of Moral Philosophy, afterwards 
president of the College, manager of the Peabody 
Fund, and United States Minister to Spain, wrote 
him a personal letter in which on bebalf of the 
faculty of the College, he said: "All of us look 
forward with hopeful anticipations to your future 
career. You have wonderful powers of concentra- 
tion, a quick intellect, and a philosophic mind." 

Mr. Hudgins returned to Texas in 1879, and 
studied law in the office of his cousin, Hon. Geo. T. 
Todd, of Jefferson, Texas. He received his license 
to practice from Judge R. R. Gaines, now Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, in 1880. 
He moved to Texarkana, Texas, in 1881, and there 
established a law partnership with Hon. Chas. S. 
Todd, which continued twelve years. In 1882 he 
was elected County Attorney of Bowie County. In 
1880 he was elected a Democratic member of the 
Texas Legislature from the Seventeenth District, 
then composed of the counties of Bowie, Cass, 
Marion, and Morris. He served with distinction in 
the regular and special sessions of the Twentieth 



Legislature, after which he voluntarily retired from 
politics, and traveled in Europe in 1889. While in 
the Legislature he was Chairman of the Committee 
on Enrolled Bills, and a member of the Judiciary 
Committee, and the Committees on Towns and City 
Corporations, and Counties and County Boundaries. 
He was the special champion of the interests of the 
University of Texas, in the House, and by his elo- 
quent persistency, against great opposition, secured 
the appropriations for erecting the main building of 
that institution. 

In 1891 he married Mrs. Sallie Norris Taylor, of 
Red River County, and has since continued the 
practice of law in Texarkana and the adjacent 
country in Texas and Arkansas. He has been 
identified with the most important cases, both civil 
and criminal, in that territory. He is now General 
Attorney and Second Vice-President of the Texar- 
kana «& Fort Smith Railway Company, to accept 
which position, in 1893, he severed his connection 
with the well-known law firm of Todd, Hudgins & 
Rodgers. 

He was an alternate delegate from Texas to the 
National Democratic Convention of 1884, which 
first nominated President Cleveland. During the 
political campaign of 1896 he was an ardent 
sound money, or gold standard, advocate, was a 
prominent member of the State Convention at 
Waco, and a delegate from Texas to the Indianap- 
olis Convention which nominated Generals Palmer 
and Buckner for President and Vice-President. In 
the final election he accepted the suggestion of Gen. 
Palmer, and, for the first time, voted the straight 
Republican ticket. Though not a candidate for any 
office, he made strong speeches during the cam- 
paign opposing free silver, but insisting upon fair 
elections and a reasonable tariff for protection of 
domestic products. 

Mr. Hudgins is one of our broad-minded, pro- 
gressive business men, who are doing great work in 
advancing the development of Texas. 



C. POTTER 

COOKE COUNTY. 



Capt. C. Potter, one of the most widely known County, Texas, in 1858, and settled sixteen miles 

of the early pioneers who settled in Northwest northwest of Gainesville, then the extreme outpost 

Texas and reclaimed that section to civilization, along the frontier of white settlements in that direc- 

moved from the State of Mississippi to Cooke tion. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



693 



He, like many others who pushed into the Far 
West, expected the country to rapidly fill up with 
immigrants and the frontier to recede with the in- 
coming waves of the human tide that has since 
swept across the continent to the Pacific Ocean, but 
his calculation did not take into account the great 
Ciyil War of 1861-5. This event brought a sudden 
stop to the movement of population into Texas 
and, during that struggle, the few people who re- 
sided in the frontier settlements were subjected to 
a continuous Indian warfare that taxed their en- 



were killed. The Indians were everywhere com- 
mitting depredations, and the Confederate govern- 
ment, finding itself unable to furnish troops to 
protect the frontier settlements, authorized the 
State to organize State troops for that purpose, and 
Capt. Potter was placed in command of five com- 
panies and served with these until the end of the 
war, holding the Indians in cheek, or where that 
was impossible, pursuing them and inflicting bloody 
chastisements upon them. 

His three sons, C. C. Potter, J. M. Potter and 




C. POTTER. 



durance and resources to the utmost. During this 
trying period he proved himself to be a natural 
leader, rich in resource and dauntless in spirit, and 
rendered valuable service to the State. In Decem- 
ber, 1863, the Indians, about two hundred and fifty 
strong, burned his dwelling-house and all its con- 
tents. This loss, coming at the time it did, forced 
his family to endure many privations, but he had 
no thought of leaving the country, on the contrary 
he determined to hold his ground and stand by his 
neighbors and friends until the dawning of happier 
and more prosperous days. In a battle near his 
house, at one time, in which his eldest son was 
wounded, several Indians and three white settlers 



C. L. Potter, live in Gainesville ; of his daughters, 
Mrs. W. A. Lanier lives at Sulphur Springs, Texas ; 
Mrs. L. K. Evans, at Nocona, Texas ; Mrs. W. C. 
Weeks, at Arlington, Texas, and Mrs. L. H. Mathis, 
at Wichata Falls, Texas. His sons occupy honor- 
able positions in business and professional circles, 
Hon. C. C. Potter having represented his district 
in the Legislature a number of times and won a 
State-wide reputation in that body. His daughters 
are among the brightest social ornaments of the 
communities in which they reside. All the de- 
scendants of this noble old pioneer have proven 
worthy of their parentage, and have contributed 
their part toward making the Texas of to-day. 



694 



IXDIAX WANS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



A. FORC K E, 

NEW BRAUNFELS. 



For more than fifty years the subject of this 
memoir has been a citizen of Texas. Coming to 
this country a man of superior education and 
attainments, he has been an intelligent observer and 
eye-witness of the multifarious changes that have 
transpired since he took up his residence at New 
Braunfels, and few of the old pioneers of Texas 
have a mind so well stored with interesting and 
instructive reminiscences, or are more entertaining 
conversationalists. 

Mr. Forcke was born in Hildesheira, Germany, 
April 21st, 1814, and was educated in local schools 
at Hildesheim and Jena, and secured his diploma 
as an apothecary and followed that avocation in his 
native town. His parents were J. G. and Mrs. A. 
M. J. (Grossman) Forcke, both of whom are dead, 
his father dying in 1862 and his mother in 1868, at 
Hildesheim. His father was a joiner by trade, and 
a man much respected in the community in which 
he spent his long and useful life. The subject of 
this notice ami his family left his home in the 
Fatherland for Texas in 1845, and in talking with 
him he gave the writer the following account of his 
coming to and settlement in this country: — 

" After having joined the Fuersten-Verein, we 
departed for Bremen on the 14th of November. 
1845, and arrived at New Braunfels on the 14th of 
July, 1846, after a voyage lasting eight months. 
We suffered greatly from adverse weather and were 
shipwrecked in the channel during a terrific storm, 
but were happily driven to the mouth of the River 
Weser after we had drifted about some four weeks. 
Here a pilot came to meet us, risking his life, as 
the weather was stormy, and called out to lower the 
anchors. Fortunately the pumps were in order 
and the vessel was kept afloat by them, going day 
and night. The pilot, who was taken aboard with 
much difficulty, guided the ship back to Bremer- 
haven. It was nearly a total wreck and our lug- 
gage was ruined for the greater part. 

" My brother, who was a strong young fellow of 
twenty-four, was stricken with typhus three days 
later and died. 

'' As our ship was utterly useless, we were fur- 
nished another one, the " Creole," a strong vessel 
which had just completed a voyage under Capt. 
Dannemann, a very able seaman. A part of the 
passengers, however, refused to continue their trip 
and returned home. 



" Some three weeks later, after everything had 
been washed and cleaned as well as could be done, 
we set sail and in time came to Dover, where we 
droiiped anchor. Here we had a singular expe- 
rience. The ship, which had been secured by cables 
and chains, keeled over partially when the tide went 
out, but was kept from entirely capsizing by the 
cables, which held it. Still, the damage was suffi- 
cient to spring a leak, and so we were forced to sail 
for Cowes (Isle of Wight) to have the vessel calked 
and its bottom coppered. This delayed us three 
weeks, after which we again set sail and as we 
struck the trade winds everybody rejoiced, for the 
favorable current brought us nearer our destination 
by a good many miles every day. 

"However, we were not so lucky as to retain 
favorable winds and after a short while we struck a 
dead calm. In fact, the captain declared that he had 
never before made a voyage under such untoward 
circumstances. Several weeks later we encountered 
a number of whales, there must have been a dozen 
of them, and several icebergs were passed at a 
respectful distance. 

" Through the carelessness of the first mate we 
came near colliding with a French frigate and, but 
for the dexterity of the captain, both vessels might 
have gone down. We now neared the West Indian 
Archipelago and encountered daily storms until we 
landed at Galveston, about the beginning of May. 
Here we remained for several weeks and were then 
transferred by schooners to Indianola, where we 
were received by the physician of the society with 
the words : ' I am awfully glad you have come, as 
I will now have some assistance, ever^^body has the 
cholera.' 

" Of course we helped, and for the three weeks 
we remained there, the sick were provided with 
suitable medicine. On account of the very un- 
favorable weather, cold and dampness, and lack of 
care and attention, a great number of the patients 
(lied, who could have been saved if it had been pos- 
sible to take them to New Braunfels. 

"^ The only obtainable vehicle for the continua- 
tion of our journey was an ox-cart and a pair of 
oxen, by which method two families were finally 
brought to New Braunfels, where I was engaged by 
the society as apothecary." 

Mr. Forcke prospered in business at New Braun- 
fels as an apothecary (in which he has since been 




COL. A. .]. rosp:. 



ryoiAx WARS axd pioneers of texas. 



095 



engaged) and soon came to take an active part in 
the affairs of the community, of which be has been 
a leading citizen from the beginning, worliing 
always for the promotion of the best interests of 
the town and for the upbuilding of the section in 
which it is situated. No man in that part of the 
State is more generally and justly esteemed for pur- 
ity of character and services rendered. 
He married, in 1848, at New Braunfels, Texas, 



Miss Sophia Frickc, an estimable young lady of 
that place, who has borne him three children: G. 
H. Forcke, Mrs. Joseph Faust and Charles Forcke, 
the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Forcke has 
served as a member of the Board of Aldermen of 
the city of New Braunfels and of the Board of 
School Trustees, in both of which positions he has 
been an active worker for the best interests of the 
city of his residence. 



A. J. ROSE, 

SALADO. 



What Texas is to-day and what she may in the 
future hope to be is founded upon the broad, liberal 
and far-sighted wisdom and the stability of her 
pioneers. The pioneers of Texas, as a rule, were 
not adventurers as in most countries they usually 
were, but were men of resolute and well deflned 
purpose who came hither to aid in the building up 
of a free and independent government and iden- 
tify themselves with the development of a new and 
promising commonwealth and to establish homes. 
They were mostly young people with their lives 
before them and with a sti-ong determination and 
willing hands to develop the country. The subject 
of this brief memoir was one of that class and it is 
doubtful if there is to-day a pioneer who has been 
more closely identified with the material growth of 
Texas than he, and the author's aim in publishing 
this work would not be accomplished witliout making 
a becoming record of bis long and useful career. 

Mr. Rose is a native of North Carolina and was 
born in Caswell County, September 3d, 1830. His 
father, H. S. Rose, was a farmer whose ancestors 
were among the first settlers of North Carolina. 
Mr. Rose's mother was Mary Duriiam, her family 
likewise being pioneers of North Carolina. In the 
early days of that State H. S. Rose removed with 
his family onto the frontier in Missouri, lived in 
Howard and Randolph counties, and in the year 
1836 or 1837 removed to Macon County. Our sub- 
ject was then a small boy of about six 3'ears, still 
he vividly remembers the skeleton Indian tepes lo- 
cated on the old homestead that had been but 
recently abandoned when the family located there- 
on. The father secured land from the government, 
developed a pioneer home and there lived until bis 
death in 1846. He was an active and enterprising 



man, a typical pioneer and delighted in frontier life 
and took a prominent part in opening up the Macon 
County country. He erected the first saw and grist 
mill in that section of the State, which proved a 
great boon to the settlers of that and adjacent 
counties. Of bis eight children five grew to maturity 
and our subject was of these the oldest. He spent 
his youth on bis father's farm and in the mill. He 
was ambitious to make a start for himself in the 
world and upon the discovery of gold in California in 
1849 went overland in company with seven others 
to the gold diggings with ox teams and wagons, con- 
suming 134 days en route. This was a hazardous 
and difficult undertaking in those daj's. He re- 
mained in California until 1853, during which time 
he engaged in mining and freighting, meeting, on 
the whole, with fair success. He left Sacramento 
City on the 23d of May, 1853, for his home in Mis- 
souri, making the journey on a mule in sixty-six 
days. After his return home Maj. Rose purchased 
a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
Macon County until 1857, when he sold his farm 
and moved overland to Texas with a mule team, 
bringing with him his young wife and two children. 
They located in Travis County and he engaged in 
raising stock, chiefly horses. He there remained 
until 1860, when he removed to San Saba County, 
where he had purchased a fine location for a home, 
about fifteen miles west of the town of San Saba, 
on the San Saba river, irrigating his farm from a 
bold spring upon it. With bis accustomed energy 
he soon opened up a fine farm. 

The war came on and every available white man 
enlisted, but owing to the monthly visits of the red 
man to steal and kill, all heads of families were re- 
tained for the protection of the women and children. 



(;9(; 



IXDIAN WAIiS AXD PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



as the Indians not only became more troublesome 
in tbeir depreciating expeditions but even more iios- 
tile and murderous. 

Maj. Rose was a duly accredited officer of the 
Confederate army, served on the Indian frontier 
first as Lieutenant and later as Major, and tooli 
active part in numerous thrilling scenes and inci- 
dents, doing bis country valiant service. He also, 
in the meantime, pushed his farm operations, and 
raised quantities of corn and potatoes and farm 
produce, which he distributed generously and with 
an open hand to the needy families of soldiers who 
were at the front. He also erected, at his home, a 
grist and saw mill. He also erected a schoolhouse 
on his premises and employed a teacher, receiving the 
hearty co-operation of his neighbors iu this good 
work of schooling the children. He thus started 
the nucleus for a thriving community, but owing to 
the too frequent raids and the deadly hostility of 
the Indians and lack of proper frontier protection, 
he finally disposed of his holdings, and in February, 
1868, located in Bell County. For two years he 
lived near Belton, and in 1870 moved to Salado, 
which is now (1896) his unofficial home. 

Maj. Rose was married June 18, 1854, to Miss 
Sallie A. Austin, of Missouri, daughter of Walker 
and P^upbam McKinney Austin. The McKinney 
family were among the earliest settlers of Texas. 
Thomas F. McKinney, uncle of Mrs. Rose, came 
to Texas in 18.34, was one of the old Santa Fe 
traders, and was instrumental in selecting the site 
of Austin. Following are the names of the chil- 
dren born to Maj. and Mrs. Rose: Alice E., wife 
of T. R. Russell, of Bell County; Mary H., wife 
of A. J. Mackey; W. S., a farmer of Bell County; 
Beatrice, wife of Levi Anderson, of Bell County ; 
Sallie A., wife of George W. Perry, of Macon 
County, Mo; Callie M. ; A. Johnson, Jr., and 
Louselle are at home with their parents. 

Maj. Rose joined the Missionary Baptist Church 
in 1861, in San Saba, and is now deacon and treas- 
urer of Salado Baptist Church at Salado, Bell 
County, Texas. 

In October, 1861, Maj. Rose was initiated into 
the mysteries of Freemasonry in San Saba Lodge 
No. 225. In December, 1862, he was elected its 
Senior Warden, and in 1863 its Master, which posi- 
tion he filled consecutively until he removed to 
Bell County in 1868. Affiliating with the Belton 
Lodge No. 166, December, 1868, was elected Mas- 
ter of this Lodge. In 1863 be received the Royal 
Arch and appendant degrees in Mt. Horeb Chap- 
ter, No. 57, in Williamson County. In 1864 be 
received the Council degrees in the city of Austin, 
^nd in 1872 the Knight Templar degrees in Colorado 



Commandery No. 4. He was a charter member 
of San Saba Chapter and served as High Priest 
for several years. He also served as High Priest 
of Belton Chapter No. 76. He was a charter mem- 
ber of Salado Chapter No. 107, organized in 1872, 
and filled the office of High Priest consecutively for 
twenty-one years. He served as Master of Salado 
Lodge No. 296, and was its secretary for four 
years. 

In 1882 be was elected R. W. Grand Junior War- 
den of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas ; 
also Grand Senior Warden, Deputy Grand Master, 
and Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 1887. 

Being a farmer himself, he very naturally sym- 
pathizes with any legitimate movement to improve 
the farmer's condition. Hence we find bim figuring 
conspicuously in the Grange, a farmer's organiza- 
tion. In 1873 he was admitted a member of the 
first subordinate Grange organized in Texas. In 
December, of the same year, he was elected its 
Master, to which position be was elected annually 
for six years. In 1875 be was elected Lecturer of 
the State Grange of Texas, and in 1877 was elected 
Overseer. In 1881 be became Worthy Master of 
the State Grange, which position he held consecu- 
tively for eleven years. He served as secretary 
for two years, and now, 1896, is chairman of the 
executive committee. 

It will be seen from the foregoing that Maj. Rose 
has spent about one-half of his life as a pioneer on 
the frontiers of Missouri, California and Texas. 
His father dying when our subject was yet a youth 
in school, his cherished hope of securing a thorough 
education was necessarily abandoned, and he 
became practically the head of a large family. 
Feeling keenly the loss of his father, and greatly 
disappointed in the disarrangement of bis school 
plans, be bravely buckled on the armor of respon- 
sibility and courageously met the grave duties and 
cares of life. His successful career is conclusive 
proof that he possessed the ambition, the nerve, 
the fortitude, and the stability to turn to use the 
misfortunes that would have discouraged and 
crowded down the young man of common mold. 

He has always been aggressive in forwarding the 
cause of education, and one of the most hearty 
indorsers and promoters of the general free school 
system for which Texas is to-day famous. Having 
served efficiently for more than twenty years on 
school and college boards, Salado College, Salado 
public school, Baylor Female College, he was 
appointed by Governor Ross, in 1887, a member of 
the Board of Directors of the State Agricultural 
and Mechanical College, near Br3'an, and was, in 
1889, elected president of the Board. This not 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



697 



only involved the administration of tlie affairs of 
the Agricultural and Mechanical College but also 
of the Prairie View State Normal School. During 
President Rose's administration of the affairs of 
these institutions the Board was liberally supplied 
with money by the State for their extension and 
development, and these funds have been most wisely 
spent in building dormitories, professors' resi- 
dences, steam laundry, electric light plant, and 
other essential buildings. All this has drawn 
largely upon Maj. Rose's time and energy, 
and the great value of his services to the State 
and the cause of education is inestimable. He 
is still retained in that position to the present 
time. 

In 1895 Mr. Rose was appointed by Governor 
Culberson Commissioner of Agriculture, Insurance, 



Statistics and History, a position which involves 
great responsibility and labor. 

Maj. Rose is strictly a thorough-going man of 
affairs, and has filled the numerous positions of 
trust that have been thrust upon him with marked 
fidelity to duty in the broad sense that he has ever 
interpreted it. While he is a Democrat, he has 
never pursued politics as an occupation, never 
sought office, but has responded to the call of pub- 
lic trust from a sense of duty, and has performed 
these duties of office in every instance with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to the public. His name 
will live prominently in the history of Texas as that 
of a public benefactor who filled his mission in life 
faithfully and with honor to himself and his people. 
Maj. Rose still continues his farming operations at 
his home, Salado. 



N. L. NORTON, 

AUSTIN. 



Col. Norton came to Texas when the State was in 
the throes of reconstruction, and when her whole 
people were in mourning for their dead on a hun- 
dred fields. He soon became known as a potent 
factor in the matei'ial development of the common- 
wealth, and a staunch defender of the natural and 
constitutional rights of the people and of the cause 
of honest, accountable government. 

N. L. Norton was born near Carlisle, Nicholas 
County, Ky., April 18th, 1830. His father was 
Hiram Norton, a successful business man, whose 
father, John Norton, was the son of a retired Brit- 
ish naval officer who had settled in Virginia prior 
to the War for Independence, and at the outbreak 
of hostilities equipped his five sons for the service 
of the colonies. One of these sons died on the 
English prison-ship stationed in Charleston harbor. 
Another was a sergeant in Washington's body-guard 
and stood near his chief at the surrender of Corn- 
wallis at Yorktown. He was afterwards a field 
officer in the several Indian campaigns of Harmer, 
St. Clair, Clark and Wayne. His nephew, Capt. 
James Norton, oldest brother of Hiram, the father 
of Col. N. L. Norton, was killed at the battle of 
Tippecanoe, while serving under Gen. Harrison. 

Col. Norton's mother was a Miss Spencer, a 
daughter of a Revolutionary sire, and a grand- 
daughter of Thomas Spencer, who commanded a 



brigade of Scottish rebels at the disastrous battle 
of Culloden in 1746, in which he was wounded and 
captured. He barely escaped the block, to which he 
had been condemned, through the connivance of 
British officials. Fleeing to America he settled in 
Virginia, and subsequently removed to Bourbon, 
now Clark, County, Ky. 

Col. Norton took the log school house course 
near the old home and, later, attended Fredonia 
Academy, in Western New York, and the Military 
Institute, in Kentuckj^ 

He was married in 1853 to Miss Mary C. Hall, a 
daughter of John Hall, an honored citizen of the 
same county. The young couple moved to 
Missouri, where they encountered many of the 
inconveniences and trials incident to farm life in 
that State nearly half a century ago. When the 
war between the States became inevitable, the 
young farmer recognized that it was the citizen's 
duty to maintain his allegiance to the State which 
guaranteed his civil rights ; and, although strongly 
opposed to secession, denied even more bitterly the 
right of coercion and promptly obeyed the call of 
the legally elected Governor, and organized one of 
the first companies raised north of the Missouri 
river for the defense of the State. He served in 
various capacities and grades of rank, and enjoyed 
the special confidence of his Commander, Gen. 



698 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Sterling Price. As an evidence of his popularity 
with the army and people, he was chosen, almost 
unanimously, over three competitors as Representa- 
tive in the Confederate Congress in May, 1864. 
He is the youngest living meml)er of that now his- 
toric body. 

In the field bis duties were mainly those of staff 
officer, but he was assigned to much special ser- 
vice, and often of the most perilous nature, in 
which he had many adventures and not a few very 
narrow escapes. Gen. Price said of him, " He 
is infinite in resource." In Congress he was faith- 
ful and true, giving the best energies of his soul to 
the support of a government which, like the tower 
of Ushur, was already tottering to its fall. When 
the end came, he took up life and business anew. 
Unwilling to renew the struggle for subsistence in 
the rigorous climate of Northern Missouri, he came 
to Southern Texas, securing a home on the Lavaca 
river. Here he introduced many improved farm 
implements, blooded stock, and improved methods 
of agriculture, of incalculable value to that section. 
Energetic and progressive, he took an active, 
almost initiative, interest in the formation of agri- 
cultural societies in several counties, from which 
beginning some of the most successful annual 
county fair associations in Texas date their begin- 
ning. Through his generous sympathies and active 
efforts in behalf of a war-worn section and people, 
he soon obtained an extensive acquaintance, and a 
large circle of friends. 

He was selected by Governor Roberts to make 
the initial move that resulted in the great granite 
ca()itol, that stands at the head of Congress avenue, 
in the city of Austin. 

The constitution of 187G provided for the erec- 
tion of a new State capitol and set aside 3,000,000 
acres of public land for that purpose. The loca- 
tion and survey of so large a section became a 
matter of importance, and required special abili- 
ties. The trust was confided to Col. Norton, who, 
accompanied by the surveyors and a small detail 
from the frontier battalion of rangers, made sur- 
veys embracing nearly all the vacant and unappro- 
priated public domain in the counties of Dallam, 
Hartley, Oldham, Deaf Smith, Palmer, and Castro, 
as well as a large portion of Bailey, Lamb, and 
Hockley. Prior to this examination and survey the 
Llano Estacado, or "staked plains," were gener- 
ally accepted at the estimate placed on them by 
geographers, viz., as "The Great American Des- 
ert," a region unsuited for civilized habitation and 
valueless except as territorial expanse. 

Col. Norton took a different view, and in his re- 
port to Governor Roberts placed a high estimate 



upon the capabilities of the soil, and expressed a 
belief that enterprise and energy would there 
achieve good results at no distant day. Time has 
already more than justified these statements and 
opinions. 

The plains are being settled and cultivated, and 
many stock men regard them as among the best 
grazing grounds in the State. Aside from the in- 
telligent observation evinced in this really able re- 
port, the faithful labor shown in the long tal)ulated 
annex, giving number of leagues, location, descrip- 
tion, topography, adaptation, etc., was especially 
gratifying to the authorities and the public. The 
law providing a Capitol Board and Building Com- 
missioners named the Governor, Comptroller, 
Treasurer, Commissioner of the General Land Office 
and the Attornej'-General as the members who 
should compose the former, and this board elected 
the Hon. Joseph Lee and N. L. Norton as the men 
to compose the latter. The relations of Judge Lee 
and Col. Norton were ever of the most pleasant and 
fraternal character, and the survivor, Col. Norton, 
speaks of his friend and fellow-worker in terms of 
tenderest regard. The board had executive and 
discretionary powers, while the commissioners were 
to be guided solely by the law and the contracts 
made thereunder ; yet, upon all deliberative ques- 
tions they practically constituted one body, and the 
freest discussions and exchange of views prevailed 
among them, and, as an example of their joint 
labor, this entire body held a continuous session of 
thirty-five days in preparing and adopting the form 
of contract and detailed specifications under which 
the work was finally' done. Much of this time the 
designing architect was also present aiding and 
consulting. Plans having been solicited, a selec- 
tion was made upon the advice of Mr. N. Lebrun, 
a distinguished architect of New York Cily, ap- 
pointed by the Governor upon the authority of the 
Legislature. Pending the usual notice to bidders, 
the commissioners began the search for material 
suitable for construction. From their first prelim- 
inary report on the subject, dated June 1st, 1881, 
it is clear that they already realized that this was a 
difficult and responsible task. They had found 
stone in abundance, sound and strong ; but stone 
sound, strong and durable, of uniform color and 
texture (such as filled the requirements of both the 
law and the contract), of proper thickness of strata 
for the massive building blocks and heavy columns 
and pilasters in sufficient amount, had not been 
found. The following is from the eighteenth sec- 
tion of the enabling act: "The interior and ex- 
terior walls of the capitol shall be of the most 
durable rock accessible, which shall sustain a 



IXDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



699 



pressure at least equal to that used in the construc- 
tion of the Travis County Courthouse." The 
Travis County Courthouse is limestone, and none 
other had hitherto been deemed "accessible." 
The repoit contained the following on this subject: 
"There are reasons to cause us to doubt the pro- 
priety of adopting any ordinarj^ material for an 
extraordinary structure. It will be time to con- 
front the difficult problem of constructing a first- 
class house with second-class material when all 
hope of procuring the best shall have been aban- 
doned." It was argued that the limestone used in 
the Travis County Courthouse was the standard 
created by law and, therefore, its use in the capitol 
by the Commissioners was an imperative duty. 
This view was irreconcilable with the spirit of the 
law, which demanded that the "best accessible" 
material should be used, and in a later paper, July 
18th, they reported an extended examination, in- 
cluding several counties, and presented eighteen 
different samples of stone. Among them was red 
granite from Burnet County. Some of these 
samples, marble and limestone, as well as gran- 
ite, on being subjected to mechanical and chem- 
ical tests at the Smithsonian Institute, were 
indorsed as suitable. Such indorsement was 
deemed sufficient and the contract was let, 
the contractors taiiing the risk of a supply of 
the standard shown in the Travis County Court- 
house. The quarries at Oatmanville were selected 
by them as sufficient for all demands, and indeed 
there could be no doubt of its fitness for founda- 
tion and other unexposed worjj. Its character had 
been established by mechanical tests at the Rock 
Island arsenal and chemical analysis by Prof. Mal- 
lett, of the Texas University. The Commissioners, 
however, said as follows: "Experience, acquired 
through means of extensive labor and observation, 
shows a marked lack of uniformity in most, if not 
all, the deposits of stratified rocks in this country, 
and the quarry at Oatmanville is no exception to 
the general rule. These variations include color, 
texture and quality. The texture usually differs 
Willi each separate stratum, while the color often 
changes in the same stratum when no variation of 
texture or quality is perceptible." They reported 
the impracticability of literal compliance with the 
clause in the contract stipulating that the stone 
should in " no respect differ from the sample." The 
board declined to consider the matter except in its 
relation to the foundation and basement wall. For 
this purpose only the Commissioners were author- 
ized to accept such dimension stone as, after satis- 
factory test, should prove " not inferior in quality 
to the sample." The delicacy of the situation was 



apparent. The contractors, evidently believing 
their quarry capable of meeting all the varied re- 
quirements of the contract, had, at much expense, 
built a railway connection thereto, while the repre- 
sentatives of the State could not see their way clear 
except through a substantial compliance with the 
contract, which required uniformity of quality, tex- 
ture, color, etc. The work was completed to the 
grade line above which covers the five-feet belt- 
course, or water table, prescribed in the plans by 
the architect and already covered by the contract. 
This stone was furnished free of charge to the con- 
tractors liy Messrs. Westfall, Lacy and Norton, 
who had previously purchased the Granite Moun- 
tain property in Burnet County. The basement 
story thus completed was pronounced by the Com- 
missioners "entirely sufficient," and lasting for 
any kind of material that may be used above. 

What that material should be was unsettled and 
the same old embarrassing conditions still existed. 
Nothing meeting all the requirements or proving 
satisfactory to all concerned had been found. 
There was an evident indisposition on the part of 
the board to be unjust to the contractors or force 
. them to unreasonable costs, but quite a strong 
purpose to secure the " best accessible" material. 
AVork was temporarily suspended, but interest in 
and discussion of the situation continued. The 
contract was, as has been shown, on a limestonebasis. 
The contractors expressed a willingness, even an anx- 
iety, to use the best of that class and asked only to be 
shown such as would be satisfactory. At this 
juncture the second biennial report of the Commis- 
sioners was submitted, which had the effect of prac- 
tically eliminating native limestone from further 
consideration and convinced all parties that granite 
was the only Texas material fit for the great struc- 
ture. The following is taken from this report : — 
"In this connection the offer made before the 
inception of this work is renewed as follows: — 

" Austin, Texas, November 6, 1884. 
" We, the undersigned, owners of Survey No. 
18, in Burnet County, Texas, and known as the 
William Slaughter east half-league, upon which is 
the granite deposit whence the material for the 
■water-table of the new State capitol was recently 
taken, herebj' tender to the people of the State of 
Texas, free of all or any charge, all the granite 
stone required to complete the entire superstructure 
of the building. 
" Witness: 

" John Hancock, G. W. Lacet, 

" O. M. EoBEUTS, W. H. Westfall, 

"N. L. Norton. 



700 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



" It will be seen that one of the Commissioners 
is joint owner in the above property and an equal 
associate in the proposed donation. 

" Although this is an absolute gratuity, and not 
an effort to sell or otherwise speculate on the State, 
yet, to avoid all doubt of the propriety of such con- 
tribution from a public servant, he prefers to sever 
all connection with the work. If the proposition to 
give this material shall incite others to greater lib- 
erality, by which the State may be more benefited, 
it will be more gratifying to none than to those 
who make the offer, their sole purpose being to 
secure for Texas at a minimum expense a monu- 
mental capitol, worthy of her resources and her 
people." 

Thus closes the report, and soon after Col. Nor- 
ton's connection with the work of building the 
capitol ended. 

Happily, through mutual concessions, a satisfac- 
tory solution of a vexed question was arrived at, 
and a new contract, providing for the use of granite 
and a modification of the exterior of the building 
to equitably compensate the contractors for the 
extra cost entailed upon them by the change, was 
entered into, and the noble edifice subsequently 
constructed of Texas granite. 

The Granite Mountain property has passed into 
other hands and the old company, so liberal and 
loyal to Texas, has been dissolved; but, while a 
pillar of the capitol stands, or a notch in an ashlar 
remains, their names and generosity will be indis- 
solubly associated therewith. Soon after the dedi- 
cation of the new capitol the Texas Legislature 
gracefully acknowledged their services to the State 
by a formal vote of thanks, and, at a subsequent 
session, the same body set apart for their use and 
occupancy during life one of the rooms of the great 
building. A distinguished State officer, long a 
member of the capitol board, referring in conver- 
sation with the writer of this article to the building 
of the State House, said : — 

" Col, Norton's services were invaluable. His 



discharge of the duties of commissioner was 
marked by zeal, fidelity and ability and his reports 
were models of their kind." 

Dr. Westfall, of Burnet, who from the inception 
of this enterprise took a most active interest and 
rendered every practical aid, in a paper, now be- 
fore the writer, says it was Col. Norton who first 
suggested the use of granite for the capitol. 

" One main purpose of the purchase of the gran- 
ite mountain by Westfall, Lacey and Norton was 
that the State of Texas might be assured in advance 
of a home material for this building, of the very best 
quality, and that without cost. No other consider- 
ation was ever brought to bear on their action and 
they never received or desired to receive any other 
compensation. While Governor Ireland and the 
capitol board are justly entitled to the credit of the 
final contract, modifying the design and substi- 
tuting granite, to Col. Norton more than any other 
person, Texas is indebted for the magnificent 
structure that adorns capitol hill." 

Col. Norton is still a very busy man and, when 
not actively engaged with his farming interests in 
the country, he may be found at his elegant home 
in the city of Austin and generally at his desk. He 
has written much for the press but his chief pleas- 
ure is found in books and in correspondence with 
the friends of " auld lang syne." His family con- 
sists of his wife, his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Annie 
Lee Norton, and her child, little Onida, of whom he 
is very fond, his only children, Mrs. Katie Spencer 
Adair and Hiram Price Norton, having both died 
within a few years. 

He has been a mason since Ma}', 1851, and is 
now a member of Colorado Encampment Knights 
Templar and Ben Hur Temple of the Ancient Arabic 
Order of the Mystic Shrine. He is plain, without 
pretense or self-assertion, a man of broad and lib- 
eral views and of the tenderest sympathies. He 
has a profound respect and toleration for the 
opinions and faiths of others and is most charitable 
in his estimate of his fellowmen. 



WILLIAM HADEN THOMAS, 

DALLAS. 



W. H. Thomas, president of the American Na- day of March, 1829, and received a good country 

tional Bank, of Dallas, and for many years past a school education for tiiat day and time, which he 

leading financier and prominent citizen of that has since enlarged by study and observation until 

place, was born in Alien County, Ky., on the 11th he is now considered one of the best informed and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



701 



most accomplished gentlemen iu Texas. He came 
to this State in the fall of 1852, making the jour- 
ney on horseback, and located in Dallas County. 
September 29lh, in the following year, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Skiles, daughter 
of J. C. Skiles. She was born and reared iu War- 
ren County, Ky., in which members of her family 
have long been prominent. 

Mr. Thomas secured a position with Gold & Don- 
aldson, merchants at Dallas, and continued with 
them until the fall of 1855, and then, on account 
of failing health, settled on a tract of land on 



& Co., the first banking institution established in 
Dallas, composed of T. C. Jordan, J. P. Thomas, 
and W. H. Thomas. 

In 1872 he and W. H. Gaston organized the 
banking firm of Gaston & Thomas at Dallas. In 
1878 Gaston & Thomas bought the stock of the 
Exchange Bank, chartered under State law, and 
merged their bank into the Exchange Bank of Dal- 
las. He was elected president, and held that posi- 
tion until 1883 and then sold his stock. 

In 1884 he, with others, organized the American 
National Bank of Dallas. He was elected presi- 




WILLIAM HADEX THOMAS. 



Duck creek, Dallas County, and opened a small 
farm. 

In 1858 he was elected County Surveyor of Dal- 
las County and was continued in that position by 
successive re-elections, with the exception of the 
period spent by him in the army, until removed by 
Governor E. J. Davis in 18G6 as an impediment to 
reconstruction. He enlisted in the Confederate 
army as a private in Company I., Thirtieth Texas 
Cavalry, and was transferred to the Brigade Com- 
missary Department in the field in the Trans-Mis- 
sissippi Department, and so continued until the end 
of the war. 

In 1871 he was one of the firm of T. C. Jordan 



dent of the institution, and has been continued in 
that position by successive annual re-elections to 
the present time. 

His wife died November 13, 1887. They reared 
two children, a daughter. May, who married F. A. 
Miller, and a son, Robert B., who married Miss 
Eula Hatcher. 

Mr. Thomas is not a member of any church, but 
is an ardent believer in Christianity and has always 
been a moral man. He has attended strictly to his 
business interests, and by careful management has 
accumulated a good estate, and has made the bank- 
ing institution he controls one of the most success- 
ful in the South. 



702 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ROBERT N. WHITE, 

CORSICANA. 



The subject of this sketch was born in South 
Carolina, in December, 1810. When he was a 
child his parents moved to Green County, Ala., 
where they resided a few years. He then moved to 
Chickasaw County, Miss., from whence, in the 
year 1845, he moved with his family to Texas, first 
locating at Dresden. A short time after, in 1847, 
the town of Corsicana was located and again the 
family moved, taking up their residence at that 
place. 

Robert N. White was married in 1840, in Ala- 
bama, to Miss Juliet Means, a native of South 
Carolina. He followed farming after settling at 
Corsicana. When tiie county of Norman was 
organized, in 1847, he was elected County Clerk 
and held the office for a period of ten years. At 
the expiration of his term of office he retired from 



active business, having accumulated a comfortable 
fortune through his farming and other financial 
operations. 

He died May 25th, 1891, leaving a wife and six 
children, all of whom are living. The children are 
all married, except one sou, who is now living with 
his mother at the old homestead, No. 208, Third 
Avenue, in the town of Corsicana. 

The remaining Children, with the exception of one 
son residing and in business in the Indian Territory, 
are living in Texas. 

Mr. Wliite was never a politician, but was 
trusted and honored by his fellow-citizens, as is 
shown by the fact of his having been elected to fill 
the important office of County Clerk for such a long 
period of time. His death was deeply mourned by 
his surviving family and acquaintances. 



THOMAS HENRY MATHIS, 

ROCKPORT. 



No one who has been at all conversant with the 
southern coast of Texas for the past twenty-five 
years can have failed to hear the name of Thomas 
Henry Mathis. His manly form, well chiseled 
features and vigorous step, form a fitting index to 
the volume of his good deeds. Under any circum- 
stances he must have been prominent, and, indeed, 
the sequel to this narrative will show that he has 
developed a fine character, not under the favor of 
plain sailing, but despite the buffetings of Dame 
Fortune. Such a success as he lias achieved could 
not have been accidental. Accidents do not occur 
on such a colossal scale. 

He was born in Stewart County, July 14th, 1834. 
His parents were James and Isabella Mathis, the 
former of whom died in 1864, and tlie latter in 1876. 
They were both highly esteemed for their sterling 
religious character. Thomas received his early 
education in the country scliools of Tennessee and 
Kentucky, and, being raised on a farm, he was 
taught the value of a dollar by digging for it early 
and late. As a boy he was proud to " hoe his own 



row," and as a youth to swing his scj'the with the 
foremost. At the age of nineteen he resolved to 
strive for higher education, and this marks a turn- 
ing point in his life, as he was thenceforth thrown 
entirely on his own resources. Ardently as his 
father longed to encourage his aspirations, he 
could not do so in justice to his other children. 
But nothing daunted, Thomas left the paternal roof 
to enter the school of Dr. J. T. Mathis in Southern 
Arkansas. At the end of the second session here 
he negotiated a loan of $1,000 from his father, to 
be paid back by him, or deducted from the estate 
on final settlement of the same. With this aid he 
continued another session at school. At the expir- 
ation of this time he took a school at Warren, Brad- 
ley County, Ark. In conjunction with a lady 
teacher, he conducted his school successfully one 
year, and then went to Bethel College, where he 
finished his education, in 1857. In 1858 he 
removed to Murray, Ky. , where he assisted Dr. J. 
T. Mathis in teaching one session. 

In 1859 he went to Southwest Texas, where his 




/M^.lOC^z^ciZclf 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



703 



career as a business man commenced. His very 
first enterprise was fraught with extreme peril, 
from which men of less courage shrank. It was' 
on the 3cl of February, 1859, that be left Gonzales, 
Texas, with a party of eighteen, to make a trading 
tour into Mexico. 

Any one familiar with border troubles and border 
characters, even at this late day, can have some 
conception of the hazards of this trip in the next 
decade after the Mexican War. On reaching Rio 
Grande City the party was informed that it was out 
of the question to think of crossing over into 
Mexico, as the country was full of robbers and 
brigands. Of the party of eighteen, only T. H. 
Mathis and his cousin, J. M. Mathis, had the nerve 
to cross the Rio Grande. Two young Alabamians, 
who were not of the original party, also crossed 
with them into the kingdom of the Montezumas, 
together with a Mexican guide. As they lay in 
camp on San Juan river, at China, the first night 
after reaching Mexico, the custom-house officer 
demanded of them a duty of six per cent of all 
their money on the penalty of being imprisoned 
and having all they had cout3scated. They sent 
their interpreter to tell the officer that they were 
buying stock in his country, and would leave all 
their money there ; but that if he persisted in de- 
manding the six per cent he mignt come and get 
it, that there were four of them well armed with 
shotguns and six-shooters, and that many of the 
Mexicans would bite the dust in the attempted rob- 
bery. It is needless to say that Mathis and ]iis 
party were left unmolested. They remained in the 
country six weeks, camping at night and throwing 
out pickets like a regular army. But for this, they 
would doubtless have been robbed or murdered. 
Though this trip was quite successful, it was never 
deemed prudent to repeat it. After making an- 
other business trip to the Texas side of the Rio 
Grande, Mathis temporarily left the stock business 
and opened a five-months school in Gonzales 
County in the spring of 1861. In the summer of 
that year he removed to Victoria and extended the 
scope of his business transactions, but was com- 
pelled to close his business in the fall of that year, 
on account of the closing of the Gulf ports at the 
outbreak of the great Civil War. He then went to 
Kentucky and Tennessee and bought a large lot of 
tobacco, the price of which was rapidly rising in 
Texas. He barely succeeded in getting out with this 
commodit3' from Paris, Tenn., before the town fell 
into the hands of the Federal troops. He shipped 
this tobacco to Alexandria, La., and to it added 
another lot purchased in New Orleans. Meantime 
he sold the whole in Texas for one dollar a pound. 



in Confederate money. In the spring and summer 
of 1862 he was busily engaged in forwarding sup- 
plies from Texas to the Confederate soldiers of the 
Trans-Mississippi Department. In the fall of the 
same year he joined Duff's regiment, Company E., 
and fought for the Confederac}- till the close of the 
war. He is not ashamed of the cause he espoused, 
nor of the part he played in it. Yet when the flag 
of the Confederacy was furled, he realized that the 
war was over indeed. The same magnanimous 
spirit with which he now treats the " boys who 
wore the blue " enabled him to speedily forget the 
bitterness of the struggle and, though with reduced 
resources, to recommence his business career. He 
again engaged in the tobacco trade between Ten- 
nessee and Texas, in which he continued a year. 
In February, 1867, he settled on Aransas Bay, and 
selected the site on which the thriving little city of 
Rockport now stands. The firm of J. M. & T. H. 
Mathis built the first wharf which was established 
there, and chartered the first steamship, " The 
Prince Albert," that ever entered Aransas Bay for 
commercial purposes. After this was lost at sea, 
they induced the Morgan line to run their ships to 
Rockport, and became their agents. This part of 
our narrative deserves to be emphasized. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was the founder of Rockport in 
a sense in which no one else can claim that honor. 
In 1869 the Mathis firm expended $5,500 for the 
improvement of Aransas bar, thus blazing the way, 
like hardy pioneers, of the future highway of com- 
merce. It was about the same time that they 
built the Orleans Hotel, and erected a number of 
other buildings in Rockport. They also built 
bridges, made good county roads, and aided in 
securing many other public improvements. Later 
on, T. H. Mathis contributed liberally toward 
bringing the Union telegraph to Rockport, and to 
the building of the first telephone line to that part 
of the State. He was also a liberal contributor to 
the establishment of the first cold storage meat 
refrigerating plant in Texas. He was also one of 
the first men in the State to introduce blooded 
cattle and horses into Southwest Texas, and he is 
said to possess the banner ranch of his portion of 
the State, with regard to the quality of his stock. 
When the Aransas Pass Railroad was built into 
Rockport, in 1888, he was one of the principal pro- 
moters of the enterprise, and it is one of the best 
additions to the city which bears this name. 

When, in 1872, the firm of J. M. & T. H. 
Mathis was enlarged to that of Coleman, Mathis & 
Fulton, again the progressive spirit of the subject 
of this narrative was felt when the firm of which he 
was from the beginning a member, built the first 



704 



JNDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



large pasture that was ever established in the State. 
In 1870 this firm was dissolved, and J. M. & T. H. 
Mathis were the following year again associated in 
business by themselves. Since that time T. H. 
Mathis has been doing business on his own account, 
with the exception of the purchase of a one-half 
interest in about 24,000 acres of fine agricultural 
laud in Wharton County, which he subsequently sold. 
He now owns about 24,000 acres of fine agricultural 
land in San Patricio County, on the Nueces river, 
well fenced and stocked with fine horses and cattle. 
On the same estate are several farms, orchards and 
vineyards. The town of "Mathis" is named for 
him, and is a portion of his original ranch. The 
growth of a town so near the body of his ranch can- 
not fail to appreciate the value of every acre of it. 
Even at the present low prices of land, this is a 
princely estate, while its prospective value is very 
considerable indeed. Mr. Matliis possesses an 
ordinary fortune, entirely aside from these fine 
lands. He owns one of the best homes in Rockport, 
besides thousands of dollars' worth of realty in 
different portions of that city. He is liberally in- 
sured, to the amount of $C0,000 in old line com- 
panies. He is a principal stockholder in the First 
National Bank of Rockport, of which institution he 
is also president. Such is an imperfect statement 
of the material results attending a successful busi- 
ness career. But no correct inventory of Mr. 
Mathis' wealth can be made tiiat does not include 
liii ciiaracter as the main part. He has not achieved 
financial success at the expense of character, which 
is too often done. He was well-equipped for his 



career, both by nature and acquirements, and hence 
had no occasion to resort to dishonest methods. 
His experience in the school room made an in- 
delible impression on his life. Possibly he would 
have made as much money without it, but he would 
not otherwise have held money in as strict subjec- 
tion to higher ends as he now does. Without such 
culture he might have been made the slave instead 
of the master of his large possessions. He is 
a Democrat of the Jefferson-Jackson-Cleveland 
type. 

He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. 
Religiously, as otherwise, his professions are not 
loud, and need not be. It would be hard to find a 
beneficent institution near him that has not been 
helped by him or that might not have been for tlie 
mere asking. He was married twice. In 1869 to 
Mrs. Cora C. Caldwell, of Gonzales County, Texas, 
who died two months afterwards, and in 1875 to 
his present wife (wee Miss Mary J. Nold), in Mur- 
ray, Ky. She was born in Goliad, Texas, July 15, 
1856, and educated in Kentucky. Her parents 
were Henry and Mrs. E. M. Nold. Her father, an 
eminent educator, died at Murray, Ky., November 
2, 1886. Her mother is still living. Mr. Mathis is 
the father of eight children: Walter N., Henry, 
May, Thomas E., Edgar, Arthur, Lizzie Belle, and 
AUie. Until a few months since it was an unbroken 
family, when little AUie, aged seventeen months and 
thirteen days, was taken from the bosom of the 
family, demonstrating that " our life is even a 
vapor, that appeareth for a little time and then 
vanisheth away." 



JOHN PRIES S, 

FREDERICKSBURG, 



Was born in Grosenbergan, Prussia, July 30, 1817, 
and came to America in 1846, as a member of the 
second company of emigrants sent out to Texas by 
the German Emigration Company. The party 
landed at Galveston and were almost immediately 
transferred to Indianola, reaching the latter port 
during the night of December 25, 1846. 

Mr. Priess proceeded from Indianola to New 
Biaunfels, and soon after, upon the platting of the 
town, moved to Fredericksburg, where he ever after 
resided. 

He married Miss Elise Vogel, at Fredericksburg, 



February 13, 1848. They had five children, viz. : 
Carl F., a resident of Fredericksburg, and dealer 
in live stock ; Louis, a prosperous merchant of Fred- 
ericksburg ; Bertha, wife of Henry Pfeister, a 
farmer living on Bear creek, in Gillespie County; 
Amelia, wife of Edward Kott, a farmer on Bear 
creek; and George, a farmer on Bear creek. Mr. 
John Priess died at his home, in Fredericksburg, 
in June, 1882. His wife is still living at that 
place. 

Louis Priess was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, 
January 20, 1852, and was reared upon his father's 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



705 



farm until about twenty-one years of age, when he 
went to Austin, where he clerked in a wholesale 
grocery store until 1876. He then formed a co- 
partnership with his brother, C. F. Priess, under 
the firm name of C. F. Priess & Bro., and engaged 
in merchandising, a connection that continued until 
1887, when he withdrew from active business pur- 
suits for a time. 

In 1888 he commenced business in his own name, 
and in 1895 he formed a copartnership with Mr. 



W. J. Moore, under the firm name of Priess & 
Moore, and continued in merchandising in his native 
town. 

Mr. Louis Priess married Miss Anna Schoene- 
wolf, at Fredericksburg, January, 1893. She is 
a native of that place and a daughter of August 
Schoenewolf , a gentleman well known throughout 
Gillespie and adjoining counties. Mr. and Mrs. 
Priess have five children: Erwin, Alice, Hugo, Ed- 
mund, and Olga. 



F. V. BLESSE, 

EAGLE PASS. 



F. V. Blesse, a leading citizen of Eagle Pass, and 
president of the First National Bank of that city, 
is a native of St. Louis, Mo. ; was born August 
16th, 1855. His father, August F. Blesse, was a 
stock-dealer and a successful business man. Mr. 
Blesse received his preliminary education in his 
native city, and later served as an accountant and 
clerk in the Union Savings Bank at St. Charles, 
Mo. He then attended school at the Westminster 
College, at Fulton, Mo., for three years, after 
which he returned to St. Louis, and soon thereafter 
came, in 1881, to San Antonio, Texas. He trav- 
eled over the State for about six months, and then 
went to Eagle Pass and entered the bank of S. P. 
Simpson & Co. as accountant and cashier, remain- 
ing in their employ for about five years, during the 
latter j'ear of which time he secured a partnership 
in the business. He withdrew his interest in 1888, 
and in September of that year, with the co-opera- 
tion of leading capitalists of that city, organized 
the Maverick County Bank of Eagle Pass, cash 
capital $30,000.00. His partners were L. DeBona, 
Wm. Nagley and J. A. Bonnet. This arrangement 
continued for about three years, and in 1891 the 
First National Bank of Eagle Pass, cash capital 



$50,000.00, was organized, absorbing the capital of 
the old institution. The First National Bank's cap- 
ital has since increased to $60,000.00. Its officers 
are: F. V. Blesse, president ; Wm. Hollis, vice- 
president, and W. A. Bonnet, cashier. Directors: 
F. V. Blesse, Wm. HoHis, W. A. Bonnet, L. 
DeBona, Wm. Nagley, W. Kelso, and Dr. A. H. 
Evans. The institution does a general banking 
business, and is one of the solid financial houses of 
Southwest Texas. 

Mr. Blesse married, at Eagle Pass, Miss Nita, 
daughter of J. M. Gibbs, and niece of Col. C. C. 
Gibbs, of San Antonio. She was born at Nava- 
sota, Texas, and is a lady of refinement and excel- 
lent domestic and social accomplishments. They 
have one son, Frederick. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blesse affiliate with the Church of 
the Redeemer (Episcopalian), of which he is a ves- 
tryman. Mr. Blesse is a sound money Repub- 
lican. He is considered one of the substantial and 
enterprising citizens of the town. He eschews pol- 
itics as a business ; but, as a citizen, is interested 
in political movements in so far as they promise to 
affect the well-being of his adopted city, county 
and State, and the country at large. 



706 



INDIAN WARS ^^D PTONEEUS OF TEXAS. 



M. BUTLER, 

AUSTIN. 



Michael BuUer, one of Austin's leading business 
men, is a native of Ireland, born near the citj' of 
Limerick, February 17th, 1844, where his father, 
John Butler, at that time lived. 

John Butler owned farms, was a contractor in 
the construction of public pikes, or roads, and was 
regarded as a substantial, well-to-do citizen. Our 
subject was the second youngest of five brothers ; 
received the rudiments of a good common school 
education in Limerick, and acquired good business 
habits and an irrepressible longing to accomplish 
something for himself in the business world. The 
opportunities offered there for advancement were 
not promising, and he, therefore, at the age of 
twenty-one, left his native home and sailed for New 
York, landing there in the spring of 1865. He 
remained in New York but a short time and, in 
harmony with the advice so freely given by Horace 
Greeley to young men of those days, went West, 
developed into a successful business man, and, in 
1874, came to Austin, Texas, with a cash capital of 
about $10,000.00. He came to Austin to continue 
the contracting business. He found here a great 
need for brick to take the place, at least for some 
special purposes, of the native rock so generally in 
use, and in his usually thorough manner explored 
the country for a suitable clay possessing the neces- 
sary ingredients from which a good quality and 
color of brick could be produced. He soon accom- 
plished the object of his search, and opened his 
first brickyard in Austin. The brick theretofore 
used had been of poor quality, and were shipped 
from abroad and were expensive. His first efforts 
were experimental, and his methods of manufac- 
ture necessarily somewhat crude, but he had in- 
formed himself thoroughly in the rhatter of clays 
and, being of a naturally mechanical turn of mind, 
soon constructed the necessary appliances, and 
gratified his desire to show the people of Central 
Texas what a good and sound brick looked like. 
He then entered into the enterprise with his accus- 
tomed energy and push, and the result is that 



Austin has one of the finest brick yards in the 
State. Houston has another which Mr. Butler 
established in 1893. Both are doing a large busi- 
ness, employ a large force of men, and annually 
distribute large sums of money broadcast in these 
communities. The results of Mr. Butler's work do 
not stop here, however. His brick have so far taken 
the place of stone in building, that the public 
streets are now bordered with handsome brick 
blocks and beautiful architectural residences, a 
happy result that could have never been otherwise 
obtained. 

Mr. Butler also established a brickyard at Dallas 
in about the year 1882, built up a fine trade and 
disposed of it to a brother, Patrick Butler, who still 
owns it. IMr. Butler is a thorough-going business 
man, broad in his views, and public-spirited. He 
is a self-made man in everything that the term im- 
plies. His success in life has been phenomenal and 
he has accumulated a splendid fortune. He is a 
t'lorough and firm believer in Texas' and Austin's 
future, and has practically demonstrated his faith 
by liberally investing his means in Austin realty and 
her business enterprises, until he is regarded as one 
of her most substantial property owners. 

Mr. Butler is prominently identified with the 
banking interests of Austin as one of the promoters 
of and a stockholder and director of the American 
National Bank of that city, one of the strongest 
financial institutions in the State. 

He married, in 1878, Miss Mary Jane, a daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Kelly, of Austin. The 
union has been a most fortunate and happy one. 
They have two sons and one daughter, viz. : 
John Francis, Margaret Emma, and Thomas 
James. 

The family mansion is one of the most elegant in 
proportions and architecture, and most complete in 
its arrangements and furnishings, in Austin, and 
occupies a commanding position, overlooking large 
portions of the city. Mr. Butler and his family are 
■members of the Roman Catholic Church. 




W.M. A. WORTH AM. 




MBS. W. A. WORTHAM. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



707 



WILLIAM A. WORTHAM, 

SULPHUR SPRINGS. 



W. A. Worlham, Superintendent of the State 
Orphans' Asj'lum, situated near Corsieana, was 
born in Mauiy Count)', Tenn., November 3, 1830, 
and came to Texas in 1842, with his widowed 
mother, who settled in Harrison County. He was 
principall}' educated at Marshall. Desiring to be 
a printer, he placed himself in a printing office as a 
bound apprentice and served three years, at the 
end of which time he was an experienced journey- 
man printer. On the 11th day of June, 1852, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Adeline E. Ashcroft, 
daughter of Dr. Levy and Elizabeth Ashcroft, of 
Tyler, Texas, and in 1854 settled in Sulphur Springs, 
where he now claims his home. They have five 
children:' William B. (State Treasurer) ; Louis J., 
Albert A., Thomas, James, and Levy D. Wortham. 

Col. Wortham has been a member of the M. E. 
Church South thirty-eight years, and his consis- 
tent deportment during the dark days of war, and 
since, is ample proof of his faith in the promises of 
God. As a soldier he was kind to all in distress 
with whom he came in contact, and on one occasion 
he stopped for a moment, in the midst of battle in 
August, and gave to a wounded and dying Federal 
soldier the last drop of water in his canteen, not 
knowing when or where he would get any more. 

The greater part of Col. Wortham's life has been 
spent as a newspaper publisher and editor. In 
December, 1861, he was a volunteer in the Con- 
federate army. 

At the organization of his company he was 
elected First Lieutenant and was attached to 
Crump's First Texas Battalion. The battalion, 
was afterward attached to Ector's Brigade. At 
the close of the war he was Lieutenant-Colonel 
commanding the Thirty-fourth Texas Cavalr)'. He 
participated in many of the bloody engagements of 
the war — Elk Horn, Richmond (Ky.), Perryville, 
Murfreesboro, Jackson, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, 
Yellow Bayou, and many other engagements or 
skirmishes of less note. 

He has served as Justice of the Peace and Dis- 
trict Clerk ; represented Hopkins County three 
times in the House of Representatives of the Texas 
Legislature ; represented his district during one 
term in the State Senate, and in 1891 was appointed 
by Governor James S. Hogg superintendent of the 
State Orphans' Asylum at Corsieana. 



Col. Wortham is one of the oldest, most widely 
known and ablest editorial writers in Texas. 

During the dark days that marked the recon- 
struction era he fought fearlessly, through the 
columns of his paper, the cause of civil liberty and 
honest government, while being dailj- threatened 
with incarceration in the Federal barracks, in Sul- 
phur Springs, where be was editing The Gazette, if 
he did not withhold his caustic criticisms of the 
conduct of those in authority. 

He has always been a Democrat — taking the 
extreme Southern view of the rights of the States 
as enunciated by Thomas Jefferson and advocated 
by the great Southern leaders in 1860 and 1861, 
and never abandoned that doctrine until it was set- 
tled by the arbitrament of the sword. When that 
was a fixed fact he counseled obedience to the 
altered condition of affairs, and earnestly desired 
to witness a complete reconciliation between the 
Slates. 

He has taken part, on the hustings, in many cam- 
paigns. He has no patience with the so-called 
" independentism " — another name, viewed in the 
most charitable light, for a want of settled con- 
victions, and, in the true light, for demagogy and 
a want of principle. The kind of independentism 
he has followed throughout his long career as a 
newspaper man, has been to freely criticise Demo- 
cratic leaders, when criticism was necessary to the 
preservation of party integrity, and its adoption of 
correct lines of public policy. Thus, helping to 
keep the grand old ship true to her course, he has 
been among the foremost when the enemy was to be 
met and victory won or defeat sustained. Believ- 
ing ardently that upon the ultimate triumph of the 
principles of political economy, that forms Demo- 
cratic faith, depends the preservation of a truly 
Republican government, and the protection of the 
rights, liberties and happiness of all the people, he 
has devoted himself with unselfish, patriotic zeal, 
to the cause of Democracy throughout his long, 
useful and honored life. As a member of the 
House and Senate of the Texas Legislature, he 
served on many important committees, took an 
active part in legislation, and made an excellent 
record. His discharge of the duties of his position 
as superintendent of the State Orphans' Asylum 
has been characterized by great ability, and he has 



708 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



made the asylum what it was designed to be, one 
of the noblest and most useful of the State's insti- 
tutions. He attributes his success in the conduct 
of the asylum more to his estimable wife than to his 
own management. They have labored together to 
make it as near a model home for the State's help- 
less orphan children as possible. Every child 



seems contented and happy. Col. Wortham and 
wife feel that they are most happily rounding off 
their long and useful lives in the care of helpless 
children and stimulating them with just pride 
to become useful men and women and to love 
God, themselves. Texas, and their whole coun- 
try. 



JOSEPHUS CUMMINGS, M. D., 

AUSTIN. 



The late Dr. Cummings was one of the leading 
physicians of the State, and an honored and useful 
citizen of Austin. 

His father, Stephen Cummings, was a native of 
Maryland and his mother, Nancy G. (Rowe) Cum- 
mings, a native of North Carolina. 

His father was a Texas pioneer, resident at 
Austin as early as 1840. Dr. Cummings was a 
native of Austin and was born November 30, 1849. 
During boyhood and youth he led an active outdoor 
life, which gave him a robust physique and he ab- 
sorbed the spirit of patriotism and valor that per- 
meated the atmosphere during these exciting days 
of struggle between the founders of Austin and 
hostile Indians. He attended the schools of his 
native city, took a course of study at Round Rock 
(Texas) Academy, was an apt and thorough stu- 
dent, and at the age of twenty years (1869) entered 
Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pa., 
and graduated from that institution with the high- 
est honors of a large class in 1871. August 5th, 
1872, he married Miss Texas, daughter of Thomas 
Glasscock, one of the bravest and most chivalrous 
defenders of the cause of the " Lone Star Repub- 
lic " in her struggle for independence. More ex- 
tended mention is made of Mr. Glasscock elsewhere 
in this volume. Mrs. Cummings, like her husband, 
was born and grew up in Austin, and she there re- 
ceived an excellent education. She seems to have 
inherited from her parents that love of country, that 
zeal and patriotism which finally secured to the 
founders of this great commonwealth their rights, 
viz., their liberty and their happiness, and there are 
very few, if any, who hold in more grateful remem- 
brance the glorious and heroic deeds of her imme- 
diate ancestors and their allies, than does Mrs. 
Cummings. She lives, in the prime of womanhood, 
at her home in Austin, with a beautiful and accom- 



plished daughter. Miss Penina Browning Cummings, 
and a promising son, Josephus, in the enjoyment of 
a comfortable competency. 

Dr. Cummings immediately after his return to 
Austin in 1872 entered upon the practice of bis 
profession. He paid especial attention to surgery 
and was called to perform many difflcult and won- 
derful operations and so phenomenal was his success 
in surgery that reports of his skillful work have been 
recorded in the works of medical science and will 
live in history to instruct these who seek to attain 
perfection in the science of surgery. 

He, therefore, became prominent and essentially 
a leader of the profession in his section of the State, 
and later in the State at large. He was for three 
years secretary of the Travis County Medical Soci- 
ety, and afterwards president of the same. He 
was also a valuable and influential member of the 
Austin District Medical Society, and the Texas 
State Medical Association, before which latter body 
he read several valuable papers on surgical science. 
He held the responsible office of city and county 
physician, and it was mainly due to his influence 
that the spacious and comfortable city hospital was 
built. He was a busy man, with active brain and 
willing and ready hands. Aside from his various 
contributions to the medical journals of his day and 
papers read before the various medical associations 
of which he was a member, he was at the period 
of his untimely death collecting data and compil- 
ing material for a contemplated work on surgery, 
selections from which appeared from time to time 
in the St. Louis Courier 3Iedical Journal. Few 
men took greater interest in the benevolent and 
fraternal interests of his city and State than he 
did, and he gave much of his valuable time to such 
organizations. He was a charter member of the 
orders of Knights of Honor and Knights and La- 




A. L. MATLOCK. 



INDIAN WARS AND I'lONEEWS OF TEXAS. 



700 



dies of Honor ; held the office of Deputy Grand 
Dictator of the former, and at the time of his death 
was active in these societies. He was also an active 
member of the Ancient Order of Worliing Men, the 
Good Fellows, Knights of Dixie, Select Knights, 
and Lake City Camp, Woodmen of the World. 
Provisional Head Sovereign Frost, of Atlanta, Ga., 
in a communication to Lake City Camp, at Austin, 
said : " Woodcraft has lost a great sovereign and 
Austin a good man." 

The Texas Sanitarian, a medical periodical pub- 
lished at Austin, his native city, refers to him in 
a published sketch as strictly ethical in all of his 
professional relations, and also paid him the most 
graceful of all tributes in saying that " he was a 
friend to the poor." 

Dr. Cummings was, withal, a practical and suc- 



cessful man of affairs. He eschewed politics as a 
means of self-aggrandizement, or profit ; but, as a 
loyal Democrat and a patriotic citizen, his vote, his 
good counsel, and wide influence could always be 
obtained, and, when given, was found to be on the 
side of good government. He was for a time 
United States Pension Examiner, served several 
terms as city and county physician, and was sev- 
eral times Alderman (when very young), and^in that 
position was the promoter of nearly all of the early 
sanitary means adopted by the city. Dr. Cummings 
was a man of strong intellect, splendid physique and 
presence, and great personal magnetism, and was 
bound by ties of lasting endearment to his thou- 
sands of loyal and admiring friends, embracing not 
only members of his profession, but men in nearly 
every other walk of life. 



JOHN T. CRADDOCK, 

GREENVILLE, 



John T. Craddock was born in Henry County, 
Ala., December 14, 1855. His parents were Hin- 
ton and Elizabeth Craddock. He was reared in 
Wood County, Texas ; received his preliminary 
education in the common schools of tliat county 
and for about two years attended Mansfield Col- 
lege, in Tarrant County ; six years was County 
Clerk of Wood County ; read law under Judge L. 
W. Crow, of Quitman, Texas, where he was 
licensed to practice ; served in 1889 and 1890 as 
assistant to Attorney-General Hogg in the Attorney- 



General's office ; has resided at Greenville, Texas, 
since April, 1891, since which date he has been 
General Attorney of the East Line & Red River 
Railroad Company, now known as the Sherman, 
Shreveport & Houston Railroad Company ; 
married Miss Sarah Hart, daughter of V. 
T. Hart, of Mineola, Texas, February 22, 1882 ; 
is a lawyer of distinction and is widely known 
to the members of his profession and men who 
take an interest in public affairs throughout the 
State. 



A. L. MATLOCK, 



FORT WORTH. 



Hon. A. L. Matlock, one of the brightest orna- 
ments of the Texas bar and a political leader, 
whose white plume has led the way in more than 
one hotly-contested political campaign, was born 
in Roane County, Tenn., on the 23d of April, 1852. 
His parents were Col. A. and Mrs. Margaret (Rus- 
sell) Matlock, who were also born in East Tennessee, 



The former was a son of Jason Matlock, of Welsh 
and Scotch descent, a pioneer of that State. Rep- 
resentatives of the family formed a settlement in 
America at an early day. The mother of Mr. Mat- 
lock was a daughter of William Russell, of Irish 
descent, also a decendant of a pioneer family of 
Tennessee. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The childboofl and youth of A. L. Matlock were 
passed in Blount County, Tenn., to which county 
his parents moved during his infancy. He grew 
up on a farm ; attended school and completed his 
education at Ewing and Jefferson College, Tenn., 
from which institution he graduated with the class 
of 1870. Desiring to qualify himself for the bar, 
lie prosecuted the study of the law under Judges 
Green and Carruthers at the law school at Leba- 
non, Tenn., from wliich he graduated with distinc- 
tion in 1872. In the same year he was admitted to 
practice, being at that time twenty 3'ears of age, 
and located in Loudon, Tenn., where he opened an 
office and pursued his profession until the fall of 
1873, and then moved to Texas and settled at Mon- 
tague, where he soonbuilt up alarge and paying prac- 
tice and gave evidence of those superior qualities of 
mind and that thorough grounding in the principles 
and practice of law which have since enabled him to 
achieve eminence in the profession. Mr. Matlock 
continued to reside in Montague until 1889, and 
then moved to Fort Worth, where he has since been 
successfully engaged in practice, winning with the 
passage of each year brighter laurels. He has had 
to meet the best forensic talent in the legal arena, 
but the most redoubtable have found him a foeman 
worth}' of their steel. He is considered a conscien- 
tious, painstaking, learned and able lawyer. 

In 1876 Mr. Matlock was united in marriage 
to Miss Annie Herbert, of Denton, Texas, 
daughter of Dr. C. L. Herbert, a native of Ten- 
nessee. She died a year later and in 1879 Mr. 
Matlock married Miss Alice Hyatt, born in Missouri, 
a daughter of Mr. Smith and Mrs. Clara (Weaver) 
Hyatt, who came to Texas in 1878. Mrs. Matlock 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and is a lady of many social and Christian 
graces, and admired by a wide circle of friends, in 
the city of Fort Worth and throughout Texas. 

Mr. Matlock served as County Attorney of 



Montague County from 1870 to 1878, during which 
time he made a State reputation as a fearless and 
successful prosecuting attorney. It was during 
this time that many of the most notorious murder 
cases in the State were tried and convictions 
secured, notably the Krebs, Preston and Brown 
cases. 

In 1880 Mr. Matlock was elected to the State 
Legislature from the district comprising Wise 
County, and a contiguous section north of the 
Texas and Pacific Railway. In that body he 
served as Chairman of the House Committee on 
Public Lands and Land Office, and succeeded in 
securing the passage of several bills relating to the 
public domain, that have resulted in great benefit 
to that section of the State. In 1882 he was elected 
to the State Senate, and served in that body for a 
period of two years. In 1884 he was nominated by 
the Democracy, made an active canvass, and was 
elected a presidential elector and cast his vote for 
Grover Cleveland. The Clark and Hogg guberna- 
torial campaign was one of the most hotly con- 
tested that has been fought in Texas since its 
existence as a State. Both sides selected their 
best men to lead in and manage the battle. Mr. 
Matlock was selected as the chairman of the Clark 
Democracy, and managed the forces at his dis- 
posal with a skill and brilliancy that gained him a 
national reputation as a political leader. Since 
1887 he has represented the Capital Syndicate and 
other large interests, and now enjoys a large and 
lucrative practice. As a law^'er he has few equals 
at the Texas bar. In social life he is genial and 
engaging, and as a citizen he has sought to do his 
duly faithfull}' and fearlesslj* as he has seen it, and 
it is not surprising that he should occupy a place 
among the foremost Texians of to-day. This suc- 
cess has come to him as a result of correct living 
and unremitting labor, and is well worth what it 
has cost in self-denial and time expended. 



W. L. DAVIDSON, 

GEORGETOWN. 



Hon. W. L. Davidson, Associate Justice of the 
State Court of Criminal Appeals, and a jurist whose 
labors have done much to cause the Texas reports 
to take higher rank in other States, is a native of 
Mississippi. He was born at Grenada, in that 



State, November 5, 1845 ; moved to Texas in 1851 
with his parents. Rev. Asbury and Mrs. Mary M. 
Davidson, who settled at Gonzales ; was educated 
at Gonzales College and Stonewall Institute, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1871. December 22, 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



711 



1870, be was united in marriage to Miss .Susan B. 
Howard. They have fivo children, viz. : Nellie B., 
Katie H., William Howard, Thomas Pope and 
Frank Ross Davidson. In January, 1887, Judge 
Davidson moved to Georgetown, in Williamson 
County, which remains his non-official home. He 
vras Assistant Attorney-General for four years, 
from February 4th, 1887 (Governor L. S. Ross' 
administration), until February 2, 1891, when he 
was appointed by Governor James S. Hogg an As- 
sociate Justice of the Court of Criminal Appeals to 
fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge 
Sam. A. Wilson. During the war between the 
States he served in the Confederate army as a 
soldier in Company B., Thirty-second Regiment of 
Texas Cavalry, and was with Taylor's army during 
the Louisiana campaign in 1864, that was so brill- 
iantly signalized by the battles of Mansfield, 
Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, and resulted in 
driving Banks back to Lower Louisiana. Judge 
Davidson has always been a Democrat, and has 
done good work for the party. He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Ma- 
sonic fraternity. As a practitioner at the bar he 
won deserved renown, not only as an able lawyer, 
but as a forcible speaker, and as a lawyer whose 
hands were clean, whose heart was pure and who 
never deserted his clients. The writer of this 
article remembers a dramatic scene in which Judge 
Davidson was one of the principal actors. He was 
employed in a case in which he felt no personal, 
but certainly a deep professional, interest. The 
defendants were charged with murder. The kill- 
ing for which they were arraigned took place under 
circumstances that aroused the greatest public in- 
dignation. The town and county were in a wild 
state of excitement, and threats of mob violence 
were openly made. The occasion to which I 
refer was the taking of evidence in the Dis- 
trict Court upon an application that he had 
made for bail under habeas corpus proceedings. 
The court-room was packed with eager spectators 
and listeners who glared at the defendants like so 



many hungry tigers. There was not a friendly 
face in the courtroom. The least mistake upon the 
part of the counsel would have precipitated blood- 
shed. Judge Davidson, while perfectly cool, stood 
firmly up for the rights of his clients. His per- 
sonal bearing and the skill with which he managed 
his side of the case, won for him the admiration of 
the court, local members of the bar, and even the 
hostile crowd by which he was surrounded upon all 
sides and which at the beginning felt for him very 
little less animosity than it did for the men whom 
he was defending. After court adjourned, at the 
close of the proceedings, such remarks as the fol- 
lowing were to be heard upon the streets: "Judge 
Davidson was more than a match for all the lawyers 
that were pitted against him. I tell you, he is a 
mighty fine lawyer. Did you notice how cool he 
was, how he stood up for the rights of his clients 
and how he took advantage of every mistake of the 
other side, while he was gentlemanly and courteous 
throughout; they couldn't bulldoze him worth a 
cent. He is the man, if I were in trouble, that I 
would wantto employ." Judge Davidson's appoint- 
ment to the bench of the Criminal Court of Appeals 
met with the hearty approbation of his brother 
members of the legal profession and of the people 
of Texas, and he has since been nominated and 
elected to that position practically without opposi- 
tion. He possesses an essentially judicial mind. 
A man of tender sensibilities, he nevertheless pos- 
sesses the power of laying sentiment entirely aside 
and looking exclusively at the law of the case in 
passing upon a question submitted to the court upon 
appeal, and guiding his course solely by the pole- 
star of duty. He possesses the rare faculty of 
looking at both sides of an issue, and giving full 
weight and credit to the authorities and arguments 
submitted in support of each side, and forming a 
correct decision. As a result it is not strange that 
he should have been elected to the position that he 
now holds and that while holding it he reflects 
honor upon himself, and credit upon the State and 
the high court of which he is a member. 



W. H. FORD, 

BEAUMONT. 



Judge W. H. Ford was born in Newton County, 
Texas, August 13th, 1843. Parents, David and 
Mariah V. Ford. 



His father was one of the pioneer ministers of 
the M. E. Church South, in Texas. 

Judge Ford acquired a good literary education in 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the common schools of his native county and at 
McKenzie College, at Clarksville, Texas. 

From 1862 to 1865 he served in the Confederate 
army as a member of Whitfield's Legion, Eoss 
Brigade, and participated in all the battles in which 
that famous brigade was engaged. 

In 1872-73 he served as Sheriff of Newton 
County, studied law at leisure moments, and when 
he retired from the office attended the law school at 
Lebanon, Tenn., from which he graduated. 

In 1875 he moved to Jasper, Jasper County, and 
formed a law partnership with his brother, which 
continued until 1880. 

In 1878 he was appointed District Attorney of 
the First Judicial District of Texas by Governor O. 
M. Koberts, and two years later was elected Dis- 
trict Judge of the district, which position he filled 
until 1803. 



He is a member of the M. E. Church Soutli, and 
Masonic fraternity, in the latter of which he has 
taken the Royal Arch degree. 

His first wife was Miss Octavia Coleman, of Sa- 
bine County, Texas. There was no issue by 
this marriage. She died at Beaumont, April 6, 
1893. 

Later he married Miss Evalyn Thompson, of 
Beaumont, by whom he has one child. 

Judge Ford is a member of the firm of Ford & 
Jones, at Beaumont. 

As an ex-District Judge, lawyer and citizen, 
Judge Ford stands deservedly high for his very 
superior abilities, learning and probity. He has 
taken an active interest in every movement designed 
for the promotion of the best interests of the section 
of the State in which he lives. 



J. M. BROWN, 



GALVESTON. 



What a truly noble and praiseworthy achievement 
it is to live an upright and useful life, to surmount 
the numberless obstacles and dangers that obstruct 
the way that leads from youth to old age and, at 
last, to stand forth, honored and beloved, a victor 
in the great struggle, and, surrounded by dear ones 
and friends, to enjoy in the calm evening-time the 
fruits of well directed efforts. 

A successful life — a truly successful life — how 
very much those words imply can only be fully ap- 
preciated when we stop to consider how much it 
takes to make up such a life and call to mind the 
fact that to one such there are ten thousand total or 
partial failures — due to energies wasted, talents 
misapplied, judgments gone astray, the pursuit of 
selfish and ignoble ends, idleness, want of mental 
strength, fixedness of purpose and personal honor, 
surrender to the allurements of vice and the world. 
He who sails the ocean of this life must needs steer 
his barque, not like the fabled Ulysses, between one 
Scylla and Cliarybdis, but among many, and resist 
charms of song more potent than those that lured 
the unwary mariners of Grecian myth to ship- 
wreck and death when they thought to find repose. 
The successful voyager must be stout and true and 
brave; success must have no power to spoil him, 
danger no power to daunt, and disaster no power 



to chill. He must toil in the sunshine and the rain 
and in the winter's blasts, not only for himself, but 
for all about him ; not only for those of his own 
generation but, as far as in him lies, for mankind 
in all time to come. There is a nobility that no 
king, though an autocrat, can confer. The patent 
is issued by the Almighty and it is conferred alone 
as a reward of right living, of work well and ably 
done — of true merit, whose truth has been tested 
by trial. 

While we are subject to misapprehensions with 
reference to those who surround us in the land of 
the living, we are enabled, in a measure at least, to 
construct a connected history and fathom tbe mean- 
ing of a life that has been lived. If there were 
more real biography there would be more real his- 
torj', for such history as we have is a patchwork, 
poorly put together, made up of parts of many 
lives. And when we speak of history it is well to 
reflect and ask ourselves "What is the utility of 
history? " Its true office is not merely to inform 
us of what has happened nor why it has happened, 
but to bequeath to us that wisdom that is to 
be gathered alone from the dust of ages, that 
wisdom which teaches men and nations how to 
avoid mistakes and to live nobly, to catch up the 
threads that lead through the labyrinth and advance 




^. Sfl,. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



713 



along patlis that lead to the highest good ; to in- 
struct the individual soul, in order that, according 
to its capacity, it may best perform its part lierc in 
tliis work-a-day world, and fit itself for whatever 
higher destiny it is, by its inherent composition, 
capable of attaining under the general plan of 
being. 

This ofHce of history of which I speak is mainly 
to be accomplished through biography. 

The life and character of the subject of this 
memoir, the late Col. J. M. Brown, of Galveston, 
are replete with useful lessons. Starting without 
the aid of powerful friends or means, his life was 
a successful one in the highest and truest sense, 
and he has left to his descendants a heritage that 
they prize more than the ample fortune that came 
to him as a partial reward of his efforts and that 
he has bequeathed to them. 

The Galveston Daily News, of Thursday, Decem- 
ber 26, 1895, says of him in its editorial columns : — 

"In the death of Col. J. M. Brown, which oc- 
curred last Tuesday night, Galveston lost one of 
her most successful and influential business men 
and Texas one of her most enterprising citizens. 
Scarcely an enterprise of importance has been in- 
augurated in Galveston during the past forty-odd 
years that has not been assisted to success through 
the splendid business judgment and executive ability 
of Col. Brown." • * * 

Col. Brown was born in New York City on the 
22d day of September, 1821, and was one of a 
family of sixteen children, all of whom preceded 
him to the grave. His parents, John M. and 
Hannah (Kroutz) Brown were natives of Holland. 
They were well-to-do and bestowed upon him 
every care that affection could dictate, but, while 
he returned their love, he was eager to push out 
into the busy world, and this spirit of adventure 
becoming too strong for him to control, he, at 
twelve years of age, left home without their knowl- 
edge, and it was more than two years before they 
located him and brought him back. He remained 
with his parents for a time, and then again left, 
going to the western portion of the State, where he 
secured employment driving a canal-boat along the 
Erie canal. During those days he had Charley 
Mallory, afterwards of the famous Mallory Steam- 
ship Line, as a copartner in driving canal-boats. 
After his desire for adventure had been partly 
appeased, his father put him at the brick-mason's 
trade, at which he served a full term of appren- 
ticeship. He also acquired considerable ability as 
an architect, and in furnishing estimates on work. 

Thus equipped, he started South, and the diarj' 
of his travels shows that at different points south of 



the Ohio river, he engaged in courthouse, cistern 
and jail work, taking contracts, and furnishing 
estimates. He arrived in Galveston in 1842 or 
1843. He erected the first brick jail on Galveston 
Island. Other monuments of his architectural and 
mechanical skill are the old market house, the 
cathedral, and the home in which he died, on the 
northeast corner of Twenty-fourth street and 
Broadway, that being, it is said, the first brick 
residence erected in this State. He built it in 1859, 
and some of the parlor furniture is the same that 
he selected in New York, after completing his new 
home. Some time before the war he formed a 
copartnership with Mr. Stephen Kirkland and 
engaged in the hardware business under the firm 
name of Brown & Kirkland. Col. Brown was a 
member of the first fire company organized in the 
city, and his partner, Mr. Kirkland, built the first 
hook and ladder truck used in the State. Col. 
Brown held the position as foreman in the com- 
pany for many years. 

After the war. Col. Brown continued in the hard- 
ware business under the firm name of Brown & 
Lang, and after the death of Mr. Lang, his busi- 
ness was incorporated into a stock company, known 
as the J. S. Brown Hardware Company, which is 
to-day the largest wholesale establishment of the 
kind in the South. 

Almost from the beginning Col. Brown took a 
prominent place among the inhabitants of his new 
home, and but a few years lapsed before he was 
recognized as a powerful and leading spirit in the 
promotion of every enterprise designed to benefit 
the city, and as an effective worker for the up- 
building of the commercial interests of Galveston. 
He became interested in the Galveston, Houston & 
Henderson Railroad, and during a period of four 
years, embracing the latter part of the Civil War, 
was president of the road. By his orders a portion 
of Gen. Magruder's command was transported from 
Houston to Galveston over the road when the city 
was besieged by the enemy. It was then that Gen. 
Magruder conferred upon him the title of Colonel. 
During his term as president of the road he paid 
off the floating indebtedness and declared monthly 
dividends, an evidence of good management that 
was very gratifying to the stockholders. Col. 
Brown made money rapidly, but lost heavily as a 
result of the war, all of his slaves being set free. 
Not at all disheartened he furnished his ex-slaves 
with comfortable homes and set to work witii 
redoubled zeal. As a consequence prosperity 
attended him, his power for usefulness increased, 
he became the promoter and head of many great 
enterprises and was enabled to accomplish an im- 



INDIAN WARS AND FIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



mense amount of good before the summons came 
for him to cease his labors. 

Col. Brown was debarred from active military 
service during the war by reason of the fact that he 
was purchasing agent in Mexico for the Confeder- 
ate States government and tlie further fact that he 
was president of an important railway line. Dur- 
ing the E. J. Davis reconstruction period he, with 
other well-known and influential businessmen, com- 
posed the Board of Aldermen of Galveston, ap- 
pointed by the Governor. Out of their private 
funds they bridged the city over and placed it in a 
condition to recover the ground it had lost by rea- 
son of a siege of disaster. 

Later business enterprises inaugurated by Col. 
Brown embraced the Plrst National Bank of Gal- 
veston, of which he was president for many years, 
lie planned the bank building and superintended 
its erection. 

About ten years ago he was elected president of 
the Galveston Wharf Company. Years prior to that 
time he became identified with the interests of the 
company, and his keen business judgment pointed 
out to him certain improvements which he thought 
the business of the company required, and which 
would be a paying investment. He agitated, and 
recommended, and contended for the improvements, 
which have since been made along the wharf 
proper, but he failed to enlist the enterprise of his 
associates with his line of thought, and then, it is 
said, his enthusiasm reached such a pitch that he 
proposed to lease the entire property at an annual 
rental to be fixed by a board of appraisers for a 
term of fifty or one hundred years, and during that 
time he proposed to put into effect his plans, which 
subsequentlj' were given effect. When he became 
president of the company he secured sufficient influ- 
ence to carry out his ideas and to inaugurate the 
system of improvements he had so long contended 
for, and Galveston is now said to have as fine 
wharf improvements as arc to l)e found anywhere 
in this countr}'. 

He was a moving spirit in the Galveston Gas 
Company, the Galveston Electric Light Company, 
the bagging factory, and he filled the position of 
chairman of the construction committee which had 
in hand the difficult task of bringing to perfection 
the splendid system of waterworks of Galveston. 
In business Col. Brown displayed splendid execu- 
tive force. He was a good judge of human nature, 
and rarely made a mistake in selecting his lieuten- 
ants for business undertakings. His judgment was 
quick and unerring, going into the most minute de- 
tails of an enterprise. 

Personally he was a man of strong likes and dis- 



likes. He often said that he did not make money 
to hoard it, but desired to surround his family with 
comforts and advantages, and at the same time do 
all in his power to make those around and about 
him happy. He never turned his back on the needy. 
His private charities will never be known. It is 
said that he contributed at one time So, 000 for the 
relief of the distressed after the great fire in Gal- 
veston, but at the time nothing wag known about 
it, and perhaps this is the first time his contribution 
has seen the light of public print. Many families 
will miss his gifts this Christmas, and many will 
drop a silent tear when they learn that their erst- 
while benefactor is no more. His contributions to 
charity, it is said, are known only to his youngest 
daughter, Miss Bettie, who shared his confidence to 
a degree that marked the most tender companion- 
ship between father and daughter. * » » 

" Socially, Col. Brown was a gentleman of the 
old Southern type. He was warm-hearted, cour- 
teous and chivalrous. While his life was devoted 
to business, in any social gathering he was always 
at ease, and at his own home his hospitality was 
unbounded. His love of home and family was a 
strong trait in his character. For several years 
five generations of the family have met in his home 
at Christmas time and welded closer the sacred ties 
of relationship, but all was changed on the eve of 
the happy reunion which was looked forward to 
again this j'ear. The haud that had so often ex- 
tended the greeting of welcome was stricken pulse- 
less in death. He was the oldest living member of 
the Knights Templar in Galveston, and he was an 
early member of the Odd Fellows. 

" His extensive relations in New York and his 
successful business enterprises widened the scope 
of his acquaintance and brought him in touch with 
many leading men of the country. During the life 
of A. T. Stewart he never went to New York with- 
out calling on the merchant-prince, with whom he 
enjoyed an intimate acquaintance. 

" For over a year past Col. Brown's health had 
been failing, and last February he left with his 
daughter. Miss Bettie, and his son. Dr. M. R. 
Brown, hoping to stay the disease. He returned 
last October, and since then had been confined to 
his home. He passed away peacefully, surrounded 
by members of his immediate family. 

" The funeral will take place from Trinity Church 
at 11 a. m. to-day. The following pall-bearers are 
requested to meet at the family residence : George 
Sealy, Leon Blum, W. L. Moody, Nicholas Weeks, 
W. S. Davis, George E. Mann, Charles L. Beiss- 
ner, C. O. C. Count, of New York, T. A. Stod- 
dard, of St. Louis, .J. Fullar, of New York, O. G. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERii OF TEXAS. 



715 



Murray, of Cincinnati, John D. Rogers, J. 11. 
Hutchings, B. F. Yokum, J. E. Baily, Henry 
Runge, B. Adoiie, T. E. Thompson, L. C. Hirsch- 
berger, AVm. M. Rice, of Houston, and J. D. Skin- 
ner. 

" After the services at Trinity Church the Knights 
Templar will take charge of the remains and pro- 
ceed to the cemetery, where the impressive burial 
services of the order will be held." 

Col. Brown was not only an exceedingly able, 
but what is of far more importance, a really good 
and sincerely pious man, loving and reverencing 
God, loving and helping his fellow-man. and loving 
and tenderly caring for the members of his imme- 
diate household. He has left his impress strong 
and deep upon the history of Galveston. The 



influence of his thousands of good deeds, flowing 
through countless unseen channels, will be felt for 
many years to come. Col. Brown was married in 
Galveston, Texas, in 1846, to Miss Rebecca Ashton 
Stoddart, a beautiful young lady to whom he had 
become deeply attached. From that time forward 
until his death she was the companion of his joys 
and sorrows, his successes and reverses. He at- 
tributed much of his success in life to her wise 
counsels and ever-cheerful aid. She and five chil- 
dren survive. The children are: J. S. Brown and 
C. R. Brown, of Galveston ; Dr. M. R. Brown, of Chi- 
cago ; Matilda E. Brown and Miss R. A. (known as 
Miss Bettie) Brown, of Galveston. Miss Bettie 
Brown is well known in the world of art as a 
painter. 



EMILIO C. FORTO, 

BROWNSVILLE. 



It is written that " a prophet is not without 
honor, save in his own country," but this does not 
hold good with reference to the subject of this 
sketch. The Laredo Times, in a review of 
Brownsville and Cameron County, in 1889, said: 
" Jurlge Forto has contributed over his signature 
articles relating to his county to Texas periodicals 
and is thoroughly familiar with everything that 
pertains to it. He is a fine specimen of the edu- 
cated Spanish gentleman. He left his native coun- 
try, Spain, when quite a boy, and came here when 
about seventeen years of age. He possesses one of 
the most comfortable homes in Brownsville." 

He was then County Judge of Cameron County, 
which position he held for several j'ears, and con- 
tinued on the bench until the fall of 1892, when he 
was elected Sheriff. In the latter position he has 
developed a promptness and skill in dealing with 
law-breakers which insures to the people a continu- 
ation of peace and quiet. 

Sailing from his home in Spain, he landed in the 
city of New Orleans, La., in 1867, when sixteen 
years of age, and while in the Crescent City se- 



cured a position in a prominent commercial house 
at Matamoros, Mexico, and reached the latter place 
and entered upon the discharge of his duties in 
1868, and, at the end of 1869, located in Browns- 
ville, Texas, where he occupied the position of 
bookkeeper in the house of Don Antonio Yznaga 
for two years, after which he started in business for 
himself as a commission merchant and custom- 
house broker. Upon tiic completion of the rail- 
road between Laredo aad Monterey, the foreign 
trade being then diverted from Brownsville, he de- 
voted himself to the study of law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1884. He has been in public life since 
1876 and has held many important positions. For 
twelve years in succession he served as a City Alder- 
man, as Justice of the Peace for three years, as 
District Clerk for two years, as County Judge eight 
years, and at present holds the office of Secretary 
of the Board of Public Education of the city of 
Brownsville, and is Sheriff of the county of Cam- 
eron. He has been a member of the Board of 
Public Education since 1880 and Sheriff since 
1892. 



716 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEUS OF TEXAS. 



A. HARRIS, 

DALLAS. 



Adolph Harris was born in Prussia, Germany, 
Marcli 7th, 1842. In 1859 (June) he left the 
scenes of his native land and came direct to Texas. 
From 1859 to 1863 he attended the public schools 
of Limestone County ; going from Limestone 



Mr. Jalie Harris, in 1886. In 1887 the firm then 
became Fellman, Grumbacb & Harris, of Dallas. 
Mr. Harris was the only member of the firm who 
resided in Dallas. This copartnership was formed 
for five years. At the end of that time Mr. Harris 




A. HARRIS. 



County to Houston, where he formed a partnership 
with a Mr. Fox, and engaged in the wholesale dry 
goods business under the firm name of Harris & 
Fox. This firm continued until 1878, when it was 
reorganized ; Mr. Fox withdrawing, and Mr. Harris 
took his brother, Jake Harris, in as a partner. The 
firm of Harris Bros, continued until the death of 



bought out his jiartners' interest, and took his 
nephew, Mr. S. Marcus, in as a partner. They 
have built up a business that few firms in the South 
enjoy. 

Mr. Harris is now in the prime of his manhood, 
and by close attention to business has amassed a 
large competency. Surrounded with an interesting 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



717 



family, his home is one of the most beautiful in 
Dallas, and noted for the hospitalitj' there dis- 
pensed. While not a native of this State, his whole 
energy has been directed to building up Texas. He 
is a liberal contributor to every worthy enterprise 
that tends to the advancement of Dallas. 

On December 4, 1878, he was married to Miss 
Fannie Grumbach, of Galveston, a sister of Mrs. 
Sylvian Blum, of Galveston. They have four 



children : Arthur, Leon, Camille and Marcelle. 
Arthur, the oldest son, is now a student under Prof. 
W. R. Abbott, of Belleville, Va. 

Mr. Harris has a large and influential connection 
in New York. Soon after Mr. Harris arrived in 
this State, his father died in Germany, and his 
mother followed the fortunes of her son to Amer- 
ica. The venerable mother, now in her declining 
years, is still a member of his household. 



ROBERT BOWDRE SAVAGE FOSTER, 

NAVASOTA. 



The subject of this sketch is a native of Augusta, 
Ga., born March 22, 1817. His father was Collier 
Foster, who was a native of Columbia County, 
Ga., and was a son of John Foster. John Foster 
was a planter and prominent State politician in 
Georgia, being elected eighteen out of the twenty- 
one times that he was a candidate for the State 
Legislature. 

The mother of the subject of this sketch bore 
the maiden name of Lucinda Bowdre, and was a 
native of Columbia County, Ga. , and a daughter 
of Robert Bowdre, of French descent, though him- 
self a native of Georgia. 

The subject of this sketch is one of eighteen chil- 
dren born to his parents, and the only one living. 
Subject was chiefly reared in Monroe County, Ga. 
Received an academic education at Jackson Insti- 
tute and his medical education at Transylvania 
University, at Lexington, Ky., from which he 
graduated in 1838. He began the practice of his 
profession at Brownsville, Ga., but remained there 
only a short time, when he moved to Forsyth, the 
county seat. He subsequently moved to Alabama, 
and thence in 1845 to Texas, settling in Washing- 
ton County, near the old town of that name. He 
brought with him to this State a considerable num- 
ber of slaves and some ready money, and, pur- 
chasing land, was soon engaged in planting and 
the practice of medicine, which he followed with 
equal success until the war. Dr. Foster was op- 
posed to slavery on principle, and foresaw that as 
an institution it was destined to give way before 
the onward march of civilization, and, for his part, 
favored surrendering the slaves for a money con- 
sideration such as he believed the Government 
would pay and such as was talked of at the time ; 



and he opposed secession because he thought it un' 
wise and unnecessary. But when Texas went out 
of the Union he contributed of his means to sup- 
port the families of Confederate soldiers at the 
front and gave them his professional services with- 
out pay, or the expectation of it, and in other 
ways did what he could to promote the success of 
the Southern cause. 

In 1862 Dr. Foster moved to Grimes County, 
locating on Roan Prairie, where he lived for twenty 
years, when he settled at his present place of resi- 
dence, three miles east of Navasota. He has been 
engaged all these years, until a comparatively re- 
cent date, in planting, and the practice of medicine, 
but is now retired from both. He has lived a half 
century in Texas, and has seen a great deal of ser- 
vice in the practice of his profession, the circuit of 
his calls in former days covering four counties, and 
remaining large even up to the date of his retire- 
ment. 

He has had but little to do with politics, though 
always an interested spectator in all political con- 
tests. He is a veteran of the Seminole War of 
1836, and draws a pension from the general gov- 
ernment for services rendered in that war. 

Dr. Foster married Miss Charlotte Elizabeth Pine- 
kard, in Monroe Countj', Ga., in 1838. She was born 
in that county July 5, 1819, and was a daughter of 
Thomas and Sarah Pinekard, natives of Virginia. 
The issue of this union was six children, who lived 
to maturity: Thomas C, a physician and farmer; 
Sarah Lucinda, who married Robert Blackshear; 
William J. ; Georgie E. , who married William O. 
Edwards ; Robert Bowdre Savage, and John Frank- 
lin, all, except Mrs. Edwards (who is deceased), 
residents of Grimes County, the sons being among 



718 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



the foremost men in the county, and all well-to-do. 
Mrs. Foster died December 1, 1882. 

Thomas C. Foster, A. M., M. D., eldest son of 
the preceding, was born in Forsyth, Ga., February 
7, 1839. He was brought by his parents to Texas 
in 1845, and reared and educated in Washington 
County, where he attended Soule University and 
Baylor College. His medical education was se- 
cured at the new school of medicine at New Or- 
leans, La., which institution he was attending at 
the opening of the war. He entered the Confeder- 
ate army on the commencement of hostilities as a 
private in the Tenth Texas Infantry, commanded 
by Col. Roger Q. Mills, but was soon made Assist- 
ant Surgeon of the regiment, and served as such 
until the general surrender, when he returned to 
Texas and engaged in the practice of his profession 



and in farming and the stock business, gradually 
relinquishing medicine and giving more and more 
attention to farming and stock-raising, until these 
pursuits have come to occupy his entire time and 
attention. He has greatly prospered at both. A 
staunch Democrat, he takes great interest in polit- 
ical matters. Has served as Chairman of the 
County Democratic Executive Committee and as a 
member and Corresponding Secretary of the Na- 
tional Democratic Committee. He has attended all 
of the county conventions and most of the Con- 
gressional and State conventions for the past twelve 
or fifteen years. 

In June, 18G5, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Annie Blackshear, a daughter of Gen. Thomas 
Blackshear. 



H. M. GARWOOD, 

BASTROP. 



Hon. H. M. Garwood was born in Bastrop, Texas, 
January lllh, 18G4, and is the son of C. B. and 
Mrs. F. B. Garwood. He received a thorough 
education at the University of the South, at Sewa- 
nee, Tenn., graduating with the class of 1883. 
After leaving college he selected the practice of 
law as his profession, and under the guidance of 
Hon. Joseph D. Sayers, Congressman from the 
Tenth District, prepared himself for the bar, to 
which he was admitted in November, 1885. He 
at once began to practice in Bastrop, has since re- 
sided there and now enjoys a lucrative practice and 
occupies a position in the front rank of the legal 
profession in Texas. He was elected to the House 
of Representatives of the Twentieth Legislature, 
and although the youngest member of that body, 
took a prominent part in the legislation enacted, and 
won for himself not only the confidence and high 
regard of his fellow-members but a State-wide rep- 
utation. In the Twentieth Legislature he was a 
member of Judiciary Committee No. 2, the Com- 
mittee on Constitutional Amendments and, as a 
special trust, was put on the special committee to 
which all the educational bills of the House were 
referred. In 1888 Mr. Garwood was elected 
County Judge of Bastrop County and a member of 
the State Democratic Executive Committee. In 
1890 he was nominated by the Democracy and 



elected to the Senate of the Twenty-second Legisla- 
ture from the Thirteenth District, composed of the 
counties of Fayette, Bastrop and Lea. 

He was chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Public Buildings and Grounds, and although it is 
generally conceded that in no previous Texas Senate 
(for many years) were there so many men of brill- 
iant talents and superior mental strength, he was 
considered the peer of the most intellectual and in- 
fluential of his colleagues. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, Knights Templar Degree in Ma- 
sonry, and Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. At 
the dedication of the State capitol he was chosen to 
deliver the Masonic address, a duty which he dis- 
charged in a manner that fully sustained his repu- 
tation as a finished, forcible and eloquent speaker. 
His talents are recognized on every occasion and he 
is put forward as a representative man of his sec- 
tion and people. In the Twentieth Legislature he 
was a leading advocate of the creation of a railroad 
commission (a pioneer worker in that direction) and 
in the Twenty-second Legislature he introduced a 
bill providing for the creation of a commission to 
regulate the freight and passenger charges of rail- 
ways in this State and exercise general supervision 
over those corporations. From this bill and the 
one introduced by Senator Cone Johnson the Sub- 
committee on Internal Improvements prepared the 




H. M. GARWOOD. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



710 



measure which was favorably reported to the Senate. 
Among other important bills, of which he was the 
author in this bodj-, was one requiring every county 
in the State to conform as to public schools to what 
is known as the district system. 

August 9th, 1890, Mr. Garwood was married to 
Miss Hattie Page, daughter of Col. Page, a promi- 
nent lawyer of Bryan, Texas. 



Mr. Garwood is one of the most promising of the 
able young men that the South can boast. The 
future holds for him many bright possibilities and he 
can rise to nearly any eminence, either in his chosen 
profession or in the walivs of public life, that he 
may desire. He commands the unbounded confi- 
dence of the people of his section and of the 
Democracy of Texas. 



CHARLES ESSER, SR., 

WESSON, 



Was born on the Rhine, in Germany, May 1st, 
1827, and emigrated to America in 1849, when 
twenty- two 3'ears of age. Landing at New York 
City he proceeded West, and for about two and a 
half years lived on a farm at Burlington, near 
Racine, Wis. He also lived for a time in the city 
of Milwaukee. He left Chicago, January 1st, 1853, 
for Missouri, and from that State came to Texas in 
1854, and drove a team in the first government 
train-load of supplies sent from San Antonio to Fort 
Belknap. Later he worked for two years for B. F. 
Smitbson, herding cattle in the Smithson's Valley 



country. In the fall of 1857 he bought 207 acres 
of mountain farm lands, and the following year 
married Miss Henrietta Knetch. They have seven 
sons and two daughters, viz. : William, Hermann, 
Minnie, Paul, Clara, Henry, Charles, Jr., George, 
and Richard. He now owns 400 acres of good 
land. 

Charles Esser, Jr., was born on the home farm, 
January 6th, 1871, and married Miss Amelia, 
daughter of John Krauser, of Kendalia, Kendall 
Countj', Texas. They have one child, Cora, born 
December 20th, 1894. 



WILLIAM B. EDGE, 

KENDALIA, 



Was born in Madison County, Ala., April 13th, 
1825, and reared in Georgia, where his father, 
Thomas Edge, was a well-known and prosperous 
farmer. The subject of this notice followed farm- 
ing in Georgia until 1854 ; then came to Texas and, 
after a brief sojourn, went to Arkansas, where he 
lived until 1861, when he bought land from a Mr. 
I'ruett and opened a farm near Kendalia, in Ken- 



dall Count}', Texas, where he has since resided. 
He now owns 3,000 acres of fine farming, grazing 
and timbered land. He married Miss Josah C. 
Carter, a daughter of Paul Carter, in Oglethorpe 
County, Ga., in 1850. Mrs. Edge was born in 
that county, February 12th, 1833. They have four 
children: William T. , George W., Francis M., and 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Dessler. 



720 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



BARNETT GIBBS, 



DALLAS. 



Hon. Barnett Gibbs, ex-Lieutenant-Governor of 
Texas, ex-member of the State Senate and now, 
and for many years, a prominent figure in public 
life in Texas, was born in Yazoo City, Miss., May 
19, 185L His parents were Judge D. D. and Mrs. 
Sallie Dorsey Gibbs, of that State. He is a grand- 
son of Gen. George W. Gibbs, of Tennessee. He 
received his literary education at Spring Hill 
College, Mobile, Ala., and at the University of 
Virginia, and his professional education at the Law 
School at Lebanon, Tenn. He came to Texas in 
1873, and located at Dallas, his present home. The 
citizens of Dallas early showed their appreciation 
of Mr. Gibbs' legal talent by electing him City 
Attorney. This position he held during a period of 
six years. He was then elected to the State Senate, 
made a splendid record, and was later nominated 
by the Democracy and elected to the position of 
Lieutenant-Governor. This office he filled from 
1882 to 1886, during Ireland's administration. 

Col. Gibbs is the youngest Lieutenant-Governor 
Texas ever had, the youngest acting Governor, the 
youngest Senator, and represented the largest sen- 
atorial district in the State. His friends, recogniz- 
ing in him the requisite qualities to represent the 
State with creditable ability, brought him out for 
Congress, and he made the race for the Democratic 
nomination against Hon. Olin Wellborn. The con- 



test resulted in locking the convention, and, as 
usual, a compromise was effected by bringing in 
the traditional "dark horse," named by Gibbs, 
who withdrew in favor of Hon. Jo Abbott, who 
received the nomination. 

Col. Gibbs is a prominent Odd Fellow, being 
Past Grand Master of the order in Texas. 

His wife was Miss Sallie Haynes, a daughter of 
the late J. W. Haynes. He was one of the princi- 
pal and most effective workers in the movements 
that resulted in Deep- Water conventions being held 
in Fort Worth, Denver, Topeka and elsewhere, and 
the Federal Congress making suitable appropria- 
tions for securing deep-water harbors on the Texas 
coast. He has been a liberal contributor to rail- 
roads and every worthy enterprise designed for the 
upbuilding of his section and the State at large. 
As a lawyer, he stands deservedly high, and through 
his practice and good financiering, he has accumu- 
lated a comfortable fortune. 

Enjoying a large personal and political following, 
possessed of remarkable qualities as a statesman 
and politician and being a powerful and magnetic 
speaker and a polished and trenchant writer, he 
has wielded a wide influence in shaping the course 
of public events in Texas. He has at all times 
shown himself a friend of the people and a champion 
of the cause of good government. 



DAVID 



LEVEL, 



LAREDO. 



The subject of this brief memoir is one of the 
few Texas veterans who still survive to relate to 
the historian for the benefit of coming generations 
the experiences of pioneer life on the Southwestern 
frontier. With the rapid flight of years they have 
one by one been passing away and if the story is 
not gleaned now it will soon pass out of human 
memory. Col. Level came to Texas at a time 
when there was great need for young men of his 
stamp. He is a native of the Old Dominion (State 
of Virginia) and was born at AVhite Sulphur 



Springs, in a portion of the State since set off as 
West Virginia, January 1st, 1824. 

His father, .James Level, was a mason b)' trade, 
a native of County Down, Ireland, and came to 
America at about twenty-one years of age a single 
man and located in Virginia. He married Miss 
Nancy McClure, a daughter of David McClure, at 
her father's house in Green Briar County, where 
she was born in the year 1798. 

Mr. and Mrs. Level had two sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom the subject of this notice was the 




DAVID M. LEVEL. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



721 



second born. Margaret was the eldest. She mar- 
ried Robert Patten, and they located in Green 
Briar County, Va., where she reared a large family 
and there died. George was the third born. He 
located in Calloway County, Mo., where he mar- 
ried and reared a family of children. He served in 
the Mexican War in 1846 as a volunteer from White 
Sulphur Springs, Va., under Capt. Caldwell, 
landing at Vera Cruz, and marching to the city of 
Mexico under Gen. Winfield Scott. He re- 
ceived a wound at National Bridge which resulted 
in the loss of his left eye. He draws a Mexican 
veteran's pension of $25.00 per month. Elizabeth 
was the youngest of the family. She married 
Washington Black, and located with him in Kan- 
sas, near Council Grove, where they reared a fam- 
ily of twelve children. 

Col. Level lived at and in the vicinity of his 
native home until 1846, when he came to Texas 
on a prospecting tour. He found the country in 
an unsettled condition, and in active preparation 
for war with Mexico. He immediately identified 
himself with the cause of its people and volunteered 
for service against Mexico as a soldier in Capt. 
Wilder's company, Col. Wood's regiment, which 
was known as the Eastern Regiment of the Texas 
Mounted Rangers. The regiment immediately 
proceeded to the front, crossing on their way to 
join Gen. Taylor the ground of the recently fought 
battle of Palo Alto on the Resaca, in what is now 
Cameron County, Texas, where. Col. Level relates, 
the partially decomposed bodies of dead Mexican 
soldiers lay in large numbers. 

The rangers crossed the Rio Grande, joined Tay- 
lor's forces at Marine, Mexico, and advanced to and 
took part in the storming and capture of Monterey. 
Col. Level served through his term of enlistment, a 
period of six months, and received an honorable 
discharge from the service. Col. M. B. Lamar was 
recruiting a company of picked men from the dis- 
charged men at Monterey for one year and in the 
spring of 1847 was ordered to Beuna Vista ; but, 
owing to sickness. Col. Level did not go. After 
leaving the army he went to Washington County) 
Texas, and there spent one year raising cotton. 
When the gold excitement of 1849 broke out in 
California, Col. Level prepared to go to the gold 
fields and proceeded as far as San Marcos, Texas, 
and there, owing to business miscarriages, abandoned 



his purpose. In the fall of that year he rejoined 
the ranger service, enlisting under Col. Rip Ford, 
and spent three years in active campaigning along 
the Rio Grande frontier, participating in numerous 
Indian fights and skirmishes. Col. Level was 
wounded in a fight with Comanche Indians and 
also had his horse twice shot from under him at a 
point about forty miles east of Corpus Christi. 
After a continuous service of three years. Col. Level 
tried farming on the Rio Grande above Laredo, 
with indifferent success, however, owing to over- 
flows of the river which ruined his crops, and the 
theft of his stock by Indians. He next worked one 
year for Chas. Webb, who had a contract for fur- 
nishing tlie United States garrison at Fort Ewell 
with supiilies. About the year 1856 he received the 
appointment of mounted inspector of United States 
customs at Laredo, at the hands of his former ac- 
quaintatice, Hon. E. J. Davis (later Governor of 
Texas) and held the position until 1861. The war 
between the States then broke out and he served on 
the Rio Grande until late in 1863 and then opened 
a wagon-making shop in Laredo and conducted it 
successfully for a period of about twelve months, 
when he sold out and successfully associated himself 
with Thomas Ryan in the ranch business, raising 
sheep and cattle, in which business he is still 
engaged. 

Col. Level has never married. His life has been 
one of continued activity. As a soldier he was 
brave and aggressive and was a stranger to fear. 
The State never had a more genial, courtly and 
respected citizen. Now in the sunset of an active 
and successful career, the writer finds him at old 
Monterey, Mexico, surveying the scenes of his old 
stamping ground where, a full fifty years ago, he 
fought for and materially contributed to the defeat 
of his country's enemies. Col. Level is a venerable 
lookingman of stalwart and erect physique and bears 
with becoming grace and fortitude the slight in- 
firmities that have come to him with the advancing 
years. He has the esteem and full confidence of a 
wide circle of old-time acquaintances who are ever 
delighted to meet him and recount the experiences 
of by-gone days. He is a splendid type of the 
Texas veteran and the author takes pleasure in 
presenting herewith a life-like portrait of one whom 
all Texian and Mexican War veterans delight to 
honor. 



722 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JOHN HOWELL, 

BOERNE, 



A thrifty and enterprising farmer of Kendall County, 
was born inKerr County, Texas, November 16, 1855, 
and was reared to farming and stock-raising near the 
town of Waring. His father, Levi W. Howell, was 
born in Wales, led a sea-faring life for five years, 
and then^ in 1848, when twenty-two years of age, 
located on the Texas coast in Goliad County and 
engaged in stock-raising. He married, in 1853, 
Miss Sarah E. Nichols, daughter of George Nichols, 
then of Kerr, and now of Kendall County. They 



had two children : John, the subject of this notice, 
and Mattie, widow of Charles Bierschwald. She 
lives at Waring. 

Mr. John Howell was united in marriage to Miss 
America J. Layton, in 1875. They have six chil- 
dren : Monroe, Thomas Levi, John Murry, Minnie, 
Elton Raj', and Henry. 

Mr. Howell's mother died in 1886 at forty-eight 
years of age. 



LAWRENCE J. HYNES, 

BROWNSVILLE, 



Is a well-known and substantial citizen of the city 
of Brownsville, and one of the pioneers of Cameron 
County. He came to Texas at a lime when the re- 
sources of the country were undeveloped and when 
Cameron County was in the infancy of its material 
growth. 

Mr. Hynes was born in Philipstown, County Kings, 
Ireland, May 15th, 1842. His father, Thomas 
Hynes, was a well-to-do farmer, who reared a fam- 
ily of ten children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch is the youngest. Lawrence Hynes came to 
America with a sister in 1850 and went to Utica, 
N. Y., where two brothers, who had preceded them 
to this country, had located. Here he spent his 
boyhood and youth, and learned the carpenter's 
trade with one F* D. Fish, for whom he worked a 
considerable time. From Utica he went to Mis- 
souri, and there worked at his trade. Later he 
went to Mississippi, and pursued his calling in the 
erection of cotton-gins. He went to Matamoros, 
Mexico, and Brownsville, Texas, in the year 1864, 
to erect houses that had been manufactured in and 



shipped from the East. After completing this con- 
tract and doing otiier contract work for a time, he, 
in 1869, engaged in ranching, stock-raising and 
merchandising at Santa Maria, where he continued 
extensively and successfully building up a large 
business until 1893, when he sold his mercantile in- 
terests and a portion of his ranching interests, and 
has since lived a comparatively retired life at his 
elegant home in the citj' of Brownsville. Mi'. Hynes 
is a practical and successful man of business. He 
is self-educated, well-read and well-informed upon 
all of the imitortant issues of the times. He owns 
and occupies one of the most commodious, attract- 
ive and completely equipped homes in the city, and 
is a genial and hospitable gentleman, who delights 
in entertaining his friends. Mr. Hynes has always 
led a quiet and unostentatious life, and has never 
sought political honors or dabbled in politics, and 
has strictly at all times confined himself to his own 
personal affairs. 

His standing as a citizen is of the highest 
order. 




[MICHAKL SCHODTZ. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



?28 



JAMES B. THOMPSON, 

CORPUS CHRISTI, 



Has for over forty years been a resilient of Ibe 
Ijone Star State. He came to Texas in 1853 from 
Louisville, Ky., where he was born July 23d, 1837. 
His parents were Capt. James and Mrs. Nancy 
(Baird) Thompson. Capt. James Thompson was a 
native of Brimneld, Mass., and came West when a 
youth, and pioneered as a steamboatman on the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. His wife, nee Miss 
Nancy Baird, was of Scoth antecedents and born in 
Pennsylvania. Our subject was about sixteen 
j'ears of age when he came to Texas. He was rest- 
less and ambitious to accomplish something for 
himself in the world, and lauding at Port Lavaca, 
entered the, commission business at that place as a 
partner with S. J. Lee, and remained there until the 
war between the States, when he learned of the or- 
ganization of Walker's Battalion at Hempstead, in 
Waller County, Texas, and made his way to that 
point and enlisted in the battalion. Thereafter he 
served three years in the Confederate army in 
Louisiana and Arkansas, during which time he par- 
ticipated in the series of brilliant engagements that 
characterized the Eed River campaign and resulted 
in the defeat and rout of Banks' army. After the 
war Mr. Thompson returned to Fort Lavaca and 
associated himself in business with R. D. Blossman, 
a Texas pioneer of prominence in his day, of whom 
mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The 
new firm did business at Port Lavaca until 1871 



when they removed to Indianola. About this time 
the present branch of the Southern Pacific Railway 
was being built, and the firm opened an establish- 
ment at Victoria, and as the road progressed, they, 
in 1873, went to Cuero. 

In 1875 the firm of Blossman & Thompson was 
dissolved, and Mr. Thompson went to Galveston 
where he formed a copartnership with W. S. Ly- 
brook, with whom he embarked in the cotton trade. 

In 1878 he returned to Cuero and was there ex- 
tensively engaged in merchandising until 1889 
when he came to Corpus Christi, and became a 
member of the present well-known firm of R. G. 
Blossman & Co. 

In 1860 Mr. Thompson married Miss Rosalie, the 
second oldest child of R. D. Blossman. She died 
in 1879, leaving three daughters, viz. : Elanita, who 
is now Mrs. Melvin Kirkpatrick, of Paris, Texas; 
Nancy M. , deceased in 1896, and Miss Mary Lee, 
unmarried. 

There are few more active and energetic old-time 
Texians than Mr. James B. Thompson. He is 
essentially a business man, has never aspired to 
political prominence or official honors, and his suc- 
cess in life is entirely due to his energy, aggressive 
enterprise and integrity. His firm leads in its line 
of trade in Corpus Christi, and has the confidence 
and esteem of a very extensive circle of friends and 
patrons. 



MICHEL SCHODTS, 

BROWNSVILLE. 



Michel Schodts was born in Antwerp, Belgium, 
May SO, 1836, and came to this country during the 
war between the States, spent some time in New 
Orleans as accountant, and then located in Mata- 
moros, in 1862, where he became a clerk and after- 
wards a partner in a large impoiting house. In 
1866 he married Miss Susan Diaz, at Matamoros, 
Mexico. She died three years later, leaving one 
little daughter, Marie Isabel, who now survives 
them and is now married. Some time after he re- 



moved to Brownsville, where he for many years 
carried on a very successful trade in lumber and 
other articles. There he built up a considerable 
fortune, and won numerous warm friends by his good 
qualities of mind and heart. He was highly es- 
teemed as a business man, and generally respected 
as a worthy citizen. The universal regret ex- 
pressed at his untimely end by the people of 
Brownsville proved the high regard in which he was 
held. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



The uight of Friday, February 23, 1896, about ten 
minutes before ten o'clock, two pistol-shots startled 
tiie citizens of Brownsville living near llie corner of 
Washington and Eleventh streets. People imme- 
diately rushed toward the spot, and there found the 
body of Michel Schodts weltering in his life-blood 
and already stiffening in death. Mr. Schodts had 
been passing the evening with a few friends at Ce- 
lestin Jagou's, and was on his way home, having 
walked as far as the corner of Washington and 
Twelfth streets with his friend, Adolph BoUaek, 
standing there and chatting with him before saying 
good-night. His home was but a block further up 
Washington street. Strolling along through the 
beautiful moonlight, which was flooding the earth 
like a silver stream, in the best of humor and prob- 
ably musing on the pleasantries exchanged between 
himself and friends, fearing no harm, suspecting 
nothing, he was shot down in cold blood, within a 
few yards of his own door, by the hand of an assas- 
sin. There were none near enough to see the deed 
in time to give warning to the unsuspecting man, 
but there were people within half a block who heard 
the shots, saw the victim fall and heard his death- 
cry. They also saw the assassin flee, pistol in 
hand, down Eleventh street toward the river, but 
none of these could say who it was that did the 
deed. The man had evidently followed Mr. Schodts 
down the street, watching his opportunity. 

Two weeks before, while walking home with a 
friend, the subject of carrying arms came up, and 
Mr. Schodts remarked: "I never carry any 
weapon. I have never wronged anyone, and don't 
feel afraid that anyone will wrong me." 

A local paper contained the following the suc- 
ceeding morning: — 

" Our little city was shocked from center to cir- 
cumference, as the direful news sped swiftly from 
lip to lip, and at every turn was heard the question : 
' Who did it?' Michel Schodts was a man without 
an enemy, so far as he or his friends knew. Who 
could have been guilty of his murder? From all 
accounts, the assassin was a Mexican and a 
stranger in Brownsville. Shortly before Mr. 
Schodts left Jagou's, where he with several others 
was sitting in a rear room playing a social game, a 
Mexican came into the saloon and asked for a pack- 
age of cigarettes. The porter handed him a pack 
and informed him that they were ten cents. The 
man handed them liack, saying, ' Muy caro ' (too 
dear), walked back to the rear and looked through 
the lattice partition at the party in the back room 
and then left the saloon, but relumed in a short 
whde and asked for a match and again walked 



back to the lattice, looking at those in the other 
room. After this he lefi and was seen to cross the 
street and stop in front of Bloomberg & Raphael's. 
The porter who waited on the man had never seen 
him before, and says that he was a strange Mexi- 
can, rather short in stature, heavily built, appar- 
ently of middle age, and wore dark trousers, with 
a striped, coffee-colored coat and soft hat. This 
man, it is supposed, was the murderer. He was 
not seen or noticed an}' further, and has not been 
seen since, but the man who was seen running down 
Eleventh street with his pistol, just after the mur- 
der, is similarly described. He was seen by Fred. 
I. Hicks and J. D. Anderson running past the 
National Bank. J. P. Putegnat, who was standing 
near Dr. Putegnat's, ran toward the bank and fol- 
lowed the fleeing murderer down Eleventh street as 
far as the Woodhouse store, from which place he 
saw the man disappear in the canebrake near the 
river. 

" Afterwards officers were stationed on the river 
bank to patrol it, but probably too late to prevent 
the murderer from crossing to Mexico. Parties 
claim to have seen a man crossing the river from 
Freeport to the Mexican side shortly after the 
murder occurred. 

" The Matamoros authorities were at once notified 
to be on the lookout, and a report this afternoon 
said that a man had been arrested on suspicion on 
the Mexican side, but no particulars could be 
learned." 

The funeral took place the afternoon of February 
24th, 189G, at half-past four, from the residence of 
the deceased, the remains being taken to the Catholic 
Church for the funeral ceremony. The pall-bearers 
were: G. Follain, E. Benuevendo, Chris Hess, 
Adol[)h Bollock, Celestin Jasjou, Miguel Fernandez, 
Louis Sander, and Louis Wise. The remains were 
encased in a fine metallic casket, which was covered 
with handsome floral tributes. The cortege was one 
of the largest and most imposing ever seen in 
Brownsville. Many sorrowing friends followed the 
body of their old friend to the grave and dropped 
a tear upon the last earthly resting place of this 
good man and true. His daughter offers a large 
reward for the arrest and conviction of his as- 
sassin. 

"One daughter, Mrs. Frank B. Armstrong, of 
Brownsville, and his son-in-law, Frank B. Arm- 
strong, and two grandchildren, Marie-Sylvia and 
Jennie Isabel Armstrong, also a brother, Ferdinand 
Schodts, in Belgium, and a number of nephews and 
nieces and other relatives in New York and Bel- 
gium, survive the deceased." 




M. W. SHAW. 




MRS. SHAW 



INDniN WARS ^iND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



725 



MICHAEL W. SHAW, 

GALVESTON, 



For many years an influential citizen of Galveston, 
was born November 28, 1833, in Lambentheim, on 
the Rhine, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. His father 
was a musician. By industry and economy he 
managed to support his large family. Thinking to 
improve his condition in the New World, he left 
Germany in the fall of 1846, and in December of 
that year landed with his family at Galveston, 
Texas. Here be met with fair success, and might 
have accomplished his purpose of preparing com- 
forts for his declining years, but in 1847, at the 
age of forty-seven, he was stricken with yellow 
fever and died, leaving his wife and six children in 
somewhat straitened circumstances. The widow 
whom he left was his second wife. 

Michael's mother died in Germany when he was 
but three years of age. The children left at the 
father's death had quite a struggle for a subsist- 
ence until they grew to manhood and womanhood. 

Michael's school opportunities were very limited. 
His early education was much neglected, but hav- 
ing a disposition to read and inform himself, he 
has acquired a general knowledge of current litera- 
ture. 

His sister, Mary, married Daniel H. Pallais, a 
•watchmaker, of Galveston, and a master of his pro- 
fession. In 1848 Michael went to live with his 
brother-in-law, who taught him the jeweler's trade, 
and he remained with Mr. Pallais until 1856. 
Having acquired proficiency in tiie trade, he began 
business on his own account in the latter year, and 
met with cordial encouragement. His business 
was rapidly extending, and he was in a fair way to 
achieve financial success when the late war com- 
menced. 

In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a 
private in De Bray's cavalry regiment. The ser- 
vice was to him particularly arduous, as the pre- 
vious fourteen years of his life had been spent 
under shelter, either at the bench or behind the 
counter. The hardships of the military life soon 
began to tell upon even his robust constitution, 
and in 1864 he was discharged on account of disa- 
bility. In 1865, having partially recruited bis 
health, he again entered the army, enlisting in 
the Second Texas Infantry, commanded by Col. 
Moore, and remained with that regiment until the 
final surrender. 

The war which prostrated the South also swept 



away nearly all of Mr. Shaw's means. He lost his 
slaves and other property to such an extent that 
when peace came he had but little left with which 
to begin the battle of life anew. He had, however, 
with a thorough knowledge of his business, youth, 
energy and a little money, and with this capital he 
went to work not only to retrieve what he had lost, 
but to accumulate still more. In 1866 he again 
opened an establishment in old Moro Castle, and 
made money rapidly. In 1869 he experienced a 
second misfortune in the destruction of his estab- 
lishment by fire, in the great conflagration of that 
year. He then moved into a house he owned on 
Tremont street, where a third time he began busi- 
ness. In 1872 he bought and moved into the build- 
ing in which his business is at present conducted 
on the corner of Tremont and Market streets. This 
building was almost totally destroyed by fire on the 
30th of January, 1880,'ibuthas been elegantly refitted, 
and is now one of the substantial business liouses 
of Galveston. He was well and favorably known 
throughout the State when he commenced business 
in 1865, and this formed no inconsiderable part of 
the capital with which he resumed business after 
the surrender. His name is now very widely known 
in the Southwest, and his trade extends through- 
out Texas and into Mexico on the West and Louis- 
iana on the East. In addition to what he manu- 
factures, he imports fancy goods directly through 
the custom house from Paris, France, and buys 
large quantities of domestic goods in New York and 
Philadelphia. 

Mr. Shaw is now reckoned among the ''solid 
men" of Galveston. He owns a handsome resi- 
dence on the corner of Fifteenth and Winnie streets, 
and business houses in the city, which he rents. He 
is a stockhoMer in the Montezuma Mines in New 
Mexico, holding 1,600 shares of the stock. 

Mr. Shaw is a publ c-spirited citizen, investing 
his money in enterprises looking to the growth and 
prosperity of Galveston, and lending liis experience 
and energy to the public institutions which adorn 
the city. He is a member in good standing of the 
Catholic Cliurch. 

In character he is above reproach ; as a citizen, 
highly esteemed ; as the head of a family, affec- 
tionate and devoted. He is endowed with groat 
powers of endurance and is c.-ipable of long-contin- 
ued exertion. He was married, in 1878, to Miss 



726 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Annie Mej'er, who was born in Houston in 1856, 
and educated in that city. Her fatlier died vihen 
she was seven years old, and her mother when she 
was ten. Left alone at so tender an age, she be- 
came a member of the family of Dr. C. R. Nutt, an 
eminent physician and scientist, of Houston. 

iSIr. and Mrs. Shaw have nine children. Ada, a 
daughter of Mr. Shaw's by a former marriage, was 
born March 15, 1858, in Chambers County, Texas, 
and educated in Galveston and at St. Joseph Acad- 
emy, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and is a thoroughly 
accomplished young lady. She is the wife of Guido 
Ruhl, managing clerk of the grocery department of 
Kaufman & Rungy's store at Galveston. She has 
two sons — Willie and Bernhardt. 

The children born to Mr. Shaw by his present 
wife are: Katherine Margaret, a daughter, born 
March 22, 1879; Marshall William, l)orn July 25, 
1880; Charles Leonard, born July 22, 1882, died 



March 8, 1894; William Austin, born June 13, 
1884; Hazel Phillepina, born October 29, 1887; 
Annie Grace, born July 30, 1888; Chas. Trueheart, 
born March 26, 1890; Viola Hildegard, born Jan- 
uary 8, 1892, died April 2, 1894, and Bessie Graf- 
ton, born July 30, 1893. 

With laudable pride Mr. Shaw attributes his suc- 
cess in life to industry, economy and fair dealing. 
He has always been attentive to business. He 
has never given a promissory note since he be- 
gan operating for himself. His credit, wherever he 
is known, is unlimited, and whatever he contracts 
to do, he does, and does in the time, manner and 
form promised. 

He is a strong, independent and useful citizen — 
one of the class of self-made men upon whom the 
stability of the social fabric so largely depends, 
and liy whom cities and nations are made prosper 
ous and enduring. 



JOHN M. DUNCAN, 

TYLER. 



Hon. John M. Duncan was born in Lawrence 
County, Tenn., February 7th, 1851. His parents 
were W. F. and M. C. Duncan, who came to Texas 
in 1858 and 1859, respectively, Mrs. Duncan join- 
ing her husband (who had found employment at 
the Nash Iron Works, in Marion County), in the 
latter year. Mr. W. F. Duncan was for many years 
a respected citizen of Marion and Cass counties, 
dying in Marion County a number of years since. 

John M. Duncan, the subject of this memoir, 
received a good common school education and 
then, having learned the trade of a brickmason, by 
means of which he could support himself, deter- 
mined to undertake the study of law, procured the 
necessary text-books from Hon. John C. Stallcup, 
of Jefferson, read under him the course prescribed 
by the rules of court, and was then admitted to 
the bar at Jefferson in 1872. He soon found that 
the briefless young lawyer's license by no means 
constitutes a talisman, whose magic influence will, 
in every instance, bring immediate recognition 
of abilities, and supply even modest wants. His 
experience was no worse than that of many other 
men, but the fortitude and determination that he 
displayed under adversit}' were remarkable. He 
bad something more than genius, he possessed in 



addition thereto the other qualities that compe- 
success. He very soon had to take down his shin- 
gle and resume the trowel. He had no idea of 
permanently giving up the practice of law. He 
simply saw that he must supply himself with fur- 
ther means with which to again make a start. 
Going to Longview he found no difficulty in secur- 
ing employment, and helped to erect many of the 
brick storehouses now used in that town. In the 
intervals snatched from toil he kept up his studies, 
and four 3'ears after he had secured his license we 
find him, after a number of futile attempts, well 
established in the practice of his profession. To- 
day he is a lawyer second to no practitioner at the 
Texas bar, and as a public speaker has no superior 
in the State, either in the forum or upon the hust- 
ings. His talents are of the highest order and 
have been improved by cultivation. He was elected 
County Attorney of Gregg County in 1876, but 
resigned the office twelve months later, owing to 
the fact that his growing practice demanded all of 
his attention. From 1878 to 1882 he represented 
the counties of Smith, Gregg, Upshur and Camp in 
the State Senate, and made a brilliant record. In 
1884 he was elected County Judge of Smith 
County, and at the expiration of his term of office 




.lOHN M. DUNCAN. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



727 



refused renomination and devoted himself eiitirel}' 
to bis professional duties. 

In January, 1884, he moved to Tyler and formed 
a law partnership with Hon. James S. Hogg, after- 
ward Attorney-General and G >vernor of Texas, 
under the firm name of Duncan & Hogg. 

This professional connection continued until Mr. 
Hogg was elected Attorney-General. Mr. Duncan 
and Hon. H(jrace Chilton, now United States Sena- 
tor from Texas, were appointed general attorneys 
for the receivers of the International & Great 
Northern Railroad in February, 1889. Mr. Chilton 
resigned, June 10th, 1891, leaving Mr. Duncan sole 
attorney, a position which he has held since the re- 
organization of the corporation, and in which he has 
been leading counsel in some of the most celebrated 
law cases known to the judicial history of this 
country. His power and fame as a lawyer have 
grown steadily with the passage of years, and he 
now ranks among the ablest advocates that the 
South can boast. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Allie Davis, 



of Longview, in 1876. She died at Tyler, in July, 
1886, leaving no children. In January, 1890, he 
married bis present wife, nee Miss Eddie 
Louise House, at Tyler. He is a member of the 
Methodist Church, Knights of Pythias, and Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. 

He has been at all times an earnest Democratic 
worker, and has done as much, perhaps, as any 
other single individual in Texas to influence the 
political fortunes of men who have risen to promi- 
nence in this State in recent years, and in sliaping 
the drift of public policies. He has also done his 
full share, when hot campaigns were on, toward 
securing party triumphs. He is well known to every 
Texian, and contrary to the old saying that 
" Prophets are without honor in their own country," 
his services and abilities are generally recognized 
and appreciated. 

He is warm in his personal attachments, unos- 
tentatious in manner, plain and straightforward, 
and, as a lawyer, is one of the brightest ornaments 
of the Texas bar. 



O. CANUTESON, 

WACO. 



Ole Canuteson, a prominent manufacturer of 
Waco, Texas, is a native of Norway, where he was 
born September 4th, 1832, and is the son of Canute- 
son Canuteson and Carina Oleson. His grandfather 
was a watchmaker by trade and his father a black- 
smith, chiefly engaged in the manufacture of tools. 
His father was born in Norway in 1802, and died in 
Bosque County, Texas, in 1888. His mother died 
in LaSalle County, in 1850. Ole Canuteson was 
reared to blaeksmithing and also acquired a good 
general knowledge of mechanics. He came to the 
United States with his parents in 1850. The family 
located for a time in Illinois, where two uncles had 
preceded them. Land at that time vras worth from 
$15 to $20 per acre, and to purchase a farm there 
at that rate, with the additional expense of a house, 
outbuildings, fences and farm implements, was 
beyond the means of the Canuteson exchequer. To 
go farther west, to Iowa, where land was cheaper, 
was suggested and was very nearly being acted 
upon, but the plan was changed. Mr. Cleny Pur- 
son, a Norse emigration agent who came to the 
United States in 1820, and who had established set- 



tlements for bis countrymen in New York, Illinois, 
Iowa and Missouri, had made a tour of investiga- 
tion into Texas and bad just returned with very 
flattering accounts of tiie State, of its mild climate, 
its fertile soil and vast resources. He reported 
that good land could be bought there for fifty cents 
per acre from families who had secured tracts of 
640 acres under the State homestead law, and, after 
duly weighing the advantages and drawbacks that 
might follow, it was decided by the family to go to 
Texas, and thither they started. The party con- 
sisted of the subject of this sketch, his new-made 
wife, his aged father and young brother Andrew, 
and Mr. Purson, with a few single persons. The 
route was bj' the Mississippi to JSTew Orleans, thence 
up Red river to Shreveport, and from there overland 
by wagon to Dallas, where the party arrived just 
before Christmas, and shortly thereafter the Canute- 
sons bought and improved 320 acres of land, paying 
83 per acre. 

In 1853 the subject of this notice and Mr. P. 
Bryant, acting for themselves and a party of immi. 
grants who bad come over from Norway, and who 



728 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



desired to find and locate upon unappropriated 
public land under the land law of that year (giving 
to each head of a family of actual settlers 320 acres 
of land), visited Waco, then a little village, to con- 
sult with the old pioneer and surveyor, Maj. George 
B. Erath, in regard to land matters on the Bosque. 
This gentleman, who had for years made survej-s 
all over that section of the State, took at once a 
friendly interest in him and his companion, showing 
him on his maps where vacant land was to be had. 
Later Maj. Erath, with Neil and Duncan McLen- 
nan, went with Mr. Canuteson, made the surveys 
and field notes for a large tract of land, and thus 
about fifteen families were established on Neill and 



own doors, but later on, when a grist-mill was 
started at Waco, it was hauled there by ox- 
wagons and sold from $1.25 to $L50 per bushel. 
Corn at that period did not do well. The cultiva- 
tion of cotton was not thought of by settlers, the 
impression being that the soil was not adapted to 
it ; that it was too black and sticky. Subsequently 
this idea was proven to be erroneous. Good crops 
of cotton are now raised on these farms. Attention 
was also given to stock-raising, as grass was 
abundant, both summer and winter. After a mail 
route was established from Fort AVorth to George- 
town a post office was given to Norman Hill, and 
Mr. Canuteson was made Postmaster, which posi- 



^ 



^ 1 , j 




O. CANUTESON. 



Meridian creeks, and the Norwegian settlement in 
Bosque County started. 

Mr. Canuteson selected for his farm 302 acres in 
the valley of Neill' s creek, near the center of which 
rises a high peak, and on this elevation he built his 
house, which was afterward known as Norman Hill. 
Nearly all kinds of wild game were in great abun- 
dance, and the newcomers felt that they had come 
to a land of plenty, indeed. Being outside of the 
line of forts, the new settlement was often exposed 
to Indian raids. The settlement grew apace, the 
county was organized and things became more 
comfortable all around. Wheat was the only monej^ 
crop made for a long time. Thej' had been used 
to raising the smaller grains in the old country, 
and hence knew how to cultivate the wheat. Most 
of the grain raised found a ready market at their 



tion he filled to the satifaction of the people up to 
the beginning of the late war. He was given the 
same position under the Confederacy, and when that 
government collapsed he was again appointed by 
the United States government to his old position. 
This position he held until his removal to Waco. 

Mr. Canuteson, as an inventive genius, was 
booked to supply the wants of the community so 
far as machinery was concerned, and built several 
reapers and threshers. The first reaper that 
he constructed did not contain a pound of iron 
castings, as the nearest foundry was at Houston, 
250 miles distant. The cutting blade was made 
from an old cross-cut saw. Notwitstanding these 
disadvantages the machine worked excellently and, 
alihough for twentj'-flve j'cars past he has had the 
leading and ahuost the only machine shop in Waco 



IJ^DIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



729 



and has constructed engines, cotton gins, cotton 
presses and machinery of all kinds against competi- 
tion from other cities, he looks back with pride to 
his " rawhide reaper" job as he called it, as being 
the most successful of his mechanical undertakings, 
considering ail the circumstances under which he 
built it. Later he went to Houston for castings 
and other material and tools, and built five more 
reapers and two complete threshing machines, which 
were run by horse-power and carried the grain into 
the sack ready for the mill. 

During the war he was exempt from military ser- 
vice on account of physical disabilit}^ but through 
his machines he was able to do much toward supply- 
ing the arm}' with grain. After the war he opened 
a general store and was building up a business 
which promised fair for the future, but engaged in 
an unlucky speculation in cattle by which he lost 
most of his accumulations. He spent the winter 
partly in Chicago and partly with his uncles in La 
Salle County, III. While in Chicago awaiting re- 
turns from New York he came across the Walter A. 
Wood's self-raking reaper and the Collins cast steel 
plow, the agency of which he secured for his sec- 
tion of the State of Texas and handled them with 
success for many j'ears. 

Becoming convinced finally that the bent of his 
mind was largely in favor of mechanical pursuits, 
he decided to move to Waco, secured a good loca- 
tion, and began the improvements necessary for a 



foundry and machine shop and now has one of the 
largest and most complete establishments for 
machine, foundry, implement and general mechan- 
ical work in Central Texas. He is largely engaged 
in the manufacture of fronts for buildings and other 
structural castings, which he supplies not only to 
Waco, but to the surrounding towns. Recently he 
has begun the manufacture of cotton presses and 
intends in the near future to add the manufacture 
of other cotton machinery. At various times he 
has engaged in other business enterprises that have 
met with a fair degree of financial success and that 
have made his name familiar to the people of 
Central Texas. 

He was married in September, 1850, to Miss Ellen 
M. Gunderson, a lady who came with his family to 
the United States. To them have been born five 
children: Caroline, now Mrs. F. W. Knight; Mary, 
who was married to D. F. Durie ; Lizzie, now 
Mrs. S. J. Smith ; Oscar, who assists his father 
in his business ; and Cora. In 1884 Mr. Canut- 
eson revisited his native land. He has con- 
ducted his business with a constant increase for 
over a quarter of a century without change of place 
or firm name. The success he has met with is the 
natural reward that follows honesty of character, 
integrity of purpose, and a thorough knowledge of 
the occupation pursued. He is a citizen of sterling 
worth, a member of the Masonic fraternity and is 
highly respected by all who know him. 



MOSES AND STEPHEN FULLER AUSTIN, 

GALVESTON. 



Moses Austin was a native of Connecticut. 
When but a youth he left the parental roof to seek 
his fortune in Philadelphia, and there, at the age 
of twenty, he married Miss Maria Brown. Shortly 
thereafter, in conjunction with his brother, Stephen, 
he established a commercial house in Richmond, 
Va., a branch of the importing house in Philadel- 
phia, of which the former was the head. The op- 
erations of the brothers were doubtless remunera- 
tive. Ere long they purchased the lead mines 
called " Chissel's Mines," on New river, Wythe 
County, Va. Moses, the younger brother, was 
placed in charge and at once commenced extensive 
mining and smelting operations. 

Around the mines quite a village sprung up, 



which was named Austinville, and there, November 
3, 1793, was born Stephen Fuller Austin, the cel- 
ebrated Texian empresario and patriot. The Phil- 
adelphia and Richmond houses failed and the 
mining speculation was abandoned. 

Hearing flattering accounts of the lead mines of 
upper Louisiana (now Missouri), Moses Austin 
procured the necessary passports from the Spanish 
Minister, visited that region, was highly pleased 
with it, and obtained in 1797, from Baron de Car- 
ondelet, Governor of the Provinces of Louisiana 
and Florida, a grant of one league of land, 
including ilie Mine-a-Burton, forty miles west of 
St. Genevieve. Closing all of his affairs in the 
United States, he removed his family, with a num- 



rso 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



ber of others, fioiu Wythe Comity, in 1799, to bis 
new grant, and there in tlie wilderness laid tlie 
foundation of the settlement in what is now Wash- 
ington County, Mo. The early settlers of that 
county have borne ample testimony to his enter- 
prise, pulilie spirit and unbounded hospitality. 
These admirable qualities are rarely found united 
with great prudence and sound judgment in 
financial matters ; nor were they in the case of 
Moses Austin, the failure of the Bank of Missouri 
causing him serious pecuniary embarrassment. 
Once more he became involved, and, surrendering 
his property to his creditors, he turned with una- 
bated ardor, in the decline of life, to a new and 
hazardous undertaking in the wilds of Texas. 

In 1803 Louisiana was ceded by Spain to France, 
and, in the same year, by the latter to the United 
States, which government revived the old French 
claim of the RioGrande as a boundary. But by the De 
Onis treaty in 1819 the question was settled, and the 
Sabine was made the boundary, and it was then 
that Moses Austin arranged his plans for an appli- 
cation to the government of Spain for a grant of 
land in Texas on which to locate a colony of Ameri- 
cans. As it was contemplated to bring the settlers 
through Arkansas Territory, Moses Austin so far 
anticii)ated matters as to send his son, Stephen, 
with some hands, to Long Prairie, near Red river, 
to open a farm there which might serve as a resting- 
place and provision depot for his trains of 
immigrants. 

Having been told that the best way to lay his 
petition before the home government would be 
through the authorities of New Spain, as Mexico 
was then called, the elder Austin at once started 
for Bexar (now San Antonio), the capital of the 
Province of Texas. 

But, before starting, it had been decided to aban- 
don the scheme of a farm at Long Prairie and to 
adopt for the future colonists the route through 
New Orleans by water to Texas. Accordingly, 
Stephen F. Austin, proceeded to that city to perfect 
arrangements for transportation, supplies, etc., 
while his father started, on horseback, on his tire- 
some and perilous journey across the vast prairies 
of Texas. It was early in December, 1820, that 
the elder Austin arrived in Bexar, the capital of 
Texas. On presenting himself to the Governor, he 
was not even allowed to explain the object of his 
visit, but was peremptorily ordered to leave the 
capital instantly, and the province as soon as he 
could get out of it, the Governor being very angry 
that he had violated the well-known Spanish law 
excluding foreigners, without specific passports, 
from Spanish territory in the New World, 



There was nothing left but to obey, and Austin, 
much dejected, withdrew, with as good grace as 
possible under the circumstances, from the Gov- 
ernor's mansion to prepare for his return home, 
when, in crossing the plaza, he had the good luck 
to meet the Baron de Bastrop, with whom many 
years previous he had become acquainted in Lower 
LouisiaTia. The Baron recognized his old friend, 
cordially embraced him, took him home with him, 
and was soon informed of all Austin's plans and 
troubles. It was the turning-point in the fortunes 
of the Austins ; and that chance meeting on the 
plaza was pregnant with great events. 

Baron de Bastrop was a gentleman of culture and 
refmement, and in high favor with the Governor; 
and on the morrow, when he laid before that irate 
functionary the documentary proof that Austin had 
become a regularly naturalized Spanish subject in 
Lower Louisiana, in 1799, and stated that he was 
now lying in bed very ill from the effects of his pro- 
tracted journey, the order for his departure was 
countermanded and his memorial received. In a 
few days, thanks to the kind offices of De Bastrop, 
the intelligence and the pleasing address of Austin, 
the memorial asking permission to settle 300 fam- 
ilies in Texas was forwarded to the superior gov- 
ernment of the eastern internal provinces, in whose 
jurisdiction Texas was, strongly recommended by 
the local authorities of this province. Austin left 
Bexar in January, 1821, anxious to get home and 
complete his arrangements for moving to Texas as 
soon as he could hear of the success of his applica- 
tion. The journey was one which few would have 
ventured upon at that season of the year. Over 
the dreary wastes of the trackless prairie he took 
his course. Losing his way at times, swimming the 
creeks now swollen by the winter rains, rafting 
himself and horse across the rivers which he met, 
and suffering greatlj' from exposure and want of 
provisions, Austin, some time in the spring, reached 
the town of Nachitoches, La. From thence he pro- 
ceeded at once to Missouri, where he died soon 
after his arrival, his health having been completely 
shattered by the hardships undergone on his Texas 
trip. His last request was that his son, Stephen, 
should prosecute the enterprise which had been 
commenced at so costly a sacrifice. And never did 
filial piety execute more faithfully the dying injunc- 
tion of a revered parent. 

The memorial of Moses Austin was approved by 
the supreme government of the eastern internal 
provinces of New Spain, at Monterey, on the 17th 
of January, 1821, and the Governor of Texas was 
at once informed of it. He thereupon dispatched 
Don Erasmo Seguin (after whom the present town 



INDIAN WxiRS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



731 



of Seguin is named), an influential citizen of Bexar, 
to tlie United States as a special commissioner for 
the purpose of communicating to Mr. Austin the 
result of his application, and of conducting the 
proposed immigrants into the country in a legal 
manner. Hearing of the arrival of the commissioner 
at Nachitoches, Stephen F. Austin hastened from 
New Orleans to that point, and soon after reaching 
it, learned for the first time of his father's death. 

Thus, in the twentj'-eighth year of his age, the 
son, unknown, with limited means, with a heart 
crushed hy a sore atHiction, found resting upon him 
the weighty responsibility of an enterprise which 
nothing but the resources and influence of a pow- 
erful government seemed adequate to carry to a 
successful issue. Was he fitted for the task? Let 
the testimony of that sturdy band which followed 
him into the wilderness reply. Did he meet his 
responsibilities in full? History has answered that 
question by inscribing upon its immortal pages as the 
unanimous verdict of his compeers : " Stephen F. 
Austin was the father of Texas." He who was to 
be the founder of a great State was no mere adven- 
turer, with rude manners and uneducated mind. On 
the contrary, he was cultivated and polished to a 
degree rarely seen in the Southwest in those days. 
When but eleven years old his father placed him at 
one of the best academies in Connecticut to be pre- 
pared for college ; and in his fifteenth year he was 
duly matriculated as a student in Transylvania 
University, Lexington, Ky. , an institution then of 
high reputation. Here he remained for several 
years and was distinguished among his fellow- 
students for his gentlemanly deportment, applica- 
tion and progress in studies. The next we hear of 
young Austin is in the 3'ear 1813, when we find 
him, at the age of twenty, representing Washington 
County in the Territorial Legislature of Missouri 
(where he met Thomas H. Benton, whose friendship 
he retained through life), a position to which he was 
regularly returned until 1819, when he left the ter- 
ritory to open a farm at Long Prairie. He resided 
in the territory of Arkansas the greater portion of 
the years 1819-20, and while there was honored 
with the appointment of Circuit Judge. Thus he 
was unconsciously being prepared by a special 
training for the great work, which, all unknown to 
him, the future had in store. 

Having resolved to accept the important trust 
which his dying father had bequeathed him, Austin, 
with seventeen companions, and accompanied bj' 
the Spanish Commissioner, set out on horseback 
for Bexar, where they arrived August 10, 1821. He 
was duly recognized as the legal representative of 
his father by the Governor, Don Antoino Martinez, 



who received him most cordially. With the Gov- 
ernor's permission he explored a large section of 
country on the lower Guadalupe, Colorado and 
Brazos rivers, and determined to locate his colony 
between the last two rivers. At the suggestion of 
the Governor, Austin now drew up the following 
plan for the distribution of land among the settlers: 
Each head of a family, and each single man, over 
age, was to receive 640 acres, 320 acres in addition 
for the wife, should there be one, and 80 acres ad- 
ditional for each slave. This plan was approved by 
Governor Martinez, who commissioned Austin to 
take absolute control of the local government of 
the colon}'. 

Austin now returned to New Orleans, and ad- 
dressed himself earnestly to the work of procuring 
colonists. Advertisements widely scattered made 
the public acquainted with his project and attracted 
universal attention. 

Applications to join the colony came in rapidlj', 
but how was Austin, broken in fortune, to procure 
the means of transportation ? Among the influential 
citizens of New Orleans was Joseph Hawkins, a 
lawyer, who came forward promptly and advanced 
the greater part of the needed funds for fitting out 
a vessel. He had confidence in the success of the 
enterprise because he had confidence in its head. 
Many years before the two men had been class- 
mates and fast friends at Transjlvania University, 
and the friendship then formed endured through 
life. With the generous assistance of Hawkins a 
small schooner, the " Lively," was dispatched in 
November for Matagorda Bay. She had on board 
eighteen men and the provisions, arms, ammunition, 
farming implements, etc., necessary for the estab- 
lishment of an outpost in a new and savage country. 
But, as if some evil influence hovered around the 
fatal shores of the bay where perished, in 1698, the 
ill-starred colony of La Salle, the "-Lively " failed to 
reach her destination, and was never heard of more. 
Another cargo sent by Hawkins, in 1822, was 
landed on the beach at the mouth of the Colorado, 
were it was plundered by the Carancahua Indians, 
and four men murdered. In the meantime, how- 
ever, Austin had arrived by land on the Brazos, in 
the last days of December, 1821, with the first immi- 
grants, and the new settlement was begun in what 
was then an entire wilderness. Accessions to the 
body of colonists followed ; the seed of a new civil- 
ization was newly planted, and notwithstanding its 
man}' mishaps, the settlement began to wear a thrifty 
aspect. It had been a terrible struggle, though, with 
the colonists. They suffered great privations, were 
without bread and salt, and were forced to subsist 
on wild game and wild horses, the latter the best 



732 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



food, being fat and very abundant. The Indians 
annoyed and robbed them and the settlers dared not 
punish their crimes nor their insolence. 

It will be remembered that Moses Austin's grant 
had been made by the Spanish Government in Mex- 
ico. But on the 24th of February, 1821, the cele- 
brated "Plan of Iguala " was promulgated by 
Iturbide. It declared tlie independence of Mexico 
and was confirmed by the Mexican cortes ; so that 
the official acts of Martinez relative to the new 
settlement, dated August, 1821, were from a Gov- 
ernor of the independent Mexican nation, and not 
from a Spanish official. Hence it came about that 
when Stephen V. Austin arrived at Bexar in the 
spring of 1822, to make his report to the Governor 
of the condition of the colony, he was informed by 
the latter that it was necessary for him to at once 
proceed to the city of Mexico and procure from 
the Congress, then in session, a confirmation of his 
father's grant, together with special instructions as 
to the distribution of land, issuing of titles, etc. 
Here was an embarrassing dilemma. His absence 
at this critical period was certain to cripple his col- 
ony- — might destroy it; but were he to remain, he 
and his men would be without titles to their homes, 
»^ which, with so much toil and suffering, they had 

''^Mt (Ul<J_won from the wilderness. 

Austin's sense of duty quickly decided his 

^ course. Placing Mr. Josiah Barbellin charge of 

« the colony, he started at once for Mexico, with one 

\fLJi companion. After a perilous land journey of 1,200 
miles, a great portion of it made on foot and dis- 

jK^ . guised as a beggar, in ragged clothes and blankets, 
on account of the numerous banditti, he arrived 

i, Of-T . safely in the capital on the 29th of April. 

'KO-A'",'*- Owing to the revolutionary changes which rap- 
idly succeeded to each other, it was necessary for 
Austin to remain for more than a year in Mexico 
before the government became sufficiently stable to 
resume its legislative functions. The time, how- 
ever, lost was not lost to him, as it enabled him to 
form many valuable friendships and acquaintances; 
to perfect himself in the Spanish language, which 
he could not speak when he left Bexar ; and to lay 
the foundation of that great influence which he ever 
exerted over the Mexican officials. Finally, on the 
14th of April, 1823, the supreme executive power 
issued a decree confirming in full the previous grant 
to Austin, and on the 28th of the same month he 
set out for Texas. 

Reaching Monterey, the capital of the eastern 
internal province, be presented a copy of his decree 
to the Commandant, Don Felipe de la Garza, and 
requested special instructions for the local govern- 
ment of the colony committed to bis charge. 



The provisional deputation of Nueva Leon, Coa- 
huila and Texas, was then in session ; and the mat- 
ter being referred to it, it was decreed that 
Austin's authority, under the decree of the central 
government, was full and ample as to the admin- 
istration of justice and of the civil local 
government of the colony and the command 
of militia; that his grade as a militia officer 
should be Lieutenaut-Colonel ; that he could 
make war on the Indian tribes which were hostile, 
that he could introduce, by the harbor of Galves- 
ton, provisions, munitions, etc., needed for the 
infant settlement ; In short, that he should preserve 
good order and govern the colony in all civil, judi- 
cial and military matters, according to the best of 
his abilities and as justice might require, until the 
government was otherwise organized. Never, < 
before or since, in the history of this country, were ) 
such extensive powers conferred upon an Ameri- ( 
ican, and never has despotic power been less abused ' 
or used for less selfish purposes. Austin's civil ^ 
administration of his colony is the brightest chaplet 
in his wreath of fame. It was not until July that 
the weary traveler reached his little colony on the 
Brazos, where he was welcomed with ever}' demon- 
stration of joy. 

The colony had suffered sadly in his absence 
Discontent bred disorders which scattered the col- 
onists. Some had left for the States, others moved 
into Eastern Texas, and many immigrants on the 
way to join the colony, frightened by the reports 
which reached them of Austin's failure to secure 
lands for his colonists, settled on the Sabine. His 
return and the happy issue of his mission restored 
at once life and confidence to the settlement. 

Don Luciano Garcia was now Governor of Texas, 
and on the 16th of July he appointed Moses Aus- 
tin's old friend, the Baron de Bastrop, to act as 
commissioner ou the part of the government to 
take the necessary steps, in conjunction with 
Stephen F. Austin, to put the settlers in possession 
of their lands. On the 26th of the same month, 
the Governor, by an official act, gave the name of 
San Felipe de Austin to the town which was to be 
laid off as the capital of the new colony, saying 
that he wished to show his respect for Col. Austin 
by uniting his name with the name of his own 
patron saint, San Felipe. Time has given the saint 
a decided advantage, for to-day that town bears 
the name of San Felipe only. Austin used jocu- 
larly to complain that he was near losing his right- 
ful name of Stephen in consequence of Don 
Luciano's compliment, for many persons supposed 
that the town had been called after the Colonel 
and, therefore, concluded that his name was Philip 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



733 



(Felipe), aud be frequently- received letters thus 
addressed. 

Austin and Bastrop now commenced the dis- 
tribution of lands and the issuance of titles. The 
return of the Colonel had so strengthened the en- 
terprise that the three hundred families authorized 
were duly settled. Upon the payment of the fees 
established by the Mexican Commissioner, titles 
were issued to the settlers. The whole expense on 
a league of land only amounted to $165. The 
lands selected were among the most productive in 
the State, the immigrants being scattered from the 
east bank of the Lavaca to the ridge dividing the 
waters of the San Jacinto and Trinity rivers, and 
from the old San Antonio road to the Gulf. 

The greatest care was taken by Austin that the 
titles for all his settlers should be duly perfected 
under the Mexican law, and where immigrants were 
too poor to pay the legal fees be generally paid 
them himself, or procured credit for them from the 
government. Without compensation, and with much 
labor be, in conjunction with Mr. Samuel M. Will- 
iams, whom he bad appointed his private secretary, 
in 1824, copied into a large bound register or rec- 
ord book the land documents, title deeds, and de- 
crees relating to the colony. This record book, 
together with his land papers, are now in the land 
otiice at Austin. Austin's private papers, jour- 
nals, etc., a most valuable collection of historic 
documents, are now in the possession of his nephew, 
Hon. Guy M. Bryan, of Galveston. The machinery 
for the civil government of the settlement was very 
simple. By consent of the Governor, the colony 
was divided into districts, each presided over by an 
alcalde, or justice, elected by the settlers. To 
these alcaldes Austin gave jurisdiction to $200, 
with an appeal to him as judge of the colony on all 
sums over $25. A code of provisional regulations 
in civil and criminal matters was also drawn up by 
him and approved by the Governor. 

Stephen F. Austin' was the first who ever ob- 
tained permission to settle a colony in Texas; and, 
in the language of President Burnet, he was " the { 
only empresario who fully carried out bis eon- ' 
tracts with Mexico, and be labored sedulously in ' 
doing so." 

The colonization law of the State of Texas and 
Coahuila, passed in 1825 in conformity with the 
enactments of the national colonization law of 1824, 
opened the vacant lands of Texas to all persons 
who were desirous of becoming empresarios, or 
contractors, for the settlement of bodies of immi- 
grants, and who would comply with the require- 
ments of the law. Under this general act grants 
were made to many persons, among them Hayden, 



Edwards, Leftwich, DeWitt, Milam, Burnet, and 
Veblein. Colonies were thus started in various 
parts of the State (but few of them introduced set- 
tlers, and none of them completed tlieir contracts 
except DeWitt), and the Anglo-American popula- 
tion increased. But Austin was not idle. 

In 1825 be contracted to bring in 500 families, in 
1827 one hundred families more, and in 1828 signed 
a contract for three hundred families. By the gen- 
eral act referred to above, all settlers who were 
farmers were entitled to a labor of land, one hun- 
dred and seventj'-seven acres ; all stock-raisers a 
sitio, or square league ; and the empress arios were 
to receive as compensation, for each one hundred 
families, five leagues and five labors. 

The letter of the law required that "the new 
settlers who present themselves for admission must 
prove their Christianity, morality and good habits 
bj' a certificate from the authorities where they 
formerly resided." The State required for each 
sitio or pasture land a payment of thirty dollars, 
and for each labor two and a half or three and a 
half dollars, according as the land was or was not 
capable of irrigation. Unmarried men were only 
allowed one fourth as much as married men were, 
but at marriage their full share was made up to 
them. And so as to encourage the more intimate 
fusion of the new element with the old, the adven- 
turous foreigner who would wed a senorita of the 
Mexican blood was compensated with an extra 
fourth. Austin's last contract was made in the 
name of Austin and Williams, in 1831, and embraced 
eight hundred families. 

The foundations of a great State were now laid, 
and the career of the colony was one of uninter- 
rupted growth and prosperity in spite of the out- 
breaks in 1827 and 1832. In 1827, in consequence 
of what is known as the Fredonian War, the inhab- 
itants of Eastern Tex.as would have been expelled 
from the country but for the earnest intervention of 
Austin in their behalf, with the political chief, 
Saucedo, who, after their leaders had retired beyond 
the Sabine, permitted them to remain undisturbed 
in their rights of person and property. In 1831 
bodies of Mexican troops had been established at 
several points in Texas, and Col. Bradburn, at 
Anahuac (mouth of the Trinity), had arbitrarily 
displaced civil authorities and appointed others, 
and had imprisoned prominent citizens of that sec- 
tion, threatening to send them to Mexico for trial. 
This aroused the colonists, who captured all the 
posts and soldiers east of San Antonio. Santa Anna 
promptly dispatched Gen. Mexia with five armed ves- 
sels and troops to " suppress the rebellion." Austin 
was then attending the Legislature of Coahuila and 



731 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Texas at SalUllo as member from Texas. When he 
heard what liad taken place in Texas, he hastened 
to Matamoras, joined Gen. Mexia, with whom he 
was well acquainted, and sailed with him to the 
month of tlie Brazos for the express purpose of 
effecting some amicable settlement of the whole 
affair. He now assumed the friendlj' office of 
mediator between the contending parties, and they, 
(the colonist) thus extricated themselves from 
the impending ruin by receiving the olive branch 
obtained by the inHuence, and passed to them 
through the hands, of Stephen F. Austin. Austin 
was welcomed back by the people with every 
demonstration of joy, with balls, speeches, firing of 
cannons, etc., at the mouth of the Brazos, Brazoria 
and especially at San Felipe. Six miles below the 
latter place he was met by a military company 
under Lieut. Day, and escorted into town, where 
he was received and addressed by William H. Jack 
in behalf of his fellow-citizens. 

Austin replied in a happy speech, and was then 
received by the Mexican soldiers, who had surren- 
dered at Velasco. Austin addressed them in Span- 
ish, embraced the officers, who then fraternized with 
the colonists, and all sat down to a sumptuous 
banquet. Speeches were delivered, toasts drunk, 
cannon fired, and there was every demonstration of 
joy. Immediately after the expulsion of the Mexi- 
can soldiery, political leaders began to excite the 
people on the question of separation of Texas from 
Coahuila. They held that Texas was entitled to a 
separate State government; they made speeches and 
publislied articles in the newspapers on this subject, 
producing much excitement and discussion through- 
out the colonies. 

He became a member of the convention which 
met at San Felipe on the 1st of April, 1833. In 
spite of his original views, in opposition to the ma- 
jority, he was selected by the convention as com- 
missioner to bear the memorial and constitution 
adopted by the convention to the national authorities 
at the City of Mexico, to obtain the admission of 
Texas as a State into the union of Mexican States. 

When he arrived at the capital he found that he 
had no easy task before him. " While all parties 
were willing to trust the Commissioner, they dis- 
trusted his constituents, and were unwilling to let 
them have a government of their own and in their 
own hands." He defeated the project to make a 
territorial government for Texas, which would have 
placed Texas immediately under the authorities at 
the City of Mexico, and put all of the public do- 
main of Texas on the market for sale to a foreign 
company of speculators. He obtained a repeal of 
the odious law of the Gth of April, 1830, which for- 



bade the immigration of North Americans into 
Texas (except to his own colonies or existing con- 
tracts), and also secured the establishment of mail 
routes from the capital (Mexico) through Texas to 
Nachitoches, in Louisiana. 

On the 10th of December, 1833, he left for Texas, 
after having exhausted all his means to obtain the 
admission of Texas as a State. He was overtaken 
and arrested at Sallillo, carried back to the City of 
ISIexico, and thrown into a dark, damp, stone dun- 
geon, where he was deprived of light, books, paper, 
ink, and society. The imprisonment of Austin 
produced a profound impression in Texas. The 
ayuiitamientos of Texas prepared and sent to Mex- 
ico long memorials praying for his release. Peter 
W. Grayson and Spencer H. Jack were selected to 
bear these petitions to Mexico ; they did not secure 
Austin's release, but they afforded him great com- 
fort, as they showed that he was not forgotten by 
the people of Texas, for whom he had suffered and 
was suffering in mind and body, and spending his 
private means. On the 12th of June, 1834, Austin 
was transferred to the State prison, where his 
quarters were more comfortable. Now there was 
some talk of trying him for treason — a trial Austin 
earnestly desired — but the judges of all the courts 
refused to have anything to do with the case, for 
they knew there were no real charges against him, 
and that his imprisonment was wholly unwarranted. 
Finally, after an absence of two years and four 
months, under a general amnesty law, Austin was 
permitted to return to Texas. He landed at the 
mouth of the Brazos on September 1st, 1835. 

On the 8th of September, 1835, Austin ad- 
dressed a large concourse of citizens, in which he 
detailed with great particularity the existing condi- 
tion of Mexico, the progress of the revolution then 
going on, the probalile result of the struggle, and 
the changes he thought would be made in the fun- 
damental law of that government. He advised that 
a general consultation of the people of Texas be 
held as speedily as possible, and decide what rep- 
resentations ought to be made to the General Gov- 
ernment, and what ought to be done in the future. 

Austin proceeded immediately ;to San Felipe, 
and was placed at the head of the Central Com- 
mittee of Safety of that jurisdiction. 

He labored day and night with his two secreta- 
ries, Gail Borden, Jr., and Moses Austin Bryan, 
sending out circulars giving information, and pre- 
paring Texas for the great crisis so near at hand. 
While these events were passing in Texas, the de- 
struction of the Mexican Constitution was being 
consummated in Mexico ; the State Legislatures 
were abolished, the citizens disarmed, and the 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



735 



States practically made military departments. 
Tlirougli The Tdegraph and Texas Register Austin 
sent forth addresses to the colonists, which per- 
vaded every part of Texas, and reached the United 
States. He soon saw the necessity for and coun- 
seled armed resistance, and although in feeble 
health, as soon as he could respond to the call from 
the army after the affair with Ugarte Chea, left for 
Gonzales, where he was chosen Commauder-in-Chief 
of the volunteer forces in the Geld. 

On the 12th of October Austin completed his 
staff appointments and crossed over the Eiver 
Guadalupe. On the same day he was also informed 
of the capture of Goliad. On the 13th their or- 
ganization was completed by the election of John 
H. Moore, Colonel; Edward Burleson, Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and Alexander Somervell, ftlajor of the 
regiment. Patrick C. Jack was appointed Quarter- 
master; William T. Austin, Second Aide, and 
William H. Wharton, Judge Advocate. On the 
18th Col. William H. Jack was appointed Brigade 
Inspector. On the 14th Capt. Milam, in command 
of a spy company, was ordered in advance of the 
army to obtain information. 

The army advanced, driving the Mexicans before 
it, and on the 20lh of October encamped on the 
Salado, within Ave miles of San Antonio. 

The fight by the men under Bowie at Mission 
Concepcion and further operations of the army 
while under Austin, and the storming and capture 
of San Antonio by columns under Milam and 
Johnson, after Burleson succeeded to the command, 
are familiar matters of history and need not be 
recorded here. 

Austin took leave of the army on the morning of 
November 25, 1835, and, during the last daj^s of 
December, sailed for New Orleans to act as one of 
the commissioners (Messrs, Wharton and Archer 
being his colleagues) sent from Texas to procure 
aid for the Texian cause in the United States. 

Up to the time of his arrival in New Orleans, he 
had favored Texas fighting for her rights merely as 
a Mexican State, but, on reaching that city and 
finding that Texas could expect but little help in 
the way of money or volunteers from the United 
States unless a declaration of independence was 
issued to the world, he wrote a strong letter advo- 
cating such a declaration. 

This action upon his part removed the last 
vestige of opposition, and a few days later the 
declaration was adopted by the plenary convention 
that had assembled, and a government ad interim 
was established, with David G. Burnet as President 
and Lorenzo de Zavala as Vice-President. 

The commissioners visited separately or together 



the largest cities, spoke and conferred with leading 
men, and all who wished to obtain information or 
bestow aid. They raised men and money and re- 
ceived donations for the cause of Texas. Austin 
visited Washington City and conferred with his old 
friends there, notably, Thomas H. Benton, John J. 
Crittenden and others. He had repeated interviews 
with the Piesident, and ascertained that the most 
friendly feeling prevailed for Texas, and that after 
her adoption of the constitution and establishment 
of a permanent government, she would be recog- 
nized, etc. 

Gen. Austin was particularly successful ; his 
long services in Texas, and his known truthfulness 
and simplicity of character gave weight to what he 
said. His address at Louisville, wliich was widely 
published, presented the claims of Texas upon the 
civilized world for sympathy and aid in such a 
manner as to bring her both. Austin landed on his 
return to Texas at Velasco (temporary capital of 
the Republic), at the mouth of the Brazos, June 
27, 1836. On the 23d of July, President Burnet 
Issued his proclamation for an election for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President and representatives to the 
first Congress of Texas under the constitu- 
tion, and also to decide upon the adoption 
or rejection of the constitution, and on the 
question of the annexation of Texas to the 
United States. The election was ordered to take 
place on the first Monday of the following Septem- 
ber, and the new government to meet at Columbia 
on the first Monday in October. Upon a call made 
on Austin to become a candidate he said: "Influ- 
enced by the great governing principle that has 
regulated my actions since I came to Texas, which 
is to serve this country in any capacity in which the 
people may think proper to employ me, I shall not 
decline the highly responsible and difficult one now 
proposed, should the majority of my fellow-citizens 
elect me." 

Ex-Governor Henry Smith and Sam Houston 
were also candidates. It was soon seen that the 
army, now composed of volunteers from the United 
States, and the newcomers, favored Houston, and 
80 did many of the citizens of Eastern Texas ; they 
formed a majority of the voters, and Austin's 
friends saw before the election that Houston's elec- 
tion was a foregone conclusion. Houston was 
elected, and offered to Austin the positions of 
Secretary of State or Minister to the United States. 
His great desire was to attend to his health and to 
his private business, which had been neglected 
entirely since he left for Mexico in 1833, and to 
close up his colonial land matters. But prominent 
men and all classes of his old friends, especially 



73G 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



bis colonists, urged upon liim for their salies and 
for the good of Texas to taiie the position of -Sec- 
retary of State, in order that his valuable ser- 
vices could be given to Texas. He permitted 
himself to be persuaded, when his own judgment 
told him his health required repose and building 
up. 

Having passed through the dark and stormy times 
of the revolution, in which he took an active part, and. 
which he was largely instrumental in bringing to a 
successful issue, he was nowfast approachinghisend. 
The immediate occasion of his last sickness was 
three days and nights of continuous labor in an un- 
comfortable room without fire, during a norther, 
where he was preparing instructions on the great 
question of annexation and other subjects for the 
new Minister, Hon. William H. Wharton, to the 
United States. 

He was attacked with a severe cold, which 
assumed the form of pneumonia, and in a short 
time terminated his useful, eventful and valuable 
life, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His death 
was regarded as a national calamity, and as such 
was mourned throughout the Republic. As a tes- 



timonial of respect the government issued the fol- 
lowing general order: — 

" War Department, Columbia, ) 
" December 27, 1836. | 

" The father of Texas is no more. 

" The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed. 
Gen. Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State, ex- 
pired this day at half- past twelve o'clock, at 
Columbia. 

"As a testimony of respect to his high standing, 
undeviating moral rectitude, and as a mark of the 
nation's gratitude for his untiring zeal and inval- 
uable services, all officers, civil and military, are 
requested to wear crape on the right arm for the 
space of thirty days. All oflScers commanding posts, 
garrisons or detachments, will, as soon as informa- 
tion is received of the melancholy event, cause 
thirty-three guns to be fired, with an interval of five 
minutes between each, and also have the garrison 
and regimental colors hung with black during the 
space of mourning for the illustrious dead. 

" By order of the President. 

" W^iLLiAM S. Fisher, 
" Secretary of War." 



HENRY W. LIGHTFOOT, 

PARIS. 



Henry William Lightfoot, now Chief Justice of the 
Court of Civil Appeals for the Fifth Supreme Judi- 
cial District of the State of Texas, was born on the 
old family homestead plantation, in Lawrence 
County, Ala., December 29th, 184G. His paternal 
grandfather. Dr. Thomas Lightfoot, a native of 
Virginia, was a physician, and became one of the 
early settlers of North Alabama. His father was 
John F. Lightfoot and mother Malena J. Lightfoot, 
nee McKissack. 

He attended country schools until twelve years 
of age, and then the academy at Tuscumbia, Ala., 
until sixteen years of age, when he joined the 
Confederate army as a volunteer in the Eleventh 
Alabama Cavalry and served as a soldier until the 
war closed. In the fall of 1866 he visited Texas 
and returned, determined to complete his educa- 
tion and then make Texas his future home. The 
property of his family being almost entirely swept 
away by the war, he went to work as a field hand 
upon the farm and saved enough money to enable 



him to again attend school. He entered Cumberland 
University at Lebanon, Tenn., in the fall of 1867, 
and graduated from the Law Department in June, 
1869, with high honors. His graduation speech 
possessed unusual merit, gave promise of a suc- 
cessful career that he has since carved out for him- 
self at the bar, and was favorably commented upon 
in the leading Tennessee and Alabama papers. He 
entered upon the practice of his profession in his 
native county, in the latter part of 1869, and, after 
two years and six months of successful practice at 
the bar there, moved to Sherman, Texas, in January, 
1872. 

At the spring term of the District Court at 
Bouham, in 1872, he met Gen. Sam. Bell Maxey. 
The}' occupied the same room at the hotel, became 
well acquainted, formed a partnership to practice 
law together, and Mr. Lightfoot moved to Paris, 
Texas, Gen. Maxey's home, in June followlDg. 
The partnership continued for more than twenty 
years, the firm building up one of the largest and 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



7;; 7 



most lucrative practices enjoyed by any firm in 
Texas. 

After Mr. Lightfoot's removal to Texas, in .Jan- 
uary, 1872, he received an unsolicited appointment 
from Hon. Robert Lindsay, Governor of Alabama 
(who had not heard of his removal), as one of the 
Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege of Alabama, which, of course, was declined, 
although considered quite an honor for a young 
man of twentj'-five years. 

Gen. Maxey having been elected to the United 
States Senate, in 1874, the responsibilities of a 
large and increasing law practice at the Paris bar. 



St. Louis, and tool\ a prominent part in the exciting 
and memorable campaign that followed. Actively 
engaged in llie practice of law, he nevertheless 
found time to take part as a Democratic champion 
in the contests in the political arena, but sought no 
office. He was nominated, however, and elected to 
the State Senate without opposition in 1880, which 
position he held for two years, and then voluntarily 
retired to attend the pressing demands of his law 
practice. In 1888 he was elected by the State 
Democratic Convention a delegate to the National 
Convention at St. Louis that nominated Cleveland 
and Thurman, and was selected by the Texas 




HENRY W. LIGHTFOOT. 



which was not excelled by any in the State, fell 
upon Judge Lightfoot. 

On November 3d, 1874, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Dora Bell Maxey (an adopted daugh- 
ter of Gen. and Mrs. S. B. Maxey), who died in 
June, 1884, leaving two children : Sallie Lee, who 
was born June 8th, 1878, and Thomas Chenoweth, 
who was born August 12th, 1880, their eldest son, 
Maxey Bell Lightfoot, having died Noveml)er loth, 
1876. 

Judge Lightfoot was elected by the Democratic 
State Convention, which met at Galveston, January 
5th, 1876, a delegate to the National Convention, at 
St. Louis, which nominated Tilden and Hendricks. 
After the adjournment of the Convention, he ad- 
dressed a large and enthusiastic mass meeting in 



delegation to second the nomination of Mr. 
Cleveland, which he did in a short and fehc- 
itous address that met with favor, both in the con- 
vention and at home. July 11th, 1889, he was 
elected president of the State Bar Association, suc- 
ceeding Hon. F. Chas. Hume, which position was 
accepted as a distinguished honor at the hands of 
his brother lawyers. In his annual address to the 
association, delivered August 6th, 1890, which was 
published in the proceedings of that bod}-, he dis- 
cussed the Railroad Commission amendment to the 
State constitution to be voted upon in November 
following. Subsequent adjudications under that 
amendment, before the Supreme Court of the 
United States, have proven the correctness of the 
views then expressed by him. 



738 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



December 5tb, 1889, Judge Lightfoot was mar- 
ried to Miss Etta I. Wooten, daughter of Dr. and 
Mrs. Tbos. D. Wooten, of Austin, who is now the 
mother of two boys: Wooten, born on the 2d day 
of October, 1890, and William Henry, born on the 
23d day of August, 1892. 

In 1893 Judge Lightfoot was counsel for the Hon. 
W. L. McGauhey, Commissioner of the General 
Land Office of Texas, in his celebrated State trial, 
on impeachment before the State Senate, and was 
selected by the eminent counsel engaged in the 
defense to open the case on argument of the demur- 
rers and present the principles of law relied upon, 
a duty that he discharged in a manner that fully 
sustained his high reputation as a sound lawyer and 
clear logical and trenchant speaker. After one of 
the most interesting and important trials ever held 
in the State, his client was honorably dischargeil. 

August 9th, 1893, Judge Lightfoot was appointed 
Chief Justice of the Court of Civil Appeals for the 



Fifth Sujjreme Judicial District of Texas, by Gov. 
James Hogg, an office that had been recently 
created by the Legislature. Hon. N. W. Finley 
and Hon. Anson Rainey were appointed as Associate 
Justices and the court was organized at Dallas, 
Texas, and began its labors in September following. 
At the general election of 1894 Judge Lightfoot was 
nominated and elected to the position of Chief 
Justice, without opposition, as were also his asso- 
ciates, Justices Finley and Rainey. 

Judge Lightfoot has been a member of the 
Methodist Church for more than twenty-five years. 
His high character, purity of private and public life, 
eminent services, solid learning as a lawyer and 
capability as a judge of a court of last resort, are 
well known to the people of Texas, and they could 
have given no higher testimonial of their apprecia- 
tion of his worth than they have by continuing him 
in the position he now holds, which they have done 
without a dissenting voice. 



THOMAS GLASCOCK, 



AUSTIN. 



The subject of this brief memoir lived at a time 
when Texas had greatest need for young men of 
his mettle and daring, and it is to him and those 
living and laboring contemporaneously with him 
that the present generation owes so much: the sub- 
jugation of the Indians in Texas and the establish- 
ment of a splendid civilization. He seemed especi- 
ally fitted for the life and duties of a pioneer on the 
frontier of a new and promising country, and, as 
such, few men were better known in his day 
throughout Central Texas. He came to Texas in 
the fall of 1837. The battle of San Jacinto had 
been fought in April of the previous year and 
Texas' independence secured. 

The country was in an unsettled and chaotic con- 
dition. He was a native of Virginia, and was born 
near Culpepper Court House in 1818. His father, 
a farmer, died when Thomas was a small boy, and 
he therefore spent his boyhood and youth with an 
uncle. Dr. Harper Glascock, an influential citizen, 
physician and planter of Virginia. By this uncle 
he was accorded the advantages of excellent school- 
ing and social privileges. He possessed an inher- 
ent desire and ambition to accomplish something 
for himself, and to get on in the world, and he left 



his Virginia home and friends to seek his fortunes 
in the then new State of Alabama. There he met 
and married Miss Fancy Chamles and they soon 
thereafter came to Texas. Mrs. Glascock remained 
here but a short time, however, returning to her 
home in Alabama, where she not long thereafter 
died, leaving two daughters: Sarah, who lived until 
her ninth year, and Mary, who is the wife of Will- 
iam Patton, a resident of Austin, Texas. In 1344 
Mr. Glascock married Miss Mary Philian Brown- 
ing, a daughter of Christopher Columbus Brown- 
ing, a Texas veteran and pioneer, more concerning 
whom is related further on in this article. 

Upon locating in Texas Mr. Glascock settled 
upon and operated what has for years been known 
as the Oliver farm, about five miles west of Bas- 
trop. He there remained for about five j'ears, and 
then removed to Austin, which was ever after his 
home. He was known throughout Texas as one of 
Austin's most active and influential citizens, and 
as an aggressive Indian fighter. In the latter role, 
his promptitude, intrepid zeal and relentless war- 
fare upon the red savages, won for him the admira- 
tion and gratitude of the people of his day. By 
those who knew him it is said that Thomas Glas- 




C. C. UROWiNING. 




FKAXCIS UlKl'lUCU. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



r39 



cock knew not fear. Fired by the reports of the 
wonderful discoveries of gold in California in 1849 
he saddled his mule and made the trip overland to 
the gold diggings alone, through a trackless wilder- 
ness inhabited only by savage Indians. He spent 
two years in California, meeting with indifferent 
success in his mining ventures. 

Upon his return to Texas, he was unanimously 
and almost immediately elected Tax-Assessor and 
Collector for Travis County, a position for which 
he was eminently qualified. He held the office 
until his death, which occurred at Austin, Novem- 
ber 22, 1853. 

He was a man of strict integrity, fine education, 
and great personal pride, and possessed a loyal 
heart and business attainments of a high order. 
The days in which he lived were the most troublous 
and critical of any known to Texas history, and he 
interested himself vitally in all issues involving the 
good of his adopted country, and in all matters 
pertaining to the safety of the young and growing 
seat of government he was foremost. He figured 
actively in what is known in history' as the " Archive 
War," the circumstances of which are set forth in 
detail in the two-volume history of Texas by Col. 
John Henry Brown, and need not be recounted 
here. He, with Col. Brown, participated in the 
historic Plum Creek fight in 1840, the last of the 
noted Indian encounters which settled the conquest 
of civilization in Texas. 

Mrs. Mary Philian Browning Glascock, his de- 
voted wife, still survives and is well known and 
highly esteemed in the city of Austin, her life-long 
home. There is much in the life and character of 
this venerable and estimable lady that would grace 
the pages of history. There are few living to-day 
who have passed through the hazardous, trying 
and exciting experiences that Mrs. Glascock has. 
Her father, Capt. C. C. Browning, before men- 
tioned, came to Texas as early as the fall of 1836, 
his family following in the spring of 1837. He 
was a native of Greene County, Ga., and was born 
February 9th, 1812, on a farm. 

He came to Texas with, or at the same time, as 
did his father, Daniel Browning, and they rented 
land and pursued farming near Old Independence, 
in Washington County, for one year, and later pur- 
chased land and lived for three years near Gay 
Hill, in the same county. In 1840 he removed to 
Austin, and cleared and improved what has for 
years been known as the old Goodrich place, near 
Barton Springs. 

He was reared in Alabama, and there met and 
married Miss Penina Gunter, of Gunter's Landing. 
Capt. Browning was one of the most intrepid and 



daring of Indian fighters, and for years served in the 
ranger service under Capt. D. C. Cady and later 
under Capt. "Hi" Smith, in which he ranked as 
Lieutenant of mounted rangers, and was in his sad- 
dle almost constantly for years. He owned a horse 
that seemed as aggressive and as much absorbed in 
the warfare against the Indians as its owner, and 
never flinched when duty demanded action. It is 
said to have been the only horse in all the surround- 
ing country that would allow the lifeless form of a 
man to be laid across its back, and one year Capt. 
Browning brought into the town of Austin on the 
back of this faithful steed, from various localities, 
no less than eighteen victims of the Indian's deadly 
arrows or bullets. He lived an active and self- 
sacrificing life and died at his home, near Austin, 
March 3d, 1871. Mrs. Penina Browning, his faith- 
ful and devoted spouse, survived him for several 
years. A lady of most excellent traits of character, 
she possessed those qualities of mind and heart that 
greatly endeared her to the whole community in 
which she so long lived. With Christian fortitude 
she patiently endured the many hardships incident 
to pioneer life at Austin, having been several times 
driven by the Indians from home. On one occa- 
sion she was pursued, with her girl baby in her 
arms ; hid out of doors over night, and barely 
escaped capture, which in those days proved inevi- 
tably far worse than death. Hiding, however, her 
child in a vacant house, she evaded capture and 
returned at break of day to find her infant girl 
safe and sound. This occurred at Austin, in 1846, 
when her husband was away from home on ranging 
duty. 

Mrs. Penina Browning led a spotless life, well 
worthy of emulation. She was for many years a 
devout and consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, upon which she left the impress 
of her many charitable deeds. 

A noble woman — she quietly passed to the life 
beyond the tomb, November 13, 1882. 

She had but two children, both daughters, who 
survive her, viz. : Mrs. Glascock, before mentioned, 
and Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth, widow of the late Rev. 
J. M. Whipple, both of Austin. 

It is fitting that in these memoirs some mention 
be made of Capt. McLusky, the venerable step- 
father of Mrs. Penina Browning. He was a native 
of Tennessee, and performed the part of a gallant 
and efficient officer throughout the Creek War under 
Gen. Jackson. After coming to Texas his advanced 
age did not prevent him from incurring the dangers 
and hardships of aggressive Indian warfare in de- 
fense of Austin and surrounding settlements, when 
the removal of the seat of government and other 



INDIAX WARS AM) PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



causes left tliem daily exposed to assaults. lu fact, 
the best energies of his life were ever given to the 
service of his country. He lived to be sixty-nine 
years of age, and died the death of a hero and 
patriot at Austin. 

To those who knew him best, and notably his 
two surviving granddaughters, Mrs. Glascock and 
Mrs. Whipple, he is held in loving remembrance as 
a true friend and faithful protector. 

Mrs. Whipple was born in Lowndes County, Ala., 
in 1832, and recalls with feelings of both pleasure 
and regret the many scenes of her girlhood, inci- 
dent to the early settlement of her (now beautiful) 
" city of the hills." 

June 17, 1847, she wedded Mr. Francis Dietrich, 
who for many years was one of the leading mer- 
chants of Austin. He was a native of Germany, 
and was born at Cassel, February 2, 1815. He 
was sent to America in 1831 to be educated in New 
York City. He became so interested in the strug- 
gle for Texas Independence that he abandoned the 
dea of schooling and joined the revolutionary forces 
in 1835, and bore a valiant part in the sanguinary 
struggle. He participated in the battle of Refugio, 
in Marcli, 183(5, and later was captured with Fan- 
nin and his men, but escaped massacre because of 
his foreign birth. He engaged in business and 
acquired property at Victoria, but lost it by fire 
at the hands of Mexican invaders. He was 
one of the first to engage in merchandising 



at Austin, but left there on account of hostile In- 
dians and sold goods at Washington on the Brazos 
until the seat of government was located at Austin, 
when he returned and was there actively engaged in 
business until his death. May 31st, 1860. 

Francis Dietrich was a good man and stood high 
in business, political and social circles. He never 
lost sight of the guiding star of right and justice. 
He was an influential member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and at times held the office of 
steward. He was successful in business, erected 
substantial business blocks and left a handsome 
estate. He was three times married. By his first 
union to (Miss Bessie Reed) he had one son, James 
Dietrich, living in Travis County. His second wife. 
Miss Martha Brown, lived only about one year and 
died without issue. June 17, 1847, he married Miss 
Sarah E. Browning, of whom mention has above 
been made, and she has one son, Thomas Dietrich, 
of Austin. 

January 1st, 1863, Mrs. Dietrich married Rev. 
Dr. J. W. Whipple, an esteemed and able member 
of the Methodist clergy, well remembered for the 
life-long and faithful service that he rendered to the 
cause he espoused. 

Dr. Whipple died May 10, 1895. Mrs. Whipple 
lives in retirement on her handsome estate near and 
overlooking the city of Austin. She is a lady of 
refined and artistic tastes and gracious manner, 
and, as such, is widely known. 



ELIJAH B. THOMAS, 

ALVIN. 



Elijah B. Thomas is a native of Louisiana, born 
on Johnson Bayou, in Clarke's Parish, November 
2nd, 1842. His father, Elisha Thomas, was a 
stock-raiser and farmer, who came to Texas in early 
times, where he followed the stock business. Serv- 
ing as a boy in the transportation department, he 
enrolled as one of the Texian soldiers of 1836. He 
died in Victoria County. A twin brother of Mr. 
Elisha Thomas, also named Elisha, located near 
San Antonio, pursued stock-raising, and there died. 
The mother of the subject of this notice dying, his 
father was twice married thereafter, by the first of 
which later unions were born seven sons and three 
daughters ; by the other six children, two of whom 
are living in Texas. Elijah B. Thomas, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was, like his father, a twin, and 



his twin brother, named Elisha, witii whom ho en- 
listed in the Confederate army at Houston, Septem- 
ber 10th, 1861, as soldiers in Company B. 
(commanded by Capt. John A. Wharton), Terry's 
Eighth Texas rangers. 

Elisha served during the entire conflict with the 
rangers, and survived the war only to lose his 
life by accident on the railroad, near Galveston. 
Elijah B. Thomas served about one }'ear. In 
1865 he married Miss Mary Jane Garrett, daugh- 
ter of Wilboan Garrett, a stock-raiser, and an early 
Texian. The marriage took place in Houston. 
The same j'ear (1865) he located in Brazoria 
County on Clear creek, and one year later on Choc- 
olate bayou. He now lives on Mustang slough, 
where his father located on the R. L. Ware head- 




C. C. CULBERSON. 



INDIAN WAR!^ AND I'lONEERfS OF TEXAS. 



right in 1848. His maternal grandfather, Hayes, 
was one of the earliest settlers at St. Louis, Mo., 
and once owned and lived upon the ground now 
covered by the famous St Louis stock-yards. 



Mr. Thomas has six children living, and is a well 
and favorably known citizen. He has for years 
acted as Deputy Sheriff and Hide and Animal In- 
spector of Brazoria County. 



CHARLES A. CULBERSON, 



DALLAS. 



Charles A. Culberson, Governor of Texas, was 
born at Dadeville, Tallapoosa County, Ala., and is 
about thirty-eight years of age. He is a son of 
Hon. D. B. Culberson, ex-Congressman from the 
Fourth Texas District, and has inherited the intel- 
lectual strength and forensic genius of his distin- 
guished father. His mother is a lady of rare 
intelligence and is a daughter of Dr. Allen Kimbal, 
of Alabama. His parents removed from Alabama 
to Gilmer, Texas, in 1858, and from that place, in 
1861, to Jefferson, where they have since resided. 
The subject of this sketch attended the common 
schools in Jefferson, the high school of Prof. 
Morgan H. Looney, at Gilmer, and in 1870 entered 
the Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington, Va., 
from which he graduated in the class of 1874. 
Until 1876 he studied law in his father's office and 
then entered the law department of the University 
of Virginia, where he remained a year. He was 
chosen Judge of the moot court, the highest honor 
of the law class, and in 1877 was selected as the 
final orator of the Jefferson Literary Society. In 
1878 he was admitted to the bar and soon partici- 
pated in the trial of a number of important cases, 
acquitting himself in a manner that gave him a high 
character at the bar. In 1882 he defended Le 
Grand (charged with murder and indicted under 
the ku-klux law) in the Federal District Court at 
Jefferson. Le Grand was convicted and the case 
was appealed to the Circuit Court. Culberson 
attacked the constitutionality of the ku-klux law ; 
contended that the Federal courts had no jurisdic- 
tion to try Le Grand, and supported his views with 
such learning and logic that Justice Woods, who 
presided over the Circuit Court, agreed with him, 
reversed the verdict and sentence rendered below, 
ordered that the defendant be discharged from 
custody and declared the ku-klux law unconstitu- 
tional. 

The United States Supreme Court afterward, in 
other cases, passed upon the ku-klux law and 



followed the decision of Justice Woods, fully 
concurring with him. This was quite a victory for 
the young attorney, and he pushed on with 
redoubled zeal toward a place in the front ranks of 
his profession. 

While not disregardful of social duties, he never 
abandoned the habit of study that he had acquired 
at college, continued to burn the midnight lamp, 
and dug deeper into the rich mine of the law, 
gathering into the well ordered storehouse of his 
disciplined mind its priceless treasures. He was 
elected County Attorney of Marion County in 1880, 
but his professional engagements multiplied so 
rapidly that he resigned the office after discharging 
its duties for a short time. He was nominated for 
the Legislature by the Democracy of that county 
in 1882, but declined to accept the honor and con- 
tinued to build up a lucrative practice. Four 
years since he removed to Dallas, where he is a 
member of the well-known law firm of Bookhout & 
Culbertson. At the Democratic State Convention 
held in San Antonia in 1890 he was nominated for 
Attorney-General by acclamation, a fitting recogni- 
tion of his services to the party and his great 
abilities. His wife is a daughter of Col. W. W. 
Harrison, of Fort Worth. He has the easy port 
and bearing of a polished gentleman, and in social 
intercourse is affable and engaging. It is a need- 
less assurance to say that he made one of the ablest 
Attorney-Generals who has ever guarded the inter- 
ests of Texas. 

Mr. Culberson was nominated for Governor by 
the Democratic State Convention at Dallas in 
August, 1894. He was elected by a handsome 
majority. Two years later, at Fort Worth, he was 
renominated for the same office, and again elected 
l)j^ over 00,000 majority in face of a most pow- 
erfully organized fusion movement, which grew out 
of the free-silver sound money contest, that 
formed the leading issue in the Presidential cam- 
paign of 189G. 



712 



INDIAN WAliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



JAMES S. HOGG, 

AUSTIN. 



John Hogg, the great-grandfather of Governor 
James S. Hogg, when a mere boy was left an orphan 
in Virginia, his parents having died soon after their 
emigration from Ireland. After arriving at man- 
hood he removed to South Carolina and settled in 
Newberry District, where he married and raised a 
family of seven children, the oldest of whom was 
Thomas Hogg, the grandfather of Governor Hogg. 



From Georgia, in 1818, the family moved to Tusca- 
loosa County, Ala., where Joseph Lewis Hogg was 
reared. In that county in 1833 he married Lucanda 
McMath, daughter of Elisha McMath, a well-to-do 
planter in Roupes Valley. Moving to Texas in 
1840, he settled first at Nacogdoches, and finally at 
Rusk, in Cherokee Count}', where he raised a family. 
He represented his district (including Nacogdoches 




JAMP:s S. HOGG, 



The old family in South Carolina took part against 
England in the war that secured American independ- 
ence. One of the brothers, James, was killed ; 
another, Lewis, was wounded, and Thomas escaped 
unhurt. 

Thomas Hogg, grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, married Martha Chandler, daughter of John 
Chandler, of Newberry District, after the Revolu- 
tion and moved to Georgia, where Joseph Lewis 
Hogg, the father of Governor Hogg, was born. 



County) in the Congress of the Republic; was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1845 ; 
was in the first State Senate ; resigned his position 
in the latter body and entered the United States 
army and fought through the war with Mexico and 
returned home after the war was over, and was re- 
elected to the State Senate, where he served the 
people for many years. He was a lawyer by pro- 
fession, but relied mostly on his plantation for sup- 
port. He was elected and served as a member of 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



743 



the secession convention. In 1861 he received a 
commission from President Davis as Brigadier- 
General and entered the Confederate army, where 
he died at Corinth at the head of his brigade in 
May, 1862. Ilis father and mother lived with him 
at Rusk, where they died and were buried in 
1848-9. 

He had a sister and two brothers (Thomas and 
Stephen), all of whom raised families and died in 
Mississippi, and left surviving him his wife, who 
died in 1863, and two daughters (Mrs. Fannie Davis 
and Mrs. Julia McDougal), and five sons — Thomas, 
John, James S., Lewis and Richard. The latter 
two died while boys ; Thomas served through the 
war, married, raised a family and died at Denton, 
Texas, in 1880 ; John lives with his family in Wise 
County, and is a worthy and prosperous farmer, of 
fine education and intelligence. 

Ex-Gov. James S. Hogg was born on the "Moun- 
tain Home " near Rusk, in Cherokee County, March 
24, 1851. He was left an orphan at twelve years 
of age. 

The property of the family was swept away by 
the war, and the boy was compelled to, unaided, 
take his part in that struggle for existence in which 
"if the race is not always to the swift, the battle 
is assuredly with the strong." He disdained no 
honest employment and did any work his hands 
could find to do. To secure a practical education 
he entered a newspaper office as printer's devil, and 
worked his way until he owned and edited a paper, 
the Longview Neivs, which was subsequently re- 
moved to Quitman, Wood County, Texas, and the 
name changed to Quitman Neivs. He read law four 
}-ears while residing at the towns of Tyler, Long- 
view and Quitman ; was admitted to the bar in 1875 ; 
after three years successful practice was elected 
County Attorney of Wood County, and after filling 
that office for two years, was elected District At- 
torney for the Seventh Judicial District, a position 
that he held for four years. On the close of his 
official term as District Attorney, he settled at Ty- 
ler, where he secured a fine paying practice. 

April 22, 1874 (before he was admitted to the 
bar), he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Stin- 
son, daughter of Col. James A. Stinson, an intelli- 
gent and highly respected farmer, in Wood County. 
They have four children — William C, sixteen; 
Ima, eight; Mike, five, and Tom, three years 
old. 

Governor Hogg was nominated by the State con- 
vention of 1886, over three opponents, for Attorney- 
General, and was elected in November of that year, 
and in 1888 he was renominated without opposition 
and re-elected. In accepting his second nomina- 



tion to the office of Attorney-General he spoke as 
follows: — 

" Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Conven- 
tion: — For this, the second expression of confi- 
dence in me by the Democracy of Texas, I am 
weighed down with renewed gratitude. To dis- 
charge the welcome obligation by a continued faith- 
ful adherence to duty certainly now is my highest 
ambition. In the past the talisman of my life has 
been that palladium of a Republic's safety, the con- 
stitution. Its majesty has ever commanded my 
most devout reverence, and within its shadow 1 
shall, if your action is confirmed at the polls, con- 
tinue two years longer to stand at the post of official 
trust. 

" The department over which your partiality has 
placed and proposes to continue me for another 
term is one of no mean importance. Upon it is 
frequently imposed demands of the State of the 
most vital concern. Without action from there the 
avenues of justice would be stifled and the statutes 
in many material particulars might remain untested 
— their usefulness unfelt and unknown. Not ob- 
structing, but opening the way, now and then with- 
out a precedent, I have attempted to serve the 
constitutional purpose of the office so that the laws 
should take the place of those evils which are a 
menance to Republican institutions. How far this 
course has been successful must be determined by 
those who shall do me the honor to investigate the 
records of the department and the courts. To them 
I refer and by them I stand, under the pardonable 
consciousness that the action which I took in their 
making was never inspired nor accelerated by 
motives of policy at the expense of duty or 
principle. With an eye single to the law and a 
heart set upon duty, I have done some work in hith- 
erto unexplored regions that were bewildered by 
ominous and apparently insuperable obstacles. 
Failure meant professional ruin ; success 
vouchsafed the establishment of public rights 
upon well defined but latent principle. Re- 
sults so far are satisfactory, notwithstanding 
that the efforts have been declared by critics to 
have grown out of mistaken zeal and to have proved a 
wicked boomerang. Throughout the undertaking I 
have had the good-will, cordial encouragement and 
hearty support of my brethren at the bar all over 
the State. This alone is highly gratifying. To 
them I tender my special acknowledgments in these 
times of an unreasonable and relentless crusade 
against their profession. At no time in the history 
of tiiis grand profession have its members failed to 
respond to their country's call nor to defend the 
liberties of the people. They can and will do so 



744 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



in tbe face of blind malice tbat seeks to scythe tbem 
to tbe ground. The spirit of patriotism will ever 
enshrine them and form a magnetic .T3gis that will 
repel tbe malignant vituperation so commonly and 
indiscriminatelj' hurled at them on account of their 
occupation. With but few exceptions and without 
political distinction the lawyers have stood with me 
in each round I have taken in support of the law. 
Concurring with them was the great conservative 
press and masses composing the bulk of the Demo- 
cratic party. This generous support has ever 
cheered me on in the belief that I was right 
and that justice would finally prevail. These 
grand people, without distinction as to class, 
occupation or financial standing, make up 
to-day our party of the government, that occupies 
a position between two powerful contending forces 
that threaten tbe demolition of all. On the one 
extreme stands an organized class whose purpose 
seems to be to remodel society by regulating prop- 
erty upon new theories, limiting modes of industry, 
prescribing the sources of livelihood, changing 
domestic relations and governing the social morals 
of mankind. On the other is to be seen a federa- 
tion of voracious individuals whose insatiate avarice 
leads tbem on to feast indiscriminately upon tbe 
vital substance of every class within their way, 
without respect to the comfort or welfare of society 
at all. 

" The first has for its chief weapon of success tbe 
terror of force, propelled by inflamed passion under 
tbe guidance of distempered reason. Tbe second 
holds within its grasp the power of wealth as tbe 
means of its triumph, fostered by that vicious 
spirit which blinds tbe glutton to the wails of the 
hungry crowd around him. The former means 
destruction by blunt coercion ; tbe latter intends it 
by insidious absorption. Tbe encroachments of tbe 
one are as dangerous as tbe stealth of tbe other. 
Subject to the incursions of both is that great con- 
servative class who compose a Republic's life. 
However, at the command of it, for use in defeuse 
or aggression, to protect tbe cherished institutions 
of our government from wreck and ruin by the col- 
lision of these two contending extremes, is tbe law ! 
[Prolonged applause.] Let it impartially but stub- 
bornly prevail. Stand beneath tbe waves of its 
banner, planted upon judicial temples for tbe 
country's good. Both the cormorant and tbe com- 
mune fear it. To each let it be applied, and in due 
season tbe causes for their existence will cease and 
their practices and principles will forever disappear 
under tbe withering influence of patriots' frowns, 
showered upon tbem in the forums of justice. 
[Applause.] Tbe Democratic party has enacted 



and sustained wholesome laws and has provided 
pure tribunals for their enforcement. To tbem all 
citizens should bow and welcome their supremacy. 
Efforts to enforce them should be upheld and de- 
fended. From Constable to the highest ofBcer in 
tbe land attention to them should be impartially, 
zealously, fearlessly given without a question as to 
policj' or probable results. When they are passed 
they should be given life by conscientious officials' 
action. 

" In tbe future as in the past tbe Democratic party 
will make tbe laws for Texas, and will indorse her 
servants who with fidelity enforce them. [Ap- 
plause.] 

" Not wishing to claim your valuable time longer, 
I again beg to thank you for this high compliment 
you have just paid me, and here in the presence of 
this vast assemblage of tbe Democracy's repre- 
sentatives I pledge to the people of Texas a record 
two years from now that can be read in the light of 
law undimmed by the work of passion or prejudice, 
and unhurt by foul schemes or considerations of 
policy. [Applause.] " 

At the Democratic State Convention held in San 
Antonio, August, 1890, he was nominated for Gov- 
ernor on the first ballot, amid tbe wildest enthus- 
iasm, having swept all opposition from tbe field 
long before tbe assembling of that body. Ex- 
Lieutenant-Goveruor Wheeler was the only one of 
bis five opponents who stayed in the race to the 
end, and he received only seventeen out of the nine 
hundred votes cast by the delegates. 

Governor Hogg's record as Attorney-General was 
of such a character as to win tbe admiration of tbe 
profession and masses, and he was called to the 
gubernatorial office more nearly by the will of tbe 
whole people than perhaps any man ever elected to 
tbe Governorship in Texas. While Attorney-Gen- 
eral he forced the "Texas Tratfic Association " to 
dissolve and compelled certain railway corporations 
to re-establish their general offices and headquar- 
ters in the State, as re(iuired by the constitution. 
Acting under tbe constitution, without precedent, 
in tbe face of formidable opposition, be enjoined 
and finally succeeded in dissolving and breaking up 
that association. Following its destruction was the 
organization of tbe International Traffic Associa- 
tion, with headquarters out of the State, having like 
pnrposes in view, and also tlie International Weigh- 
ers' Association, located in Texas, intending to op- 
crate in disguise to regulate tbe traffic of the country. 
Each of these be succeeded in dissolving by the 
power and effect of the decree entered in the first 
instance. Following up these precedents and the 
law that was passed subsequent to their establish- 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



74o 



ment, he compelled the removal of the headquarters, 
general offices and shops of every railroad ia this 
State, which were located in foreign cities and 
States, back upon the line of their respecitve roads. 
The roads were compelled to bring them back to 
San Antonio, to Houston, to Galveston, to Dallas, 
to Fort Worth, to El Paso, to Denison, to Texar- 
kana, to Tyler, and to other places where they 
belonged under the terms of the charters of the 
railways. 

The very section of the constitution which creates 
the office of Attorney-General requires him to look 
after private corporations : It says : 

" He shall especially inquire into the charter 
rights of all private corporations, and from time to 
time, in the name of the State, take such action in 
the courts as may be proper and necessary to pre- 
vent any private corporation from exercising any 
power * « * not authorized by law." 

Within forty days after he quahfied he took 
action under this provision of the constitution, and 
continued to operate under it actively and effect- 
ively. His first work under it was against illegal 
fire and life insurance companies, generally called 
" wild-cat " concerns. Then there were about forty 
of them operating in Texas in violation of law. By 
the aid of an efficient and faithful commissioner of 
insurance, through the courts, he effected the ex- 
termination of every one of them within twelve 
months. It is said many good men were innocently 
in the service of those companies. Some of them 
may yet regret the loss of lucrative positions by the 
rigid enforcement of the law, but they all ought to 
be, and doubtless are, patriotic enough to rejoice 
at the general public good effected as the general 
result. By this work the commissioner says the 
people have been saved at least $2.50,000 per year. 

The railroad from Sabine Pass to Beaumont had 
ceased to operate. For months no trains of any 
character were run between the two points, a dis- 
tance of thirty miles. It was the only road 
to the Pass and the company refused to 
operate it down there. Complaint was made 
to the Attorney-General and he brought action 
against it and forced it to reconstruct, equip 
and operate the road. Since that time it has been 
doing its duty to the public without complaint. 

Without entering into further details of the 
services he performed as Attorne}--GeneraI, it is 
enough to state that by suits and official action dulj' 
taken, he compelled most of the railroads in Texas, 
so far as the law would warrant, to decently repair, 
equip and operate their roads, to cease discrimina- 
tion in many instances between shippers, to con- 
struct and keep in proper order suitable depot 



buildings, and to otherwise perform their duties to 
the public. In the same way he compelled the 
dissolution of many unlawful combinations within 
the State that had been for a long time operating 
in defiance of law. Included within these were 
the express association, insurance underwriters, 
coffin combine, tobacco trust and others. He also 
represented the State in numbers of cases in the 
Supreme and District Courts against defaulting 
sheriffs and tax-collectors, delinquent land lessees 
and others, who were due the State or sought' 
to recover from it sums of money. He stirred up, 
through the efficient district and county attorneys, 
delinquent taxpayers and many others who refused 
to perform their legal obligations to the govern- 
ment. By proceedings in the nature of quo vxtr- 
ranto he procured a forfeiture of the charter of the 
East Line and Red River Railway on account of 
the failure of that corporation to comply with its 
stipulations. He instituted actions to recover lands 
illegally acquired by railroads and filed a large 
number of other important suits. 

In the Twenty-first Legislature a strong effort 
was made to pass a bill providing for a commission 
to regulate and control the rates of railway traffic 
having its origin and destination within the State, 
but it failed of passage, mainly because a large 
number of members of that body considered such a 
law in conflict with the constitution. As a com- 
promise and to determine the popular will, the 
Twenty-first Legislature submitted, for adoption or 
rejection by the people, a constitutional amendment 
providing expressly for the creation of such a com- 
mission. Other important amendments were sub- 
mitted at the same time, but the one relating to rail- 
waj's overshadowed in prominence all others, and it 
constituted the main issue of the gubernatorial 
campaign. While the passage of a commission bill 
through the Legislature had been attempted and its 
provisions, constitutionality and expediency were 
discussed in the debates attending the-effort, yet a 
great majority of the people had no clear concep- 
tion of the fundamental principles involved, the 
extent of the evils to be remedied and the rights 
and powers of the State and roads in the premises, 
until Governor Hogg's great opening speech was 
delivered at Rusk. Before the campaign opened 
the public mind was in a state well-nigh bordering 
upon indifference. His speech at Rusk, April 19, 
1890, however, was like the blast of a bugle in 
some enchanted hall filled with sleeping men at 
arms, who, at the martial sound, leap to their feet, 
clash their weapons and sally out in full array of 
battle, ready anfl eager for the fray. The 
Galveston-Dallas Nvtvs published the speech in full 



746 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



next morning, introduced by the following comment 
of their reporter : — 

"Attorney-General Hogg made bis speech here 
to-day in bis native place, the first he has made in 
the campaign. Many distinguished men were here 
from over the State, all told 3,000 people. Hogg 
clubs from Smith and Wood counties were here in 
good numbers. The Campbell Guards from Long- 
view and brass bands of Jacksonville and Tyler 
were here in full uniform. Mr. Hogg spoke three 
hours and his effort is pronounced a masterpiece 
and was well received by the people." 

The paths of men make many turnings. Some 
move with an onward sweep, recrossing at no im- 
portant point, and the great events of life are like 
resting-places along a dusty roadside. This is not 
true of others. One man finds himself, after many 
years, drawn by a combination of powerful circum- 
stances to a spot rendered sacred by some hour of 
sorrow and trial, through whose travail be came 
forth a truer, nobler man, or to which memory has 
often fondly turned from far distant lands ; and 
another, while bearing the heat and burden of some 
great contest, on whose successful issue depend 
his fortunes, gathers courage and inspiration from 
the spot that knew his childhood. So it was with 
Governor Hogg. His was not a childhood whose 
happy way lay through banks of flowers, but a child- 
hood that called for fortitude and toil. With his hon- 
ors, won as Attorney- General of Texas, fresh upon 
him, and about to give the signal for a tremendous 
conflict, he selected bis birthplace as the scene, and 
April 19, 1890, delivered an address whose every 
word reverberated throughout the confines of the 
State. In beginning that speech he said: — 

"Fellow-Citizens — Acting on the invitation of 
a committee from Rusk, and in obedience to nat- 
ural impulses, I am here, where I was born, at the 
playground of my childhood, to begin among my 
life-long friends and associates a formal canvass of 
the State as a candidate for Governor. Just after 
the war, when merely a boy, many of you will re- 
member that I left these familiar scenes and gener- 
ous people to cast my lot among strangers in 
another county. How they have trusted and treated 
me, ask them. Look among this vast concourse 
and you will see many of those good people, a hun- 
dred miles away from their homes, taking part in 
this demonstration. They have been drawn here 
by ties of affection that are too strong for dissolu- 
tion, too pure for others than friends to bear. To 
them I direct you for an account of myself in all 
the walks of life since I left you so many years ago. 



As a day laborer and a penniless printer they re- 
ceived me to their firesides and cheered me on. In 
the journalistic field they gave me a generous, lib- 
eral support, and made my paper a success. They 
trusted me with positions of Road Overseer, Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and County Attorney ; they 
joined with five other counties in making me their 
District Attorney, and afterward they generously 
contributed their full strength in electing me Attor- 
ney-General, the office I now hold." 

This speech inaugurated a most remarkable and 
important campaign. The merits and demerits of 
a railway commission were exhaustively discussed 
through the columns of the press and from the ros- 
trum. The opposition to Governor Hogg and the 
amendment was not slow to effect thorough organ- 
ization, and numbered in its ranks many men of 
great experience in politics and whose civic virtues 
commanded respect. J. W. Throckmorton, Gus- 
tave Cook, H. D. McDonald, T. B. Wheeler and 
R. M. Hall were respectively (although not in the 
order named) selected as standard-bearers by mem- 
bers of the party opposed to a commission. As the 
battle progressed and county after county instructed 
for Hogg, they one by one retired from the race, 
leaving Hon. T. B. Wheeler to alone go before the 
Democratic convention at San Antonio and contest 
with Gen. Hogg for the nomination. Not only was 
Gen. Hogg nominated for Governor on the first bal- 
lot, practically without opposition, but the amend- 
ment was also unqualifiedly indorsed. It was a 
famous victory. 

Governor Hogg's message, sent to the Legislature 
the day following his inauguration, was a state 
paper that fully met the just expectations of his 
friends. Every question of public policy was ex- 
haustively discussed and proper legislation recom- 
mended. No stronger document has ever eman- 
ated from the Governor's office in this State. 

Governor J. S. Hogg is a very tall and large man, 
measuring six feet and two inches in height and 
weighing 285 pounds. His success in life is to be 
attributed to his own unaided efforts, a faith- 
fulness to duty, and unshakable steadiness of pur- 
pose. 

He served as Governor a second term, having 
been renominated at Houston in 1892. In tliis 
campaign the Democracy of Texas divided in the 
famous Hogg-Clark contest. Governor Hogg made 
a most remarkable canvass and beat the Clark fol- 
lowing and the most able and popular Populist 
candidate for Governor Texas ever had (Judge T. 
L. Nugent) by nearly GO, 000 plurality. 




K. M. s\\KAi;i>.<;i:x. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



747 



R. M. SWEARINGEN, 

AUSTIN. 



Dr. Richard M. Swearingen was born in Noxubu 
County, Miss., on the 26th day of September, 1838. 
He is the lineal descendant of Garrett Van Swear- 
ingen, who emigrated from Holland to Maryland in 
1645, and the son of Dr. R. J. Swearingen and 
Margaret M. Swearingen, who settled in Washington 
County, Texas, in 1848. 

His father was a pioneer in the cause of educa- 
tion, and was the projector of the splendid schools 
that, in ante-bellum days, made Chappel Hill 
famous throughout the State. His mother was the 
daughter of Maj. Boley Conner, of Irish descent, 
who was an otHcer under Jackson in the War of 
1812. She was a lady of gentle manners, marked 
individuality and deep piety. In the new town, 
made by their efforts and a few congenial friends a 
center of wealth, culture and refinement, their 
children, Sarah Frances, Patrick Henry, Helen 
Marr, Richard Montgomery, John Thomas, and 
Mary Gertrude, were raised and educated. 

R. M. Swearingen was growing into manhood 
when the political excitement of 1860-61 began to 
shake the foundation of the government. Fiery 
denunciation of Northern aggression and stormy 
oratory was the order of the day. Reason gave way 
to passion, and men seemed driven by inexorable 
forces on to an inevitable destiny. 

The voice of Sam Houston rang through the land 
like an inspired prophet, but was drowned in the 
whirlwind that heralded the impending war. 

The subject of this sketch, nearl}' thirty 3'ears 
after the guns of Fort Sumpter sounded the death 
knell of peace, with satisfaction records the fact 
that he was one among the few who stood with the 
immortal Houston in opposing and voting against 
the ordinance of secession. When, however, his 
State, by an overwhelming majority, went out of the 
Union, he felt in duty bound to give his allegiance 
to her, and responded to the first call ever made 
for troops. 

On the 28th day of February, 1861, he embarked 
at Galveston, under Gen. McLeod's command, for 
the lower Rio Grande. After a six months' cam- 
paign in the regiment of that well-known and gal- 
lant old frontiersman. Col. JobnS. Ford, the young 
soldier returned to his home in Chappel Hill. After 
resting a few days, information having been re- 
ceived that his younger brother, J. T. Swearingen, 



was sick at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., he started for 
that place. 

J. T. Swearingen had left the State some months 
before, with troops bound for Virginia, but having 
been refused enrollment on account of extreme 
youth, left them at Knoxville, Tenn., and volun- 
teered in Brazelton's battalion of Tennessee cav- 
alry. The brave boy had served under the ill-fated 
ZoUicoffer, in Kentucky, and had won the admira- 
tion of his comrades, but the rough campaign had 
too severely taxed his physical powers, and rest 
was imperatively demanded. The ordinary methods 
to secure his discharge having failed, the older 
brother took his place in the ranks, and for the 
second time donned the uniform of a Confederate 
soldier. 

The new company joined was commanded by 
Capt. A. M. Gofarth, who, a few months later, was 
promoted Major of the regiment, and who fell at 
its head, sword in hand, leading a desperate 
charge. 

About two months after the brothers had changed 
places, the company was reorganized, and the gen- 
erous Tennesseeans elected the only Texian in the 
company their First Lieutenant, and in less than 
six months promoted him to the Captaincy. For 
nearly three years he commanded this noted com- 
pany ; noted, not only for faithful and arduous 
services rendered during the war, but for the brill- 
iant successes made by some of its members after 
the war had closed. Pryor Gammon, of Waxa- 
hachie, Texas, was First Lieutenant ; George Moore, 
Louisiana, was second; and Sam. M. Inman, of 
Atlanta, Ga., was third. Mr. D. C. Williams, of 
Collinsville, Ala., and James Swann, of the firm of 
Inman, Swann & Co., of New York, and Sam. 
Dick, of the firm of S. M. Inman & Co., were Ser- 
geants. John H. Inman, of New York, now one of 
the railway kings of this continent, was a member 
of the company. The firms of Inman, Swann & Co., 
and S. M. Inman & Co., rank high among the great 
business houses of the world, and he who commanded 
the men who made those houses great, through per- 
haps the stormiest periods of their lives, gives to 
history this testimony, " that fame and fortune, 
for once, found men worthy of their richest offer- 
ings." 

During the occupation of Cumberland Gap, while 



718 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



on a scout in the mountains of East Tennessee, 
Private Swearingen was prostrated with pneumonia, 
and left in Sneedville, at tbe house of INIr. Lee 
Jessee. This trifling episode would not be worthy 
of record, but for the fact that Mr. Jessee had an 
accomplished daughter, named Jennie, who was 
very kind to him while sick, and who won his life- 
long gratitude and affection. During the subsequent 
years of the war, neither distance nor danger de- 
terred him from seeing that genial, happy family, 
whenever it was possible to do so. On the 12th 
day of September, after a rough and perilous 
journey over the mountains from Sneedville (then 
witiiin the enemy's lines) to Jonesville, Va., Miss 
Jennie Jessee, in the presence of her brave, sweet 
sister, Sallie, was married to Richard M. Swearin- 
gen. 

Ten days after the marriage, upon a dark night, 
Capt. Swearingen ventured into Sneedville, to tell 
his wife and the family good-bye, but before the 
words were spoken, the house was surrounded 
by a company of mountain bushmen, and he 
was forced to surrender. For two weeks he was 
in the hands of these hard men, suffering all kinds 
of cruelties and indignities. Once he was tied, 
apparently for prompt execution, and would cer- 
tainly have been killed, but for the interference of 
one Joab Buttry, who had once been the recipient 
of some kindness from Mr. Jessee, his wife's 
father. Buttry was the chief of the band, and his 
hands were stained by the blood of many Confed- 
erates. He had seen his own brother shot down in 
cold blood by a scouting party of Confederate 
soldiers, and the bold mountaineer, then a quiet 
citizen, hoisted a black flag and enlisted for the 
war. 

During the days of imprisonment, the young wife 
and her friends were not idle. A written proposi- 
tion from Gen. John C. Breckenridge, commanding 
the department, "that he would give the bushmen 
any three men that they might name, then in Con- 
federate prisons, in exchange for their prisoner," 
was accepted. That same day the chief of the 
band, alone, took his captive to the north bank of 
Clinch river, and released him, with expressions of 
good will. 

Joab Buttry seemed made of iron, but through 
the dark metal would shine the gold of a noble 
manhood, that desperate deeds and a desperate life 
had not altogether obliterated. 

After his fortunate escape, Capt. Swearingen 
started on a long hunt in search of his lost com- 
pany, and found it not a great distance south of 
Raleigh, N. C. The space allotted him in this vol- 
ume of biographies will not permit even a casual 



notice of the incidents and experiences of those 
eventful 3-ears. The company participated in many 
engagements ; was with Bragg in Tennessee, Kirby 
Smith in Kentucky, Joseph E. Johnston in the 
retreat through Georgia, with John H. Morgan 
when he was killed, with Hood at Atlanta, and 
again with Joseph E. Johnston in South and North 
Carolina. To enable the reader to form some esti- 
mate of the hardships of the Confederate service, 
the statement is here made that this company, the 
last j-ear of the war, did not possess a tent or 
wagon, or anything in the shape of a cooking 
vessel. Their rations of meat were broiled upon 
coals of fire, and the cornmeal cooked in the same 
primitive fashion. Notwithstanding these depriva- 
tions, the men, as a rule, were happy, buoyant, 
capable of great physical endurance, and they 
wept like children when, among the tall pines of 
Carolina, their flag went down forever. In obedi- 
ieuce to the cartel of surrender, Capt. Swearingen 
marched the company back to Tennessee, before 
disbanding it. 

That last roll-call and parting scene on the banks 
of the French Broad river is one of those clearly 
defined memory-pictures that possibly live with our 
souls in higher forms of existence. 

For three years those men had shared each 
other's dangers, and under the shadow of a com- 
mon sorrow, the humiliation of a hopeless defeat, 
the}' were to look for the last time upon each other. 
The commanding officer, whose route at that point 
diverged from the one to be taken by the company, 
fronted them into line and tried to call the roll, but 
failed to do so. He then moved around by the 
roadside and they filed by, one at a time, and shook 
his hand. There was a profound silence ; no one 
attempted to speak a word, and every eye was filled 
with tears, as the curtain rolled slowly down upon the 
saddest act in that long and well-played drama of 
war. 

Capt. Swearingen, a few weeks later, assisted by 
his wife, was teaching a country school at the foot 
of the Cumberland Mountains in Lee County. 

In the autumn of 1865, information having 
reached him of a requisition from Governor Brown- 
low, of Tennessee, upon Governor Pierrepont, of 
Virginia, for his arrest and return to Sneedville, 
the newly-installed teacher abruptly closed his 
prosperous school. 

Capt. Swearingen was confronted with an indict- 
ment for some unknown offense, and the trial of 
Confederates in East Tennessee, at that time, was 
on the style of drumhead courtmartials, with ver- 
dicts prepared in advance. To remain there, only 
twenty miles from Sneedville, was not to be thought 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEEliS OF TEXAS. 



749 



of ; to go elsewhere for safety, and leave his 
wife without a protector and without money, was 
another dilemma equally as painful as the first. 
About 10 o'clock, the first night after closing the 
school, while the husband and wife were discuss- 
ing the situation, a rap upon the door, and an 
unforgotlen voice, announced the arrival of the 
young brother, who four years before had been 
found at Cumberland Gap, only a few miles from 
the place of their second meeting. J. T. Swear- 
ingen had heard of his brother's dangerous sur- 
roundings, and, selling about all of his earthly pos- 
sessions to get funds for the trip, went to his relief. 

The next morning R. M. Swearingen left his 
wife in safe hands and started for Texas. At 
Huntsville, Ala., he awaited (as had been previously 
planned) the arrival of those left in Virginia, and 
with bright faces they journeyed on to Alta Vista, 
where the best of all good sisters, Mrs. Helen M. 
Kirbj', received them with open arms. 

The State was then going through the agonies of 
reconstruction, and the machinery of the govern- 
ment was virtually in the hands of military rulers 
and reckless adventurers. Old customs and sys- 
tems, and ties, and hopes, and fortunes, were lost 
forever, but the old South, crushed to earth, with 
vandals on her prostrate form, and bayonets at her 
breast, bravely staggered to her feet and faced a 
glorious future. The courts were closed, or only 
opened to make a burlesque of justice and a 
mockery of law. 

In such a reign of anarchy, the profession of 
medicine was the only one of the learned professions 
that offered any promise of immediate success, and 
Capt. Swearingen selected it for his life work. He 
at once commenced the study, and graduated in the 
school of medicine, New Orleans, March, 1867, de- 
livering the valedictory, and located in Chappell 
Hill. The friends of his parents, and the friends of 
his youth, received him with great kindness, and 
when the yellow fever epidemic of that year deso- 
lated the town, he was conspicuous as a tireless 
worker among all classes, and was rewarded with a 
patronage both gratifying and remunerative. His 
wife, as courageous as when tried in the furnace of 
war, would not leave her husband, although urged 
l)y him to do so, rendered faithful services to the 
sick, and survived the epidemic, but her only child, 
beautiful little Helen, was taken from her. 

In 1875 Dr. Swearingen removed to Austiui 
where he still resides, and where a clientelle has 
been secured that satisfied his ambition, and enabled 
him to provide comfortably for those dependent on 
him. His family consists of wife, one daughter 
(Bird), now happily married to E. B. Robinson, 



their baby (winsome Jennie), and his wife's niece, 
Miss Lulu Bewley. When the yellow fever epi- 
demic of 1878 made such fearful ravages in the 
Mississippi Valley, he responded to an appeal for 
medical assistance made b^'^ the relief committee of 
Memphis, Tenn., and with his friend, Dr. T. D. 
Manning, reached that city the 3d day of Septem- 
ber. From there they were transferred by the 
relief committee to Holly Springs, Miss., where 
they organized a hospital service that did effective 
work until the close of the pestilence. 

The good accomplished, however, viewed through 
the dim lights of human understanding, seemed 
dearly bought, for in less than two weeks after they 
had entered that valley of death, a thousand hearts 
were sorrowing for the young, gifted and dauntless 
Manning. The great loss of life, and the destruc- 
tion of property caused by that wide-spread epi- 
demic, induced the Congress of the United States 
to enact a law, authorizing the President to appoint 
a board of experts upon contagious diseases, con- 
sisting of nine men, and directed them to prepare a 
report upon the causes of epidemics, and also to 
suggest some plan of defense against subsequent 
invasions, for the consideration of that honorable 
body. Dr. Swearingen was a member of that board, 
and the bill creating the National Board of Health 
was drawn in accordance with the plan presented to 
Congress by that board of experts. 

January, 1881, Governor O. M. Roberts ap- 
pointed Dr. Swearingen "State Health Officer," 
and in 1883 Governor John Ireland reappointed 
him to the same position. Under the guidance of 
those two distinguished executives, he controlled 
the health department of the State for six consecu- 
tive years. He has always been a zealous friend of 
public schools, and has been a member of the board 
of trustees of Austin City schools since the free 
school system was inaugurated. He is a member 
of the American Public Health Association, and the 
president of the State Medical Association, num- 
bering more than 500 active, progressive physicians. 
In January, 1891, Governor James S. Hogg ten- 
dered Dr. Swearingen the office of State Health 
Officer, and that gentleman accepted the honor and 
entered upon the duties of the position. 

By his friends he is classed among conservatives, 
but is positive in his convictions, and was never 
a neutral upon any great moral or political ques- 
tion. 

He has made some reputation as a speaker, but 
has no aspirations in that line. His last effort, un- 
dertaken at the earnest solicitation of old Confed- 
erate soldiers, was made in the House of Repre- 
serriratives, December 11, 1889, to an audience of 



750 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



two thousand people. The occasion was the mem- 
orial service io honor of Jeffersoa Davis. 

It is Dr. Swearingen's wish to have the address 
appended to his biography, not on account of any 
special merit claimed for it, but to perpetuate, aud, 
if possible, to make imperishable some evidence of 
his love and admiration for a pure, a good and 
great man. 

"memorial address." 

" Mk. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen — The 
unsuccessful leaders of great revolutions loom up 
along the shores of time as do lighthouses upon 
stormy coasts, all of them brilliant and shining afar 
off like stars! But few of these men have left be- 
hind them substantial evidences of their greatness, 
or monuments of their works. Their names are not 
often wreathed in the marble flowers that glisten 
upon splendid mausoleums. Tradition tells no 
story of loving hands having planted above them 
the myrtle and the rose, and of manly eyes paying 
to their memories the tribute of tears. History 
can now write another chapter. Last Friday, when 
the wires flashed the news to the uttermost borders 
of civilization that the ex-President of the Confed- 
erate States was dead, a wave of sorrow swept over 
the fairest portion of the earth. The soldiers of the 
dead Confederacy were bowed down in grief, and 
men and women, from the Potomac to the Rio 
Grande, talked in low, tremulous tones of their old 
chief, and the glorious record he had made. 

" This occasion will not permit even of a brief re- 
view of his illustrious life, nor an analysis of the 
'why' he formed a new republic, nor the 'how' 
that young republic, after a colossal struggle, went 
down beneath the tread of a million men. 

" Jefferson Davis was the ideal Southerner — the 
highest t3'pe of American manhood. 

"For four consecutive years he was the central 
figure in the stormiest era in the world's history. 
Around him gathered the hopes of a nation, and 
upon his shoulders rested her destinies. At his 
word legions sprang to arms, and his name was 
shouted by dying lips upon every field of battle. 

" Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since 
the last shell exploded over the contending armies. 



Green forests have grown up in the rifle pits and 
in the trenches. An universal charity has thrown 
a white mantle of forgiveness over the men who 
fought beneath the stars and stripes, and over tha") 
gallant few who followed to the death the waning 
fortunes of that ' bonnie blue flag ' we loved so well. 

" Through all these years the dark-robed reaper 
has been busy at his work, striking with impartial 
hand the fearless hearts that formed the lines, and 
the lofty plumes that led the van. 

"Lincoln, Grant, Sheridan, Thomas, Albert Sid- 
ney Johnston, Lee, Jackson and Bragg have long 
since passed to the other shore, and to-day the mar- 
tial form of Jefferson Davis, clothed in the uniform 
of gray, is consigned to mother earth. 

"Death never gathered to her cold embrace a 
purer Christian ; the cradle of childhood never 
rocked to sleep a gentler heart ; the fires of martyr- 
dom never blazed around a more heroic soul ; the 
Roman eagles, the lilies of France nor the Lion of 
St. George never waved above a braver, truer sol- 
dier. 

" On the field of Monterey, wounded and almost 
dying, he bore through fire and smoke the victor's 
wreath! In the counsels of State he wore the in- 
signia of a leader, and when his official light went 
out forever, he won the glory of a martyr. Crushed 
down by defeat, cast into the dungeons of Fortress 
Monroe, unawed by manacles, unterrified by a fel- 
on's death that seemed inevitable, this ideal South- 
erner, this leader of the lost cause, was still true to 
his people, and rose above the gloom of his sur- 
roundings, tall, majestic and eternal as the pyra- 
mids that look down upon Sahara. As bold Sir 
Belvidere said of kingly Arthur, ' The like of him 
will never more be seen on earth.' 

"Farewell, m}' peerless, unconquered old chief. 

" Your fame will go down the ages as the purest 
aud grandest of mortals ; and I do pray that your 
mighty spirit has found some beautiful spot on the 
ever shining river, where no beat of drum nor clank 
of chains shall mar the melody of golden harps 
when swept by angel fingers ; where no prison walls 
can hide the light of the throne, and where the 
smile of a loving God will fall around you for- 
ever." 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



751 



THE HOUSTON AND TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD. 



The Houston & Texas Central Railroad is 
known throughout Texas and tlie whole United 
Stales as the pioneer railroad line of Texas. It was 
founded by men who took part in the early develop- 
ment of the State, and they gave to the location of 
this great line the results of their knowledge of its 
agricultural capacities, and the lay of the land 
affecting the movement of products toward the 
proposed line. 

They planted this railroad at the head of tide- 
water on Buffalo bayou, at the city whose name is 
linked in song and story with that immortal day at 
San Jacinto, when the Lone Star of Texas rose 
resplendent over the ever glorious field of San 
Jacinto — Houston. 

Here, where the flow of the Gulf of Mexico rests 
against the alluvial deposits from the great prairies 
on the divide between the Brazos and the San 
Jacinto rivers, was started, in 1853, that great rail- 
road which, in every stage of the development of 
Texas, since its first fifty miles was built, has dem- 
onstrated the wisdom of its route and its hold on 
the business of the State. It has the open sea at 
its base of operations, and the goodl}- land of Texas 
on each side to give it sustenance. The Trinity 
lies about sixty miles to the eastward, and the 
Colorado about 100 miles to the westward. It 
commands the rich lands of the Brazos for about 
160 miles, and thence almost due north to Denison, 
making a total distance from Houston of 338 miles. 
As it leaves the waters of the Brazos, the Trinity, 
which has been on a line almost parallel to the east, 
now bears to the westward, and the road is soon 
among its tributaries. Then, touching the main 
stream at Dallas, it continues through a region thus 
watered, until it reaches the tributaries of the Red 
river, near its terminal point. These contiguous 
water-courses give the drainage and moisture that 
insure growth and constant sustenance to the crops. 
The bottoms of the rivers and creeks are subject to 
but occasional overflows, have rich alluvial, while 
the uplands of prairie and timber have a great 
depth of fertile soil, varying according to the 
peculiar features of the region, its elevation and 
geological formation. The trade of the prosperous 
cities on its line from Houston to Denison, and its 
close connections with Galveston, have made the 
cross lines, which have been built by other interests, 
feeders to an extent which more than overcomes 
competition. 



At Austin the Houston & Texas Central connects 
with one of the new lines working harmoniously 
with its system, the Austin & Northwestern Rail- 
road. This line penetrates the great county of 
Williamson, and thence through Burnet and Llano 
counties to its present terminus among the Granite 
Hills, from whence come the thousands of tons of 
rock for the Galveston jetties. 

At Garrett, on its main line, 234 miles from 
Houston, another of its feeders, the Central Texas & 
Northwestern Railway, and Fort Worth & New 
Orleans Railway, pour into its lap the business of 
those rich counties, which lie between the main line 
and the famed city of Fort Worth, and the business 
which flows from and through to the Gulf. 

The Lancaster Branch from Hutchins gives to 
the enterprising town of Lancaster, in Dallas 
County, an independent connection. 

The Houston Direct Navigation Company, which 
carries out to the Gulf over 400,000 bales of cotton 
via the Houston Ship Channel, is one of the prin- 
cipal connections of Houston. 

The lines of the Houston & Texas Central cover 
the richest agricultural region of Texas, embracing 
the timbered and rolling prairie region from 100 
to 700 feet above the Gulf, resting upon the "Timber 
Belt" beds of sandstone and limestone, which al- 
ready are quarried to a considerable extent. The 
soils are red clay, red sand or mulatto, just as they 
are underlaid by sands or clays respectivel}'. On 
many of the uplands there is a gray sandy soil, 
grading down into a red subsoil, which is especially 
adapted to the growth of fruit. This whole area 
from Houston to the Red river will compare favor- 
able with any region of the world in its combination 
of rich soil. 

The controlling interest of this great line is princi- 
pally in the hands of capitalists connected with the 
Southern Pacific Company, and although under a 
separate management, it is operated in harmony 
with the great Southern Pacific system jf railways 
and steamships. 

Since the Houston & Texas Central Railroad was 
completed in 187G, a number of new and important 
lines have been constructed, affecting, in part, the 
territory from which its main business comes, yet 
its advantageous position continues to assert itself. 
It carries to tide water annually about one-fourth 
of the entire cotton crop of Texas. 



762 



J.XJJIAX WJL'S AND PIONEEliS OF TEXAS. 



The traveler cannot see Texas without journey- 
ing over the line of the Houston & Texas Central 
Railroad. Galveston is but fifty miles distant upon 
the Gulf. Houston, Austin, Piano, McKinncy, 
Corsicana, Ennis, Dallas, Sherman, Denison, Wax- 
ahachie and Fort Worth are directly on Us lines. 
On every side, as its trains course through the land, 
are to be seen fields heavy with the reward of the 
farmer ; town after town evidences the thrift and 
progress that has followed its construction and 
sustains its fortunes. 

The Houston & Texas Central Railroad, which 



has it southern terminus in Houston, has its prin- 
cipal repair shops there, valued at about $250,000. 
The Southern Pacific Company also has its principal 
repair shops there, valued at $650,000. In the 
shops of these two companies, 1875 skilled laborers 
are given constant employment, and the monthly 
pay-roll of those two companies, in the shops alone, 
amounts to about $56,000. The Houston & Texas 
Central also has at Houston one of the finest and 
most complete depot buildings in the South, with 
such splendid facilities that most of the other roads 
depot with it. 




INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 




754 



[NDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



J. P. SMITH, 

FORT WORTH. 



A perusal of this work will disclose many native 
Kentiickians who have settled in Texas and made 
successes of life, but we doubt if any of the sons 
of the "blue grass" region have made a more 
remarkable success than Col. J. P. Smith, of Fort 
Worth. Owen County, Kentucky, is his birth- 
place, and September 16, 1831, the date. His 
father, Samuel Smith, was also a Kentuckian, 
having been born at Ghent, in Carroll County, in 
1798. He was married to Miss Polly Bond, of 
Owen County, tlie sime Stale, in 1828. Miss Bond 
was born in Scott County in 1808. They resided 
in Owen County until 1838, when they removed to 
Ohio County, near Hartford, where they both died 
in 1844, leaving six sons, as follows: H. G., 
Louis, R. T., J. H., Samuel and J. P., our subject. 

Col. J. P. Smith was born and raised on a farm, 
and after the death of his parents he took up his 
residence with his cousin, W. H. Garnett, of Owen 
County, whom he selected as his guardian. He 
worked on his cousin's farm, attending the best 
schools during the winter months. He kept this up 
until 1849, when he entered Franklin College, Indi- 
ana, where he remained ten months, 'n September, 
1850, he entered Bethany College, Vir nia, where he 
tjok first honors in his classes of anc.ent languages 
and mathematics, graduating from this institution 
in 1853. Having finished his studies, in Novem- 
ber, 1853, he left Kentucky for Texas, and in De- 
cember of the same year reached Fort Worth. He 
opened the first school ever taught in Fort Worth, 
i je close confinement of the school-room so seri- 
ously impaired his health, however, that he was 
forced to close his school, after a short '.ession of 
three months. He devoted his time and attention 
to surveying, which occupation he followed at inter- 
vals until the year 18fi0. While engaged in survey- 
ing he read law with A. Y. Fowler, of Fort Worth, 
and without attending a law school, was admitted to 
the bar in 1858, since which time he has practiced 
in the State and Federal courts. He was distinctly 
opposed to secession and voted against it in 18G1. 
When war broke out, however, he gave his services 
to his State and assisted in raising a company of 120 
men, with whom, as Company K, Seventh Texas Cav- 
alry, he was mustered into service at San Antonio, 
under Col. Wm. Steel, Sibley's brigade. This brig- 
ade served principally in New Mexico, Arizona and 
Western Louisiana. He was at the recapture of 
Galveston from the Federals, January 1, 1863, was 



severely wounded on June 23, 1863, near Donald- 
sonville, and slightly wounded at the battle of 
Mansfield, Louisiana. In 1864 he was promoted to 
Colonel of his regiment, which he disbanded on the 
Trinity river, in Navarro County, Texas, May 18, 
1865. The regiment then numbered something like 
600 well armed and thoroughly equipped men, and 
at the time of disbandment was on the march from 
Louisiana to Texas. The Colonel, in 1865, returned 
to Fort Worth and resumed his law practice, buy- 
ing and selling real estate on the outside. 

He was married in Tarrant County, Texas, on 
October 16, 1867, to Mrs. Mary E. Fox, widow of 
Dr. F. A. Fox, of Mississippi. Mrs. Smith was 
born in Carroll Count •, Miss., of English-American 
parentage. Of this '.nion there are five children: 
James Young, born OL-tober 15, 1869; Peter, born 
May 19, 1873; Florence, born November 14, 1875, 
William Bealle, born December 8, 1878, and 
Samuel C, born June 15, 1885. Mrs. Smith is an 
unassuming, domestic lady, a charming conversa- 
tionalist and a most popular member of society. 

Col. Smith has the distinction of being an original 
charter member of the Masonic Lodge established 
in Fort Worth in 1854. In 1858 he became a 
Royal Arch Mason, and served two years as High 
Priest of the Chapter. 

Col. Smith has always been an earnest Democrat. 
He is very often referreil to by the older residents 
as "the father of Fort Worth." He was elected 
Mayor of the ciiy in April, 1882. Some idea of 
the benefits accruing to Fort Worth during Col. 
Smith's term of office may be had when it is known 
that the city did not have a paved street at his 
inauguration. Col. Smith was elected to a second 
term as Ma3'or, and before the expiration of his 
second term was urged all over the State to accept 
the nomination of Governor, but prefeering not to 
sacrifice his extensive private interests, which the 
acceptance of this nomination would have entailed, 
he declined. Nearly, if not all, of the large cattle 
companies of Northwest Texas are under more or 
less obligation to the enterprising ability of Col. 
Smith for their organization. 

On August 12, 1890, Col. Smith was again 
almost unanimously elected Mayor of Fort Worth. 
He is universally liked and esteemed for his noble 
character, generous disposition and impartiality of 
opinion, and Fort Worth points with pride to his 
name on her list of honored citizens. 





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MRS. GKTZENDANE1>'. 



INDIAX WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



765 



W. H. GETZENDANER, 



WAXAHACHIE. 



W. H. Getzendaner was born May 14, 1834, in 
Frederick County, Maryland. His father, Abratn 
Getzendaner, was a farmer, as were his thrifty 
Swiss ancesters for several generations before him. 
The family settled in Maryland in 1730, when it 
was a wild and sparsely inhabited country. His 
mother, Marj^ was born in Frederick City, Mary- 
land, in 1814, and was the daughter of Peter Buckey, 
a tanner and farmer. Her mother's maiden name 
was Marj' Salmon, whose father was an officer in 
the Revolutionary armj-, though before the war 
began he was a retired officer of the British 
army. 

W. H. Getzendaner was reared on the farm until 
he was nineteen, when he attended Frederick Acad- 
emy for two years. In 1855 he was sent to Dick- 
inson College, Carlisle, Pa., to complete his educa- 
tion, and graduated in that institution with the 
degree of bachelor of arts in 1858. During the 
senior year of bis collegiate course he pursued the 
study of law, which he more fully mastered in the 
office of W. J. Ross, in Frederick City. Thus pre- 
pared to enter upon the practice of his profession, 
he went to Huntsville, Texas, in the latter part of 
1858, where he remained six months. In 1859 he 
removed to "Waxahachie. 

In the latter year he was admitted to the bar at 
Tyler, and practiced in Waxahachie from 1859 to 
1875, except during the Civil War and two years 
following. The latter period he devoted to improv- 
ing and cultivating his farm. His practice was re- 
munerative from the beginning, and he acquired a 
high character as a lawyer and advocate. 

In 1861 he recruited and organized Compan}' E, 
Twelfth Texas Cavalrj', for the Confederate army. 
In this company he was a Lieutenant ; but after the 
fighting was over he was assigned to duty as Quar- 
termaster of the regiment, with the rank and pay of 
Captain. He was also for a time Adjutant-General 
of Parson's cavalry brigade. During the war he 
was in more than thirt}- engagements, and was 
wounded both at Cloutierville and Yellow Bayou. 
After the war be turned bis attention somewhat to 
agriculture, but in 1867 returned to Waxahachie. 

In 1872, at the solicitation of his fellow-citizens, 
he accepted the office of Mayor of the city, organ- 
ized the corporation, drafted the ordinances and 
set in motion the municipal machinery. After one 



year's service he retired, his health, from overwork, 
having partially failed. 

Julj' 1, 1868, the firm of Ferris & Getzendaner, 
composed of -J. W. Ferris and W. H. Getzendaner, 
opened a private banking house in Waxahachie, 
continuing also their business as lawyers. This 
partnership continued for eight years. In 1876 
Capt. Getzendaner withdrew from the law firm and 
Judge Ferris from the banking bouse, the latter 
leaving his son. Royal A. Ferris, in charge of his 
banking interests. The firm name they changed to 
Getzendaner &' Ferris. This bank was established 
on a capital of $6,000 ; but in twelve years, so 
greatly had the operations of the bank increased, 
the capital had grown to §100,000. It has for cor- 
respondents S. M. Swenson' & Son, New York; 
Ball, Hutchings & Co., Galveston; Louisiana Na- 
tional Bank, New Orleans; Continental Bank, St. 
Louis; First National Bank of Houston, and the 
City National Bank of Dallas. The partnership 
and individual property of this banking house 
amounts to about $200,000. It is, therefore, on a 
safe basis and enjoys the confidence of the business 
men of Texas. 

He is a Master Mason and a communicant of the 
Episcopal Church. Up to the war he was an " Old 
Line" AYhig, but since that time has voted and 
acted with the Democrats. He voted for the ordi- 
nance of secession after his return from the expedi- 
tion in Clay, Archer and Jack Counties against the 
Comanches in 1860-61. 

Capt. Getzendaner was married, in Ellis County, 
Texas, August 2, 1865, to Mrs. Willie Neel, widow 
of Hon. T. C. Neel, formerly State Senator, who 
died in 1862. She was born in Hancock County, 
Ga., August 29, 1832, and is the daughter of John 
B. Latimer, a large planter and slaveholder. She 
is the granddaughter of Maj. Gonder, of Georgia, 
and related by marriage to Judge Thomas Linton 
Stephens, and other distinguished families of that 
State. Her brother, Mark Latimer, was formerly 
a banker at Ennis, Texas. By her first husband 
she has one daughter, Mattie, born in Hancock, 
Ga., educated at Emmetsburg, Md., in St. Joseph's 
Academj', and married to Frank Templeton, for- 
merly editor of the Waxahachie Argus, and now a 
farmer in Ellis County. Mrs. Getzendaner is a 
member of the Baptist Clnircli. 



756 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



Partly as revealing a prominent ebaiacteristic of 
the man and |)artly as a lesson to young men who 
may read this biograplij', it may be stated that 
when Capt. Getzendaner arrived in Waxahachie he 
had but five dollars and was forty dollars in debt. 
He at once went to, work, in no wa^^ disheartened 
hy his impecunious condition, and by diligence, 
studj', application and economy, dealing fairl3' and 
honorably with all men and therebj- gaining their 
confidence, he attained success in his profession 
and accumulated property. He is now owner of 
a residence and several business houses and lots 
in town, a farm of 1,400 acres in Ellis County, 
9,000 acres of unimproved land in Ellis and 
other counties, besides his bank stock, bonds and 
notes. 

In appearance Capt. Getzendaner is rather pre- 
possessing, standing five feet eight inches in height, 
wifth blue eyes and prominent features, and weigh- 
ing 15.5 pounds. In form be is broad, muscular 



and strong, the physical corresponding with -he 
intellectual man. His manners are retiring, but he 
is an active and energetic business man. 

He is a man growing in the estimation of the 
people and rising to prominence. As a business 
man, he is a success, making money rapidly by his 
energy, tact and capacity. His moral worth is un- 
excelled. He is social and companionable, but his 
principal characterisiius are firmness, pride of 
opinion and financial ability. He is an independent 
thinker, and does not always follow a beaten track. 
He is grateful to those who have done him a favor, 
and is a liberal and charitable citizen. 

Mr. Getzendaner represented his district in the 
State Senate from 1882 to 1884, and since then has 
often been urged to canvass the State for Gover- 
nor, but having no taste for politics he refused all 
importunities, preferring the enjoyment of the 
fruits of his well-spent life around his fireside with 
his family. 



JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER TERRELL, 

FORT WORTH. 



Joseph Christopher Terrell was born in Sumner 
County, Tenn., October 29, IS.'Jl, while his father's 
family were en route from Virginia to Missouri to 
make a new home. His paternal grandfather was a 
Virginian, and his grandmother, whose maiden 
name was Johnson, was of the same State. Thej^ 
were Quakers, and when they died left two chil- 
dren. Dr. C. J. Terrell, the elder, was a graduate 
of Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, emi- 
grated and settled in Boonville, Mo., in 1831, and 
died there in 1832, leaving a large estate to his 
three children. These children were: A. W. Ter- 
rell, now State Senator, and formerly Judge of the 
Capital District at Austin, Texas; Dr. John J. 
Terrell, of Campbell County, Va., and Joseph C. 
Terrell, the subject of this sketch. 

Joseph C. was reared on the farm near Boonville, 
Mo., left by his father as part of his estate. Hav- 
ino' wealth, and, therefore, no necessity to work, 
his boyhood was spent in idleness and in doing what- 
ever his fancy dictated. He had no taste for books 
and despised study, a disposition which contrasts 
strangely with his subsequent application and stu- 
dious habits. Notwithstanding his antipathy to the 
acquisition of knowledge, he was sent to school, his 



teacher being Prof. F. T. Kemper, of Boonville, one 
of the most finished scholars, strictest disciplina- 
rians and accomplished instructors in the West — 
accurate, methodic and energetic. From his teacher, 
therefore, young Terrell iearned useful lessons in 
system and order, which he has appropriated and 
made useful in his later life. Although his educa- 
tion thus forced upon him had little effect at the 
time, yet Prof. Kemjier, who is still (1881) teaching 
in Boonville has influenced his entire life. Though 
considered " wild" in his youth, the young man 
was never led into the dissipation that usually ac- 
companies such a life, but studiouly advoided gam- 
bling and the use of intoxicants. 

Leaving the Kemper school, he began the study 
of law in the office of his brother, A. W. Terrell, and 
after two j^ears' reading was admitted to the bar at 
St. Joseph, Mo., in 1852. Immediately after re- 
ceiving his license, he set out on a visit to the Pa- 
cific Coast. In 1853-54 he practiced law in Santa 
Clara, Cal., and in Monterey in the same State in 
1851-55. But he had as yet no fixed purpose in life 
and was rather drifting on the surface of occasion. 
He had gone to the West rather for adventure than 
for work, and steady employment in a fixed place 






/"■>^^ 




fc-l 



JXDIAN WAliS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



was exceedinglj' distasteful to him. In 1855-5U Le 
wandered in Oregon, and, though he could scarcely 
be said to have had a habitation there, he occasionally 
practiced his profession there, and now and then 
picked up a stra}' fee. He returned to "the 
Slates " in 1856, and spent some months in Virginia 
visiting relatives and friends. In 1857 he visited 
liis brother, Judge Terrell, at Austin, Texas, and 
thence set out to return overland to California. 

He reached Fort Worth in February, 1857, where 
he met his old school-mate, D. C. Dade, who was 
then practicing law in that place. He was per- 
suaded to pitch his tent in Fort Worth and form a 
partnership with his old schoolfellow. This part- 
nership was continued several years and until the 
Civil War began. Mr. Terrell opposed secession 
and concurred with Gen. Houston in his plan to 
effect the co-operation of Texas with the North- 
ern border States in an armed neutrality. When 
the war could no longer be avoided, he recruited a 
company in Tarrant County for the Confederate 
service and joined Waller's battalion in Greer's 
Cavalry Brigade. He took part in the battles of 
Yellow Bayou, Camp Bisland, Foedoche, etc., and 
was present at the capture of the gunboat " Diaiia " 
and when Col. Waller received her surrender. 
When the war closed, he returned to Fort Worth 
and i-esuraed the practice of law among a people 
impoverished by the war, and there and in the sur- 
rounding country he has continued to pursue his 
profession ever since. Twenty-four years have 
thus elapsed since he first opened an office in Fort 
Worth, and during all that time his place of busi- 
ness has alwaj's been on the same street. 

In May, 1871, Capt. Terrell was married to Miss 
Mary V. Lawrence of Hill County, Texas. She is 
the daughter of David T. Lawrence, formerly of 
Tennessee, a successful farmer and large land- 
holder, who died in 1867, leaving four daughters 
and several sous. Her family relatives are very 
numerous and most of them reside in Dallas 
County. Mrs. Terrell was born Februarj' 28, 1842, 
in Marshall County, Tenn., and was the eldest 
daughter of D. T. and Anna B. Lawrence. She 
was educated in the common schools of the coun- 
try, but having from childhood a taste for learning 
and books, she has been a close student and a 
reader of general literature. At the age of eighteen 
she taught the village school of Covington, Texas, 
where she grew to womanhood. She continued to 
alternately teach and attend school for a period of 
five years. Privately she was pursuing the stud}' 
of the higher branches. She was for three years 
first assistant in the female department of the Port 
Sullivau School, and for two years first assistant in 



Waco Female College. AVhile at Covington teach- 
ing and attending school, she look a thorough 
course in Latin and higher mathematics, besides 
giving considerable attention to French, Spanish 
and Greek. Her education has been both classical 
and practical, and as her disposition has always 
been retiring, her ambition is to embellish home 
and perform home duties, rearing her familj' in such 
manner as to make them worthy of the coun- 
tr}- in which they live and an ornament to the 
society in which they mov^. She is regarded as one 
of the best educated women in Texas. Reared in 
the cross-timbers, and self-educated, she is devot- 
ing herself to training her children for usefulness 
in the world, and at the same time cultivating in 
them a taste for the true, the beautiful and the 
good. In solid scholarship, dignity and grace, 
this noble lady is the peer of the highest, and is at 
once the delight of her social circle and the pride 
of the city of her residence. 

Capt. Terrell and wife have five children : Sue 
A., born Ma}' 13, 1872; John Lawrence, born 
August 1, 1873 ; Joe C, born May 31, 1875 ; Mary 
v., born January 12, 1877, and Alexander W., 
born December 26, 1878. 

In politics, Capt. Terrell was originally an old 
line Whig, voted against secession and since the 
war has had nothing to do with politics, but has 
voted an independent ticket, generally, however, 
with the Democrats. He is not a Church member, 
though he recognizes the influence an early Chris- 
tian training has had upon his life and character, 
and contributes liberally to all benevolent objects, 
and to the support of ministers and Church enter- 
prises. Mrs. Terrell is a member of the Methodist 
Church. Capt. Terrell is a Mason and has taken 
the council degrees. 

He always made money, but had no disposition 
to amass wealth until after his marriage. He is 
now the owner of six brick storehouses, four resi- 
dences, two frame storehouses, several unimproved 
blocks in the city, and about four hundred acres of 
wild lands in Tarrant and Johnson counties. 
Probably the value of his city propertj' and lands 
is $25,000. He owes his success to promptness in 
business matters. He is orderly and systematic in 
all his affairs. For many years he has been a hard 
student and his books have engaged much of his 
attention. He stands well in the community as an 
honorable man in all his dealings. He is a safe, 
reliable business man, but bis practice has been 
that of an office, rather than a courthouse 
lawyer. He is even-tempered, jovial and social, 
and probably the most systematic business man in 
his city. 



INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS. 



In person be is five feet and eight and a half 
inches in height, weighs one hundred and eighty- 
five pounds, is port)}' and muscular, with clear 
complexion, blue eyes and a generally healthy 



and robust appearance. His brain is large and 
intellectuality is unusually well developed. He 
is vivacious and affable, but is fond of a quiet 
life." 



ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN 

TEXAS, ST. LOUIS AND THE NORTH, 

EAST AND WEST. 



The Iron Mountain Route is the short line 
between all important points in Texas and Little 
Rock, Memphis and St. Louis, having three daily 
trains in both directions between Texas points and 
St. Louis. All these trains enter the magnificent 
new Union Station at St. Louis, wheje direct con- 
nections are made for the East, North and South, 
with all outgoing and incoming trains. The Texas 
special, with through Pullman Buffet Sleeping ears 
between Laredo, San Antonio, Galveston, Fort 
Worth, Dallas, and St. Louis, has long been the 
favorite train between Texas, St. Louis and the 
North and East. The schedule of this train is 
very fast, and the equipment is the most modern, 
being vestibuled throughout, and lighted by the 
famous Pintsch Gas Light System. 

The other trains that are scheduled for the per- 
formance of first-class passenger dutj' between 
Texarkana, Little Rock, Memphis and St. Louis 
are the Forth Worth & Dallas Express, and the 
California, El Paso and Texas Express. The 
former carries a complement of Chair Cars and 
Day Coaches to Memphis, arriving at the lower 
Mississippi River Gateway for breakfast, while the 
latter train with similar equipment enters the Ten- 
nessee City in the evening, thus opening up a most 
admirable route to the Southeast and to the lower 
Atlantic Se.'xboard. Pullman Buffet Sleeping Cars 



and Reclining Chair Cars (in which the seats are 
free) are also run through to St. Louis, these same 
trains performing the service. 

As a highway from Eastern and Southern Texas 
to the trade centers between the Alleghenies and 
the Rockies, this popular route offers diverse 
avenues, either of which are at once acceptable 
when their advantages are known. The line via 
Memphis is the best for all points in the Southeast, 
and the one via St. Louis is the shortest, quickest 
and best equipped for the North, East and West, 
and the one via Little Rock, known locall}' as 
"The Wagoner IJoute," for the great West and 
Northwest. 

The Texas Fast Mail, which carries the through 
Pullman Sleeping Cars between St. Louis, El 
Paso and California points, has revolutionized the 
Government mail service between the East, North 
and the Great Southwest by placing Texas in 
closer communication with the business interests of 
the far North and East bv from eight to fifteen 
hours. A visit to tlie immense train sheds of the 
Union Station, St. Louis, during the morning or 
evening will disclose as fine equipped trains as can 
be found anywhere, well filled with passengers to 
or from Texas, which in itself is a commendation 
of the Iron Mountain Route's claim as a superior 
line, whose motto is " Texas to the World." 



I N DEX. 



HISTORICAL. 



PAGE. 

Introduction 5 

Mrs. Jane Long at Bolivar Point — 1820 9 

The Cherokee Indians and their Twelve Asso- 
ciate Bands, etc 10 

Cherokee and Tehuacano Fight — 1830 13 

First Settlement in Gonzales in 1825 — Attack 
by Indians in 1826 — Battle of San Marcos, 
etc 14 

The Early Days of Harris County— 1824 to 
1838 17 

Fight of the Bowies with the Indians on the 
San Saba, 1831 19 

The Scalping of Willbarger and Death of 
Christian and Strother, 1833 23 

Events in 1833 and 1835 — Campaigns of Old- 
ham, Coleman, John H. Moore, Williamson, 
Burleson and Coheen — Fate of Canoraa • — 
Choctaw Tom — The Toncahuas 25 

Attempted Settlement of Beales' Rio Grande 
Colony, 1834; Failure and Sad Fate of 
Some of the Colonists — Mrs. Horn and Sons 
and Mrs. Harris Carried into Captivity 27 

Heroic Taylor Family 38 

Fall of Parker's Fort in 183G — Van Dorn's 
Victory, 1858 — Recovery of Cynthia Ann 
Parker — Quanah Parker, the Comanche 
Chief 39 

Break-up in Bell County, 1836 — Death of 
Davidson and Crouch, etc 43 

Murder of the Douglas and Dougherty Families 45 

Erath's Fight, January 7, 1837 46 

Surveyor's Fight in Navarro County, October, 
1838 47 

Karnes' Fight on the Arroyo Seco, August 10, 
1838 50 

Captivity of the Putnam and Lockbart Chil- 
dren 51 

Texas Independence — Glimpse at the First 
Capitals, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, 
Columbia — The First Real Capital, Hous- 
ton, and Austin, the First Permanent Cap- 
ital 53 



PAGE. 

Tragedies in Houston and Anderson Coun- 
ties — Cordova's Rebellion, Battle of Kick- 
apoo — Cremation at John Eden's House, 
and Butcherj' of the Campbell Family 55 

First Anniversar}' Ball in the Republic 58 

Death of Capt. Robert M. Coleman and Mur- 
der of Mrs. Coleman and Her Heroic Boy — 
Battle of Brushy, 1839 61 

Cordova's Rebellion, 1838-9 — Rusk's Defeat 
of the Kickapoos — Burleson's Defeat of 
Cordova — Rice's Defeat of Flores — Death 
of Flores and Cordova — Capt. Matthew 
Caldwell 62 

Expulsion of the Cherokees from Texas, 1839 66 

Col. Burleson's Christmas Fight, 1839 — Death 
of Chiefs John Bowles and the " Egg" 69 

Bird's Victory and Death, 1839 70 

Ben. McCulloch's Peach Creek Fight, 1839.... 73 

Moore's Defeat on the San Saba, 1839 75 

Famous Council House Fight, San Antonio, 
March 19, 1840 — Bloody Tragedy, Official 
Details 76 

Great Indian Raid of 1840 — Attack on Vic- 
toria — ■ Sacking and Burning of Linnville — 
Skirmish at Casa Blanca Creek — Overthrow 
of Indians at Plum Creek 78 

Moore's Great Victory on the Upper Colorado, 
1840 83 

Raid into Gonzales and Pursuit of Indians by 
Ben. McCulloch, 1841 84 

Red River and Trinity Events, 1841 — Yeary 
and Ripley Families — Skirmish on Village 
Creek and Death of Denton — Expeditions 
of Gens. Smith and Tarrant So 

Death of McSherry, Stinnett, Hibbins and 
Creath — Capture of Mrs. Hibbins and Chil- 
dren, 1842 88 

Snively Expedition Against the Mexican Santa 
Fe traders, 1843 91 

Thrilling Mission of Commissioner Joseph C. 
Eldridgc to Wild Tribes in 1843, by Order 
of President Houston — The Treaty — Ham- 

(757) 



7^8 



INDEy. 



V PAGE. 

ilton P. Bee, Tbouias Toney, the Three 
Delawares, Jim Shaw, John Connor and Jim 

Second Eye 9;! 

Murder of Mrs. Hunter, Daughter and Servant 100 
Captivity of Simpson Children, Murder of 
Emma and the Recover}- of Thomas, 1844... 101 

Brief History of Castro's Colony 102 

Chihuahua El Paso Pioneer Expedition, 1848.. 104 

Bloody Days of Bastrop 106 

Raid into Gonzales and De Witt Counties, 
1848 — Death of Dr. Barnett, Capt. John 
York and Others — Death in 1850 of Maj. 

C. G. Bryant 107 

Southwest Coast in 1850 — Henry McCulloch's 

Fight on the San Saba, 1851 109 

Governor Fitzhugh Lee's hand-to-hai^S^"ight 
with an Indian Warrior, 1855 Ill 



PAGE. 

Van Dorn's Fight at, the Wichita's Village, 

Oct. 1, 1858 112 

A Story of Gen. Lee — His Attack of Savages 

in 1860, on His Way to the Rio Grande 113 

Raid in Burnet County, 1861 — Death of 
James Graeey — George Baker and Family's 
Escape — Escape of John H. Stockman, a 

Boy 114 

Raid into Cooke County, December, 1863 115 

Murder of Mrs. Hamleton and Children, Tar- 
rant County, April, 1867 118 

Bloody Raid into Cooke County, 1868 119 

Indian Massacres in Parker County, 1858-1873 121 

Heroism of Dillard Boys, 1873 123 

Don Lorenzo De Zavala 124 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



A. PAUE. 

Abercrombie, L. A , 657 

Adler, Fritz 490 

Ahrenbeek, B. H 433 

Aiken, W. B 221 

Allen, Samuel L 354 

Allen, Augustus C 357 

Allen, Robert A 498 

Alley, Wm. W 532 

Alley, John R 532 

Aldredge, George N 258 

%Amsler, Charles 506 

Armistead, W. T 361 

Armstrong, Frank B 591 

Astin, James H 514 

Austin, John 604 

Austin, Moses, and Stephen Fuller 729 

Ayers, D. Theo 452 

B. 

Ball, George 155 

Baker, Waller S 361 

Ballinger, Wm. Pitt 376 

Bates, Joseph 546 

Baugh, Levin P 454 

Bauer, Henrj' 523 

Barnes, A. H •. 423 

Barnhill, John B 533 

Beaton, Alexander 250 

Becton, E. P 212 

Benavidcs, Santos 613 

Bender, Henry 544 

•^Beierle, Sebastian 554 

Bland, J... 666 

Blake, Bennett 298 

Blesse. F. V 705 



PAGE. 

Blum, Leon 281 

Blumberg, Ernst 496 

Blossman, R. G 651 

Boerner, Henry 488 

Boerner, C. W 505 

Bozman, R. W 500 

Bonham, J. B 131 

Boone, H. H ^ 363 

Bonner, M. H ' 652 

Bonner, George S 411 

Bonnet, J. A 616 

Bowie, Rezin P. and James 134 

Braches, Mrs. Sarah Ann 246 

Briscoe, Andrew 237 

Briscoe, Mrs. Marv Jane 168 

Brown, J. M ~. 712 

Brown, R. A 543 

Browne, James G 555 

Brooks, Joseph 438 

Brosig, F. W 439 

Bryan, Moses Austin 168 

Buikitt, George W 387 

Burleson, R. C 656 

Burnet, David G 128 

Burnett, J. H 335 

Burvier, W. C 523 

Butler, M 706 



Cabell, Wm. L 254 

Call, Dennis 467 

Call, George 469 

Callahan's Fight in Mexico 601 

Caldwell, John 225 



INDEX. 



759 



I 



PAGli. 

Calvert, R 638 

Canuteson, O , 727 

Carr, L. W 445 

Carpenter, E. S 664 

Carpenter, John C 576 

Carstanjen, Rudolph 489 

Carson, Thomas 410 

Carr Family of Bryan 193 

Cartwright, M 632 

Christian, Ed 422 

Chittenden, Wm. L 608 

Clark, George 187 

Clemens, Wm 330 

Cole, James 510 

Cole, J. P 681 

Cole Family of Bryan 199 

Combe, Chas. B 592 

Connor, Orange C 222 

Cook, H. M 615 

Cooper, S. B 691 

Coreth, Ernst 489 

Cox, E. Tom 623 

Cox, C. R 675 

Crawford, J. W 626 

Craft, William 211 

Craddock, J. T 709 

Cross, John S 481 

Cummings, Joseph 708 

Culberson, Chas. A 741 

Curry, Putnam B 575 

D. 

Daggett, E. M 683 

Dancy, J. W 484 

Dalzell, Robert 581 

Darlington, J. W 690 

Davidson, W. L 710 

Davies, John H. P 312 

Davis, Wm. Kinchin 308 

Dawson, Mrs. Mary E 500 

De Bona, L 420 

Devine, Albert E 514 

Devine, Thomas J 220 

Dewees, J. O 665 

Dietert, William 520 

Dignowity, Mrs. A. J 243 

Dignowity, A. M 241 

Dosch, Ernest 495 

Downs, P. L 627 

Driscoll, A. P 449 

Dudley, James G 251 

Duncan, J. M 726 

Dunn.GeorgeH 432 

Dunn, W. W : 556 

Durant, G. W 566 

Durst, J. H 612 

Dyer, J. E 440 

E. 

Easley, S. A , 653 

Easterwood, H. B 417 

Eberling, Edward 569 

Eberly, Mrs. Angelina Belle 602 



Eckhardt Family, The 338 

Edge, Wm. B 719 

Eikel, Andrew 502 

Elbel, Gottlieb 492 

Elmendorf, Henry 326 

Elliolt, William 510 

Ennis. Cornelius and Wife 324 

Esser, Chas 719 

Evans, Andrew H 400 



Faltin, August 524 

Fenn, John Rutherford 301 

Ferris, Justus W 372 

Fest, Sr., Simon 568 

Field, Henry M 402 

Finley, Newton W 410 

Fischer, Andrew 519 

Fischer, Herman E 472 

Fisher, Wm. S 140 

Fitzgerald, Alexander 590 

Ford, W. H 711 

Fordlran, Chas 524 

Forcke,A 694 

Forts, E. C 715 

Foster, R.B. S 717 

Fossett, Samuel 574 

Fowler, Chas 178 

Fuller, Louis T 507 



G. 

Gardner, Alfred S 'il 

Garrity, James 319 

Gayle, G. W 673 

Garwood, H. M 718 

Gerfers, Theodore 458 

Getzeudaner, W. H 755 

Gibbs, Barnett 720 

Giddings, J. D 209 

Giddings, De Witt Clinlon 385 

Gilmer, Alexander 195 

Glascock, Thomas 738 

Glasscock, Sr., G. W 273 

Glasscock, Jr., G. W 274 

Gonzales, Francis De Paul 389 

Gonzales, Thomas 297 

Goodman, C. L 451 

Goodrich, L. W 345 

Gordon, Isabella H 206 

Gray, Edgar P 425 

Graves, F. R .. 365 

Graves, J. W 665 

Gregg, Elbert L 344 

Green, Edward H. R 424 

Gresham, W 349 

Gross, J. J 222 

Gross, Charles 288 

Grossgebauer, Chas S39 

Griffith, L. E 400 

Griesenbeck, Chas • 496 

Grune, Sr., Ernest 491 

Gruene, Henrv D 516 

Gunn, J. D...: 263 



76() 



INDEX. 



H. PAGE. 

Haerter, Constantin 445 

Hamilton, H. T , 607 

Hamilton, A. J 619 

Harlem, E 570 

Harlem, S. D 634 

Harlem, Joseph 569 

Hardy, Rufus 563 

Hart, John T 554 

Hardeman, William P 396 

Harris, A 716 

Harris, J. R 236 

Harris, Andrew J 320 

Hartley, O. C 186 

Hancock, George 253 

Harrison, William M. 647 

/, Hardins, The 413 

Hanisch, Paul 470 

Hampe, Frederick 533 

Hayes, William R 666 

Ilarz, Ferdinand 600 

Hausser, William 465 

Hearne, H. R 264 

Helton, J. K 427 

Henderson, Robert M 359 

Henry, Francis M t n;^6 

Herring, M. D 350 

Herndon, J. E 643 

Hebert, Joseph 551 

Hebert, Joseph M 551 

Higgins, Jacob C 323 

Hill, W. M. C 633 

Hirsch, David 412 

Hitchcock, H. M 630 

Hobron, C. B 527 

fl'oDbs, George 362 

Hodges, J. C 391 

Hogg, James S 742 

Holekamp, Frederick 520 

Holland, Sam. E 304 

Horlock, Robt. A 431 

House, T. AV 321 

Houston, Sam 639 

Houston & T. CTR. K 751 

Hoxcy, Asa 446 

Howard, H. C 360 

Howell, John 722 

Hudgins, W. T 691 

Hughes, Wm. G 483 

Hume, FrancisC 327 

Hunt, Wm. G 481 

Hynes, L. J 722 

1. 

Imboden, W. M 673 

Ireland, John 659 

J. 

Jagou, Celestin t^ 223 

Jackson, James i, 421 

Jarvis, J. J y. 268 

Jennings, Thomas J 370 

Jester, G. T ^ 674 

Johnson, Jefferson ■ 390 



PAliE. 

Johnson, S. M 644 

Jones, Henry 311 

Jones, H. K 328 

Jones, John Maxwell 331 

Jones, Randall 603 

Jones, Wiley 314 

K. 

Kargen, Emil 477 

K^rger, Cbas 536 

Kalteyer, Fred 272 

Kearby, J. C 522 

Keidel, Albert 571 

Kelly, Wm 559 

Kempner, H 278 

Kenedy, Mifflin 229 

Kenedy, Mrs. P. V 232 

Kenedy, John G 232 

Keonnecke, August 473 

Kerr, James 139 

Kidd, Robert 565 

Kidd, G. W 565 

Kimbrough, R. S 624 

King, Richard 26t> 

Kingsbury, W. G 552 

Kleck, John 527 

Klemme, Chas 653 

Knibbe,Chas 492 

Knibbe, Fritz 535 

Knibbe, Herman 488 

Knight, Wm. M 441 

Kleberg, R. J 289 

Koch, Fritz 534 

Koch, Antone 487 

Kopperl, Moritz 295 

Kott, Richard 509 

L. 

Lacy, P^win 494 

Langhara, J. B 530 

Landa, Joseph 270 

Landes, Daniel 352 

Landes, J. A 353 

Lawler, James 649 

Level, D. M 720 

Lewis, I. R 172 

Lewis, Chas 380 

Leasch, Fred 490 

Leistikow, Cbas 492 

Lesker, W 631 

LigLtfoc!; H. W 736 

Lipscomb, Y. Gaines 502 

Lott, Robt. A 430 

Loughery, R. W 180 

Luby, James 504 

Ludwig, Henry 591 

Lumpkin, J. P 425 

Lumpkin, Simon H 412 

Lutcher, Henry J., 104 

M. 

Marx, Marx 279 

Markward, John 234 



INDEX. 



Matbi3, T. H 702 

Matlock, A. L 709 

Masterson, J. K 303 

Maxey, S. B C5o 

Maynard, W. E 528 

Menly, Conrad 648 

Meyer, C. J.,H 590 

Metcalf, J. N 409 

McAlpine, J. A 501 

McCord, Felix J 586 

McFadden, David 529 

McFadden, Wm 337 

McGeehee, Sr,, C. 1 618 

McLean, AVm. P 344 

Milam, Ben. R 132 

Miller, John T 596 

Miller, W. R 583 

Miller, Leopold 547 

Miguel, R. San 580 

Michel, John A 597 

Mitchell, J. H 287 

Mitchell, Harvey 503 

Moody, W. L 381 

Morgan, Alvin 516 

Moore, J. E 606 

Moore, William .1 477 

Moore, Thomas 395 

Morris, T. J 4?,9 

Moss, C. T 444 

Moss, James R 442 

Moye, Albert 224 

Munson, M. S 573 

Murphy, Daniel 646 



N. 



Neale, William 599 

Nimitz, Sr.,C. H 418 

Norsworthy, B. H 595 

Nowlin, Peyton W 484 

Norton, N. L f.97 

O. 

Obst, Gottlieb 558 

O'Brien, G. W 266 

Ogden, Charles W 518 

Ogden, Wesley 517 

Ohlrich, Charles 486 

Oliver, T. T 625 

Oppenheimer, M. L 396 

Owen, John H 532 

P. 

Parker, Milton 578 

Parks, Isaac 672 

Pantermuehl, Henry 539 

Parrish, L. H '. 628 

Parrott, R. B 348 

Pease, E. M 201 

Pendleton, G. C '. 577 

Perner, Fred 578 

Perry, G. L 508 

Peters, E. S 530 



I'ACK. 

Peters, Stephen 645 

Peters, Mrs. M. W 645 

Pieper, August 536 

Pillot, Eugene 577 

PoUey, J. B 219 

Potter, C 692 

Prendergast, 1). M 256 

Piiess, John 704 

Pritchett, B. F 585 

Proctor, Geo. K 508 

Piickett, T. H 542 

n. 

Rabb, G. A 650^ 

Rabb, John 391 ^ 

Rainey, Anson 462 

Raymond, J. H 166 

Read, D. C 505 

Remler, Gabriel 472 

Richter, Henry 491 

Richardson, Willard 190 

Riddle, W. 1 643 

Roberts, F. G 437 

Roberts, Wm. C 451 

Robertson, S. C 392 

Robertson, James H 286 

Robertson, James M 428 

Rodriguez, J. M 676 

Roman, Richard 142 

Rompel, Carl 465 

Rose, A. T 676 

Rose, A. J 695 

Ross, Mrs. Kate...... 318 

Ross, L. S 317 

Ross, S. P 315 

Rosser, Chas. M 629 

Rosenberg, H 143 

Rosenberg, W. von 388 

Rosenberg, Wm. von 282 

Rowan, L. H., D. H., and W. A 518 

Runge, Julius 312 

Rusk, J. J 635 

Rust, August 579 

Ryon, William 309 

S. 

Sanchez, Santiago 620 

Sanger, Samuel 307 

Sanger, Philip ... 305 

Sauer, J. D 572 

Saunders, X. B 342 

Salter, Chas. P 501 

Saxon, Chas. 571 

Scarborough, E. M 456 

Schmidt, Gustav 618 

Schmidt, Jacob.. 459 

Schmidt, Christopher 536 

Scherff, Ernst 566 

Schodts, M 723 

Schwope, Charles 572 • 

Scbandna, John 588 

Schnahel, John .528 

Schaeffer, Franz 477 



INDEX. 



Schumacher, H 416 

Sealy, John 149 

Sealy, George 159 

Sears, J. H ()37 

8erger,Emil 471 

Shaw, M. W •.... 725 

Shaw, \Y. A 621, 

Shaeffer, Franklin W ^'i'i^ 

Sheldon, B.M 550 

Shepherd, B. A 668 

Slaughter, G. VV 668 

Slaughter, C. C ^ 670 

Slaughter, Mrs. C. C 671 

Sledge, E. J 612 

Sholars, S. W 493 

Simpson, Chas. T 515 

Silliman, Chas. H. 429 

Simkins, E. J 313 

Skinner, Roswell 478 

Slayden, S. W 277 

Smith, Fayette 497 

Smith, Joel P.. 503 

Smith, Joseph F 549 

Smith, Sara. S 444 

Smith, Brooke , 459 

Smith, S. H 403 

Smithson, B. F 539 

Spence, Robert 499 

Stafford, John 260 

Standefus, The 381 

Startz, A. G 472 

Stein, Louis 465 

Steeli A. L 495 

Stone, William 587 

Sueltenfuss, C. H 470 

Swayne, J. W 020 

Swearingen, R. M 747 

T. 

Talbot, James 538 

Talbot, Romanus 537 

Taylor, M. A 275 

Terrell, E. H 377 

Terrell, A. W 559 

Terrell, J. C 756 

Theis, Jacob 459 

Thomas, E. B 740 

Thomas, Frank 567 

Thomas, W. H 700 

Thompson, J. B 723 

Tidwell, C. W 428 

Tivy, J. A 204 

Telle, August 568 

Townaen, O. H. P 463 

Traylor, J. H 346 

Trent, D. H 401 

Trueheart, H. M 258 



Voges, Sr., Henry 537 

Voges, Jr., Henry 498 

Voges, Jr., Charles 491 

Voges, Fritz 523 

Vogel, Otto 635 

Vogt, William 493 

Voelcker, Julius 471 

Voelcker, Emil 515 



W. 



Wahrenberger, J 486 

Wahrmund, Max 554 

Wallis, J. E 366 

Walton, Geo. S 286 

Warmund, Emil 545 

Warren, Sr.. John 552 

Watson, S. E 582 

Watson, A. E 540 

Ward, J. C 390 

Waul, T. W 677 

Weakley, J. C 466 

Weidner, Wm 521 

Weinheimer, John 534 

Weber, J. J 583 

West, Chas. 8 189 

Westfall, Wm. H 196 

Westbrook, T. C 207 

Wheelock, E. L. R 271 

White, H. K 420 

White, R. N 702 

Willie, A. H 382 

Willis, R. S 374 

Willis, P. J 589 

Wilson, L.J 434 

Wilson, N. C 435 

Wilson, T. D : 450 

Williamson, R. M 404 

Williams, J. M 449 

Williams, Henry S 535 

Wiess. Simon 473 

Wood, J. H 683 

Woodman, G. W '. 681 

Woodhouse, H. E 584 

Wollschlaeger, Andraes 488 

Wortham, Wm. A 707 

Wynne, R. M 261 



Yarborough, James Quincv 433 

York, John '. 001 



Z. 



V. 



Zaudt Van, Isaac 511 

Zandt Van, Mrs. F. C 513 

Vanderstueken, F 487 Zimpelman, (^. B 394 

Vaughn, Chas. V 458 Zipp, John M 541 



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